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 :-)

Sunday 3rd December - Regional Cyclocross Champs

Chapeau to Ivo who headed off to the Regional Champs at Welwyn as the sole KVK rider (due to unforeseen circumstances the rest of the team didn't make it).  Ably assisted by Gary who sent me this report from their day:

Not really being sure what to expect at a regional championship, we travelled to Welwyn to gain a bit more cross experience. We needn’t have been concerned, it was well organised and we saw some familiar faces from the London League.

The course it’s self was marked out on a undulating grass park area next to a lake and after a few practice laps it was found to be a open, fast, non-technical course with no obstacles or parts that needed a dismount and no mud!

The 10 minute race went well and Ivo carried more speed down the bumpy downhill section on each lap to finish 19/29.



A quick photo for Kary at the finish then an obligatory post race bacon sandwich whilst watching the U12 race and clapping the U10 riders on the podium, then headed home.

Saturday 2nd December - Go Ride & Cyclopark Club Cluster

I'm afraid I woke up this morning and realised I wasn't going to be much good outside.  What I thought was a cold had ramped itself up a level :-( Fortunately the KVK team took it in their stride, here's a report from Damian about what everyone got up to at Stocks Green.

With the Club Cluster session at Cyclopark offering our riders alternative cycling delights (and the Christmas build up likely to distract others) we were expecting a reduced turnout but were delighted that 14 hardy riders turned up for our regular Go-Ride session at Stocks Green.

Michele and YV Luke took charge of the warm up before we practiced some group riding on the oval.  Don’t forget that riding in a group requires focus, smooth pedalling and a nice steady pace, without big accelerations and sharp brakingJ

We then moved on to our endurance block, with a few skill sections along the route before a quick biscuit break whilst Luke totted up the lap count.

After the break we tried out being a well-known superhero – I can’t say that there were any capes on display and don’t know about the x-ray vision but the riders all did well in adopting a suitable pose on their bikes with arms outstretched, weight over the back wheel and tummies on the saddle. Looking forward to seeing the next limbo competition!!

We finished off with some challenges – seeing how far riders could glide in their new superhero position and some slow races – looks as if Hope may have some new challengers very soon for the slowest rider title.

Well done everyone – keep practising and riding your bikes