London League Cyclocross at Somerhill October '21

When the London Cyclocross League comes to Tonbridge we turn out in style! Kent Velo Youth and Kent Velo Kids photoshoot opportunity!

Saturday 3rd April - Easter Eggstravaganza

Our first day back this year and a great excuse to have lots of Easter fun. Everyone on our Go Ride session had decorated their bike helmets with bunny ears or chicks and we even had a life sized rabbit on the coaching team!

Go Ride 9.30am - 10.30am

We started the session with some one handed riding including air high fives and some Simon Says. Meanwhile our Easter Bunnies had been busy distributing chocolate eggs, so part of our endurance circuit included a dismount/egg collection zone.  Riders pocketed their eggs and returned to base to pop them in their collecting baskets.  Finally the bunnies invited all the riders to stop and retrieve all the remaining eggs, so every last one was picked up!

Next up, we took a break from the bikes and set up some egg and spoon races.  Amazingly this former sports day favourite was a new phenomenon to many of our youngest riders.  They took to it very quickly though and showed great skill running towards the finish line without dropping their eggs.

Finally, we split the riders into two groups and challenged them to "feed the rabbit".  Each rider had to take a carrot from their bucket, ride towards the giant rabbit and throw it at the whole in the rabbit's tummy.  After a few technical issues, coaches Michele and Chris ended up supported the rabbit and found themselves in the firing line more than once.  There was much laughter and enthusiasm for launching carrots at the rabbit/Chris/Michele.  Fortunately we ran out of time (and carrots) before any serious injuries where sustained, this game definitely got the thumbs up from the kids!

Kent Velo Youth 10.45am - 12pm

Continuing the rabbit theme, our youth riders started the session by attempting to bunny hop their bikes.  We even has some new wooden hurdles to practise with.  They made a good attempt at this tricky skill and their were definitely some gaps between rubber and tarmac, clearing the hurdles proved more difficult but also gives us a target to work towards.

Once again, the Easter Bunny had visited with chocolate eggs, so riders collected them up as they completed their endurance block.

This time our egg and spoon races took place on the bike; their was a distinct split in skill level so we ended up with two heats. Alice finally took the overall win with exceptional balance and skill.

After scaring the coaches with stories of Feed the Rabbit from Session 1, Norman took measures to protect the coaches!  It did get a bit physical but on balance a good time was had by all.  The Easter props are all back in the shed now and we look forward to next year.

Saturday 27th February 2021- Zoom Catch Up

 Another opportunity to practise getting up and getting ready for a bike ride!

Today's session was once again warmly embraced by a good smattering of riders: Chris & Jess, Hannah, Isaac, Iris & Hector, Gary & Ivo, Norman and Fin, Martyn & Zach and Harry.

Good to hear the day's plans followed by some photos and details later in the day.  So if you feel in need of inspiration to kick start your bike riding check out what some of our members are getting up to!

Fin got a good start out and about on the trails near Edenbridge

Recognise this place?

Iris, Isaac and Hector rode to West Wood

 

Jess and Chris did a Roads 'n' Trails loop. 

Gary and Ivo did a big ride for a bacon butty!

Harry had already done his training by the time we started the call.  He spent the rest of the day welcoming his new charges..........the bantums

Asthma check up first thing for Hope, followed by bike riding of course!

If you'd like to check in and chat to tell us about your bike riding plans/adventures  find us on Zoom 9.30am-10am on Saturday mornings until we can ride our bikes outside together again.

Saturday 20th February - Zoom Catch Up

It's been starting to feel like we'll never get to ride our bikes together again and a Saturday morning lie is becoming a bad habit, so I scheduled a 9.30am Zoom to get myself back in the groove!

Just like racing, it's all about Process Goals; Goals 1-3 = wake up, get dressed and login to Zoom meeting for a 9.30am start.

We got off to a great start with the Latters who were all dressed and ready to go our on a bike ride.  Soon we were joined by Iris and Hannah, who told us all about riding to school down the Hadlow Road, something which takes fitness, skills and nerve.  Fin didn't have any bike adventures to share, but he told us he'd been practising his scooter skills on the trampoline, sounds like a great way to keep fit.

Scooters also feature in the Freeman household, Tom has been riding an off road scooter apparently, which looks like fun.

Albert, Betsy, Walter and Gareth have all been busy too.  Albert told me he's been enjoying the BC virtual club cluster sessions and was pleased with his race results earlier in the week.  Betsy has been out running while Walter rides alongside, I wonder how long they'll be the same speed?

My lack of technical skills meant I left Harry in the waiting room, rather a long time but it was good to get the opportunity to congratulate him on his roller pancake video that he produced earlier in the week.  He's been training hard and enjoying the Bkool virtual platform, I haven't tried that one yet.

Gavin sent us a photo of Alfie, who was busy Zwifting, so you could say he'd beaten the Latters to be actually riding a bike.

Homework was to send me some photos or report back on their weekend bike riding and they didn't disappoint! Full marks all round, take a look below.

Jess, Hughie, Chris and Amanda got the weekend off to a flying start with a return ride to Haysden for bacon butties

Michele sent her apologies, but said she had done her homework on Friday!

Ivo took advantage of the permanent cyclocross course at Cyclopark

Walter having a crack at Cake Run

Running at Bedgebury for Betsy, Gareth & Albert

Hannah, Iris & Hector rode their bikes to the park and back

Alfie was busy Zwifting on Saturday morning

Ivo at the Millenium viewpoint near Brenchley

Feeling inspired, I set out on my own bike ride, dreaming of the time we'll be able to ride as a club again.  If you need some inspiration to get you riding this weekend, join our Zoom call at 9.30am and share your plans.