Kent «

I don’t usually ride in a group by it’s fun and makes time fly out on the road!

Last week we opened up a free invitation to triathlon club members to come and ride with me and some of the Tri Grand Prix team including race organiser Jose, on the course for the Kent race on May 30th. A visit to Kent in comes highly recommended with some fantastic countryside to explore and just a stones throw from London you have no limit to what you can get up to at night.

There was a really enthusiastic and mixed group including everyone from pro athlete Jonathan Hotchkiss to outright triathlon newcomers. We met up next to the swim start at Leybourne lake which was truly beautiful and made our way out on to the road.

Leybourne lake tgp kent

The course itself is tough with some steep climbs on narrow roads and fast dual carriage way sections. Definitely favoring a strong cyclist the course should also help stop drafting in the age group race. If you can take a look at it before the big day go for it as there are some dangerous sections where riders need to be aware of the potential for on coming traffic and lack of potential for stopping! It took in many of the fantastic views and some of those picturesque villages you associate with the Kent area and is well worth a trip even if you don’t want to do the race.

Henry and James were training for Ironman 70.3 UK but decided to enter the Kent race after seeing the course.

Henry and James training for tgp kent

If you are lacking the motivation to get in the big training you need to do for a long event, find a group to ride with and it will help the time pass quicker and be more fun.

Tri Grand Prix Group ride

IronMum Sarah Russel (pictured center) was keen to get going as she was doing our 56mile ride as part of her own 100 mile ride in preparation for the Challenge Copenhagen triathlon in August which I also hope to do. It can be grueling getting in those long sessions you need, in order to finish such a long event but by training in a group you can help time fly and keep your motivation up.

For group rides in your area try contacting your local cycling or triathlon clubs which can be found on the British triathlon web site or British cycling websites. I may be leading more ride on the 29th before the race so get in touch if there is any interest.