Cycling is a good way to enjoy low impact aerobic exercise. Cycling is easy to learn and does not need expensive equipment. People young and old alike will benefit from riding a bicycle to get out of doors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine which can do wonders in keeping the body fit and healthy. Creating obstacle courses can be a great way for children and adults to have fun while exercising, be challenged to navigate and pass an obstacle course and to learn coordination and balance by turning the training into a game.
Obstacle course for younger children
· Use paper sacks filled with sand so children will not get hurt if they bump into them. Place the sacks few feet apart from each other so children can easily pass between the sacks. Tell them to weave between the sacks in an S-pattern. It may help if you draw the path with sidewalk chalk indicating the start and finish of this obstacle
· Draw an interesting community on a large area with sidewalk chalk. Draw roads and bridges, stop lights, trees, rivers and drive-through food chains for the children to navigate.
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Obstacle Course for cycling-themed birthday parties
· Mark a large area in your yard for this obstacle course. Plan a maze-like course and mark turning points with small poles pushed into the ground and attach colorful cloth flags.
· Designate narrow lanes by cordoning the area with ropes. You can tie the ropes to the backs of four chairs or on wooden poles.
·. Place another two a few feet from the first two. In the middle are between the two wet sponge blocks on each end, place one sponge block. The cyclist must swerve to avoid hitting the middle block. Swerving left or right is fine.
· Add directional signs for turn offs and corners and areas where to slow down, stop and start.
Timed Skill Course for advanced riders
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·. Points will be deducted if the rider cannot hit the can before reaching the next station.
· Place two flags on the ground a few meters apart. The rider must ride a figure eight around the two flags.
·. The rider must not rest his feet on the ground while picking up and setting down the filled buckets.
·. In the next station, the rider must collect 5 rings that are placed vertically on stakes or tables placed about 1.5 or 2 meters apart.
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· Attach a nail or a large thorn on the front of the biker’s helmet. The rider must burst a water-filled balloon suspended on a string. The height of the balloon must conform to the height of the rider when standing up or seated.
· Suspend a wood plank on two poles. The rider must stoop quite low to be able to pass through. Increase the difficulty and the fun by attaching small pieces of wood like the times of a rake on the underside of the plank. If the rider touches the rake, the plank will turn and tip over a few cans filled with water on the rider.
References:
PreschoolRock.com: Preschool Fitness Activity – Bike Obstacle Course
http://fitness.preschoolrock.com/index.php/activities/bike-courses
The Educator’s Reference Desk: Bicycle Safety: Obstacle Course
http://eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0004.html
Youth Work Practice: Bicycle Rally / Scooter Rally
http://www.youthwork-practice.com/games/bicycle-rally.html
Birthday Party Ideas: Obstacle Course
http://www.expressbirthdayplanning.com/games/obstacle_course.html
Cornell University: An Organizer’s Guide to Bicycle Rodeos (PDF)
http://www.bike.cornell.edu/pdfs/Bike_Rodeo_404.2.pdf
