Saturday 26th November - Off-Site Ride - Col de Coldharbour

At the pump track in West Wood, our start and finish point

The great thing about the dry weather we've had over the last few months is that the trails  in the woods are still very manageable even for our youngest riders, and so it was that we met up at West Wood before heading for the Col de Coldharbour.  To get to the woods, we must first negotiate the B245 and Coldharbour Lane, so very controlled group riding is the order of the day.  The last on road section climbs up from the Pooh Stick's Bridge, past Trench Farm and up to the top of the lane, where the road stops and becomes a track.  Shortly after there is a dog leg that we call The Chestnut Walk, that's an addition to the main route that continues up a partly metalled track through the woods to the top of the hill and our usual re-fuelling point.  Back on our bikes and one last corner of road to negotiate before we hit a downhill section through the woods to The Chocolate Box Cottage. 

Meeting up with the others at the top of the lane

Time for a biscuit!

 Next up is the single track section through the woods, down the hill and through the gate into the bumpy field.  The final challenge from there is the gradual climb up a wide but stony path back to Coldharbour Lane.  Once again, good controlled group riding is required to get riders safely down to the bridge and back up to re-join the B245, cross over and arrive back at the park.

Puncture repair at Chocolate Box Cottage

We had fourteen young riders sign on; seven Minis came with me and Michele, four Mediums joined Damian and Christophe and the three oldest riders headed out with Calvin and Juan.  All three groups did slightly different versions of the same route and arrived back at the pump track at pretty much the same time.  Great riding from all concerned; very impressed with my Minis, who really showed they could ride well in a  group on the lane and put in loads of effort on the climbs.  Eloise, Rosemary, Joshua and Oliver all added The Chestnut Walk to their route while Nico, Hope and Dan pulled the wool over Calvin's eyes by telling him they were tired and avoiding extra loops of the Col. You won't get away with it again though guys, he's got the measure of you now!

Thanks to all our parents and ride buddies for helping us to get fourteen kids out of the house and into the woods! Keep up the good work.

Next Week: Club Cluster Session at Cyclopark, Gravesend, DA11 7NP 10am - 12noon

The Minis, hiding in the barn