They told me that we would be competing with alternative things/events happening left, right and centre on Sunday, the result being that riders were spoilt for choice.... but we still got an active bunch at Cyclopark.
Louis McLeod, our Redhill Raider rider, found himself with a bike but no helmet, but we sorted that out OK.
We were able to congratulate Millie Coleman, winner of the national U8 girls' race up in County Durham last weekend.
Ian Portsmouth volunteered to take on the group of older riders, so for the first hour I was away on 'the London loop' with the younger ones.
We did several repeat blocks of two-lap steady riding with the strong riders on the front, but swopping places now and then just to keep their brains alert. The second pair also had to switch from time to time.
Then a welly-hoying exercise which wasn't intended to last forever, but it did. It must have been the allure of pink wellies.
The idea was to collect one from an outstretched hand while moving forward, pass a red box on which stood four yellow cones, and knock them all off.... as you would in skittles or ten-[pin bowling.
Maximum score of four and tt was a struggle.
But then Matthew Metcalfe (Dorking Raiders) proved that it could be done.
Hope Inglis (KVK) was either in rebellious mood or inventive mood (or both) so rather than return to the start point safely on the other half of the track, she returned by taking a line between the red box/yellow cones just as the following riders was hoying the next welly at them. The general vote (of the riders anyway) was that it made things that bit more exciting.
It doesn't feature in the coaching manual however.
Matthew hit a second perfect four and we moved on.
Up on the 'velodrome' loop now for the second hour, and we kicked off with something that needed the assistance of several adults, as we did the prisoner-and-guards' exercise which involved one rider with a red bib (the prisoner) firmly surrounded by guards (the other riders)... three in front, three behind, and one either side making eight in all.
The first prisoner was a keen volunteer (Hope again - she was having quite a day) and off they went. The idea is to bide your time, waiting for a glitch by one of the guards... but this prisoner was having none of that... more a case of taking the initiative and battering down the walls..... she simply leaned on the rider to her left until the intimidation worked.
I'm not sure what the KVK are feeding their kids but they are sure getting on top of the bike skills stuff.
Everyone had a go in the centre, and every one of the prisoners escaped. I think that next time we do it I should ask G4S if they would like to sponsor us as the standard of guarding was abysmal and something they might well relate to (as one dad pointed out).
Next session:
Sunday 24 May at 10am to 12 noon
Final word
If you get something out of these sessions then do please come. They've hiked the price of Cyclopark, so if you're full of good intentions but keep letting the weather prospects or whatever keep you at home, you might just find us gone.
John