Learn to Ride

Learn to Ride is back at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on Thursday 5 November, starting at 16:00. It's a cycling session run by My Journey Wokingham, and the goal is straightforward: getting children aged five and over onto a pedal bike without stabilisers. If your little one is four but attends full-time school, they'll take them in too.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you book. Each child is limited to two sessions, so it's not a long-term course you can just drift into — it's designed to get them moving and then leave them to it. You'll need to bring your own roadworthy bike, and the stabilisers have to be off before you arrive. A helmet is also a must. If you're not sure about the cost, the organisers have said they're happy to discuss options with anyone who might struggle to pay.

It's worth noting that these sessions are extremely popular, so if you're planning on it, it's better to get sorted sooner rather than later. They only run during term time, which is why you'll see them pop up around the school calendar rather than through the holidays — there was another one on Thursday 16 April, for example. If you miss this one, you'll be looking at the next term's dates.

The session is at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Haddon Drive, Woodley, RG5 4LY, in Reading. It costs £12 per child.