Sorry but I have been conscious that all has been quiet for a while on the update front – Only one session in June due to the Jubilee and I was otherwise engaged on the 16 June session. However, I would like to extend my thanks to Malc Jacklin from Fenland Clarion for a sterling job in my place as given the number of riders turning up regularly, we would have struggled.
This weekend, 21 July, of course is the last week of Go-Ride before the summer holidays so we are doing something slightly different, in a different location. More on this below, but first….
Last week
After the initial warm up and briefing, the Boardman and Cavendish group headed up into the woods with James with Andy and Simon helping. They wound their way into the woods using the (11 August – see below) race track route, to give the riders an idea what to expect. The aim of the session was to learn when to use their gears, going into a lower gear riding up the inclines, keeping cadence high to conserve energy and keep momentum and then changing into a higher gear to descend, trying to get as much speed as possible in order to catch up and overtake if possible.
We also talked about changing gear before a tight corner, or before we came to a stop to be ready for the restart. We used a part of the Go-Ride race route in the second block of trees, splitting into three groups to try and keep similar strength riders together, racing them round the section with two riders dropping back out of one group and two moving up after each circuit.
We had some great riding, with everyone really getting used to changing their gears, and really pushing on and trying to get round faster than the others. We had a number of new riders this week, that all joined in well and really picked it all up quickly. Alex was using his gears so much, he managed to skin his thumb, well done to Alex, I hope your thumb has healed up ok. It was also great to see the vast enthusiasm and competition, especially from Harriet, Bea and Flo!! Well done girls, it’s great to see you trying so hard.
The Atherton group meanwhile were also working on their gears with Mike, but in a slightly different context. We went over to the mound and played around a bit ascending and descending, but then found a boggy piece of single track to practice the effect of high/low gearing on traversing through deep(ish) mud on the flat, whilst also looking at the options of seated vs standing, pedalling vs freewheeling through. Athertons finished with a time trial through the same mud. Poppy had a go with the Athertons this week and stepped up well to the challenge with a good time, within half a second of Beth. Top three were Ryan, Sophie and Holly, closely followed by Charlotte who wins the bike handling award for controlling and staying upright on a bike behaving like a BMW on ice, and Emma who also snuck under the 50 second mark for the run.
Rider of the week
Lauren, one of our new riders won the Rider of the Week award, for some great riding, with a good attitude, learning quickly and trying hard, as did all the riders. Poppy won Rider of the Week in Athertons this week, proving ability shines when concentrating!
Race update
I already sent this out as a separate email following Lotty and Sophie’s fab result in Mud Sweat and Gears series (see Go Ride forum for report). This was covered in the local papers.
On Sunday morning is the Kimbolton Triathlon. So far I know we have Lotty and Harriet Wylde, Bea (Wylde or Pauley, depending on which newspaper you read!), Dom Pauley and Holly Hoy entered so they are all looking forward to that (as am I!). I think entries close today for that so I don’t know who else entered
Looking slightly further ahead, don’t forget we have our own Go Ride race being staged in Hinchingbrooke Park on 11 August. Chris Penney in the club has put together a great route with variety in it so I hope to see a good turnout from St Ives there. It is £4 entry on the day, so no need to book in advance. If anyone would like to help marshal the event (which involves being staged at key points on the circuit to ensure all is well), please let me know as any help would be appreciated.
Next session
No session at Hinchingbrooke this week. We will be heading up to Fineshade wood this Saturday 21st July for our last session before the summer holidays, for our Go-Ride family fun ride.
We will be meeting at the car park at Top Lodge at 10am and be riding the family trail (all parents are very welcome to join us). I have been here before and along the trail there are some fantastic technical sections that we will ride with the Go-Riders, and parents if they want to. They all lead back to the main route so we will meet back up with those who don’t ride the technical sections. We expect the ride to finish about 11.30ish back at the car park.
For those that want to we may ride the red trail afterwards as well, and there is a coffee shop for those that don’t! We have had a lot of rain recently so the Red trail may not be rideable, but if it is, I would still recommend a change of clothes. Jim, Sophie and Emma went up there recently and came back somewhat caked!
Please let us know if you are coming so we know to expect you and make sure we make contact in the car park before heading out. Also if you’re struggling with transport getting there, don’t be shy about giving us a shout to see if some transport could be arranged. If anyone has a spare seat / rack, let us know and we may be able to put you in touch.
The address for your Sat Nav is Top Lodge, Fineshade, Nr Corby, Northants, NN17 3BB.
For more information on Fineshade Woods: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/toplodge
And finally…
If you have seen how cool our riders looked in the paper recently in their kit, remember you too can look like this, but only if you are a member of St Ives CC! Active attendees of Go Ride sessions get free membership of St Ives CC – you just need to fill out the membership form and once you are, drop a note to the very speedy Mick Hodson (mickhodson@rocketmail.com) who will let you have an order form – be quick though as the next order is about to go in. For those planning on riding in the winter, now is a good time to start thinking about long sleeve jerseys
And very finally…
This Sunday (after the triathlon), James and I will be at Hinchingbrooke with our popular skill circuit as part of the Hunts DC Sports Festival. We will be running a time trial with the fastest time of the day winning a prize yet to be determined, but it won’t be a bottle :-). There is loads of other stuff going on that is nearly as good as cycling.
I will also be bringing a couple of our new club cyclocross bikes down to have a try on. We are very proud of these and extremely grateful to the club for allowing such extravagance.
Hopefully see you at one (or all!) of these events this weekend
