Guest Author Jenna Lyle on 'Ride London'

We started the day by walking our bikes over Tower Bridge. When we got to the other side I thought it would be quiet because there is no cars but it was even nosier then it normally is but in a good way there was loads of bells ringing and music playing. It was crowded with people eventually we found a place to start.so we stated to cycle along the river Thames. We admired all buildings but big ben was the best. Then we got to Buckingham palace it was awesome. We stopped at green park to have lunch. When we had lunch we saw bmx riders trying to break 9 different world records we saw 3 word records one of them was to jump over a bar set at 1m.42  somehow he made it on his bike he got the record. After the records we tried out some different like tandem. Then went to collect our bikes to continue our bike ride

When we were back on the road the first thing we saw was Buckingham palace every time we went under a tunnel everyone would ring there bells it made a big noise. Eventually we got to a place to turn to get onto London bridge we stopped to get an ice cream. Then we got into the car and drove home.

It was a really fun day out and I loved it!

Thank you to KJCC rider Jenna for writing this article and to her parents David and Lucy for the photos.

Twickenham Track Day

Following the enormous success of last year's Twickenham Cycling Club track day at Herne Hill Veledrome  another one has been arranged for September 7th. According to the organiser KJCC riders 'made the day last year' and I have received a request to bring as many of you as possible this year!

The event, consisting of coaching and races, will again be at Herne Hill veledrome and is on from 12-5 pm. Food and drink will be available for purchase on the day. Parents are welcome to ride too!

                         Coach Hans (father to Max) leading the way in the adult race last year.

Minimum age of entry is 8 yrs. No exceptions will be made.  Entry is £3 for youth (under 16) and £5 for adults. Entry on the day is £5/£7 but there is no guarantee of spaces. Last year was extremely popular so to avoid disappointment enter online via the British Cycling website asap -

 https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/116615/Twickehnam-CC-Track-Day 

KJCC upstages Chris Hoy!

 After the  Chris Hoy documentary 'How to Win Gold' was on BBC 1 last night, the hottest topic of conversation today has not been his amazing career but the identity of the KJCC rider who appeared (briefly!) alongside him. Any suggestions? Thanks to Emma Hughes for the photo.

Kempton Park track session Sunday 13th July

We had a very good session last Sunday at Kempton Park, Sunbury on Thames, where 15 plucky riders coached by Mel and Matt, with amazing expert knowledge from Hans, shared the venue with the Prestige Velo Club development group to use the excellent 1500m Tarmac circuit there. Those who went to the Kingston and Richmond London Youth Games trials at the venue will know how different the circuit is compared to the grass track riding that we are used to. The session focused on group riding techniques, and all riders showed great skills in close riding, communication and teamwork, including some impressive team time trialling and chain gang riding around the circuit at the end of the session. We all learnt the value of riding in formation, following the wheel of the rider in front, and swapping the lead smoothly to conserve energy and increase the group speed. The track conditions were good, despite some rather heavy rainstorms in the first hour.
Thanks to Mel, and Hans for their expert coaching, and to Mike H for helping with the groups. Thanks particularly to the riders for their excellent commitment and enthusiasm. It was a fantastic turnout from KJCC.
We will be running another session Sunday 27th July, meeting as usual at the Jockey Hostel for sign on with Prestige at 0930, for a 1000 to 1200 session. As usual, these sessions are suitable for those with road bikes and there is a £5 per rider session fee payable to Prestige.
Directions to Kempton Park can be found here:
http://www.kempton.co.uk/Directions
See you there!
Coach Matt

London Youth Games

Preparations complete, training done and we head into the weekend with our strongest ever squad. Saturday's main event is not in Yorkshire but at Crystal Palace where Kingston's cycling squad take on all the other 31 London boroughs at the London Youth Games. The squad comprises of 14 riders, some from KJCC and others from Prestige, London Dynamo, VCL and schools around the borough. They have all shown real commitment to the squad and even though the gazebos may be required for shelter from the rain rather than the sun we are prepared (and with bright orange t-shirts very visible!). As team manager I would like to also thank those coaches and parents who have helped so much already. Bertie Panicucci, Eva Callinan, Jack Hartrey, Kiron James-Medina, Joe Adlam-Cook, Lucy Adams, Jay Hughes, Tobias Dahlhaus, Laurence Ellis, Nicola Williams, Emily Adlam-Cook, Callum Marriott, Sam Balharrie and Matthew Singfield - have fun and good luck. See you very early on Saturday!

Trail Rides

Unfortunately we have to discontinue the trail rides which have been happening on the third Saturday of each month. Low numbers turning up has made it increasingly hard to get coaches to volunteer their spare time. The trail ride scheduled for this Saturday will NOT take place.  The coaches will get together to work out what we can do instead. This is not the end of KJCC in Richmond Park!

Strictly Cycling

Strictly Cycling ( run by Twickenham Cycling Club, British Cycling and Richmond Council ) are offering grass track race training at Kneller Gardens in Twickenham every Thursday evening this term from 6.30 - 8.30 pm. Cost is £1 per rider per session, payable on the day. The finish time is subject to weather conditions! Sessions are open to all ages and are coached by British Cycling regional coaches. And me! Any changes or bad weather cancellations will be posted on this blog.

They also created and run Bikefest - an all day event in Kneller Gardens which this year will be on Sunday 29th June. Pictured below are some of the KJCC riders past and present who took part last year.


You would not believe how many times this photo had to be reshot as the KJCC medal tally increased! Thanks to Alex and Jack for posing so patiently again......and again...

 Olympic Talent Team rider (and former KJCC member) Alex Jones overtaking on his way to victory in the grass track omnium.

He may have trained with Team Sky but Alex is still happy to race for a free lollipop!

                                                Alex Franks on the cross country course.

                                  Michael, Jay and Thomas on the start line for the scratch race.