What’s been happening since we came back from the summer holidays
London to Brighton off-road.
At the end of September, Steve, George & Russ took part in the London to Brighton off-road sportive for the British Heart Foundation. 61 miles of flowing single track, mud, towpaths, disused railway lines, and the biggest Hills you can find between here and the coast. It was so good that we’ve all already signed up for next year’s ride. Hope to see you there too!
TD Challenge round 4 to 6
Due to the storms in July, we had to cancel round 4 of the challenge and the visit from Wigmore CC.
Which meant in September, we ran rounds 4 and 5 on the same day. It was a little hectic, but everyone got their time in for both rounds, and there were some very impressive times, a couple of crashes, fortunately, everyone got back up on their bikes and finished their runs. Well done
Round 6 was run in October, just before the weather made the course too wet and slippery. And again there was some super time on all the challenges. This round saw the lowest number of penalty points given on the skills test form this year.
Hill Climb Challenge at CycloPark
November saw our annual visit to CycloPark for the Hill Climb Challenge. The Hill Climb used to be part of the TD Challenge, but since moving the Club to the BFA in 2022, we no longer have a hill to run the challenge on. This is the third year it’s been run as a single event in our calendar.
Well done to all the medalists of their age groups, but you are going to have to wait until the Christmas party to find out who won the Peter Stone Hill Climb shield.
Clive T, leaving Team Darenth
For the last twenty-plus years, Clive T has been coaching and setting the standards at TD.
I first met Clive at the Dartford Show some 16 years ago, where he encouraged my son to have a go at riding the course TD had set up.
Come and have a go at our cycling challenges he said. We ride on a Saturday morning he said. No one said to me that all these year later I’d still be at Team Darenth on a Saturday morning.
The reason I’m still here on a Saturday morning like us all is because of off the club Clive has built over the last 20 years. His passion for cycling, commitment to coaching, and unwavering dedication to fun have truly shaped the spirit of Team Darenth making it the team and community it is today.
Thank you for everything you have done in the past 20 years we wish you all the best for the next chapter in your life.
