Friday 30th May - Spring in the Park Round 4

Woaahhh, another great night or riding and racing for the KVK at Cyclopark yesterday evening.  I was stationed at various marshalling points throughout the evening which gave me a few different views of the races.  I'd watched Ellen working well in a group of four riders so I was really pleased when a picture popped up on facebook of her pipping a fellow rider to the finish in a final sprint to take 7th position.

Hope took pole position in the U10's once again and added another 10 points to her total.

I managed to watch the U14's so saw Toni, Calvin and Hannah in action as well as Marc from SDW. Toni and Calvin both improved their bunch riding again this week and Hannah managed to close the gap between her and the rider in front.  Unfortunately Marc has a puncture and didn't manage to capitalise on his hard work earlier in the race. 

Here's the team:

Calvin (10th), Hope (1st), Ellen (7th), Hannah (8th), Polly (6th), Toni (4th)

Friday 23rd May Spring in the Park Round 3

Once again KVK were out in force for Round 3 of the Spring in the Park series.  All our riders are clearly improving, as their confidence grows they all managed to spend a little more time in the bunch this week, as well as demonstrating some good close riding in smaller groups.  Hope has sent me a write up:

On Friday night, Ellen, Polly, Hannah and I went racing at Cyclopark. Despite a forecast for rain it was nice and sunny. It is a nice atmosphere being there and gives us a chance to show all the things we have practised in our sessions. We get to make friends with people from other clubs too.

In the U10 category, I was first girl and eleventh over all. In the U12 race, Polly was 3rd girl and 13th overall whilst Ellen was seventh girl and 21st overall. In the U14 race, Hannah finished 8th girl and 19th overall.

Good rides too from Marc, Jack and Harvey from SDW.
Overall standings at the end of Round 3:

Saturday 24th May - KVK @ Herne Hill Velodrome

On Saturday, instead of our usual session, we went to Herne Hill Velodrome. Some of us had been before but not everyone. When we first got there, it was pouring down with rain so we had to wait for the storm to pass. The sun came out in the end to warm us up.

There are lots of things to learn on a track bike. You have to pedal all the time when you are moving and there aren't any brakes. We learnt to start and stop without taking our feet off the pedals but holding onto the fence instead. It was a great experience.

Thanks for yesterday, I really enjoyed it.

Love,
Hope

Saturday 17th May - Tonbridge to Penshurst Ride Out

Another sunny day and perfect conditions for a bike ride.  We were joined for the first time by Freya and Sammy from our recent Quick Start programme.  We set off at a moderate pace, most of the older riders were at Cyclopark yesterday evening so it was a miracle that they were out of bed, let alone turning their legs over.  We took advantage of a brief stop at Barden Lake for some track stand practise before moving on and tackling the width restrictors further along the path;

 Sammy and Freya put the 'Big Wheels' to shame as they glided effortlessly through the obstacles.  We all made it to the bottom of the concrete road before our 45 minute cut off, despite me offering a get out option on the hill climb everyone set off enthusiastically.  Seriously big respect to our younger riders; Freya made it to the top without even using all her gears, whilst Sammy reached the summit on her single speed bike.  Jelly babies all round before a cautious descent and pacey return to Tonbridge park.  No incidents or puntures and we made it back before 11.30am.

Great riding from eveyone and many thanks to our adult riders.

Next week Saturday 24th May:

No Go Ride at Stocks Green
Herne Hill Track Session 2.30pm at Herne Hill - contact me to book a place.

Next Go Ride Session: Saturday 31st May

Friday 16th May - Spring in the Park Round 2

Another perfect evening at Cyclopark, excellent riding from Toni, Hannah, Ellen, Calvin, Polly and our friends from SDW Marc, Jack & Harvey.  Ellen sent me her report of the evening:

On Friday evening, Polly, Hannah, Toni, Calvin and I went to cyclopark for the second of the Spring in the park races.  It was Hannah and Calvin’s first race and Toni had moved up into the U14s this year.  Unfortunately, Hope had to miss this race as she was unwell but hopefully she will be able to race next week.

We all enjoyed the racing and I don’t think that I have such a bad race face as last week!  We all managed to finish- Polly came 5th girl and 15th overall and I finished 10th girl and 26th overall.  This week’s race was tougher as we had to ride the dog leg as well as the main part of the track which added another climb and downhill to the race.  The U14s also rode the same bit of track.  Calvin finished 18th, Toni 19th and 6th girl and Hannah finished 21st and 7th Girl.  Well Done!!! : 

Saturday 10th May

Youth Ride - We decided to tackle the same route as last week on this Saturday's Youth Ride.  So back down to Seal we went, but this time a couple of us hit a nasty pothole and ended up repairing punctures.  Definitely rode more smoothly though, and improved our average moving speed to 12.9mph.

Look busy, two punctures to fix!

Not sure whether Hannah is laughing or crying, that white bar tape is very muddy.

No worries, Dad will sort my puncture out.

Go Ride - Ten riders joined us for our coached session in the afternoon.  We focussed on group riding skills, with lots of close riding and contact with other riders.  We progressed onto a game of "Jail Break" where four riders enclose a fifth rider and try to prevent them from escaping.  The young prisoners were better at escaping but I suspect that is because the old jailers are such seasoned pro's!!

Sessions Next Week Saturday 17th May:

Penshurst Trail Ride: Contact me to sign on. Meet 9.45pm park side of the wooden bridge at Tonbridge Park.  We will aim to be back by 11.30am.  Please bring a drink, pocket snack & waterproof jacket. Make sure you are carrying a spare inner tube, I will have tools and a pump for younger riders.  

There will not be an afternoon Go Ride session.

Friday 9th May - Spring in Park 1 at Cyclopark

Ellen, Hope, Polly and Hannah were all at Cyclopark on Friday evening for the first event in this ten week series.  Seasoned racers, Polly, Ellen and Hope were all keen to build on their experiences from last year, Hannah was keen to take a look before committing to racing, wise tactics indeed.

Hannah, Polly, Hope and Ellen enjoying the evening sunshine at Cyclopark

Harvey, looking liked he enjoyed the race!

It was great to see some of our friends from Southborough Wheelers (Jack, Marc and Harvey) and well as a few old rivals from Team Darenth and Wigmore.  Hope has moved up into the U10's since last year, while Ellen and Polly still have a year to ride in the U12's.

Fantastic riding from all three riders; starting well, staying upright and finishing smiling. Ellen is demonstrating her race face!  Hope took the only podium postion coming 1st in the U10 Girls and 11th overall, while Polly and Ellen finished well; 5th Girl and 10th Girl, and 14th & 24th overall.  

For me it was great to see the confidence with which they all approached their racing and their obvious pleasure in the improvements they've made since last year.  Great Work Girls, I am very very proud of you!!

Congratulations to Harvey and Jack who raced in the U12's and finished 20th & 26th and Marc who joined the U14's for the first time and finished 16th.



Full results can be seen on the Spring in the Park's FB page.

Saturday 3rd May

In the pub car park at the bottom of Carter's Hill

Youth Ride - Five riders  headed out towards Seal this morning on a new route that includes a full descent of Carter's Hill.  This could easily be reversed for those that like a challenge.  Discussion topics included the importance of breakfast, Hannah's new bike and possible KVK Strava league.  KVK Intermediate Seal ride: 16.3 miles, 1114ft climbing, Avg Speed 12.6 mph.  As ever excellent riding from everyone.

Go Ride - Eighteen riders joined us for our regular coached session at Stocks Green School.  We worked on pace and slow riding skills, including our Pace Eight activity which requires riders to ride smoothly and adjust their speed to avoid collisions.  I'm pleased to say the plaster box stayed well and truly shut thanks to some very skillful riding.

Next week 10th May 2014:
Youth Ride - 9.30am contact me to sign on
Go Ride - Stocks Green school - sign on 1.45pm finish at 3pm

Saturday 26th April Go Ride at Stocks Green

A big thank you to Clare for running today's session, great to know that everthing is in safe hands while I am away.

Next week 3/5/14

Youth Ride 9.30am contact me to sign on
Go Ride at Stocks Green - sign on 1.45pm - finish 3pm