Ride Out Season January 2019

Our focus for January is building fitness by riding off site.  The theory here is that when it's really chilly it's better to keep moving.  However, we do have to concede that sometimes it's just too cold to be outside for most people.  There are of course always exceptions to the rule!

When deciding whether or not to run the ride we consider the temperature but also the wind chill, which affects cyclists particularly badly.  When riding in winter it's really important to wear adequate clothing AND to have an additional layer that you can put on if the weather gets worse or we have to stop for a puncture or accident.

Let's hope we get plenty of riding in and hit the spring in top top fitness!

Saturday 12th January - Michele & Calvin's Ride Out from Hayesden Country Park

Riders: Harry, Oliver, Ivo, Hannah S, Tom, Jess, Isaac, Leon, Hannah M. and Dylan

Well done to everyone who rode. Hayesen to Penshurst Place return clocks in at about 7 miles, with two decent climbs and the sharp escarpment at the reservoir.  

Saturday 19th January Kary's Ride Out from West Wood Rec. - Col de Coldharbour

Riders: Zach, Hannah S, Jess, Ivo, Oliver, Darcey, Tom, Hope, Alice, Bronnie, Ewan, Fraser, Dylan, Reuben &  Mathias.

Heading up the lane........

Group shot minus Reuben, Mathias & Zach who has to shoot off.

Top of Horns Lodge Lane #2, time for candy ;-)

Calvin's group whizzing past us all on the bumpy field

Two groups meeting at the bottom of Horns Lodge Lane, we never did come across Jez's group!

It was great to see so many of our youngsters and their parents enthusiastic to get out an ride today.  We split into three(ish) groups, with Calvin & Gary heading off with Hope, Ivo, Oliver and Tom. Next off was Jez with Zach, Fraser, Jess & Darcey. Michele and I set off with Bronnie, Alice, Hannah S & Ewan.  Late arrivals Reuben and Matthias tried to make the gap with Malcolm :-).

An hour an a bit later and everyone was back! Stronger riders managed 10 miles (that was 3 laps of the top loop) everyone else completed 7.5 miles.  Great work, I was home by 11.30am which left the rest of the day to warm up!

Saturday 26th January - Michele's Bedgebury Ride Out

10 Riders today: Alice, Bronnie, Ella, Alfie, Fin, Reuben, Matthias, Fraser & Ewan. Everyone managed a good paced lap of the family trail (9km) plus some diversions on the red route. Not sure what distance that added up to, but everyone got back happy, not looking too tired, so maybe they could have done it all again!