Awesome Go Ride Racing 26th October

Despite the dire predictions of wind and rain I was DETERMINED to do ahead with our Go Ride Racing this weekend.  On a whim I had invited SDW to join us and really didn't want to cancel. 


We ended up with 19 riders and ran races in two age groups for girls and boys.  We kicked off with an individual TT, moved onto a mass start race and then a relay of mixed teams based on TT times.  Our amazing results sections aready had everything sorted but we'd planned Sumo challenge so we went ahead with that in two age groups.  Results and presentations followed, with podium position winners receiving Halloween themed "medals".  We finished the session with the ever popular "chocolate pick".

The soft ground proved fairly challenging but our very skilled riders coped well and the occasional unplanned dismount provided interesting racing! 

Thanks to all the riders and their families for making it a fun afternoon of racing. 








Next week: Ride Out - any bike + Power Pack OR Invitation to Herne Hill Session with SDW (contact me for details)

Saturday 19th October

Still smiling after 16 miles

Today's Youth Ride was well attended with five riders.  We tried out a new slightly longer route (16.2 miles) and averaged 12.8mph.  Fortunately the rain held off and we made it back for 11am.  Post ride discussion included buying and fitting mudguards and the importance of pocket snacks and spares. Our next Youth Ride is on 9th November.

Our afternoon Go Ride session focussed on group riding skills.  We kicked off with some pairs slalom and then moved onto the main playground for a warm up of clock sprints on an oval circuit. After that we tried some hand on shoulder riding in pairs, fours and then eights.  This is a fun way to build up confidence about being close to other riders when you are all depending on each other to stay upright.  Back on our circuit we practised riding in a bunch and sprinting off the front before finishing off with a game of Jail Break.  Amazingly none of the prisoners escaped, we put this down to the skilled and well organised bunch riding of our jailers.  An afternoon of very impressive riding.

Jailers getting organised

Next weekend: October 26th Go Ride Racing at Stocks Green School 1pm - 3pm

Half term: Wednesday 30th October 2pm - 4pm at Cyclopark

November 2nd: Ride Out in the morning. John Leitch's Powerpack at Cyclopark 1pm- 3pm 

Hold on tight and keep pedalling

 

Saturday 12th October 2013

By the time we reached Ightham Mote we'd eaten all the jelly babies but at least the sun was shining

Damian got plenty of puncture repair practise. This was 2 of 4

We tried a new route this weekend for our ride out.  A slightly longer ride of 10 miles, including a killer climb on the bridlepath adjacent to Mote Road.  Heavy overnight rain had made it very slippy and despite our best efforts no one made it to the top uninterrupted (well apart from me :-))

Go ride in the afternoon was well attended with 13 riders.  This was the last of our individual skills session for a while, we worked on points of contact (so lots of one handed stuff and some none handed for our older riders.)

Next week Saturday 19th October: Youth Ride, Road Bikes Only - contact me
Go Ride - Stocks Green School sign on 1.45pm - Group Riding Skills

Saturday 5th October - Cycling Nuts at Cyclopark

Hope, Ellen, Georgia, Toni, Luke, Polly and Sophie all arrived at Cyclopark ready for action.  For Georgia, Luke and Sophie it was there first proper race.  Nine clubs competed for prizes and points in a complicated system that managed to reward performance and sheer numbers of riders from each club. As ever all our riders performed well, no crashes, no tears, and a place on the podium for Hope in the U8's (1st place again).

Full results have yet to be published but a quick tally of riders and positions place Kent Velo Kids fifth out of the nine clubs competing - AMAZING, WELL DONE KVK. 

A real treat was in store after the youth races, a Cat 4 men's race and a Cat3/4 women's race.  Myself, Linda and Damian all took part, Bee was officiating.  It was amazing to be racing with the kids cheering us on for a change. We managed to almost match the kids, no crashes, no tears and one podium place for Linda (3rd), but we certainly didn't drink as many milkshakes as them.

Next Go-Ride: Stocks Green School 1.45pm 12th October

Ride Out: longer ride with shorter option, suitable for mountain bikes.
Long route leaves Hildenborough, Coldharbour Lane 9am, joining shorter route at 9.30am Mote Road, Hildenborough. Riding on bridal paths and quiet lanes, with one BIG climb. Stopping for jelly babies at Ightham Mote before returning.

Please contact me if you would like to join this ride or have any queries