Bedgebury Forest Ride Out - Saturday 27th January

There are lots of Go Ride clubs who don't run sessions in the dark days of January and February but there again perhaps they don't have such a committed and enthusiastic team of coaches and volunteers!  If there is any doubt about which session to run Michele's first suggestion is always Bedgebury!  So that is how I found myself scraping my windscreen and loading my van at 8.15am this morning.  The weather was on side though, the sun was shining and no rain forecast, a perfect day for a bike ride.

When I arrived, there were lots of cars but not many bikes in sight and not a single KVK jersey; then a few people started to emerge.........phew.  Most people had stories of disrupte/disorganised starts, but they'd made it, so time to get riding!

A few groups met up at Louisa Lake; a regular snack spot when we are Bedgebury

Posing for photos at the end of Cake Run

Michele is very pleased with her new pressure washer

Meanwhile James is using the on site Bike Wash

Malcolm & Juan headed off with Nico, Hope and Eloise.  This was the small, speedy group.  Next up, Michele and Claire headed off with some of our youngest riders and newcomers to Bedgebury.  Finally Jez and I set off with a mixed group including a few latecomers of varying age/size/speed.  Fortunately Andrew was amongst them and he has a good way of coping with whatever we throw at him!  After a slight re-group/shuffle about at the Radio Mast we were all well and truly underway.

Jez's group cracked on with the family trail and added a three sections of the Red Route to their ride; Genesis, Dad's Army and of course Cake Run.  Meanwhile Michele and Claire used the space available to drill their group in group riding, even managing some Thread The Needle Practise, all supplemented by numerous play stops!  Alfie, Daniel and William all conquered the hills, Hannah came out smiling from Cake Run, after not really thinking it was for her. 

Having fun on The Lurcher!

My group rode the family trail and made good progress with their hill climbing; Thomas took me up on my invitation to ride the Hill Climb TT section twice and rode confidently to the top of the following hilly section too.  We need to go back soon so everyone can have another go!  By the time we reached Cake Run, I was convinced that Fraser had a motor in his seat tube!

Jez and Malcolm's groups at Louisa Lake

Sunday 21st January - London League Cyclocross at Betteshangar

Thanks to Ellen for her quick report from Sunday's race at Betteshangar

On Sunday, Hope and Ivo braved the weather and raced in the East Kent CX league.  The rain held off for some of the morning but it had started to rain by the start of the youth race.  Despite this there was still a good turnout. All the riders got a coaching lap in before the start of the U12s race and got some helpful tips from Luke.

The course started on the tarmac and it was a rush to the first corner. The course had a few steep parts and was made more challenging by the muddy conditions.  There were also some hurdles in the youth race, they seemed particularly high on this course!   Ivo rode a great race on his new bike, finishing 8th U10 and 18th overall.

Hope started near the back but chased Emily (Team Darenth) for most of the race, only coming past her the corner in the last few minutes to win the U14 girls race.  

Saturday 20th January 2018 - St Johns Hall - Indoor Session

January is a good time to book an indoor session for obvious reasons, so it was a change for me to be relieved that it was cold and miserable on Saturday morning.  We used to call the session 'puncture repair' but it's not so much about repairing but more about practising taking a wheel out, removing the inner tube and replacing it.

Everybody busy with the task in hand

After a quick intro about bits and bobs to carry with you on a ride I showed the kids how I would go about this process; there is always some debate amongst the onlookers as to whether or not this is the correct way ;-)  During the demo I got the kids to go and look at their own bikes to check the inner tube size and valve type required.

Nicholas was very impressed with the roller demo!

Of course everyone was keen to get down to business and it wasn't long before the hall was a hive of activity. While we got busy with the wheels, Hope, Eloise and Polly hopped up on stage on their rollers to demo their roller skills.  Nicholas in particular was very impressed!

Damian and Luke were running their tyre change TT and I did try to encourage all the grown ups present to have a go.  I think Damian must have been practising as he triumphed with a time of xx:xx, there was no suggestion of foul play!

We were running out of time, so never quite got round to our Bike Essential memory game, it was that or cake so we went for the cake option.  As usual there was an impressive selection of goodies, all washed down with squash, tea and coffee.

I was really impressed with the way all our young riders set about the tasks we set them.  Grappling with wheels and tyres and quick releases is hard work for little hands but they all did a great job. Congratulations to everyone who came along, it was also nice to be able to sign off some Cycling Badge criteria for some of our riders who are Cubs and Brownies.

Mathys having a go at the Tyre Change TT

2018 Inaugural Ride Out - Col de Coldharbour

I felt nervous but excited today when I woke up for our first KVK Ride Out of 2018.  I'd allowed everyone an extra 15 minutes in bed by moving the start time and everyone made it (just about;-)).

There were a few new bikes on show, courtesy of one F. Christmas, accompanied by very happy faces, which just goes to show that kids are not just interested in computer games; they are hardwired to play!

Great turnout today and excellent riding from all the kids

Anyway we made three groups and then quickly adapted them to accomodate the stragglers.  Lucy and Albert set off with Michele's group but we managed to chase down Jez's group which they then joined while I headed back to join Michele.  I met them at The Big White House, looking pleased with themselves as they'd made it all the way up the hill together.  As we headed out on the muddy trail and the final ascent of Col de Coldharbour we passed Jez and his group just about to take on Chestnut Walk, we were leading the way with excellent riding and no mishaps!  Gavin was on gate duty as we headed down the slope and through the bumpy (also very muddy) field.  A quick pitstop set everyone up for the final slow climb back up to the lane.  Just as we were about to set off, Team Cross arrived; Albert, Ivo & Oliver who had shaken off Jez, Calvin and Ellen, Gary arrived shortly after.  The group had got a bit split up with a puncture and some tired legs so we had a quick reorganisation before setting off again.  I made my way back with Lucy and Johnny who'd got the only puncture of the ride (mine didn't materialise until later that day).

Michele's group take a break, including Walter in the trailer.

Back at the park, Ellen set off to try and track down Malcolm, they'd ridden the furthest and were last to arrive back.  Almost perfect timing from all our groups.  What a great way to start the year; 17 young riders and 8 adults all enjoying the trails and an invigorating bike ride.

This Week: Saturday 20th January - Puncture Session at St Johns Hall in Hildenborough 10am start.  Please bring a clean bike and your pump/tyre levers if you have them. 

London Cyclocross League - Badlands Cyclopark 7th January AND Lee Valley Velodrome

While I was still in a post Christmas haze, some of the KVK were busy; Oliver and Ivo raced at Cyclopark where it was FFFFFFreeeezing, Hope and Eloise were training at Lee Valley Velodrome (where it was nice and warm).  

Here's a brief summary from Gary: (photos from Jez & Gary)

Round 12 of the London league was held at the Cyclopark on an area of land known as Badlands.

This challenging course has a mix of tough short sharp inclines (followed by hair raising decents), a couple of  long straights and a twisty section.

Oliver and Ivo represented KVK in the U10 race and it was all smiles as they lined up next to each other at the start line

All smiles at the start of the race

Man down, but not one of ours!

Ivo gets off to a great start

Oliver's excellent skills always serve him well ;-)

That's a seriously steep bank!

Team KVK!

Start The Year As You Mean To Go On! New Years Day 2018

While I was enjoying a lie in on New Year's Day the Inglis's were busy! Claire sent me a quick summary of Hope's day:


Hope went over to Herne Hill today for the Madison Cross Race. She had enormous fun riding with Emily and got thoroughly muddy as a bonus. They came second and were rewarded with Jaffa Cakes for their efforts :-)