Weekend of 6th/7th October

Another busy weekend for our riders who've been taking part in coaching sessions and racing all over the place!

I'll post updates from all the sessions as I get them.

• Go Ride at Stocks Green School - Kary, Damian, Michele, Calvin, Toni & Luke
• Club Cluster at Cyclopark - Andrew & Gary
• London League Cyclocross at Herne Hill 
• National Trophy Cyclocross, Derby - Malcolm

Go Ride at Stocks Green

A rather grey morning and our first distinctly chilly session of the term.  Sixteen riders signed on and the focus of our session was cornering.  We kicked off with a group warm up on the playground. I call this drill Clock Sprints, but no one else has ever heard of it, so I must have made the name up at some time!  The riders are split into two groups and given a number. One rider from each group sets the pace for their riders and their job is to keep their groups half a lap apart.  Lucy and Harry took this role on.  On the whistle one or more riders from each group (based on the number called) have to get to the front of their group and join the back of the other group.

Lucy's setting a good pace for her group and keeping them all under control!

On the face of it, the drill itself looks quite simple, but there are lots of skills going into making it run so smoothly; excellent controlled group riding, smooth riding, changing pace and moving through a group.  It also takes a lot of concentration, especially in a group of riders mixed by age and experience.  In true KVK style they made a great job of it.

After our warm up we split into two groups and worked on pin end turns. Michele, Claire and I had fun challenging our riders to make their tight turns without overshooting the cones and encouraging them to go much faster in the straights.  We also ran some Australian Pursuit heats on the course which ended in a few minor spills as the grass got increasingly slippery!

Back on the playground, we switched to carving turns.  We practised and practised until everyone could get through the five gates we'd set up with their pedals in the correct position.  After so much hard work, it was time for some fun, so we ended with some swimming pool style relays on the grass.

End of session photo from Group 1 on the tyres

Next week Saturday 13th October we are Kingdom, Penshurst for Go Ride.

Club Cluster - Cyclopark

10 KVK’s signed on for the BC club cluster at Cyclopark on Saturday. With road or cyclocross sessions available, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and thankfully the rain held off until the end of the session. Thanks to Jimmy and the other coaches on the day.  The next club cluster that we will be taking part in is on Saturday 2nd December.

London League Cyclocross - Herne Hill

A beautiful morning at Herne Hill Velodrome welcomed the competitors for round 5 of the London and South East Cyclocross League. 

With Hope at the nationals in Derby and league regular Oliver having a week off, the KVK team consisted of Lucy and Albert in the U12’s and Betsy and Ivo in the U10’s. 

After a coached lap lead by Luke from British Cycling, the races began starting with the U10’s. A good performance by all the team, with some tough close racing at this wonderful historic venue. 

Chapeau also to Lucy’s dad Johnny for not only supporting but also racing.

Happy and relaxed - Betsy and Ivo chatting in the front row of the U10's

National Trophy Cyclocross - Derby

Thanks to Claire for the race report from Derby: 

Last weekend, Hope was very excited to be going to her first National Series Cyclocross race which was being held in Derby. There was a strong field of 44 U14 riders starting the race. It was a bright but frosty morning, a big improvement from the rain of the previous day but the ground remained damp to give some fast but tricky conditions. It was a bit sketchy in places. The technical course included some bridges to provide sharp inclines as well as steps, hurdles and challenging sharp bends. It was a step up from other races and so was the level of kit being stored in the pit area. There was a special area for people to use their diesel powered jet washers and there was a line of spare bikes each much fancier than Hope's one and only. This was a steep learning curve for Malcolm as much as Hope!

Hope took it cautiously, feeling unsure of the slippery conditions having fallen on the practice lap. She picked up a bit as she went along and managed to finish without being lapped by the leaders. Her finishing position was 32nd which she was pleased with but she is keen to improve in the next race in November. She definitely enjoyed the experience. 


Hope enjoyed seeing so many other crazy cross people, including the Junior Men's world champion resplendent in his rainbow jersey. She saw him again at training on Tuesday night, still wearing his lovely striped shirt. Now, how does his mum keep that clean with so much of it being white??