Half Term: Riding Out, Go Ride and BMX

Ride Out

Taking a breather before the Col de Plaxtol

We decided to try starting our ride at Ightham Mote so we could check out some new trails.  We still had to get there though, so Damian, Heather and I set off with Ellen, Polly, Toni and Luke for a quick ride up to the Mote.  It took us 21 minutes to get to the rendez vous point, which gave Ellen plenty of time to text her parents to make sure they were on their way with Hope!

It also gave us time to play on the log and identify the car park as an ideal race circuit (there must be some times when the car park is closed??).

Hope, Malcolm and Claire arrived and we set off along the bridlepath towards the Fairlawne Estate.  We crossed the road and wound our way through the estate, popping out on School Lane and starting the climb on the road up through Plaxtol.  The route continued to climb through an orchard and a bumpy field before popping out on the junction by Col de Mote.  We have climbed this hill before but never descended it.  It was a fun and fast trip down hill, so much so that Polly, Ellen and Toni volunteered to ride back up to come back down!  Hope and Luke switched places for the return journey to Hildenborough, Luke taking a lift in the support vehicle, his knee was giving him trouble.  A smooth ride back to Hildenborough with all the riders still buzzing from the super fast descent.

Our last Go Ride session of Term 1 had a record turnout of 22 riders.  Katy and Claire worked with the Quick Starters while Damian and I joined our regular riders working on pace.

Claire writes:

Quick Starters Who Completed their Course on Saturday

It was a sunny and bright afternoon for the last of our Quick Start sessions and our riders were smiling and raring to go! This week we were focusing on using our gears. We started riding in the easiest gear then switched to the hardest gear to compare. Next we investigated our gears further with some low gear races. All riders started in their easiest gear and raced the length of the playground. The winning rider kept this gear but all the others changed up one and off we went again. At the end, we thought about which gears we preferred to start in and when each gear might be most appropriate. We finished the afternoon with a game of limbo then presented certificates to the riders in recognition of their hard work. Well done to everyone - you all improved hugely and kept smiling throughout!

Half Term BMX at Cyclopark

It was great to see the new KVK kit on display at the BMX track at Cyclopark during the half term holiday.  Toni, Luke, Ellen, Hope and Polly all took part in the beginner session and were graded as Intermediate.  This means they can attend open sessions at the park and may even need another bike!!  Polly, Ellen and Hope went back for more the next day and met some of the "real" BMXers who introduced them to a new version of sardines.  We also bumped into Elliot and Jessica.  As usual the coach was extremely impressed by our awesome bike riders

On the start gate

Day 2 Intermediate session