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.