A week of racing for Kent Velo Kids



Great start for Ellen at Cyclopark



Sophia exiting transition at Hever Tri

Whilst I was riding alpine cols with some of the KVG (and KVB), three of our Kent Velo Kids were taking part in local races.  On Wednesday evening Sophia N took part in the Hever Triathlon and finished 5th, taking a minute off her bike time from the previous year.  She was riding one of our club Isla bikes with the standard road tyres switched for cyclocross tyres.  Later in the week Hope and Ellen were at Cyclopark for another go at a Spring in the Park race.  Both girls rode really well, Ellen improved on her previous start and managed to stick with the bunch in the early part of the race.  She went on to finish 4th Girl , (16th overall).  Hope started in a customary relaxed manner and worked her way through the field, finishing as 1st Girl, (3rd overall).  Congratulations to all three riders for cracking riding, just a shame I missed it!



Hope starts at the back to give the others a chance!



Next coached session: Saturday 22nd June Stocks Green sign on 1.45pm
Youth ride Saturday 22nd, road bikes only, please contact me.

Go-Ride at Stocks Green 8th June

The session focussed on track style racing.  We started off by practising some groups riding techniques and experimenting with riding very close and in contact with another rider.  On the track we played Jailbreak before moving onto some rounds of Italian pursuit, team sprint and a devil race.  Great riding from everyone well done.

Next session: Saturday 22nd 9.30am Youth Ride, Go-Ride at Stocks Green 1.45pm - 3pm

Spring at the Park Racing at Cyclopark 7th June

Three riders were able to make it to the second of our planned trips to Cyclopark for the Spring in the Park race series.  In the U12's Polly and Toni didn't get off to a good start but recovered well.  A smallish field of thirteen riders, meant less opportunities to ride in the bunch, but both girls worked with other riders in the early part of the race and ended up working together for the last couple of laps.  They ended sprinting for the line together, where Toni took the lead to take 2nd Girl and 8th overall, Polly was just behind, 3rd Girl, 9th overall.  Congratulations, another podium finish for the KVK.



A strong start from Tom

Moving onto the U14's and Tom's race.  Once again it was a smallish field and a few small groups quickly established themselves and worked together.  With a headwind on the climb to the finish it was essential to ride co-operatively with other riders.  Tom did this really well and ended in a sprint for the line with his race partner which he took comfortably and ended with a smile on his face.  Well done Tom, excellent riding, 6th overall.

Results:
U12's Toni 2nd Girl (8th overall), Polly 3rd Girl (9th overall)
U14's Tom 6th

We plan to go to at least one more of these races.  Thanks to parents and supporters who came along to cheer our riders on.

Luke came along to support his sister :-)




Spring in the Park - Racing at Cyclopark

After a week spent getting to grips with the gear restrictions imposed on youth riders it was very exciting to be setting off for our first real race at Cyclopark.  It was reassuring to know that the race was being hosted by a friendly bunch with Team Darenth at the helm.  Our riders Hope, Ellen, Polly, Toni, Lottie and Tom all looked good and ready to roll.

Phew Damian, it passed!

Hope was first off in the U8's, racing on a loop that included the small oval and the steep hairpin at the Kent end.  Her good endurance combined with excellent skills and a strong competitive nature stood her in good stead and she crossed the finish line as 1st female and 3rd overall. 

KVK's minus Lottie

Our next race was the U12's. We were hoping to have four riders but unfortunately the steep hairpin caught Lottie out during the warm up and she was not able to start as she was keeping the Cyclopark first aid team busy. Meanwhile Ellen, Polly and Toni were getting ready for their race.  For Ellen this was a completely new experience, Polly and Toni were slightly less daunted as they have some race experience and have completed several Powerpack sessions on the circuit.  Their course used the central circuit around the BMX track together with the London end oval, so pretty much half up hill, half down hill.  The race got under way, Polly and Toni managed to ride with the bunch for several laps, Ellen was not discouraged by the fast start and found herself back in a group as quick starters were dropped and some of the faster riders came through.  All three girls rode really well and were pleased with the final outcome.

Hope made a relaxed start

 

Crossing the line 1st Girl

 
 

Commissaire's briefing. Polly and Toni got a good start position by not doing the warm up lap

Still in the bunch

Toni going for a breakaway?

Still smiling

 
 
 

Tom riding strategically

 
 
Next up was Tom in the U14's.  Tom has plenty of miles in his legs, coming from a cycling family and riding to school on his own from a young age.  His objective was to ride more tactically and avoid doing more than his fair share of work on the front.  He managed this really well until two laps to go when the pace slowed under the bridge and he clipped a wheel.  He recovered well but wasn't able to make it back up to the group he had been riding with.  He finished well but was understandably disappointed at the places he'd lost after some good riding in the early part of the race.

Well done to Tom, Ellen, Toni, Lottie, Polly and Hope and thank you to all the parents for giving up a Friday night.  The races continue every Friday night until the end of June, we are hoping to go to a couple more.

Results:
U8's Hope 1st Girl (3rd Overall)
U12's Polly 4th Girl, Toni 6th Girl, Ellen 8th Girl, Lottie DNS (but is back on her bike!)
U14's Tom 13th