9/3/18 There were a few worried faces when riders heard they may have to go over a jump in this years Mountain bike round of the YHPSCL. Although when it came to practise nearly all of the 81 riders from the eight schools that turned up opted to try out the
A line and went over that jump. Whilst during the actual races many riders found it faster going round the longer
B line. As well as the jump there were other technical sections involving descents and ascents with tight corners and slippy mud to contend with so the riders had a good deal of learning to get in before racing.
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| Arlo getting air over the jump |
The number one coaching point we were aiming at all riders understanding was
the ready position for MTB riding.
The ready position should be your neutral go-to position when riding as it provides good stability, control of the bike and is the starting position for many other techniques and skills. It sets the rider up for whats coming next - be it a tight corner or rocky drop off - looking ahead, stood up on level pedals, brakes covered and weight balanced over the centre of the bike means a rider should be able to tackle whatever is coming up. This is something riders can practise anywhere on any bike which will improve their bike handling all round.
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| Good display of the ready position from Jimme |
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| Year 4 girls getting ready to start |
First to race were the year 4 girls and straight away the girls form Jubilee were to the fore - Charlie Poppy and Grace looked to make a clean sweep of it however Merle form Gayhurst pipped Grace on the line to deny them the 123. The strength in depth of the Jubilee girls continues to impress.
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| Year 4 girls in action |
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| Year 4 girls in action |
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| Year 4 girls in action |
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| Year 4 girls leading trio |
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| Year 4 girls results |
Next up were the year 4 boys and once again the Millfield's lads were showing strongly with Harris building an impressive lead over the rest of the field to take the win followed by team mate Logan with Brandon coming in third for Jubilee.
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| Year 4 boys winner - Harris |
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| Year 4 boys podium |
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| Year 4 boys results |
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| Year 5 girls line up |
The year 5 girls race saw Ishanna and Lena of Jubilee slug it out for the first two laps followed by Lola from Millfields in the Ishanna pulled away just enough to take the win.
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls in action |
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| year 5 girls results |
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| year 5 boys line up |
The last event was the year 5 boys with riders from Millfields and Gayhurst setting the pace - eventually the duo of Jimme and Nicolas proved too strong for Arlo meaning another 1-2 for Millfields.
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| year 5 boys in action |
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| year 5 boys in action |
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| year 5 boys in action |
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| Year 5 boys leaders |
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| year 5 boys in action |
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| year 5 boys in action |
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| year 5 boys in action |
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| year 5 boys leading trio |
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| Year 5 boys results |
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| year 5 boys podium |
Once again it was great racing by all - its good to see so many smiles on faces as they are going round and hopefully they will all be practising their mtb techniques over easter. Jubillee won the round narrowing the gap to Millfields at the top of the league slightly. The next round is in May - grass tack at Hackney Downs for years 4 and 5 again - see you there.
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| Current league standings after round 6. |
