Hello! My name is Francis and I am the President of the University of York Cycling Club (UYCC). I’m also a 2nd year English and History student, though that title is possibly less interesting! In this mini article, I will tell you about why I’m the Club Prez, what I do in the club and maybe convince you to try out cycling along the way…
Let’s start at the beginning. I began cycling properly aged 13 or so when I got my first road bike. It’s taken a while, but I’ve gradually gotten stronger, done some racing, worked as a mechanic and visited many amazing places on two wheels.
I don’t like talking too much about me and my personal achievements though. In fact, I prefer to help others achieve their own good things and hear their stories. After being coached how to ride and race at my youth club in Brighton, I thought that I should put back into cycling what it gave me. I trained to become a qualified coach and helped out there, before coming to York and riding with UYCC. It was one of very few activities to do during lockdown and I knew I wanted to join the club committee in 2021-22.
I actually started out as Club Secretary, a role I would be suited to seeing as I have a way with words, but was promoted to Club President as I was basically doing the role anyway. I organise all our rides and admin, communicate with the committee and look for new opportunities to do with the club. We’re hoping to start proper racing and track cycling sessions soon, as well as bike building/ mechanics workshops, more interesting socials and cafe rides (the best kind of ride). We like to make the club as open as possible, so anyone is welcome whether you’re a pro-conti rider (we have had some!) or a complete newbie wanting to try out riding and racing.
Cycling is a unique sport for so many reasons; it is very accessible, it lets you visit distant places that you’d never see otherwise, it lets you challenge and push yourself as much as you allow it to, it is brilliant for your physical and mental wellbeing, it is great for getting around while helping the environment and there are so many interesting forms of the sport. Cycling is a sport that really is supported by volunteers giving up their time and effort, two things which are tricky to devote while pursuing a full time Degree, but this dedication is worth it when I see someone share the excitement and love that I have for cycling. In my mind, it is the closest thing I can imagine to flying. Speeding along with the air rushing over your face at 20mph+, self propelled on two slick, humming tyres is an amazing feeling of liberation and exhilaration, one which I want to share with the world.
Feel free to join us at UYCC- we will happily get you on two wheels out on the road or trails. Just send a message to cycling@yusu.org or @officialuycc. We won’t bite and we don’t all wear lycra either!
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