La Vie en Vélo

14/02/2024

“The Dutch success story is not an accident of geography. The safe, pleasant streets of the Netherlands are the product of bold campaigning, brave politics and intentional urban planning.”

In fact, it was only in the 1970s that it started to shift away from car-centred design.

Learn more: https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/lifestyle/interviews/the-dutch-turned-the-netherlands-into-a-bicycle-utopia-heres-how-we-can-do-the-same-in-other-countries

11/02/2024

31/01/2024

The Highway Code update clarified the rule about cycling side-by-side. It now says: "You can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so." 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️

This can deter dangerous overtaking, and is a good way to protect less experienced riders and children. ↔️

Keep up to date at: cyclinguk.org/highwaycode

📸: Dave Walker Cartoons

14/01/2024

Last one of 23-24.

Be there!

British Cycling

03/01/2024

Research shows that cycling is an indicator for urban quality of life.

Six of the top 10 EU countries with the highest quality of life are also among the top 10 EU countries with the largest share of cycling in the total traffic volume. The Netherlands ranks high in both categories.

Read more: https://thecityfix.com/blog/using-cycling-as-an-indicator-for-urban-quality-of-life/

01/01/2024

Entries are open for East Kent Cyclo Cross Round 5 Sunday 21st January at Betteshanger Country Park

Organised by Veld Cycle Coaching

Get entered 👉🏻 https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/290300/East-Kent-Cyclo-Cross-League-Round-5-BetteshangerCross

19/12/2023

Our V60 Women's winner at Lydden Hill this weekend. 👏 👏👏

BMCR Q&A - Lesley Wilkinson by Toks Adesanya
It’s time for another Q&A with one of the BMCR.org.uk athletes. Welcome 2023 National Masters Gravel Champ - Lesley Wilkinson.

Toks: Lesley, we’re not allowed to ask about your age of course so instead can you let us know how many laps you’ve done around the sun?😉
Lesley: 62

Toks: Have you always been competitive?
Lesley: Yes, I used to run cross country competitively from 8 years old.

Toks: Did you also start bike racing as a kid?
Lesley: No, that started when I joined Addiscombe CC in 2011. I tried time trials and circuit races, but always my heart was off road.

Toks: So you much prefer crunching tiny stones and squelching mud to the din of deep sections on asphalt?
Lesley: Yes - Gravel, Cyclocross or MTB; I love the mud. Love the technical aspects, figuring out best line etc. Brain always on the go

Toks: What’s it been like mostly racing against blokes?
Lesley: Always loved racing against the guys. When I started cyclocross, Vet40 men went first. Ladies all ages a minute or so later. And V50 men behind us. It was a great learning experience. The best of the V50 men would come past, I would watch their lines and try and keep up for as long as I could. In time, the race leaders of the V40 would come through. Again fabulous learning experience. Eventually I would catch up the back of the male field.

Toks: Do you have a coach?
Lesley: No

Toks: How often are you out on your bike per week ?
Lesley: Four days

Toks: What does your winter training regime look like?
-- 1 x long mtb 4-6 hours
-- 1 x cx race
-- 1 x 3 hour ride road or off road
-- 1 x Short off road, skills or hills session
-- 2 x weights
-- 1 x run

Toks: Do you ever diet to get in shape for racing
Lesley: No - My body needs good wholesome food and avoiding junk

Toks: Tell us about your 2023 season.
Lesley: It started with Dirty Riever followed by The Gralloch. Great races both of them. Qualified for Worlds gravel race in Italy which was a fantastic experience. Fourth in the Vet Women's 60. Again learnt a lot. Would definitely take someone to hand up a bottle if I did it again. Carrying 3 litres of water in a Camelback was a disadvantage!

- Kings Cup Gravel: 1st Vet Woman 40
- London cyclocross: League 1st Vet Woman 60
- BMCR: Mountain bike Second Vet Woman 40

Toks: Chapeau, that’s a pretty impressive 2023. You do a lot of events and clearly love racing
Lesley: Yep, Love it. I think let’s make the most of our health whilst we can.

Toks: Do have any favourite BMCR events?
Lesley: MTB - Looking forward to more off road next season

Toks: Back to your training - do you use a powermeter, HRM or perceived exertion?
Lesley: Ride to feel

Toks: Are you a fan of Zwift?
Lesley: No

Toks: What’s your favourite place to ride?
Lesley: Surrey hills

Toks: Do you know your FTP?
Lesley: No

Toks: How about Your Watts Per kilo?
Lesley: 3.2

Toks: What’s your personal race philosophy?
Lesley: To always try my best, always learn something and always enjoy.

Toks: Who first inspired you to race?
Lesley: A teacher at primary school. I’ve always been sporty. Running and 25 years of martial arts

Toks: What’s your favourite pro race?
Lesley: Love the Tour. Especially last year! Amazing

Toks: I know you ride in Majorca quite a bit. Which would you choose between Majorca, Alps or Pyrenees?
Lesley: Pyrenees

Toks: When racing, what’s your go for fuel - Gels or food?
Lesley: Food every time

Toks: What advice would you give particularly to ladies thinking about racing?
Lesley: Just do it. Doesn’t matter where you come. Enjoy it. You will learn loads and you dont know what you can achieve unless you try

Toks: Finish the sentence! - My love of cycling originally came from…
Lesley: …the desire to do something with my teenage son. I brought 2 mountain bikes and we were hooked. Sometimes he would be grumpy on the way out but generally after the first descent, we would be laughing or chatting. Especially if he rode over the iced over puddle and I cracked it and got wet! We had great fun camping with bikes and developed a close bond.

In 2015 after the death of my parents and entering menopause, three children still at home, two back from university and one about to go, I decided they were not going to move out anytime soon and thought maybe I should do that to give them some responsibility for changing light bulbs etc. I was wondering what would I regret in my life not doing and I wondered how far I could ride on my bike. I departed in June 2016 and headed for Africa via Europe. 20 months later, I came home from the Ugandan/Rwandan border.

Amazing – thanks so much Lesley. I hope you have more podiums in 2024 🎄🎄

18/12/2023

Well, if that was Crossmas, then today must be Croxing Day?

And i do feel a bit like it's the day after the day before.

Just want to say a huuuuuge thank you to soooooo many people for making the East Kent Cyclo Cross rd4 so enjoyable.

Special mentions, as ever, to Rob and Claire Kingsland, Ian Ferrell and the whole, outstanding VC Deal crew, and, of course, my old mucker Keith at Herberts Cycles and his brood, and all the Whitstable Wobblers. Outstanding, one and all!

Special Christmas chapeau to Jamie Harris of Wigmore Cycling Club for doing an hour's racing on *that* fierce course in full Santa gear!

Shall we do it all again next year?

16/12/2023

Well, I wish it could be Crossmas every day!!!

Here it is the course highlights for tomorrow's East Kent Cyclo Cross 2023-4 r4 Lydden Hill Race Circuit.

It's a monster course with over 50m of climbing per 3km lap, but it's running fast with very little mud!

We'd love to see as many of you as possible to race or just to come and have a cuppa and an egg bap! The forecast is fantastic!!!

Thanks to David Oxberry for the on-board camera work and sound effects!

Can't wait! On y va!!!

14/12/2023

It's Crossmas time, and there's no need to be afraid!

Thanks so much to the 150 Crossmassy racers who have signed up so far for the East Kent Cyclo Cross 2023-4 round 4 at the historic Lydden Hill Race Circuit!

Online entry is now closed, but the forecast is dry and not too cold from now until race day, so hopefully that will draw out yet more entries on the line! The more the merrier!

Supported by La Vie en Vélo and Herberts Cycles

Photo credit David Oxberry

14/12/2023

Can't wait! On y va!

13/12/2023

Crossmas comes but once a year!

And it's this Sunday! And the forecast is dry and not too cold from now until race day!

Online entries for East Kent Cyclo Cross 2023-4 round 4 at the historic Lydden Hill Race Circuit close at 23.59 tonight!

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/290299/East-Kent-Cyclo-Cross-Round-4-LyddenHillCross?fbclid=IwAR30QnX00qsd80KYsWynl4n5xEvtw_LeO_vwhWlyaacr1NqKixgGDjT6VQw

And then it will only be entry on the day. Still lots of places available in all races, although V50/60 men's race is getting full.

Supported by La Vie en Vélo and Herberts Cycles
Photo credit David Oxberry

12/12/2023

Wishing you all a very Happy Crossmas!!!

Online entries for East Kent Cyclo Cross 2023-4 round 4 at the historic Lydden Hill Race Circuit close at 23.59 tomorrow night! And then it will be entry on the day only.

Supported by La Vie en Vélo and Herberts Cycles

Photo credit David Oxberry

11/12/2023

Online entry available until Wednesday night, then entries on the day available in most races.

British Cycling

11/12/2023

With just 48hrs until online entries close, the forecast is set fair! Lydden will be dry and sunny from Wednesday until race day.

Are you ready for Crossmas?

Have you signed up yet for East Kent Cyclo Cross 2023-4 round 4 at the historic Lydden Hill Race Circuit ?

We'd love to see you for a bit of Festive slithering about in the east Kent sunshine!!!

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/290299/East-Kent-Cyclo-Cross-Round-4-LyddenHillCross?fbclid=IwAR3aQ1pKdsrZQgJx7xHgiHjkcXxMLJgG4EWn49hC7xoVTO0kZIJbbeAkY3U

Supported by La Vie en Vélo and Herberts Cycles .

10/12/2023

Are you ready for Crossmas?

Have you signed up yet for East Kent Cyclo Cross 2023-4 round 4 ?

Just 7 more sleeps until we reconvene at Lydden Hill Race Circuit for our annual Christmas 'Cross, and just 3 more sleeps until online entries close!

We'd love to see you for a bit of Festive slithering about in the east Kent mud!!!

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/290299/East-Kent-Cyclo-Cross-Round-4-LyddenHillCross?fbclid=IwAR3aQ1pKdsrZQgJx7xHgiHjkcXxMLJgG4EWn49hC7xoVTO0kZIJbbeAkY3U

Supported by La Vie en Vélo and Herberts Cycles.

07/12/2023

British Cycling

06/12/2023

Just one week to go for online entries, they're coming in thick and fast!

British Cycling

02/12/2023

Not done cyclocross yet, or not yet signed up to this one? Well, now's your chance! Come and take part in a fantastic day of grassroots racing, for ages from 7 to 70 of *all* levels. Everyone is welcome!

Two weeks' time: Sunday 17th December.

Really looking forward to hosting this with Herberts Cycles .

We're already deeply immersed in course plans around the fantastic Lydden Hill Race Circuit , and recruiting volunteers to help out over weekend. Can you spare an hour or two?

British Cycling

28/11/2023

Yes, please!