Just a reminder that there is no Go Ride session this week at Hinchingbrooke as its half term. However, the next Mud Sweat and Gears is on Sunday 3rd June and I will be there if anyone is planning on attending. So far Holly and Sam have entered, but you can enter on the day.
May sessions
In May, we spent one session on the mound together; the Athertons worked on very steep descents (scary stuff!) off the side, whilst Boardman and Cavendish groups worked on pumping and cornering on the single track. Some riders were somewhat apprehensive about the descending, but everyone cracked it in the end.
At the second session, we welcomed Malc Jacklin and some riders from Fenland Clarion and worked on different ways of drafting other riders. This is primarily to save energy whilst racing but it also applies just as well to any riding in a group.
We finished both sessions off with some races. The drafting races were, er, interesting to say the least as James put a sneaky chicane after a corner so some riders who normally like to power round the outside of others were forced to rethink their tactics to avoid being penalised for failing to force their way back in and missing out the chicane.
Rider of the week
Bea and Sam got rider of the week in May; Bea for following instruction to the letter and doing exactly what she was asked, and Sam for some top descending and discovering how much easier and less scary it is when you open your eyes!
Race update
St Ives turned out in force for the last MSG on 13 May, with Bea, Emma, Harriet, Holly, Lotty, Sam, Sophie all in the U12 girls, Dom representing the U12 boys and Ryan in the juniors. Ryan crashed out but everyone else finished well, with Lotty and Sophie again taking the top 2 steps on the podium, Lotty nudging Sophie out of the top spot this time. In her first race post her recent operation, Holly did us proud and was just off the podium in 4th, but is keen to get up there – we could definitely see a St. Ives 1,2,3 before the season is out which could be awesome!
For those of you wanting to have a go at MTB racing, the next race on 3rd June is at Braintree and this can be booked here. Mum and Dad can also have a go. Jim Saberton and Terry Davies who have been helping on many of our sessions, throughly enjoyed their MSG at Thetford. It would be great to see more parents involved, Rob for example!
Next session
Next session is June16th, NOT this weekend. As usual, we will meet just the other side of the zip-wire from the cafe, since that gives us some protection from the elements. Please remember to bring a water based drink and a helmet. If this is your first time with James or myself, we will also need a signed parental consent form, copies of which I always have.
We will continue to hold these sessions on the first and third Saturday of the month. Therefore, the proposed dates for the remainder of this term are as follows:
June 16 (Nothing on June 2 as its half term and Diamond Jubilee)
July 7, 21
Being the last session before breaking for summer, July 21 will comprise Go Ride racing open to all, so I hope that we may get some new members from that. Please note we are also looking to hold a larger Go Ride race on 11 August that will be advertised more widely as part of British Cycling’s Go Ride Games nearer the time.
