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So what goes on at Team Darenth?

The club aims to introduce young people to cycling as healthy activity, and practical mode of transport and a sport that will last for life. We’ve brought together some pictures of what goes on in the various aspects of this mission.

Signing on – Though we’re much more than just a racing club, we start the morning with the traditional race discipline of signing on and getting your number. This means we know who is involved in the activities, identifies groups as being formally organised, and lets the riders and parents get used to fumbling with safety pins!

Skills development – Team Darenth welcomes young riders with all levels of ability. Our British Cycling qualified coaches work with the riders to assess their levels of skill, control and fitness, and make sure the activities they engage in are fun and challenging.

Basic skills such as steering, braking and bike control are mixed with more advanced “tricks” through team and individual games, including the famous “Ray-man’s Limbo” and “Box”.

In addition to the weekly skills activities, the club runs a skills achievement scheme where riders can demonstrate their learning and earn different levels of awards.

Road Training – Cycling is a healthy, efficient and green mode of transport. Team Darenth has its own approved instructor to teach Levels 1 and 2 of the National Scheme for Cycle Training.

This scheme aims to develop riders’ skills and confidence, helping them to travel by bike more often, more confidently and more safely.

More information on this scheme can be found here –

Members of Team Darenth aged 9 and above can receive training and earn awards in this scheme during club sessions.

Sport – Cycling is one of the most popular and varied forms of sport. Throughout the year Team Darenth runs the Bill Lewis Challenge, a competition that allows riders to measure and demonstrate their performance against themselves and others of their age group. This is very popular with the majority of riders.

Some riders want to try out or develop their performance in other aspects of racing. Team Darenth promotes youth oriented road racing and rounds of well known cyclocross and mountain bike series. Many of our riders have achieved success at regional and national level, some going on to rider with sponsored teams and adult clubs. The club will introduce new riders to the sport and events and help and encourage other parents and riders with some of the more confusing aspects such as the different age categories and the mysteries of gear restrictions!

Don’t worry though – not everyone races, and it’s not expected of you. Many of our races are just as likely to be seen out in the woods with club rides or enjoying a game of “box”!

Family Friendly - it isn't just about young riders and hard rides. Team Darenth is supported and run by a large body of adults, many of whom have offspring riding with the club.

We like to involve as many parents and carers as we can, and run a number of trips away for socialising and riding further afield. This a great opportunity for the adults to get to know each other, see what the riders get up to and even join in.

There is a regular group of parents who ride out together on a Saturday, sampling the tea shops of the area and collecting their own mud and war stories to compete with their kids!

team Darenth tries to make sure there is plenty of fun off the bike as well, with an annual awards ceremony, Christmas fancy dress competitions and even the odd bowling night with no bikes or lycra to be seen!

Out and About – As our riders' skills develop they can join in one of our "off site" rides. Coaches and approved adult riders will lead groups out and about in the neighbourhood.

Rides involve road and off-road terrain, and might include the woodland trails of Joydens Wood, scaling the sides of Canada Heights and Farnigham Woods, or journeying further into Kent. Riders will need to bring along a drink, appropriate clothing for the weather, and a spare inner tube!

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