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.