Saturday 10th October 2015

Go Ride
Another great turnout enjoyed some late Autumn sunshine.  After a warm up in small groups led by some of the more experienced riders, and a rider briefing the session was again split into two.

The more experienced riders were with me, continuing with our introduction to some basic mountain biking skills; this week we focussed on "power assisted front wheel lifts" (or as the riders preferred "wheelies") and back wheel lifts.  Its fair to say that everyone found the techniques a challenge, but with some expert pointers from Jacob and Gareth (Albert's dad) everyone made progress.  The key to all these techniques is practice and after a biscuit break we got the pallets, see-saws, planks and limbo out and built a course for riders to practice their skills and take on new challenges.  Even some of the riders who have been coming to Go-Ride for years found a new challenge in track standing on the (balanced) see-saw. There was a clear improvement all round, but remember to keep practising.

The younger riders also joined in at the end of the session and it was exciting to see so many young people riding their bikes and having fun.

Youth Ride


This weekend again saw two groups head out. The riders on the shorter route (Hope, Catriona and Luke) headed out via Leigh to Bore Place and then into Weald village (via the very steep, if short, leg breaker that is the Mur de Weald)  before heading back towards Stocks Green whilst the longer route riders (Ellen, Hannah, Calvin, Polly and Toni) took on the additional challenge of Baileys Hill and the ups and downs of St Julians and on to Igtham, before racing down Mote Road and Riding Lane.  Despite the ominous clouds the weather held and everyone enjoyed a trouble free and dry ride; how many more we will have we shall see (thoughts inevitably turned to the impending "mudguard season" and overshoes)

Youth Riders

More Youth Riders!

Saturday 3rd October Go Ride & Youth Ride

Go Ride - Twenty nine riders signed on this morning which makes it our busiest regular Go Ride session since we started in 2012.  Very exciting to see lots of new riders alongside our regulars and of course for our more experienced teenagers to have the opportunity to help out!

We ran out of time we were having so much fun!

All our riders were on site today, we split into two groups to work on MTB skills, mainly focussing on body position; the older riders experimented with the effect of shifting their weight around to try and get their bikes on, off and over various obstacles while my group focussed on some core techniques including riding out of the saddle and ducking down low to get under the limbo bar.  We finished the session with a giant obstacle course which included planks, see saws and pallets.  Lots of extra helping hands made it possible to station marshals at all the tricky points allowing all the riders to have a go.

Youth Ride

This is still a challenging turnaround after Go Ride but once again we did it! Seven riders signed on for Youth Ride with two routes to choose from: In Search of Henry VIII 22 miles and in Search of Sidney 14 miles. With no incidents or accidents we made good progress, the Henry VIII ers clocked just over 17 mph.  Both rides took in Grove Road in Penshurst we've found to be both an excellent training hill and a good indication of fitness and progress.

Next Week Saturday 10th October - Go Ride sign on 9.15am, Youth Ride 11.30am - contact Damian to sign on dwilkes@winterscott.co.uk

Sunday 27th September - Lee Valley Velodrome Club Cluster Session

Today was a big day for those riders who have regularly been attending these sessions as they were being assessed for their Stage 4 Track Accreditation.  This is basically like a driving test for track cycling, once accredited, riders can compete in track racing at indoor velodromes all over the country. The assessment is under test conditions, so once it is underway they are briefed on the drills they need to complete but they can't ask any questions they just have to get on and ride.  Starting with some basic techniques each block of the assessment progresses towards the highly skilled moves of stacking and rider slalom.  This last one is where the rider from the back of the line literally weaves in and out of the other riders to get to the front as quickly as possible.  Toni is our quickest rider slalomer and the only one who says she loves it!

Distinctly nervous riders ready for their Accreditation briefing. L-R Calvin, Toni, Polly, Sophia, Catriona & Ellen

Three hours later the same riders (plus Hope minus Ellen)  looking a lot more relaxed! 

Newly accredited riders Sophia, Calvin, Toni & Polly. Catriona needs a little more practise before she has another go at Stage 4.

Ellen making a quick getaway with her recently acquired accrreditation!

Sophia, Toni, Calvin, Ellen and Polly successfully completed their Stage 4 Track Accreditation and join Hannah as our track accredited racing team - bring on the podium :-)

These sessions are available to riders from Go Ride clubs aged 12 - 18 years old.  Please support these sessions and help us maintain access to this amazing facility for our young riders.

Upcoming Dates

25th October 2015, 8am-11am (top group will have team pursuit focus - bring tri-bars if you have them)

22th November 2015, 8am-11am (top group will have keirin focus)

20th December 2015, 9am-12pm (time TBC) (top group will have elimination race focus