Fun cycling activities for children during the school holidays
We offer cycling sessions in the school holidays for all abilities - from first pedals to velodrome track cycling. Scroll down to read about the different sessions we offer and download the posters for information on dates, locations and how to book.
Types of holday activities for kids
Learn to Ride
For children learning to pedal independently
Our hugely popular Learn to Ride sessions help children (age 4+) take their first independent pedal strokes in a safe, supportive environment with friendly instructors. Sessions are delivered in small groups, with high instructor support and tailored coaching to help each child progress at their own pace.
Sessions last 50 minutes and take place at Markeaton Park. You can bring your own bike and helmet or borrow one of ours.
Older beginner riders are very welcome and sessions are tailored to each child’s confidence and experience. We find that 4-year-olds that are closer to 5 often get more from the sessions than those newly turned 4, but confident younger 4-year-olds are very welcome.
***Dates for October half term sessions will be confirmed soon***
New to Two Wheels
For children who can already ride but want to improve their control and confidence
Our New to Two Wheels sessions (for ages 4–8) support young riders who can already pedal without stabilisers but want to build confidence and improve their bike control. Through fun games and activities, children practise steering, cornering, braking and manoeuvring their bike in a safe group setting.
These sessions are 1 hour and usually take place at Derby Arena or Markeaton Park. Children must bring their own bike and helmet.
***Dates for October half term sessions will be confirmed soon***
Adventure Ride
For confident riders ready to explore traffic-free routes
Our Adventure Ride sessions (for ages 6–12) include a fun skills activity followed by a guided bike ride on traffic-free routes to local green spaces and places of interest. Ideal for children who enjoy cycling and are ready to ride a little further with others.
Sessions last 3 hours and usually start (and end back) at Derby Arena or Markeaton Park. Children must bring their own bike and helmet (bikes with gears are recommended for the distances covered) and a packed lunch.
***This session won't be running in the October half term***
Track Day on the velodrome
For confident riders who'd like to experience the excitement of velodrome track cycling
A velodrome is a purpose-built indoor cycling track with smooth banked corners designed for track cycling.
Our Track Day sessions give young riders aged 9-16 the chance to ride on the indoor velodrome at Derby Arena using specialist track bikes provided by Cycle Derby.
The day begins outdoors with coached skills activities before progressing onto the indoor velodrome track. Suitable for confident riders who are beginners to track cycling as well as those looking to develop existing track cycling skills.
Sessions run from 10am–3pm with breaks and time for a packed lunch. Bikes and helmets are provided and no specialist cycling clothing is needed.
***Dates for October half term sessions will be confirmed soon***
Book Now
Spaces on Cycle Derby holiday sessions are limited and advance booking is essential.
To book a place on any of our sessions, please email cyclederby@derby.gov.uk with your child’s name and age, a contact number and the details of the session activity and date you’d like to book. Payment will be required to secure a place.
For the latest updates on holiday activity dates as soon as they’re released, follow us on Facebook at The Cycle Derby or check back on this page.
If you’re unsure which session is right for your child, the Cycle Derby team are happy to help. Get in touch with us at cyclederby@derby.gov.uk or by calling 07570 955019.
Testimonial
We did the Learn to Ride class today and were blown away with the progress our daughter made in 50min. From balance bike at the start of the session, to a pedal trike to develop pedal strokes, and then on to pedalling unaided at the end of the session! The instructors were all fantastic! You’ll definitely see us again, with our youngest, when it’s her turn and for the development workshops for our new rider. Thank you so much!
Just wanted to drop you a note to say a huge thank you to the team today! Really appreciate their efforts with Harry, I've never seen him get on a bike so confidently and it's the first time I've seen him enjoying it too! He started on a balance bike and has come out riding his bike with confidence and a huge smile on his face - he was absolutely chuffed! Us too!
Please can you pass on our thanks to the Learn To Ride team at Markeaton today. Our grandson Finley had a wonderful time. We left the session and went to go buy a new (bigger) bike. Then spent two hours riding around Duffield and also Grandpa’s field. One very happy, very tired boy who says he loves riding his bike. A huge thank you to everyone.
My 5 year old attended his first Learn to Ride session. He was a total non rider and was very anxious about not having stabilisers. By the end of our first lesson Jack was riding, albeit very wobbly. I was fortunate enough to be able to book a second session 2 days later and by the end of this lesson, we had a happy rider. I was also given advice on which bike would suit our son best and he was able to try a couple for size. I cannot praise both your service and your instructors highly enough and as such wanted to pass on my thanks formally. I haven’t stopped smiling all day and I’ve told all my friends just how brilliant the Cycle Derby team are. Thank you once again, I’m truly overwhelmed and the sessions were worth every penny!
Hi just wanted to say how brilliant the learn to ride session was at Markeaton last week. The guys who helped my daughter were fab and in 5 days she's gone from only ever having sat on a bike twice (and peddling backwards!) to being able to confidently ride a bike without any help or stabilisers. We'll definitely be booking for our younger children when they're old enough. Thanks again!
Thank you Cycle Derby – the children had an absolutely fantastic time yesterday at the velodrome! ...I was so impressed by them all and I think it's fair to say, they exceeded their own expectations!.
Testimonial
We did the Learn to Ride class today and were blown away with the progress our daughter made in 50min. From balance bike at the start of the session, to a pedal trike to develop pedal strokes, and then on to pedalling unaided at the end of the session! The instructors were all fantastic! You’ll definitely see us again, with our youngest, when it’s her turn and for the development workshops for our new rider. Thank you so much!
Just wanted to drop you a note to say a huge thank you to the team today! Really appreciate their efforts with Harry, I've never seen him get on a bike so confidently and it's the first time I've seen him enjoying it too! He started on a balance bike and has come out riding his bike with confidence and a huge smile on his face - he was absolutely chuffed! Us too!
Please can you pass on our thanks to the Learn To Ride team at Markeaton today. Our grandson Finley had a wonderful time. We left the session and went to go buy a new (bigger) bike. Then spent two hours riding around Duffield and also Grandpa’s field. One very happy, very tired boy who says he loves riding his bike. A huge thank you to everyone.
My 5 year old attended his first Learn to Ride session. He was a total non rider and was very anxious about not having stabilisers. By the end of our first lesson Jack was riding, albeit very wobbly. I was fortunate enough to be able to book a second session 2 days later and by the end of this lesson, we had a happy rider. I was also given advice on which bike would suit our son best and he was able to try a couple for size. I cannot praise both your service and your instructors highly enough and as such wanted to pass on my thanks formally. I haven’t stopped smiling all day and I’ve told all my friends just how brilliant the Cycle Derby team are. Thank you once again, I’m truly overwhelmed and the sessions were worth every penny!
Hi just wanted to say how brilliant the learn to ride session was at Markeaton last week. The guys who helped my daughter were fab and in 5 days she's gone from only ever having sat on a bike twice (and peddling backwards!) to being able to confidently ride a bike without any help or stabilisers. We'll definitely be booking for our younger children when they're old enough. Thanks again!