Quick Start Go-Ride
The last of our six Quick Start sessions took place on Saturday afternoon; again we had fine weather and despite some riders being away enjoying a (no doubt well deserved) holiday we still had thirteen riders and welcomed new rider Alanna.
We spent some time looking at different elements of starting, in particular gear selection and then adjusting our position in a group to make sure we all made it through the first corner. Following some practice starts in different gears the group came to the view that a very easy gear was not ideal to start in, but neither was a very hard gear; the group view was that a gear in the middle of the range was probably the most appropriate - I could not argue with that conclusion.We then practiced riding in pairs into a bottleneck, that was only one bike wide. There was some excellent communication between pairs as to how they were going to make it through (although things might not be quite so friendly in a race) and so we progressed on to riding in a four and then a group of six (or seven) with three abreast. Fortunately fears of crashes and mangled bikes did not materialise as once again riders showed great awareness to make it through safely.
We then moved on to a game of limbo - unanimously the game of choice for the group - and the difference from our first game just six weeks ago was amazing; without exception all riders showed considerably more skill and confidence in their bike handling skills.
Finally, there was just time at the end to present all riders with certificates, water bottles and Easter eggs.
It has been a pleasure coaching this group of young riders and a delight to see how far you have all come in such a short space of time; we all very much hope that we will see you all again at the regular Go-Ride sessions when they restart next term (details will follow shortly). In the mean time, we are having a Go-Ride Racing session at Stocks Green on Saturday 19th April (sign on from 12.45 for a 1 o'clock start and 3pm finish) and it would be great to see some of the Quick Starters having a go - its fun racing and nothing too serious or difficult.
We done again everyone, you have been brilliant.
Fools Errand Sportive
On Sunday Toni and Polly roped a parent into riding with them on the Fools Errand III. Starting from Hadlow College the route wound its way out to Chiddingstone Causeway through some familiar roads that feature regularly on the KVK Youth rides, before turning off the Causeway to head passed Bough Beech reservoir and towards the real challenge of the day, Toys Hill (from the South). One of the original 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs in the UK the road ramps up to 18% and the top is the highest point in Kent. Despite the steepness, the rain and the slightly mocking signs on the road side the girls would not be defeated and made it up to the top without stopping. After a well deserved rest at the water stop it was on to the long, fast (and slightly chilly) descent into Sundridge before heading out towards Dunton Green and on to Otford.The long and short route split at the foot of Rowdow Lane, and there was much relief that the short route headed away from that monster hill for a more gradual drag up through the Weald via Seal, Stone Street and Igtham before racing through Plaxtol and Dunks Green and passed Dean park. Finally there was a fast, thankfully downhill, race down Ashes Lane before joining the main road into Hadlow and back to Hadlow College for free food and drinks.
The route was a little over 37.5 miles and took the girls 3 hour and 10 minutes in total (a moving time of 2 hours 54 and an average speed of over 12 miles an hour) and is their longest ride to date. Brilliant.
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