Thursday, 10 January 2013

Happy New Year Kent Velo Kids

Only two days to go until we start KVK 2013.  I am still working on the grand plan of dates but here's a flavour of what's in store:


Go-ride coaching sessions at Stocks Green
The bread and butter of the club, this is where our young riders learn new skills and practise existing ones to make them top class bike handlers.  Skills and games with an element of competition.

Go ride racing sessions at Stocks Green
This year we will be running regular sessions focussed on racing and competition, some of these will be open to riders from outside the club.  No special equipment is required to take part. Adult helpers always welcome.

Ride-outs
These are off site rides which are suitable for riders who are developing fitness and have good skills.  They range from 5 - 10 miles and may include some riding on quiet roads.  Adult riders are always welcome.

Youth rides
These are off site rides suitable for road bikes only.  They range from 10 - 20 miles and involve riding on a variety of roads. Adult riders are always welcome.

Events at Cyclopark
John Leitch continues his Power Pack coaching at Cyclopark in 2013.  Our coaches regularly help out and I will keep you informed of sessions and races coming up there.

DATES FOR JANUARY

Saturday 12th January
Go-ride at Stocks Green. 1.45pm sign on, ends 3pm
 
Saturday 19th January
Youth ride - meet 9.30am at Stocks Green
Go-ride at Stocks Green. 1.45pm sign on, ends 3pm
 
Saturday 26th January
Ride out - Ride out - meet 9.30am Westwood
John Leitch's Power Pack at Cyclopark 1- 3pm
 




Sunday, 16 December 2012

Pimp My Bike - Riders Pull Out All The Stops (and Tinsel!!!)

Sixteen young riders joined forces on Saturday 15th December and took the Tonbridge to Penshurst cycle trail by storm. Tinsel, baubles, lights, bells, beards and hats, no Christmas theme was left untouched. Our ride took us along the trail as far as the Leigh Road where we judged the bikes. 


All the decorated bikes were fantastic, so well done for spending the time and effort to make this a special ride.  There certainly were a few puzzled stares from passers by.

1st  - for his amazing handlebar mounted tree and large santa beard
2nd Toni - for her carefully colour matched theme
3rd Charlie - overall Christmasiness

We raced back to Tonbridge, where it was chocolate all round.  Happy Christmas to all our riders, parents and helpers, thanks for making 2012 a great year for Kent Velo Kids - Look forward to seeing you all in 2013


Still smiling even after some very deep puddles!
 
 



Last of the Go Ride Games Medals

Our last coached session of the year featured loads of skills and culminated in a skills TT and of course a limbo knockout competition.  All the scooting practice paid off in the limbo which saw most of the riders off their saddles and crouched low down beside their bikes. Medals all round for Ashley, Luke and Sam in the U10's and Victoria, Shona, Polly & Toni in the Over 10's.

Monday, 3 December 2012

Chilly But Fun!!

Eight young riders and a selection of parents met at Tonbridge park on Saturday 1st December for a steady ride along the cycle path to Penshurst. The group split at Penshurst, one group tackled the hill, while the other raced back to Tonbridge chased by the second group.  We all arrived back at the park together and compared frozen extremities!! 


Next coached session: 8/12/2012, Stocks Green.
Next ride out: Pimp my bike Christmas ride 15/12/12. Meet at Tonbridge Park 10am by the wooden bridge

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Hardy Riders Brave The Rain


A couple of youth riders braved the rain on Saturday morning to get a few miles under their belt.  It wasn't actually that bad...........we covered 11.8 miles at 12.6 mph, everyone was smiling at the end (unusual for one of my rides) a great way to start the weekend. Well done guys and thanks to the parents who rode with us.

It was even wetter by the afternoon, but as promised Luke Anderson joined us for our coached session and took the riders through a series of drills on our playground track. Despite the challenging conditions most people managed to stay upright and the session ended with an Italian Pursuit race which was won by The Rejects.  Well done to everyone who took part on a pretty miserable day.
 
Next session: Saturday 1st December - Ride Out - Meet 10am at Tonbridge park, by the wooden bridge near the car park.  We will be riding for an hour  - how far we get will depend how fast we ride!!  Please bring a drink, pocket snack and a spare inner tube.  I will have tools.

 


Saturday, 17 November 2012

Busy Day - 17th November 2012

Great day for a ride through the woods

Once again, our Saturday morning ride out set a new record time for the Col de Coldharbour route; 39:42mins.  It was also the first time that we made the ascent past the mower place to the beginning of the bridleway without a break.  Well done everyone, hope you all remembered to wash your muddy bikes when you got home!!

After a quick refuel, it was up to Cyclopark for Polly, Toni and Calvin to take part in John Leitch's Power Pack session.  Well done guys, you'll sleep well tonight.

Next coached session: Saturday 24th November Stocks Green School, sign on 1.45pm
Next ride out: 1st December - Penshurst Cycle Trail details TBC

Saturday, 10 November 2012

Great Day for KVK - 10th November 2012

Must be all the energy and enthusiasm coming from our young riders that has made today feel like a great day for the KVK.  This morning saw our first ever youth road bike ride; we covered 9.5 miles clocking up an average speed of 11.9 mph.  This afternoon, 13 enthusiastic youngsters took part in a coached session at Stocks Green School where we focussed on pace and practised using gears.

Next week: ride out for over 10's - meet at Westwood 9.30am. Parent riders welcome.

Next coached session: Saturday 24th November 2-3pm at Stocks Green