Shanaze Reade has faced a lot of obstacles so far in her 20 years, but none more so than the fall at the Olympic Games in 2008. For one so young to have to overcome not only a serious crash, but also her chance of a gold medal, surely tested her capabilities as an athlete. As the sole woman member of the United Kingdom BMX Olympic team, she was the favourite to win the gold, but fate would have an unlucky twist in store.

“You try and time each lap in your mind and pass mental barriers, I was already lining my next move up in my mind,” says Shanaze. “I knew it would either pay off or not, then all of a sudden I was swerving, and then crashed.” You’d think that she would regret at least some part of what happened, and that she could turn the clock back to before the crash occurred. Shanaze, though, is not one for regrets.

“If I’d thought I’d not given my all in trying to win, and just given up, I’d feel a lot worse,” she says. “I didn’t feel like that though. I’d tried, and given it a real go, and there’s no way I can regret that.”

Shanaze’s bad luck didn’t end there, while training earlier this year; she hit a stone at speed and was thrown from her bike, leaving her with a dislocated shoulder. It hasn’t dampened here spirits though.

“I’m aiming to be back in around four months or so, but there’s a lot of work I have to do before then. I need to rest the shoulder, and then get a decent amount of training in. When the Olympic qualifiers start later this year, I want to be well rested and at full strength, so I can give it my best shot.”

“I’d really like to go on to become Olympic Champion, and that means never giving up. If I let everything get on top of me then I wouldn’t be able to come back, but if I stay strong and keep going, then I know I can reach the level I want to be at.”

So in the midst of her rehabilitation, Shanaze has found time to help show youngsters just how important cycling can be. Originally from Crewe, she made the short journey to Stoke-on-Trent to help the city celebrate the arrival of the Tour Series cycle race. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Shanaze took as active part in the day as she could. Greeting riders who cycled to the city’s Civic Centre as part of a commuter challenge, she met the city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Jean Bowers, and was treated to a “Biker’s Breakfast”, for everyone who had biked their way into work.

For a real enthusiastic crowd though, Shanaze was to encounter some of her biggest fans at Burnwood Community Primary School in the Chell Heath area of the city. Over 200 children turned out to see her officially open the final part of the school’s “tri-track”, a custom-made BMX track, where Shanaze felt right at home. Adding to the existing mountain bike track and velodrome at the school, the track is the only one of its kind in a school in the country.

Shanaze explained to all the children, many of whom were testing out the new track at the time, that nothing should hold them back. “Never give up on your dream – I haven’t and neither should you,” she said to the gathering of enthralled youngsters. “There are always lots of twists and turns in anyone’s career, particularly in cycling, and you just have to follow them and keep going.”

“Cycling is a great way to keep fit and healthy, it’s great fun and there’s a great social element to it as well. You’ve got a great set of tracks here, just go out and enjoy them as much as you can.”

Her captivated audience was thrilled that an Olympian had turned up to see their track, and Shanaze obviously inspired more than a few. Josh Bowden, aged 11, already has aspirations to be a professional footballer. On the academy books at Premier League Stoke City, he admits he’s sorely tempted to give up the boots in favour of a bike.

“I spend my time going to school, playing football or riding my bike,” he said, watching as Shanaze cut the ribbon to officially open the new track. “I love football, but I’d love to be a cyclist too.

“Shanaze is a real inspiration to us,” added Chloe Welsh, aged 10. “She’s someone we can all look up to and it’s brilliant to have her here today.

Shanaze then moved on to the city centre, where the Tour Series itself took place. After handing out medals at a special children’s race, Shanaze was one of the guests of honour as the ten teams took to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent, and the only thing she didn’t enjoy about the evening, was not being able to take part herself.

“The Tour Series is a great race, and it’s thrilling to watch. I’m only a little disappointed that there are no BMX’s in it; otherwise I would like to have had a go! It’s great that Stoke has been able to attract the event and it’s fantastic for everyone here.”

“The last word though, was one overheard by Shanaze as she was leaving the school earlier in the day. Burnwood Primary’s headteacher, Diane Herbert said: “You know, if just one of these children makes it to the Olympics, then everything will have been worthwhile.”

Shanaze would surely agree, even though she’s not ready to move aside for anyone just yet…