Secretary's Report

We had a full report at the AGM from Keir on the years activities. Get it here...

You can download the minutes of the meeting here.

More pictures from Hog Hill cyclo X

Mosquito Bikes London/SE Cross League 10

Sunday 29th November - Four CCH members competed in the 10th round of the London Cross League. Keir Apperley, Gary Lingard, Tao Geohegan-Hart and Alex Peters all performed well in their respected races, with Alex winning the youth race in style (again) and Tao doing very well to follow in 4th place in his first ever Cross race. In the senior event Gary riding for London Phoenix scored an impresive 2nd spot leading all 89 riders bar one to the finish line, Keir - riding his brand new Kinesis bike came in 32nd overall, 11th in his category. For a full report see LondonCycleSport and full pictures

A Team Training Plan Meeting

The CCH A riders met up this evening for another planning session for the rest of their cyclo cross races and their track & road race seasons in the coming year. Keir & Gary our 'A' team coaches, have been assisting Clem, Alex, Tao, Rhys and Kyroah in planning their training for the next year, riders now know the amount of weekly training hours for the coming months and have a clear idea of their objectives/targets and how they are to set about achieving them.
Some of the races riders are focusing on include - defending the 2009 London Youth Games title in July, the National schools TT Champs, Tour Of Assen (Holland - 6 Day Race), London schools road race event, the National Cyclo Cross and National Track Championships.
Also on the agenda was a progress report on the Youth Capital Fund grant application for high end race equipment to match the 'A' team's ambitions. Tao & Clem have been advancing this along and with Keir's guidence the document will be in on time by 3rd December.

Alex & Gary - winners in Brighton

Gary Lingard, associate club member and CCH 'A' rider coach, scored a great victory whilst riding for London Phoenix in a London Cyclo Cross League event in Brighton last Sunday, he finished on top leaving 116 others trailing behind - well done Gary! To complete the anhiliation our lad Alex Peters notched up another win in the youth race comming in 2m 25s ahead of the chasers - well done Alex!
Check this to see the full results.

Annual General Meeting - Thursday 3rd December

All supporters and interested parties are invited to the Cycling Club Hackney Annual General Meeting on Thursday 3rd December.

Meeting at 7.30pm at 1 Olympus Square, Nightingale Estate, London, E5 8PL, an opportunity to see the new HQ.

Up for discussion...

Report on the last year
Election of officers
Delegation of duties
Agreeing a constitution
Membership
Female cycling group
Setting up a B team
Finances/funding
Our new HQ
Plans for next year
Any other business

We like to keep it brief and lively - some seating will be provided but if you would like to bring or donate a folding chair then we will all be more likely to have something to sit on.

Bikefix will be supplying refreshments.

Hope to see you there...

Stuart Dennison (Chair)

Saturday morning 'Team Hackney' training sessions

Saturday 7th November '09
The 8-12 year old training group were joined today for the first time by our new 'B' rider or intermediate section in Finsbury Park. Parents and coaches over saw exercises on a bright early winter morning. After a sufficient number of laps were made of the roadway at a reasonable pace, the two groups came together to share refreshments in the park cafe by the boating lake. Then it was time to head back to Clapton via Clissold Park.

Alex Peters wins Archer CC cyclo cross race

Two pictures of Alex Peters marking his break away companion in last Sunday's Archer CC under 16s cyclo-cross meeting at the Hillingdon cycle centre shortly before taking the lead again. He stayed in front this time until crossing the finish line to claim 1st place. Also competing in the same race was Kyroah Pang. Clem Berill, Keir Apperley and CCH associate member & coach Gary Lingard entered the adult event. Here Gary did a fine ride to second place in a strong field.
Congratulations to Alex and Gary well done!

2009 Hackney Youth Sports Awards - Monday 12th October

Last Monday evening our youth cycling team that competed in the 2009 London Youth Game's were presented on stage during the annual Hackney Youth Sports Awards at the Hackney Empire.
Here they received additional medals from Mayor Jules Pipe for being the highest placed team and took a bow in front of an appreciative audience.
Also Anna Hart, a club member and parent, was awarded the sports volunteer award for her reliable and valuable help in activities and events.

Finsbury Park CC Road Race!

Sunday 4th of October - 6am start; Rhys Howels and Clam Berill had signed up for the Finsbury Park Road Race, part of the Eastern Regions Road Race League. The race was won by Alex Dowsett an Under 23 rumored to be riding for either the Under 23 Livestrong Squad or the professional outfit Team SKY. Rhys got an impressive 17th (3rd Under 23) in a bunch sprint behind the breakaway groups of between 10 and 15 riders. Rhys and Clem were both happy after the race, Rhys saying a flatter finish could have proved even more friutful. Clem has now done his first road race and is looking forward to some hillier ones next year. Results can be found here. Well done to Rhys and Clem - a good days racing.

Hackney's Annual Peace Carnival Procession

CCH's young riders were honoured for their achievements by being placed at the head of Hackney's annual peace carnival parade last Sunday. The procession route was from the Town Hall, down Mare Street, left up Amhurst Road and right onto Pembury Road to join further celebrations on Hackney Downs. The sounds of the marching band right behind them were seriously up lifting, optimistic and brilliant.

Grass Track Racing - the last event for 2009

Saturday September 26th 2009

Same time, same place and the same weather came out to play as in last years event on Mabley Green. Clear blue skies and fair temperatures greeted riders and helpers that matched the warm welcome to all comers to share in the free facilities provided to all by CCH.
As well as our regulars a good number of new riders turned up to join in and take part in the cycle racing in their local park. It was good to see these young riders getting so much enjoyment and pleasure from a simple activity. They were commenting on how much they liked the cycles, how they valued being trusted with them and that they really rate the opportunity to have a ride on quality club bikes for free.
A good afternoons racing was had and many riders and supporters stories have been retold. It's a pity that some of these local riders left in a such hurry without collecting their prizes. Never mind without doubt we'll catch up sooner or later to make sure they get what they worked so hard for on the day. Some great photographs were taken of every rider that took part in this event, copies are available to those wanting them.

CCH Trip to Lille & Roubaix

CCH youth riders leaving Lille on the road to the Roubaix velodrome

On the weekend September 20th & 21st two coaches & four riders from CCH enjoyed a trip to nearby Lille & Roubaix in Northern France that was sponsored (again) by Stuart Feakins Trust and the Youth Opportunities Fund. Like the visit to Italy, transport was by train from St. Pancras station on a Eurostar to Lille International. It took 1h 27m to do this which was pleasantly shocking. The weather turned out so warm that when the group got off the train they all had to roll up their trousers like real Brits on holiday. Bike bags folded away and cycles with wheels refitted it was time to check out the 'Hi' Youth Hostel. After that the surrounding area was surveyed, we found a park and had a game of conkers in it. Noticing that across the road a free contemporary art exhibition in newly refurbished disused railway buildings was going on, it was decided to get into that later. After sitting down for an al fresco lunch the party returned to take in some culture from the other side. Back at the youth hostel preparations began for the next day's trip to Roubaix and the famous velodrome there - cycling's home of the blues and the finishing place of the queen of classic races; Paris Roubaix. In the evening a stroll lead to a restaurant near Lille Flanders train station that served the regional dish of mussels & chips, most of the group were on this, the others opting for more familiar fare. Fully refreshed from a fine night of slumber the young cyclists found it difficult to leave their beds but arose nice and early anyway, to gather with their fellow guests in the dining room for a continental petit dejeuner. Replenished and raring to get to Roubaix off they went, heading out into another blessed day of late summer hazy sun shine and warmth.
The conditions helped but each member ensured that any slight personal differences discovered overnight were put away. The road crew all showed the best side of young London whilst passing into Belgium and through historic Flanders without forgetting to muse on the suffering that had occurred on the battlegrounds either side of them. Peace, quiet and freedom now for sporting cyclists in what was once front-line country during two world wars. They rolled on by, giving thought and thanks for liberty and simple pleasures.
Riders comments on being in France & Belgium included noting how courteous the car drivers were to them and at how many times the people they passed would wave at them and look on in approval. On arriving at the velodrome there was not much happening, just a parked team car from the resident club VC Roubaix, however the gates were open, pictures were taken inside. A local youngster said it was ok to ride on the track but like the sign said: “Pas de chiens ou motos ne sont pas admis dans les motifs” - no dogs or motorbikes are allowed in the grounds. Roubaix is in the industrial north of France.          A lasting impression of being there was the feeling of having visited a place that has weight, grandeur and pride but without so much gloss or luxury as in the Cote d'Azur way down south. The people were decent and kind and seemed to hold racing cyclists in special regard.
Early Sunday evening and it was time to pack up and head back to St Pancras but not before a tour of the city ahead of boarding the train and the quick-time journey home.

Cch racing at Hog Hill.

Over the past four or five tuesday and Thursday nights Cch Members Clem Berill, Alex Peters, Tao Geoghegan Hart and new boy Rhys Howels have been racing at Hog Hill in a short series of one off races run by the TLI.
Clem Berill has had a good end to the season, winning most of the races.
This thursday Rhys won the last race with a great performance taking both Premes and the Overall. After joining the club less than a month ago, Rhys has made a big impression.

Saturday 26th September - Grass Track Racing on Mabley Green

Individual grass track pursuit - club coach Keir Apperley against young Hackney gun Tao Geoghegan Hart. 

Saturday 26th September 2009
CCH Grass Track Racing on Mabley Green
12.30 - 4.30pm
free entry...included in the event will be the following races: One lap time trial, roadie pursuit, hare and hounds, devil take the hind-most and scratch races.
Please bring your bike, if you don't have one we have cycles and helmets to loan.

Memorial Delbono 2009 Video Released.

Osiglia Italy 2009

  Alex Peters - Joseph Alberti - Tao Geoghegan Hart - Clem Berrill - Kyroah Pang - Keir Apperley

Thanks to generous funding from the Stuart Feakins Trust and further support from the Youth Opportunities Fund, a four day CCH trip to Italy went ahead that produced many useful results and outcomes. On Sunday 6th September four youth riders (Alex Peters, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Clem Berrill & Kyroah Pang) and their two accompanying coaches (Joseph Alberti & Keir Apperley) took part in the focal point of this trip: the 9th Delbono Memorial road race in Osiglia, Liguria.
The last 10km included a special sprint point or prime and two hefty climbs. Around 150 started, all CCH riders finished in good positions with four riders in the top forty. Hackney's youths took the top three places in their category, their youngest taking the best young rider award and the squad was 4th in the team rankings.
CCH were well received and enjoyed a warm welcome that they are planning to reciprocate when the invited group come to London next year.

"The idea was to introduce our talented young riders to the passion of continental Italian cycling and increase their interest in cycle sport for the future." 

Keir Apperley 

Herne Hill Invasion!

30 CCH members descended on Herne Hill velodrome last Wednesday afternoon, 20 riders were youth reps most of who were going onto a proper track for the first time. Many parents came with their cars. The weather was not ideal on the day, it was cloudy and windy, looking like rain at any time. We were in showers but luckily there was a gap of dryness that gave us a chance to run the session from 3pm - 4.30pm, then the rain stopped play. Velo Club Londres's Jason Cattermole was the lead coach, with him the whole group were inducted and are now able to train and race there when it's open.

Club mate in high places...

Hackney resident Dave Carr reaching the heights with CCH.
He's in the French Alps this week, riding from north to south taking in the major climbs including; Joux Plan, Alpe d'Huez, Col de Madelaine, Col du Galibier, Col d Isoard & Mont Ventoux.

Cch racing in Italy! Memorial Del Bono...

This is the Memorial Del Bono, 6 Cycling Club Hackney members (4 Under 18s & 2 Adults) will be participating on the 6th of September. The footage above is off the 2008 Edition, it is really worth a watch, especially the 2nd part near the end when the climbing gets really steep. The trip is being funded by Youth Opportunity Fund and Stuart Feakins Trust. Report and pictures when we get home.

Youth B Training Ride

6 Youth B riders and 2 more experienced A riders accompanied 2 Cycling Club Hackney Coaches on a special B Training ride. These rides aimed at the new and developing less experienced youth members of the club, aim to improve B riders confidence on the road and general fitness. Recent rides have been led by coaches and other youth members of the club. An upcoming trip on 19th September to Lille will be a good opportunity for the riders to test their fitness. Also on the calendar is a trip to Herne Hill, Cch have booked the track for two and a half hours and will include a special induction for new members and a training session for those with prior track experience. The session is also a good taster for riders new to the club having ridden in the Cch Grass Track Racing League.

GTRL1 Results

Podium finishers in the 8-12 year category listen to the anthem of Hackney as they stand on ceremony after receiving their medals and the winner his trophy.

August 23rd 2009.
GTRL1 - league final day on Hackney Downs.
By all accounts the series has been successful and there was obvious enthusiasm amongst young people. Much was learned along the way, quite a number of new riders seem to have been caught by the buzz that racing on bikes causes. Some thought we would see more riders from the fixed wheel scene - we were looking forward to seeing the fixie crew racing on grass, next time maybe.

Below is a list of winners and podium finishers for our inaugural series:
12-15yrs: Kyroah Pang 1st Champion. Tao Geohegan Hart 2nd. Bella Dmochowska 3rd.
8-11yrs: Bede Geohegan Hart 1st Champion. Ayo Lawal 2nd. Logan Demonchaux-irons 3rd.
U8yrs: Charley Dash 1st Champion. Uai Watts 2nd. Gloria Ajagbe 3rd.
Female: Bella Dmochowska 1st Champion. Charlie Dash 2nd. Matlida O'Regan 3rd. 16+yrs: Clem Berrill 1st Champion. Patrick Field 2nd. Wojtek Dmochowski 3rd.

As well as the medallists all competitors received prizes, this is thanks to generous donations from our supporting bike shops: London Fields Cycles, Mosquito Bikes, Two Wheels Good and Bike Fix. Riders enjoyed competing and as a progression are looking forward to visiting Herne Hill Velodrome on Wednesday 2nd September for a club training session as a group prize from the league sponsors; London Cycling Campaign. Special thanks must go out to all the helpful volunteers and parents without which the events would not have gone on so easily.
The next cch grass track racing will be on Saturday 26th September over at Mabley Green as part of the Wick festival.

Grass Track Racing League Latest Photos.

Pickwick Bycycle Club - Hackney Downs

Cycling's coming home!
Rolling up is the final day of CCH's 1st Grass Track Cycle Racing League. It is taking place on Hackney Downs (by Downs Road) 4-7pm this Sunday August 23rd, the birth place of the world's first cycling club. Eh?

PICKWICK BICYCLE CLUB
Oldest surviving cycling club in the world.
First met at Downs Hotel
On 22nd June 1870.
(Downs Public House, Downs Road).
Celebrates its 140th birthday in June 2010.

Youth 'B' Riders sign on for Herne Hill track induction

Saturday 10th August 8.30am
Five new club youth 'B' riders made their way to Herne Hill velodrome to attend the morning track induction class, they all passed the tests and found the training on the track exciting. They are looking forward to spending more time on Herne Hill's track and have said they'll be ready to compete in next seasons Wednesday evening track league starting in May 2010.
With funding assistance from the Stuart Feakins Trust and the Youth Opportunities Fund something else for this group to look forward to next September is a club residential trip to Lille in northern France close the Belgian border. From there a visit to the famous Roubaix velodrome is planned, they'll see the finish line for the ultimate annual spring classic 'Paris Roubaix'. Also on the agenda is a touring excursion into Belgium and Flanders where the passion and fervour for cycling and cycle racing is matchless.

Grass Track League - week three up-date

Sunday August 16th Hackney Downs
The penultimate round of our Grass Track Racing League was held in bright sunshine, it was warm and breezy with the prevailing wind blowing down the back straight in an easterly direction. Attendance was up with a number of new riders on the scene. Nearly all the previous competitors returned to settle scores and garner more points on the way. They were hoping to improve on their overall league standing ahead of the deciding meeting next Sunday 23rd August.
In the flying lap TT most posted improved times. The first ride of the day won the event and made our time keeper, Trevor Parsons, double check his clock - 19.72s! This time is now the new flying lap record owned by 14 year old Kyroah Pang. His daring ride was right on the edge without loosing it, he powered down the straights, reckless maybe but the lad maintained control in and out of each corner to steer his way into the record book setting a new target to beat.
In the 8-12 year old Group 1 Roadie Pursuit, new youth rider Logan Demochaux was a cycling packman chomping up the riders in front, however he had to give it everything to overcome Ayo Lawal, the last remaining rider out of five starters and his final obstacle to victory in this exhausting event. Group 2 (8-12s) was won by Alexander Dmochowski in another desperate and chaotic pitched battle on bikes. He needed to work very hard on the way to picking up appropriately named and talented female rider Charley Dash (3rd) and 2nd placed Henry Boateng. The 12 -15s Group 1 was won by Clem Berrill, 2nd place went to Deonte Benoit-Jackson & Danniel Passam came 3rd. Starter Kyroah Pang did not finish, he cooked it to far during the chase, leaning over until grip was lost and he went to ground. Suffering a minor abrasion to his left hip he said "It's just a flesh wound but the bike is ok!". Numero uno in group 2 was Jake Wilkinson who out paced his twin brother Ryan Wilkinson who came 2nd. The 3rd placed rider was Bella Dmochowska. Of the five starters in this race Bella drew the loudest applause for her fierce, spirited but in vain refusal to give up in the face of Ryan's relentless pursuit. In the Devil Take the Hind Most and Scratch races notable rides came from Javon Benoit-Jackson who came out top in both of his 8-12 group events and Logan Demonchaux-Irons who won his Group 1 'Devil' race. Another promising performance came from Javon's older brother Deonte Benoit-Jackson who competed very well against seasoned racers in his 13-16s scratch race group to achieve third place. Kyroah Pang won both 13 - 16s massed start races and put himself on top of the leader board for the overall champions prize. On the final Sunday, Kyroah's rival, training partner and club mate Tao G Hart will be back with a view to claim back his top spot. This tussle will be interesting to see.
In advance, the organisers would like to thank the sponsors, the riders, parents and volunteers who have made this series possible. We're now focusing on making the final day extra special. Championship trophies and medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd placed competitors will be presented soon after the last race. Prizes & recognition for all riders will be handed out and expressed also. As requested last Sunday there will be a girls only race (we have enough now) and the adults will not get away with just doing a time trial...there will be a 10 lap adult's scratch race too.

Up-date: Grass Track Cycle Racing Summer League 2009

The first two weeks of CCH's inaugural grass track cycle racing league have proved to be a popular attraction to many youths in Hackney with 25 young people joining the races last Sunday and 18 youngsters racing during the session on our opening Sunday August 2nd. Also in attendance were a good number of parents and adult riders. Given the recent down pours we've had, on the day the weather conditions were clement and the clouds parted to make way for periods of sunshine. Under foot the ground held firm, we had short uncut daisy length grass to ride on that provided grip enough around the track bends.
Day 1 Event 1 TT (Time Trial) A stunning ride came from Tao G Hart who at 14yrs provided the fastest flying lap by covering 200m in 21.00 seconds, a course record for all comers still standing after week two. 17 year old Clem Berill came second with a time of 22.07s and Kyroah Pang (14) came 3rd with 22.28s.
In the under 12s 'roadie pursuit' where four riders start at equal points around the track and compete by attempting to take each other out of the race (without making contact of course) by over taking riders ahead. Sounds simple? Ned O'Regan eventually over came all his adversaries to win after being locked in a lengthy and grueling bout of attrition cycling. He finally erased the resistance put up by the last rider rolling, battling Alexander Dmochowski, who in the end had to settle for second place. To follow this gritty display Ned stepped up again to defeat all opposition in the under 12s five lap scratch race by swooping in the final 100m to eclipse Ayo Laval's gallant effort to win just 3m before the finish line. Third place went to Bede G Hart who rode well against on form opponents.

In the under twelve & girls elimination race or Devil Take the Hindmost there was keen competition between two under 16 cyclists Bella Dmochowska and Matilda O'Regan (Alexander & Ned's older sisters) who both produced an exciting sprint finish - Bella won it by a tyres width spoiling a possible family double celebration by the O'Regans.

Our loan bikes were provided by the Met Police (Genesis Flyers) and the new youth size track cycles from Isla Bikes (which were a huge hit) came courtesy of the series sponsors; London Cycling Campaign.
Week two brought more riders and a return of those keen to try again at figuring out what it takes to get around with the leaders and push on for a win.

The points score board after two weeks will be posted shortly