The Audax Last Stand ....

Kent Valley's "Love Audaxing" is Sunday 2nd
 October  Starting at 9am from the Kendal Rugby Club so please arrive in good time to sign on and have a brew.
The 100km ride heads out to Old Hutton and Barbondale, up Cowgill to Ingleton and returning via Honby and Capernwray. 
The small fee of £3 to enter, which can be payed at the start, includes a drink at the start and food at the finish.

Another excellent turn out for the last in the series was blessed with perfect conditions, congratulations to all who completed the year long Audax series.
And keep your eyes peeled for 2017.

Bob Swailes Memorial RR

This weekend saw the 2016 installment of  Kent Valley's Bob Swailes Memorial road race 2/3/4 on the tough but classic circuit of Old Hutton.
2nd cat Matthew Atkinson (Durham University CC) just pipped Christian Smith (Manchester Bicycle Club) on the line to win Kent Valley Road Club's Bob Swailes Memorial Road Race.
Together with 3rd placed Jamie Kennedy (GTR), they finished more than a minute ahead of a fragmented peloton after sustaining a brutal pace for six laps of the hilly Old Hutton circuit.
Smith's consolation was winning the race's King of the Mountains prize with 11 points out of a possible 15.
Only 24 riders completed the full 55 miles

Milnthorpe Returns

No not a Kent Valley road clubs version of Star wars but round 14 of the KVRC time trial championships.
 A near perfect summers day finally descended again upon the South Lakes giving lovely warm sunny summer conditions for the evenings proceedings, and with the points top three in the current standings the action was surely going to be hotting up.

George Wharton again put in another outstanding performance finishing ahead of both his nearest rivals in the KVRC points classification, with Chris Dixon and Duncan Orme coming closely behind.
      Top female rider  Amanda Howard put in another great performance despite dropping a chain and losing vital seconds against the clock still managed a very respectable time 25:30.

Thanks again to all marshals and time keepers 

further details of club rides and time trials can be found at

www.kentvalley.co.uk 

The Short & Long

8am and the drizzle was falling and the sky grey over Kendal this morning but the Kent Valley Club with slight change of format with two rides being organised a longer and another shorter.

An excellent turn both rides headed out together from the Kendal Leisure Centre, bound for Cartmel via Grange over Sands on the back roads of the Lyth Valley.

A slightly earlier arrival in Cartmel resulted in a lap around the hidden gems of Cartmel until the club favorite the Mallard opened.

Caffeine fuelled and not deterred by the falling rain the club split and the shorter ride headed for home via  Ayside and Witherslack.

The longer option continued on towards Newton in Cartmel, Newby Bridge, Oxen park, Bouth, before turning and heading for Kendal through Cark and Grange-Over-Sands.

Riders of all abilities and fitness are welcome 

Further details of club runs and membership is available at

www.kentvalley.co.uk 

Round 12 of the KVRC club time trial championships headed back to the fast L1015 course at Levens this evening.
Thankfully the mornings version of a tropical storm passed through to leave a brilliant bright and 21 deg+ sunny afternoon , just in time for this evenings TT
Richard Bickley of Border City Wheelers took this evening victory closely followed by another excellent ride by Kent Valley's top young rider George Wharton.

Thanks again to all marshals and time keepers

 further details of time trials & club runs are available at

www.kentvalley.co.uk 

Over the hills And Beyond

The South lakes again today awoke to another warm sunny summers Sunday morning , which was sure to make for a perfect club run.

The new summer time start of 8am meeting at Kendal Leisure Centre didn't deter the team of KVRC riders and guests from seizing the moment.
Kent Valley's team rolled out over the sleepy Sunday back roads out of Kendal toward Staveley and Ings then making for Troutbeck and the foot of the classic Lakeland climb of  Kirkstone.

 The Kirkstone pass was calling out for the team with its long and twisting road with a few short steeper sections to test the legs.
With the climb done and dusted the delightful well earn't descent down to the glittering waters of Ullswater and onto Pooley Bridge and its Newly rebuilt bridge, after it was destroyed by Storm Desmond last December.

A short spin away and a well earn't stop at one of KVRC's favorite north Lakes Cafe stop the Mill Yard  for a mid ride coffee and carb boost.
Refueled and buzzing with caffeine the team headed back to Kendal over Orton Scar, Tebay and back to Kendal, with a moderate headwind to finally finish off any tired legs.

Inter-Club 25 Championship

The 2016 installment of the inter-club 25 championships held on the Levens circuit received an outstanding turnout from the competing clubs.
Once again it was hotly contested with some outstanding times given the warm breezy conditions
 Lakes Road Club rider Craig Steele once again took the crowning glory with an excellent time of 54:31 closely followed by his two team mates David Huck 55:51 and Keiron Lacey with 57:21 sealing the deal with a team combined time of 2:47:43 to take the 2016 title.

Kent Valleys three top riders of the evening putting excellent times Jnr George Wharton 56:39, Peter Thomas 57:46 and Duncan Orme 58:06 giving a combined team time of 2:52:31.
The clubs Wilson Mememorial  H'cap went to Richard Belkin with his superb time 1:05:56  beating his previous time by 3:49 and finish ahead of Peter Graham and Amanda Howard who all posted superb times for the evening.

Thanks again to all marshals and to Time Keepers and to the talented James Kirby Adventure Sports Photography for allowing us to use his fantastic photos.

For more of his excellent work please visit www.jameskirby.me.uk

Club Run Sunday

Kent Valleys club run Sunday headed out from Kendal Leisure Centre at the new time summer timing of 8am.

Today's ride threaded its way out of Kendal and headed for secluded road of Barbondale and the small village of Dent.
The team spun its way from Dent through Horton-in-Ribblesdale then Austwick, Bentham, Greta Bridge onto the Lune valley and Kendal.
An excellent day was had by the team with today's cafe stop being  in Horton.

Further details of club runs and time rials can be found at www.kentvalley.co.uk 

Remember Nobody gets left Behind

Coast Road 21

Tonight saw another round of the inter club series head to Barrow Central Wheelers Coast road lumpy 21 mile TT circuit.

True to form maybe due to its close proximity to the sea the course was windy with a strong to fresh headwind making for some tough riding on the 1st leg of the course, but then to be rewarded with an excellent tail wind.
KVRC showed a strong presence on the start sheet this evening fielding 10 riders all in the quest for more point towards retaining the Inter Club Trophy.
Stand out rider from KVRC this and taking glory was Amanda Howard with a stunning performance setting a new female record of 57:26 shaving a cool 1:23 off the old record.

 Thanks to all KVRC riders 

Cake to Rock Audax

Today saw another installment of the Audax series held by KVRC which is open to all club and riders.
Cake to Rock the 200km Audax headed out from it HQ at the Kendal Rugby Club to the edge of the scenic Trough of Bowland via Kirby Lonsdale before heading towards Preston and onto Blackpool.
After a quick stop a refuel the Audax route headed away from
Blackpool towards Lancaster  and Carnforth.
Thanks again to everyone who turned out to support and ride in today Audax, remember to check www.kentvalley.co.uk for further details on club runs, Time Trials and membership.

Coast 2 Coast in 24

Kent Valley member Andrew Tanner yesterday took on the width of Great Britain and all that she had to throw at him in the Coast 2 Coast in 24.

The grand depart from Seascale on the West Coast of Cumbria at 6am

marked a step into history and the unkown for the riders with many challenges and twists that lay ahead of the riders.
The exciting adventure across Britain led the team through many hidden fantastic gems which many people can only dream of riding.
The team pacing themselves and plenty of food coupled with the strong will to succeeded the heroic team rolled into the East coast town of Whitby at 20:10 GMT.

Congratulations to Andrew and the team from Kendal Tri Club on what is a fantastic achievement.

KVRC Open 10 & Charity 25

Records tumbled in our time trials weekend on the Levens courses.

Dave Allonby, riding for Preston's Springfield Financial, and Adam Hartley (PH-MAS) both averaged over 30mph in Saturday evening's Midsummer 10, sharing the spot with 19mins 31secs, while Adam broke Richard Handley's Noth Lancs Time Trials Association 2008 junior record by ten seconds.
Its was Dave's turn to be the record-breaker in Sunday morning's Edwin Howson Memorial 20 with his winning time of 20mins 39secs beating Gethin Butler's 2006 mark by 16 seconds; though not troubling Stephen Irwin's outright course best of 49min 30secs set last autumn.

Tim Bennett was Kent Valley's fastest riding in the 10, clocking 23:02 ahead of Glenn Howart on 23:42 while Campbell West led Kent Valley's charge in the 25 with 58:18 ahead of Phil Shaw on 58:42 and Andrew Barlow 59:32.

Proceeds from the weekend will help fund a cancer charity & North West Air Abulance. Well done organisers Tim Bennett & Peter Knott and all who helped stage two cracking KVRC open events.

Richard B

Better Late Than Never

Today's club run or the better late than never headed out at a slightly later time of 11am from Kendal Leisure Centre, due to club members marshaling at the Kent Valley charity 25m ITT at Levens.
The small team headed out as always with all club runs at a sociable pace towards Sedgewick on the outskirts of Kendal.
Drawn by the quiet back roads of Levens and Witherslack the team buzzed their way towards the picturesque vibrant village of Cartmel.
Cartmel is a must for anyone from outside the area with it top class restaurants and its country pubs away from the hustle and bustle of the more well known areas of the Lake District, some may say a more romantic area.
Time crunched and with the impending rain the team threaded their way homeward bound over rolling roads of High Newton towards the Lyth Valley and Kendal.

Jungle Cafe TT

This Wednesdays round in the club time trial championships took place on part of the KVRC classic Shap & Back Hill climb.
Albeit the slightly shorter version called the Jungle Cafe which turns at the former Jungle Cafe services and retraces its way back to Kendal.
This circuit used to be part of the Monday evening series but has been included this year into the Wednesday series.
Tonight field from across the local area were treated to warm dry conditions, making for a good evening time trialing with Junior George Wharton taking the honours
 Next weeks round headed's back to the Milnthorpe 10 circuit please check website for further details

www.kentvalley.co.uk

200 KM Audax

Kent Valley's third installment of the Audax series took place today in perfect conditions warm sunshine blue skies which some people would say is a ride of dreams.
An excellent turn out for the 200km or 129 mile Audax style ride through the spectacular scenery of the Lake District & Eden Valley Countryside.
The Audax route with its overall 7500ft of ascent took in along the way some amazing lesser known roads and parts of the W2W & C2C routes, whilst avoiding the major passes of the Lakes.
Thanks again Kendal Rugby club and to everyone who helped making today's Audax successful.

www.kentvalley.co.uk

Feel the Heat...

Tonight's KVRC time trial visited the classic course of  Levens which always attracts a strong field of riders.
 With thirty seven riders from across the north west and 24 deg plus of warm almost windless conditions tonight racing was surely going to be electric.
George Wharton & Duncan Orme for KVRC put in excellent times and strong performances against a strong field.
The evenings honors eventually went to Jake Wright (Jun) of Identity Race Team with a fantastic time of 19:56 closely followed hot on his heels with 19:57 Richard Bickley of Border City Wheelers.

Thanks again to all riders and marshals & Time keepers

Fun in the Sun

Kent Valley Sunday club runs don't get much better than this if you closed your eyes one could almost have been fooled into thinking of Continental Europe. 

25 degrees + accompanied by warm light winds made for the an excellent turn out as it would have been rude to miss out.

Leaving Kendal Leisure Centre at the new time 8am the KVRC run headed out over towards the Howgill fells and Tebay, before twisting their way through the quite less frequented roads towards the excellent cafe stop in Sedbrugh.

Fueled refreshed the KVRC club run rolled its way through sleepy Gawthrop towards the cheeky but superb Barbon ascent to the picturesque valley of Barbondale which after a rest and cafe stop opened the lungs again.

Thanks again to everyone and remember 8am next Sunday

Ultra Classic

The ultra classic and the third round of the Inter Club hilly time trial took place this evening on the premier calendar course the Circuit of Coniston.

The warm temperatures and busy villages that surround Coniston Water coupled with the challenging circuit gave a distinct European atmosphere. 

The ultra classic course itself starts  near the excellent local pub the Red Lion before heading up the East Side of Coniston Water.

With the challenging lumpy & rough side of the course under the wheels the circuit headed's through the beautiful S.Lakes Village of Coniston before threading it way back to the start on the West Side of the Lake.

Kent Valley Riders all put in excellent performances overall to secure more points towards retaining the 2015 Inter Club trophy.

Magical Mystery Tour

A run out to Sticky Cartmel for this weeks Kent Valley Sunday club run and somewhat of a magical mystery tour on the hidden roads of the South Lakes.
The usual start of 9am from Kendal Leisure center the club run headed out through the cycle friendly lanes towards Milnthorpe before taking the wonderful flat lanes of the Lyth Valley.
Today the Lyth Valley had a distinct feeling of Northern France with the clear blue sky the rocky limestone outcrops and summer hedgerows.
Grange-Over-Sands provided a rest bite from the warm sunshine providing the riders with a welcoming cooling sea breeze as they headed to the welcoming Cafe stop in Cartmel.

Rested, refreshed the welcoming small climb up to High Newton Reservoir and Crag woods gave a spectacular way home for the riders.

Sunshine and Cogs

Its Sunday and that means the weekly KVRC club run that meets 9am every Sunday at the Kendal Leisure Centre.
This weekends ride and social gathering buzzed away on a firm club Kent Valley weekend favorite Condor Green with its quite undulating roads roads making for the perfect mix.


Further details of clubs runs and weekly Time Trials can be found at www.kentvalley.co.uk or by clicking the Facebook link.

The firm favorite and bike friendly Cafe De Lune near Glassen Dock was today perfect accompaniment to the warm dazzling sunshine.

Ye Old Hutton

Tonights installment of the KVRC time trial league swept into Old Hutton for Round 5 of the club series......
22' Degrees and warm moderate to strong cross winds did damage to the riders times, with every rider digging deep in section to make up time lost in other sections of the course.

Considering the challenging conditions some excellent times were logged across the field of riders and age categories.
Standout female riders Emma Wood and Amanda Howard tonight both logging excellent times and new personal bests.

Thanks again to all time keepers and Marshals 

KVRC Team Tour Day 2

The dawn of day two and the temperatures already rising rapidly and with stages 3 & 4 ahead of the Kent Valleys road team Duncan Orme, Campbell west & Tom Gibson.

The team with their sights set firmly on limiting time loss in the GC focusing their efforts on the team time trial, conditions couldn't have been much better for the stage with a light to fresh warm crosswind.  

Check out this video of the team time trial

                                     


Stage 4 saw only two Kent Valley riders starting as Tom Gibson due to the previous days crash suffered badly during the TTT and retried from the Ilkley tour.

The fast and furious stage 4 with its biting climbs saw some exciting racing in the lead group resulting in a sprint finish for the main GC contenders and the yellow jersey wearer.
KVRC riders Duncan Orme & Campbell West came through unscathed somewhat some time down on the main group.

Sun Cream & Tan Lines

The 2nd installment of KVRC Audax series today was blessed with almost continental conditions 26'C and light winds, true summer conditions.


Today's Audax started from its HQ at Kendal Rugby club and headed out towards Clitheroe, Lancashire before turning and making its way back through the amazing scenery of the Trough Of Bowland.

The next installment of the Audax series takes place on Sunday 5th June, further details can be found at KVRC 

KVRC Team Tour

The warm sunshine and high temperatures this week finally arrived just in time for the Ilkley CC stage race over in Yorkshire or some what a very continental feeling Yorkshire.
Today stages consisted of a short 1.5 mile prologue followed by a tough & challenging road race on the Penny Pot Lane circuit.
Temperatures continued to rise steadily throughout the day, for which may have been welcomed by spectators, but took it toll on a number of riders both on stage 1 & 2
KVRC's Tom Gibson, Duncan Orme & Campbell West all put in excellent performances in the prologue.
Misfortune struck later during the RR with Tom Gibson going down on the steep sweeping descent.
Luckily only to be greeted by a deep ditch thankfully escaping damage & mechanical's, just the loss of skin.

With all KVRC riders making it home safe some with more skin than others sights and thoughts turn towards making time up in the team time trial.