P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 9712:18
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TRAINING FOR THE TOP
After past Christmases the streets have
been filled with youngsters trying out
tricks on their new BMX bikes. The thde
is turning away from the street craze,
and on to the circuits, thankfully,
says Sam Wood, manager of the Raleigh
BMX Factory Team, who's also chairman
of the UK BMX association.
Lack of BMXs on the street doesn't
signal a dying sport. Far from it, Sam
reckons around 44,000 kids race their
bikes each week.
And the Raleigh team have had their
best year to date, winning the Top
Factory Team award for 1986. more
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 9706:35
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TRAINING FOR THE TOP
Raleigh's other victory came when team
member Craig Scholfield (19) became the
Superclass rider of 1985.
All of the Raleigh BMX Factgry Team
have proved their wgrth: team leader,
Andy Ruffell, (19) is the British
Professional Champion European Young
Cyclist of the year. Karen Murphy rates
2nd in both the World and British
championships at 14; Dean Iddigls, 14
is 3rd in British Champignships; Jamie
Staff, ll, is 2nd in Britain and Chris
Hyde, just 6, rates 3rd in the wgrld.
more >
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MALIBU EXOTIC RECIPES 172 ON ITV
P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 9720:00
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TRAINING FOR THE TOP
There are also two non-racing Raleigh
Team members, Jason Lunn (14) the oo 1
Ramp rider and Paul Zak (16), who
perform the 'tricks'. Both can often be
found on Wednesday evenings practising
their tricks on London's South Bank,
along with other young BMX fans.
"We don't do a lot of training; the
youngest riders especially are better
left alone to practice," says manager
Sam Wood. "The team members are self
taught anyway, we found them by touring
local events and spotting the winner1.
Raleigh now gives them back-up! more >
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CROSSE AND BLACKWELL XMAS 195(ITV)
P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 1727:55
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TRAINING FOR THE TOP
BMX racing came to Britain from America
14 year's ago. It's now a highly
structured sport; local clubs are
affiliated to the BMX UK Associatign,
which belongs to the Internatignal BMX
Federation. Strict rules and safety
regulations govern tracks, races, bikes
and clothing worn at events.
Around 95% of the riders enter races
individually, but riding as a team has
great advantages for those lucky enough
to be picked. Raleigh prgvides its team
with bikes, clothes and a spares back-
up - essential at races! continues >
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FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL 278 /N ITV
P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 9714:18
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TRAINING FOR THE TOP
Most BMX events fit in with schogl
holidays or happen at weekends. It's
very much a family sport; parents are
positively encouraged to go algng
when the Raleigh team race.
Many parents are active in setting up
local tracks and organising events.
(The UK BMX Associatign has prgduced a
track building kit - price £5.)
For further informatign on BMX racing
send an sae to the UK BMX Associatign,
369 Amersham Road, Haslemere, High
Wycombe, Bucks. HP15 7HR more fgllows >
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TELESHOPPING INDEX ON 17O ON ITV
P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 9714:55
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OUT ON THE STREETS
At Christmas, you see youngsteru tr9ing
out their gleaming new bikes on the
roads. Unfortunately, they don't gleam
sufficiently to keep their young rideru
safe in the dark.
New bikes should be kept in wrappers
until the owners have had chance tg get
proper bicycle and body lights.
Many cyclists fit lights just to the
back of the bike; this isn't enough.
Extra lights should be clipped to the
sides of the wheels to make it clearly
visable from the sides - especially
important at junctions. more fgllows >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 9715:28
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OUT ON THE STREETS
Use the forthcoming sales as an
opportunity to stock up with likhts
for your bicycle.
There are some interesting new lights
on the market. Choose leg lights and
arm lights to ensure your body is also
visable to other road users in the dark
There are also 'flashing' lights
available and some which mgve slosly
up and down when fixed on. These have
an added advantage in being new: many
motorists haven't seen them before so
spot them immediately and tend to give
the bike a wider berth as they£re not
sure what the lights mean! events >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon23 Dec C4 1715:45
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WALKING
EVENTS
WALK OFF THE EXCESSES!
Thursday December 26th.
Boxing Day Walk: Bestwogd Country Park
4 miles. Meet: Car park Wogdchurch Road
near Bestwood Lodge, Nottingham, with
the County Park rangers; 11am.
Tangley. llam. A 5 mile strgll with
some steep climbs and wooded country.
Stop at local Inn for fogd (if you
really need more!) Meet: Tangley Parish
Village Hall. Wildhern, Hampshire.
Join the Winter Walkabout, Ruffgrd, on
December 26th; 27th; 28th or 29th at
2pm. Meet: courtyard, Craft Centre,
Rufford Country Park.
cg&tinues >
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