Saturday 30th September - Go Ride at Stocks Green School & Racing at Cyclopark

Go Ride
Another sunny Saturday morning although there was a chilly breeze; an unwelcome reminder of things to come :-(

Young Volunteers were out in force today!

Nevertheless, twenty four enthusiastic young riders signed on including six new faces.  Once again there was a good turnout from the Young Volunteers, even Polly had made it out of bed and got a cheer from those that know her well.

We finished off with some Marymoor Crawl races

We split into two groups, Michele and I taking the larger group and getting to grips with some basic but essential skills; using gears followed by gliding, scooting and mounting/dismounting.  Time flew by and we actually ran out of time for our endurance block (note to self, double time next week ;-)) so we moved straight onto our controlled riding activity.  The KVK have a good track record when it comes to rising to a challenge and today was no exception.  All sixteen riders managed to get themselves riding together, under control and we even managed to thread the needle, but just the once, it seemed like a good idea to quit whilst we were ahead.

Meanwhile, Damian was putting the older riders through their paces including some of those that usually work with me; well done to all those who stepped up to join the more physically demanding session on the grass.  Damian also managed to fit the endurance block in, so I'm guessing their parents had a quiet afternoon ;-)

No Youth Ride today as the racey types in the club had all gone up to Cyclopark for the Preston Park Youth Races.  Thanks to everyone who sent me photos, it's lovely to see all the different things that are going on. Congratulations to our fab race team on the day: Ivo, Oliver, Lucy, Nico, Hope, Eloise, Ellen & Toni. A fair spattering of podiums between them and as ever some great riding. Thanks to Christophe, Jez and Johnny who all sent me photos.

Fantastic sight, Oliver, Lucy & Ivo (tucked away in the back row) line up for a combined U8's/U10's start

Great to see our U8s and U10's back in action at Cyclopark.  Full results have not yet been posted but from the photos you've sent me I know we got a few cheeky podiums.

Oliver & Lucy

Ivo in 2nd position

Lucy in 3rd position

Hope and Eloise made up our U12s team and rode well in a strong field (results TBC)

Nico represented the club in the U14s. As usual surrounded by seriously good riders at all times.

Nico mixing it up with the best riders in the SE :-)

Toni and Ellen setting the pace in the U16 girls

KVRT bossing the podium in the U16 girls. Well done girls.

Looks like Mathys & Christophe had their own MTB race ;-)

Saturday 23rd September - Go Ride & Youth Ride

Dishes and Domes a la Damian!

This was our first Go Ride session of the new term.  Nineteen riders signed on including a few new riders.  We opted for an off the bike warm up today; Damian and the YV's organised a game of dishes and domes on the infant playground, with a few new rules to make the outcome more uncertain.  It seemed very popular and by the rate at which jackets and sweatshirts were being discarded a good way to get warm.

Taking a break on the climbing frame!

Toni, Polly, Ellen, Luke, Calvin (hiding), Hope, Nico, Mathys & Eloise

The older riders headed off with Damian, whilst the younger ones stayed with myself and Michele.  We got started with some basic braking practise before moving onto slow riding and stopping and starting.  It's amazing how quickly riders progress with these techniques when they have the opportunity to practise.  Next up was some gliding; it's really important to be able to move off your saddle, and something that younger riders sometimes find difficult.  So it was great to see everyone getting the hang of this skill really quickly.  We finished off with a gliding challenge; most of the riders made it all the way to the end of the playground.

A quick break to re-fuel, then we heading over to the lump to practise riding up and over it before we started our endurance block.  Michele had set out a 'Post Office Queue' style course to challenge the riders' cornering skills.  After more than ten minutes hard riding I finally persuaded riders to have a break.  We just had time to run some slow races.  A showcase of the way the riders' control and balance are really developing.

Well done to everyone who rode today, look forward to seeing you again next week.

Youth Ride
The sun had brought the teenagers out! All the KVRT and some of our teenage KVK's were out riding today.  We all headed off on a hilly course that took us to The Hurst near Crouch and then up again through Plaxtol and on up to Ightham Mote.  Excellent climbing from everyone. Juan and I were quite exhausted!

Sunday 17th September - London League Cyclocross at Herne Hill

Last year Toni and Polly went mad for Cyclocross with Hope and Oliver dipping their toes in (to mud of course) a few times.  Looks like a few more riders have got the bug this year.......... The results have proved a little illusive, but I think we did OK on the day out of some slightly fuzzy results :-)  

CX Team ready to rock and roll!

Albert and Oliver looking cool and confident as usual :-)

Albert's race face

No trouble re-mounting for Oliver

Cheeky podium for Albert's first CX race

If you'd like to race in the league check out their web page http://www.londonxleague.co.uk/  or chat to one of our riders/coaches.  Round 4 is on Sunday 1st October at Happy Valley near Brighton

Saturday 16th September - Col de Coldharbour and More............

One of the best things about the club is our team of coaches and volunteers.  I was away in Glasgow with Polly this weekend, taking in the atmosphere at The Chris Hoy Velodrome safe in the knowledge that the KVK were having a great time riding their bikes back in Hildenborough.  A couple of groups headed out, Jez sent me this report and Christophe sent me some photos of the older riders. We may never know exactly where they rode ;-), I'm guessing Damian and Claire played it safe with the younger riders and stuck to the Col de Coldharbour.  Looks like I missed a fun ride anyway.

A lovely sunny morning greeted us as we all met up to tackle Col du Coldharbour.  The middle group consisting of Joshua, Rosemary, Zara, Ivo and Leon, set off on the road section at a good pace and were soon summiting the Coldharbour Lane climb.  We regrouped by the white chain-link fence for a quick drink and to give Gary the chance to rectify his mechanical.   Once we got our breath back we headed down to the farm track  As good progress was being made, we decided to take a detour up Chestnut Hill.  This steady climb gave the riders a good test with the extra challenge of dodging all the fallen tree branches following the recent high winds.  Zara nearly managed to take Patrick down with a branch flicked up from under her wheel – better luck next time Zara ;-)   We took it steady on the descent to avoid any branch/wheel incidents and then headed for the main climb up to the farm itself.

Everybody made it to the top and there were even a few smiles!  After surveying a couple of wasp nests and a quick Haribo recharge we made our way out to the woodland section.  I went on ahead to open the gate to give the riders an uninterrupted descent down the hill and out onto the washboard surface of the sheep field – a good workout for arms as well as the legs.  We regrouped on the far side of the field to discover Patrick had picked up our only puncture of the ride (front wheel so the gods were smiling) – regular riders will know this is a favourite spot for KVK punctures ;-)  We set off up the gravel lane to join back up with the road section, which just left us the final descent of Coldharbour Lane back to the start point.  We even arrived back with 5 mins to spare allowing some Pump Track time.  Great riding everyone!  

Clear run at the bumpy field for Luke

Malcolm's Group - somewhere near Ightham Mote!

Sunday 10th September - KVK at the Olympic Velodrome

One of the most exciting things about working with young people is the way they have a natural ability to capitalise on the opportunities put in front of them.  As a Go Ride Club our riders are eligible to attend Club Cluster sessions at the Lee Valley Olympic Velodrome.  Previous graduates of these sessions include Toni, Polly, Ellen & Calvin and now it looks like the next batch is starting.............

Dan, Eloise and Hope

Words and pictures from Claire:

Well I’m sure you were thinking of us this morning as we hauled ourselves out of bed for the usual early start – how quickly the lie ins of the holidays have been forgotten!  We bumped into Eloise on the way up but then managed to beat them to the car park as their sat nav directed them differently in the closing stages.  Dan arrived shortly after and then there were three.  They all looked very eager to get going with it being Eloise’s first time at Lee Valley and of course Hope was excited about trying out her new bike. 

 All went well and Eloise took to it very naturally without showing a hint of nerves despite almost being taken out by a crash just ahead of her.  There was a brief pause to make sure everyone was ok.  All three KVK safe and well but a trip to A&E to check on a wrist injury for a Hillingdon Slipstreamer L  Dan was storming around after some growing over the summer and Hope has finally found her confidence on the boards.

All in all a very happy morning for them.  Meanwhile, Ellen did her training out in the sunshine!

Saturday 9th September - GHS 10 Mile TT

While the KVK were riding to Penshurst, Toni and Damian were on their way to Peterborough for the GHS 10 Mile TT.  Damian sent me this cracking photo of Toni on the bike.  Sadly we don't have a podium photo, because the results were slightly 'fuzzy' on the day.  Toni posted a time of 25:25 giving her the 3rd step on the podium in this National competition. Huge congratulations from all of us, what a great start to your TT career Toni.  Full report to follow, or just ask Toni or Damian to tell you all about it!

Saturday 9th September 2017 - Tonbridge to Penshurst Off Site Ride

Things have been a little slow to get going this term but finally this morning arrived and it was time to don my KVK jersey again.  I must admit I was excited at the prospect of catching up with everyone after the holidays.

It was a good turnout; Michele had already offered to take the less experienced riders but looking around I realised that most of these have moved up a category now.  It was looking like Michele would not get to play at the park after all ;-)

We split into two groups, Calvin headed off with the older riders (Mathys, Joel, Nico and Eloise, accompanied by Christophe, Nico and Sarah.  Sarah was riding her new bike (with motorised assistance) which basically means we now have a motor pacer in the club!

On top of the world in the sunshine

The rest of the riders headed out with Jez leading, me floating and Michele back marking. A natural split soon developed which meant we could relax at the back while Jez, Hannah and Gary tried to keep the kids on a leash.  Those summer holidays really have done them good and they were raring to go.



Leon, Franklin, Alice and Thomas rode steadily and we caught the other group at the escarpment where they were attempting to ride up the steep incline, which has become more rutted recently so really is quite tricky. Before we got to the Col de Penshurst (Northern Approach) I gave the younger riders the option to decline the climb but not of them of did and that's how we all came to be on top of the world eating sweeties on a beautiful Autumn day.  Everyone rode well, with a few firsts that I know of; Alice (our youngest rider on the day) made it to the top, Franklin re-started a few times so he could make it to top without stopping and Joel rode up with the older riders for the first time.  It was also the first KVK outing for Oliver's new cross bike and Alice and Ella's first Off Site Ride with us.  I'll have to stop there.

Well done to everyone who rode today (youngsters and adults) what a great way to start the term.  Look forward to seeing you again soon. 

Family Seaside Ride - Reculver to Botany Bay - 16th July 2017

The Reculver Towers are an imposing landmark on the East Kent coast and a reminder for me of many happy days spent cycling in this area.  So I always experience a sense of expectation as they come into view and today was no exception.  However, it was short lived as Michele's bright blue car popped out of a side lane just ahead of me, "drat I said to myself, they've only gone and beaten me".

Heidi & Thomas climbing back up from the beach

The car park was already busy with KVK families readying themselves for a day of adventure. We had a quick chat about the route and agreed some regrouping points in case we got separated; Minnis Bay, Margate Tourist Information Office and finally a point just before the run into Botany Bay.  We set off, me near the front with Calvin on hand for the speed demons and Michele at the back, making sure we didn't lose anyone.

Lunch at the beach

We'd been lucky with with weather and had a good size group of riders; Potels (4), Reids (4), Freemans (3), Hoopers (2), Terrys (2), Thwaites (2), De Le Marrs (2), that just left me without any family members!

We made good progress, just one puncture at Minnis Bay, and headed straight for the beach at Botany Bay.  The tide was out so the few determined swimmers had to wade out quite a distance and the sea was still only lapping around their knees.  Anyway, we swam in the sea, we dug in the sand and we hid our sandwiches from the seagulls.

Fuelled up and ready to return, we carried our bikes back up to the prom and set off towards Reculver.  It was hot and we had to stop to fill up our water bottles but we decided to press on with a promise of ice cream at the finish.

It's always a little harder on the way back but our young rider dug deep and made it back to the start, still smiling.

Building sand castles

I was treated to a large Mr Whippy ice cream with a flake, which the man assured me was totally free of gluten and sugar ;-)

Christophe took the opportunity to swim in some deeper water while everyone else had a lolly or an ice cream to complete the seaside experience. 

This really was a lovely day out, hats off to all our young riders who completed the twenty mile route; Fraser, Ewan, Thomas, Ivo, Joshua, Eloise, Mathys, Dan and Calvin.

More lunch at the beach

Mathys exploring the rocks