Road Club Cluster at Cyclopark - Sunday 17th June

I wasn't able to make it to Cyclopark for this session, so thanks to Gavin (Alfie's Dad) for reporting back AND sending me photos.  Well done kids, must have made a great start to Father's Day for all your Dads!

"All had a great time but got worked very hard doing sprints, group riding (Michele would approve) and a team time trail at the end."

Listening attentively to Jimmy!

Saturday 16th June - Hill Climb TT Challenge

It was an idea that Jez and I dreamt up one Sunday morning when we were out riding with Ivo, Oliver and Ella.  Our first off site TT and a hill climb to boot, Damian thought it sounded complicated, that always makes me nervous.

Anyway, not one to put off I pushed ahead with my planning, asking riders to sign up ahead of the day to reduce the need for early morning dynamic planning (on top of late night results posting for Spring In The Park, this is just one step too far for me :-))

Michele's Hill Climb Champs: Alfie 1st, Finn 2nd & Betsy 3rd

So the day dawned and everything was ready.  We issued all the rides with a numbered bib and split into groups.  We'd decided on three possible climbs to run as TT's; Col de Coldharbour, Col de Nettle and Col de Bluebell.  Everyone is familiar with Col de Coldharbour as it forms the regular start of our ride.  Both Col de Bluebell and Col de Nettle are on the regular route but we are usually descending not climbing.  Col de Bluebell is a wide gently climb through the woods which are at certain time of the year a carpet of bluebells.  Col de Nettle is the final section of the single track through the woods, down to the gate and into the bumpy field.  This is a steep, narrow climb edged with overhanging nettles.

The green group rode with myself, Andrew, Gary, David and Calvin

Michele, Claire and Gareth (&Walter) headed up the lane to tackle Col de Coldharbour, while the other two groups headed anti-clockwise to take in Col de Nettle and Col de Bluebell first.  We met up with Jez's group in the bumpy field, where the first of the logistical challenges presented itself.  The kids waited patiently and gave tips on how to use modern equipment! Once we got started it worked out, just a few of the usual TT glitches, like momentarily confusing riders and times, but it was soon running like clockwork.

The red group looking happy after completing all three climbs

The green group and the yellow group bumped into each other at the bottom of Col de Nettle, the yellows had enjoyed the challenge so much they wanted to do it again, but we concluded that time was not on our side so they pushed on towards home instead.

Despite finishing first the red group had a puncture, which delayed their homeward journey. Luckily there was plenty of help on hand though.............and it was soon sorted.

Back at the park a few quick sums to get the final results and a quick medal presentation by the pump track fence.  Note to self, look for a better natural podium for next time.  Oh yes, there will be a next time.  It was great fun and the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. Thanks to everyone who rode and lent a hand.

Hope gracefully stepped aside to give the boys a chance ;-) She did accept Charlie's medal for him though!

Albert and Ivo shared 1st place with Joshua 2nd and Daniel 3rd

Laura's Ride to Paris in support of Breast Cancer Now

Laura has a strong connection to the KVK, both her Dad Jez and brother Oliver are at Stocks Green most Saturdays and Mum Helen is a regular race supporter.  It doesn't come as a surprise then that Laura has got the cycling bug too, and is currently training for her inaugural London to Paris ride later this month.  She's riding for Breast Cancer Now, the leading research charity in the field.  If you'd like to help her reach her target you can do so by donating  HERE

Saturday 2nd June - Club Cluster at Cyclopark

There was a good turnout at Cyclopark, including fifteen Kent Velo Kids.  Coach Andrew was our representative on the day and he reported that everyone had enjoyed a full on morning of bike riding, both on the tarmac and the trails.



I always love spotting our riders ;-).  How many can you find in the photos posted by BC South East from today's Club Cluster at Cyclopark?

https://www.facebook.com/BritishCyclingSouthEast/posts/2061656460739127

Well done to everyone who took part, it's a great place on a sunny day!

Saturday 26th May - Go Ride at Stocks Green

The combination of the school holidays and the summer term led me to believe we'd be low on numbers today; eighteen riders signed on, so low by recent standards but a lovely number to work with, including a few new starters.

If the summer term means one thing it means the opportunity to try out some track style riding and racing.  After some clock style sprints on the track to get everyone warmed up, we split into two groups and headed off to our own respective grass tracks.  Working on the grass is a great introduction to the discipline of track riding but with less of the risks.  Observation and awareness of other riders are key skills to master for track riding along with following other riders and moving around in a group and on the track.  We had plenty of time to practise this before moving onto some racing.

Ella and Charlie go head to head in the last lap of The Devil.  

The Elimination race or 'Devil' as it's commonly known requires riders to use their skill and judgement to ensure they are not last across the line.  We opted to eliminate one rider every other lap, down to the final two riders, who then sprinted for the line.  Charlie beat Ella on the final lap to take the win for Damian's group.

Finally we ran an Italian Pursuit race.  This time two teams ride against each other, starting on opposite sides of the track.  Riders work together in their team, peeling off after each lap until one rider is left from each team.

It wa great to see everyone enjoying the sunshine and some fun racing.  Well done to all our riders who worked hard on their skills and put them to good use on the race track.

Next Week our riders are invited to the Club Cluster at Cyclopark.  We'll be back at Stocks Green on 9th June.

Sunday 20th May - Racing at Betteshanger

It was great to get this photo from Gary; the Thwaites headed down to Betteshanger Country Park, the home of Thanet RC for some typically friendly and well organised racing from our friends there.

Sounds like Ivo put some great strategies into action; biding his time and making a break for it on the last lap.  Well done Ivo.

Gary can also recommend Fish & Chips in nearby Sandwich, if you are looking for the full seaside experience.  Maybe some our riders will try that out on 9th June when Thanet host the South East Regional Road Race Champs on the circuit.

Top step on the podium for Ivo and a nice cap and a bag of Haribo, life doesn't get much better than that!

Saturday 19th May - Bedgebury Boars - Racing in the Forest

We had a good turnout from the KVK for the first of the Bedgebury Boars Races this year; twelve young riders and three adults.

It was great to see several of our newer members racing, some of them for the first time.

Despite the fact that it is really very relaxed, this is a good introduction to the formality of racing, with a start pen, Commissaire briefing and of course a lap board, bell and finish flag.  Newcomers to bike racing are often surprised that riders don't know how many laps the race will be until some time during the race; each age category is allowed to race for a certain length of time, so the Commissaire times the inital laps and then calculates when to put the lap board out.  With one lap to go the bell is rung for every rider who crosses the line.  When the race leader crosses the finish line, the chequered flag is displayed, every rider finishes the next time they cross the line, regardless of how many laps they have completed.

Alice and Iris in the U8s start pen

U10's start pen: Oliver, Bronnie, Finlay, William, Isaac, Thomas & Ivo

We had our biggest turnout in the U10's with seven riders starting.  Unfortunately Ivo took one of the corners a little bit too quickly and ended up on the floor and wasn't able to finish.  Fortunately he didn't sustain any serious injuries.  Oliver was the first KVK rider to cross the finish line, followed by Bronnie, Finlay, William, Isaac and Thomas.  Next up was the U12's race. This runs for 20 minutes, the field included some pretty serious riders too, several of whom regularly race at regional level. First back for the KVK was Harry followed by Reuben and Mathias.

The final race of the morning was for the Juniors and Adults Jez, Gary and me all lined up at the start.  It was good fun and much drier than the last time I raced it.  Our first rider across the line was Jez, followed closely by me and Gary.  Time for a lie down now :-)

Well done to all the riders on some great racing,  thanks to all the parents who brought their youngsters along and of course the volunteers from Bedgebury Boars for another enjoyable morning racing in the forest.

Scroll down for a few more pictures and a link to the full results.

U12's start pen

U12's team Mathias, Harry & Reuben

U10s team photo (minus Isaac)

U8's team (plus Isaac!)

U12's start

Thomas and Alfie in the U10's

Adult Team: Jez, Kary & Gary (+Oliver & Ivo)

Full Results HERE