We set off at 7:15 to hogg hill, london to race in round 2 of the lea valley youth cycling club summer league. Zak and i raced together and were the only ones from our strong youth team to race, we raced a strong oppersition making a 23 strong feild. As zak and i are now U14′s we have to race up the steeper, longer climb now, EVERY LAP!!!! Zak and i extremly enjoyed ourselves and cannot wait for the next one and hope we have some more team mates to enjoy it with us next time. I came 18th and zak came in at 14th place overall, despite having to go up the hill every lap!!!

The results>>>>>>http://lvycc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Summer-Series-2012-results-Race-2-5-May.pdf<<<<<< (copy and paste in address bar)

By Ben Turner

It was the first time my brother and I had been to Redbridge. There were lots of other very serious looking cyclists who had brought their own rollers. There were over 30 under 10’s and 12’s in my race. We started behind a rolling car and went down the hill to the bottom circuit to do 6 miles. The pack started very quickly and I had to sprint to try to catch back up. The leading U12’s broke away and I worked with a small pack of 5 riders following behind. There was some clashing of elbows but I managed to stay on the course. The final lap to the finish was up the long steep hill and my legs were burning. Even though I was tired I was catching other riders. I finished 2^nd in the ECCA U10’s Criterium  Championship,  and was presented with a medal.

After my race I watched my brother in the U14’s. He had to do 10 laps of the full circuit including the steep hill. I’m glad I didn’t have to do that. He got off to a good start but I was amazed at how fast the other riders went; reaching over 30mph down the hill. I’m not sure where he finished as the results were not out but I think he was roughly 10^th.

By Rowan Baker.

”On Saturday we travelled to Milton Keynes Bowl as we thought this would be an easier option than Hog Hill for my first race of the season however we found out once we arrived that this was a Central Region qualifying race so there was a lot of tough competition.
The race started extremely well as I got away in the top ten.I struggled to keep with the main bunch but managed to until I was slowed up by a crash and then had to work my way back up solo.Although the group was losing riders I stayed with them until we readied for a manic sprint as the u16 girls and my group of u14 boys approached the finish together.I got boxed in with 200m to go but found a gap and passed a couple of riders just before the line.I got 8th and as this was my first race of the season I am pleased with the outcome. Ben got 12th.Well done to both.

This year my Dad and I decided to go to as many of the ERYCS (Eastern Region Circuit Series) as possible, for me to get  some more experience of racing.  Before the first one, we went to Redbridge Cycle Centre to get used to under 12 racing; I have never been to one before so I was a bit nervous. Redbridge Cycle Centre, or Hog Hill as it used to be called, is a purpose built cycle racing track of two circuits joined by a hilly section.  The surface is very smooth and there are brilliant facilities on-site including a cafe, showers, and changing rooms; Unlike some venues where you might just have a porta-loo half a mile away!

Thirty-two 10-12 year olds, including Ben Tullet (ranked number 1 nationally), lined up on the start.  I was the only GYCC member.  We set off behind a pace car which then pulled off to let us pass.  This set off a short sprint before the pace settled.  Soon the front group was down to sixteen riders including myself.  The pace was quite fast but manageable until…  I was dropped with about five others.  Using the techniques practised at the stadium just last week, I sprinted from behind and bridged the gap.  Riding in the pack was not as relaxed as at the stadium, with some shouting and jostling for space.  I was forced onto the grass at one point.  After twenty minutes of this the bell rang for last lap and the pack sped up a lot leaving me at the back but hanging on.  Finally the race turned off of the lower circuit and up the hill.  “Oh no!”  I wasn’t ready at all and got dropped whilst trying to grind in far too high a gear.  I slowed right down and climbing the hill seemed to take ages.  I finished on my own in 16th place, just behind Ben Tullet who apparently rode two laps on his rims after a puncture!

It was good experience, and I would recommend it to any confident club members that fancy a go.  I’m now looking forward to the first of the ERYCS where I might try breaking away before the last lap.

Seth Houlgate.