Cyclocross fun on Hackney Downs

Year 5 boys race

 Round 2 of the YHPSCL was held on 12th November 2021 up on Hackney Downs. We had a record number of riders enter the Cyclocross round - 121 riders from 12 schools - which made life for the judges interesting (- more on that later).

Riders briefing

Weather wise it was perfect conditions - sunny and slightly damp grass meant for fast racing. Once the hoarder had signed on we had some practise then it was straight into the racing.

Year 5 girls getting ready to start.

The year 5s were set a course of three laps with Noah from Mandeville leading after the first lap with Hattie from Millfields in hot pursuit followed up by Isobel from Shacklewell.

The year 5 girls leaders after the first lap

At the beginning of the final lap the leaded changed with Hattie in front followed by team mate Billie then Isobel.

Billie winning the year 5 girls race

In the end Billie came past Hattie taking a clear win and a first /second for Millfields with Isobel claiming third for Shacklewell.

Year 5 girls results

Year 5 boys getting ready to go

Next were the year five boys also racing for three laps.

Year 5 boys start

After the first lap Oscar from Rushmore was leading followed by Edgar from Millfields then Fortune from Gayhurst.

Going into the final lap Oscar still had the lead but now George from Benthal had moved into second spot with David from Jubilee in third. These three would then stay in the same positions for the finish and podium.

Year 5 boys results

Year 6 girls line up

Next up were the year six girls racing this time for four laps. this time the Millfields girls swept to the front with Catrin building ahead over her teammates Esther and Ayla. The latter two swapped places on the laps but in the end it finished Catrin first, Esther second and Ayla third.

Year six girls results

Winner of the year 6 girls - Catrin

Year 6 boys line up

The last race of the day was the year six boys again for four laps. The first lap saw a duo from Gayhurst take the front Otto leading Favour with Rafi from Millfields in pursuit. The second and third laps saw Otto build on his lead whilst Rafi moved up into second and Kallius from William Patten moving into third position. That was the way it ended with a convincing win for Otto.

Year six boys results 

All in all great afternoon's worth of racing- lots of fun noise and excitement. The judges did struggle bit with getting the results as many of the numbers were pinned on in such away as to make them almost invisible. Probably the judges own fault for not making this clear. Numbers should be low down on the back - so they aren't obscured by long hair/hoodies etc - also they should have pain in each corner so they don't fold over or flap around in the breeze. next time we'll make this clearer.

League scores after round 2.

New Season gets underway with the Springfield Hill Climb

 
The 2021-22 season of the Young Hackney Primary Schools Cycling League sprung into action last Friday 8th October with riders from seven schools taking on the challenge of the Springfield Hill Climb. The hill over looking the River Lea is short, very pretty but very deceptive. What it lacks in length it more than makes up for in steepness - the most often overheard remark from riders once they'd finished being -"its much harder than you think it will be".

 

With a few of our usual participants unable to attend two new teams to the league came along - Rushmore and William Patten schools both did very well on their first event.

 

The year four girls started the proceedings with some fast times and those who couldn't make it all the way to the finish jumping off and running with the bike to make sure of points for their school. Eri from Millfields set the benchmark time.

 

 

 

 

Year 4 girls results

 

The year four boys were next but not quite as fast as the girls. Dominic from Millfields took first place.

 

 

 

 

Year 4 boys results

 

 

 

Next up were the year 5 girls with Umi from Rushmore taking top place.

 

 

 

Year 5 girls results

 

 

Acrobatic entertainment at the top of the hill.

 

 

 

  

Jacob from Millfields get the fastest time and first rider to go under 40 seconds just tenths ahead of Fortune and Luca from Gayhurst.

 

 

Year 5 boys results

 

 

In the year six girls race the fastest time of the day for all riders was set by Millfields' Catrin at 28 seconds.

Year 6 girls results

 

 

 

 

 

Things were very close again in the year six boys with the top ten being seated by ten seconds and the top three by half a second - Dijle from Jubilee taking the win.

 

 

 

 

Year 6 boys results

 

Riders were treated to some BMX freestyle moves at the top of the hill

 

League totals after round 1.

 

All photos - Kerry Bishop.