Power Pack Sunday 21st June

I couldn't make it along this, but one of our young riders is working on a report ;-)

Saturday 20th June - Youth Ride and Go RideStocks Green School

Youth Ride

The usual suspects on the Youth Ride today.

Go Ride - Twenty riders signed on for the session which focussed on MTB skills.  We started off with basics; gliding and riding in and out of the saddle over mixed terrain.  We then moved on to the far end of the field to "the lump".  Riders tackled the short sharp incline before heading down the other side.  The addition of the limbo pole encouraged everyone to get down low to avoid a collision.

We set out some planks and pallets and the ever popular see saws and started to create a short obstacle course.  It was good to see everyone tackling their favourite ones (and their not so favourite ones).  To finish the session we ran a team relay event over the course, bringing all the skills we'd practised during the session together.  No photo I'm afraid but a really session and lots of great riding and progress from all our riders.

Next week: off site ride(s) at Bedgbury - see members e mail or contact me for full details.

Spring in the Park Friday 19th June - Round 6

After the rain last Friday night it was good to arrive at Cyclopark with clear skies.  Once again our usual riders were out; Calvin, Hannah, Ellen, Sophia, Catriona, Toni, Polly & Hope.  Albert also joined us for the first time to race in the U8's.

Clive decided to run the race anti-clockwise which gives the course a different feel, finishing up hill on what is normally the back straight.  It also makes for a very quiet pavillion forecourt as parents and supporters head over the bridge.

 U14's Rolling up to the line, the girls started behind the boys this week

U14's ready to go.................

Next week is the final round for the series positions, the current overall positions for our riders are:

Cavin has ridden consistently well in a very strong U16 field and is currently 25th overall.  New racers this year include Nico currently 24th overall in the U12 boys and Albert who raced for the first time last week and is 16th overall in the U8 boys.  The girls ride in smaller fields, both Hannah and Hope are our lone female riders in their age categories, both are currently 4th overall.  It is fair to say that the U14 girls is dominated by the KVK, who are currently 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th overall (Polly, Toni, Sophia, Ellen & Catriona (new to racing this year)) so a clean sweep for us on that podium seems likely ;-).

Next week is Round 7 the points from which will determine the overall standings, we could see some tussles for 4th overall, watch this space.

Saturday 13th June - Eastbourne Festival of Cycling

Hannah & Sophia getting ready to race

Team + support crew

Double podium for the girls; Hannah 1st in the U16's and Sophhia 1st in the U14's.

Spring in the Park 5 - A Wet One!

Catriona, Sophia & Ellen looking very wet after the U14's race at Cyclopark.  Funny how there don't seem to be any spectators????

Congratulations to all our riders: Hannah, Calvin, Toni, Polly, Hope, Ellen, Sophia and Catriona.

Sunday 7th June - KVK Seaside Ride

All set, ready for our first KVK ride to the seaside! L to R Ellen, Sophia, Catriona, Izzy, Hope, Polly, Toni, Calvin & Hannah

Smiling now but five miles later a touch of wheels in this group left Hannah with some "road kisses" - thanks to the kindly local resident who volunteered her home as a temporary first aid station.  They were back on the road in no time.

Izzy, Hope, Claire and I started 20 miles into the route, here we are just about to set off.  We played "spot the wildlife" through the pretty country lanes.  Many sitings including the rare grey parrot ;-)

Catriona, Ellen and Sophia rolling into the first feed stop.....

.........Followed by Chris, Cass and Katy 

All the 50 milers met up at the first feed stop, hosted by Michele and featuring a pot plant (out of shot I'm afraid)

With everyone re-fuelled and patch up next stop was Bethersden where we met up with Alison; cheese straws, cucumber sandwiches and oatie biscuits.  We met Kim Anderson from SERRL, fortunately they were using the hall so we were able to take advantage of the facilities!

First to arrive at the seaside were Hope and Izzy, we managed to locate Roger and the van at the Martello tower where we all tucked into baguettes and of course more cake.

It was much less breezy in the car park though!

On the sea wall at Dymchurch

With all the excitement of arriving and the frenzy of eating we overlooked the need to get on with planning our return journey.  With just over 20 minutes to get 5 riders and their bikes to the station at Appledore there was lots of running around and loading and unloading of kit and bikes.  Ellen decided she'd like to have a go at riding the return leg.  Roger and Nick mobilised on the station run, Catriona was left in the car park wishing she could join Ellen and Sophia was already en route to the station (also wishing she was riding).  Our main problem at KVK is everyone wanting to ride!!!!  Sarah and Malcolm had departed with Calvin, Hannah, Toni, Polly & Ellen.  Damian, Cass and I were behind and chasing until they finally got a puncture and had to pull up.  Meanwhile Roger was at Woodchurch with Catriona, Chris and Alison wondering where we had got to.

Now, why have I never got a pen when I need one?

Finally back at Hilden, 102 miles later

Classic Malcolm

Katy, cut and bruised but still smiling!

Rare specimens caught on camera

No wonder Sarah is popular with the girls, she is SO well code coded!

Well done and thank you to everyone who took part;  our driver Roger, our adult riders Cass, Sarah, Claire, Katy, Chris, Damian, Me, our feed crew Michele and Alison.  Additional help from Nick and Heather and great photos from Michele.  

Saturday 6th June - KVK Hour Challenge.

Twenty seven riders (one who looked extremely like Bradley Wiggins himself) took to their bikes on Saturday to set a new Hour Record ahead of Sir Bradley's attempt on Sunday 7th June. We used the perimeter path on the school grounds as our circuit with a shady area under the trees acting as the pits (drinks, biscuits and first aid).  Riders counted down from 10 to the staggered start..................10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and they were off!

The perimeter path provides a perfect 500m circuit which made calculating the total distance travelled straight forward.  Jacob and Claire set up a lap counting station in the shelter on the playground.  Despite the offer of a break in the pits most riders kept on going which is why they managed to clock up an amazing 417km between them.  We hope that this will inspire Sir Bradley to try his best tomorrow and beat the current record of 52.9km.

Congratulations to Calvin who won the prize for the Bradley look alike competition (including a pair of his favourite black socks).  It was good to see BC Luke along with Kat and baby Miles, they were all very impressed with our awesome riders.