Saturday 31st March - Bedgebury Forest Ride Out

It doesn't seem to matter how many times I go to Begdgebury, I'm still excited at the thought of riding my bike there with the KVK, today was no exception.  As far as I'm concerned there is no better way to start the school holidays than a morning in the forest and I know that Michele agrees with me!

Jez, Andrew and I all arrived around the same time and got ready to greet the riders.  It was great to have our very newest recruits coming along for their first Ride Out.  We were a little low on numbers, we put that down to the school holidays, and of course the changing demographic of the club, nothing stays the same for ever.  Anyway, we had an enthusiastic bunch of twelve young riders as we set off for the first ascent of the day Col de Radio Tour.  The initial climb produces a natural split in the riders and when we re-grouped we had two nice groups to work with.

Jez and Calvin headed off first with Oliver, Ivo and Leon.  Michele and I set off soon after with Charlie, Daniel, Alfie, Thomas, Bronnie, Alice, Dylan, Fin & Zach.  Michele immediately set to work, putting the riders through their paces with some disciplined group riding drills, that develop fitness and skills at the same time.

The start of the next hilly section starts after a sharp left bend.  Just to get some extra climbing in, I headed back down the climb and set the riders off in twos and threes to race back up to the top.

Hill Climb Pairs Challenge: Thomas and Fin

After some hard and determined riding, it was good to spot the lake and stop for a quick snack.  As soon as I got the chocolate eggs out, Jez and Calvin's group appeared before racing off again to tackle Cardiac.

A quick break at Louisa Lake, we did see Jez and co briefly.........

Taking a well earned break at the top of Cardiac, a brilliant climb by Leon, Ivo and Oliver

At the next dividing point on the Family Trail, Michele's group took the right hand path, which took us straight past the play equipment, The Butterfly and The Lurcher were both very popular.

Climbing is such a great activity for developing strength, confidence and co-ordination, it's also fun!

Kids and adults alike jumped on The Lurcher!

Everyone agreeing that they'd had fun, after our final ride through Cake Run

 As everyone started to disappear off to various other weekend activities, Jez and Calvin appeared with their group; all very pleased with themselves having completed the entire single track, in pretty good time too!  Thanks as ever to all the riders for giving their best effort and adults for driving, encouraging and making the effort to get everyone out of bed at the start of the holidays.  Next week we'll be back at Stocks Green for Go Ride.