By John Leitch
Posted: Monday, December 22, 2014 - 19:30

I barely remember parents' faces when they show up on the playground at Furzefield School, which is our own patch, so I was in trouble from the start on this score at Dorking's Priory School.... I just hope I didn't walk past anyone.

 

Riders were allocated into three groups.... the older ones were ushered round by coach Graham Baker while the others were divided into two similar mixes.... another Dorking coach Mark Chillingworth took one lot and I was with the others. I had five boys and three girls.

 

Everything was on grass which was a pleasant change.... well it was for me but then I wasn't riding. The U-turn on the obstacle course being on a bit of a hillside caused panic and quite a few tumbles. So it was modified. That reduced the rate of tumbles.... a little.

 

After the skills course came the race circuit on the hillside, made quite complex by the use of marker posts and barrier tape. Some of the younger riders ground to a halt when they turned to face an uphill stretch..... parents who were paying attention were quick to dive in and help out with a push whereas those parents whose attention/minds were elsewhere failed to spot little legs paddling like ducks on the grass while having zero impact.... oops. The set-up of the formal parts made for a time lapse between events so there was a 'holding pen' where young riders could loiter and natter.... or keep pedalling to keep warm.

 

My lot were quite wound up and they kept wanting more than just keeping warm... they wanted more little races.... so it was a boys' race then a girls' race.... then same again. After that we did a sort of team Olympic sprint racing were every lap the front rider pulls off the front and slows down, so starting with teams of four that meant all the final action was in the hands of the last rider.

 

Well, well..... we had boys and girls mixed in each team and the times couldn't have been closer..... 1min 12secs versus 1min 11secs. Next event here: Sunday 15 February 2015 I've just delved into the British Cycling website and it lists another Dorking Go-Ride event on Sunday 15 February 2015, so if you have a diary get that written in if you fancy being at the next one.