HHV U18s NEWSLETTER - September
📸: Tony Hibbert
News this month …
Fireworks tickets and volunteering
HHV x Ridgeback Kids Bikes
Black History Month Cycling Celebration
Pumpkin Patch Dash Halloween Event
We’re hiring a Cafe Manager!
James Keen Saturday fitness sessions
Convene Track League - the final results are in!
Upcoming racing for youth riders
London & SE CX League Round 4 Sunday 4 October
Muddy Hell
Saturday 31 October
The last of the tickets for our annual fireworks and bonfire have have now sold out but you can still join the waiting list!
Alternatively, as with all our events here at HHV, we couldn’t run the fireworks with out help from our wonderful army of volunteers. If you would like to help out on the day (and get the chance to see the fireworks whilst doing some good!), please do volunteer to help.
Big News for Little Riders: Our New Ridgeback Kids Bike Fleet is Here!
Children who have attended our cycling activities in the last month will have noticed we have a brand new bike supplier for our hire fleet. We are thrilled to officially announce a multi-year partnership with Madison/Sportline, who are generously supporting Herne Hill Velodrome through their specialist children’s bicycle brand, Ridgeback Kids.
As a newly trusted Skills School centre, we are upgrading our entire youth fleet with lightweight Ridgeback bikes and premium Lazer helmets. This means your children will have access to the absolute best equipment during our popular Learn to Cycle, Pedal Bike Club, and Youth Cycle Skills sessions.
What This Means For Parents (Great News!)
You won’t have to worry about transporting heavy gear to the track or immediately upgrading equipment as your child grows. We are fully aware that there can be financial barriers to riding a bike and by providing free usage of our bikes and helmets for our sessions, we can help to reduce barriers.
Thanks to Madison/Sportline’s support, every child attending our sessions will be perfectly matched with a comfortable and lightweight setup so they can focus entirely on having fun and building confidence on two wheels.
Come on down and try out our new bikes soon!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CYCLING CELEBRATION
Join us for Track, Off-road and Kids sessions (for free and all levels), free bike checks, a market of black-owned businesses* (including @africap_apparel) and our favourite Caribbean food from @gosias_table
We're encouraging local clubs, communities and riders to start and end your rides with us. We'll have the cafe open for drinks from 9am and throughout the day and there is plenty to drop into on your return.
Booking for sessions is open here or get in touch with any questions or to get involved!
*Tables in the market are free – get in touch if you'd like one
Saturday 7 November 10am-1pm
ALL NEW FOR 2026: THE PUMPKIN PATCH DASH
Join us for our new kids halloween event designed to celebrate balance biking.
Replacing our annual Spooktastic Cycling event, this year’s event gives young riders a refreshed and exciting way to enjoy the autumn festivities with us — all before Muddy Hell, our big cyclocross racing event later in the afternoon and evening.
We’ll have face‑painting, drawing and painting, and of course plenty of cycling — all included in the ticket price. At HHV, we love balance biking and want to celebrate the freedom it gives young riders, with you.
Who is it for?
This event is designed for children aged 2–8 years, whether they’re brand new to balance bikes or already confident riders. Children who can already ride pedal bikes are very welcome and can still enjoy the fast and furious racing on balance bikes. There are two bookable free‑ride slots, running from 10am until 11:30am. Children can explore, play, and enjoy the course at their own pace.
Are you feeling the need for speed?
After free‑riding, the racing begins! There will be four age categories: 2+3 years, 4+5 years, 6+7 years and 8+ years old
Every rider will complete a heat and a final.
Races take place on our specially designed multi‑terrain course and last only a few minutes. Every racer receives a medal, regardless of finishing position. Creative activities — including face‑painting — continue throughout the event for both free‑riders and racers.
We’re Hiring: Cafe Manager
We’ve got an exciting and unique opportunity to join the HHV team as Cafe Manager. The cafe is an important part of our facility; helping to bring our community together, give people a sense of belonging and friendship. We are looking to grow the hours of operation and revenue of the cafe, and use it to draw new people to the site and our community. The role gives the opportunity to lead a team of dedicated and supportive volunteers and contractors.
The deadline for applications is 11pm on Sunday 27th September and we’re aiming to hold interviews in early November.
To apply please send your CV along with a covering letter (300-400 words) letting us know what excites you about the opportunity and why you're a good fit for the role to recruitment@hernehillvelodrome.com
JAMES KEEN FITNESS CLASSES
Saturdays 9:15-10am
Attention mum, dads and carers! Squeeze that weekend workout in whilst the kids enjoy their track session by joining James at Keenetic Health & Fitness for a Strength Circuit class.
Build your endurance strength in a fun group class suitable for all. Don’t forget your trainers and a drink! Like our hardy kids sessions, the class will run come rain or shine (though it will be undercover if raining!)
No need to book, £10 per session, meet at the kids session meeting point.
For more information on James’ other training sessions here at HHV, visit our webpage here
CONVene TRACK LEAGUE FINALE
Wednesday evening saw the final round of our 2026 Convene Track League. We saw a great evening of racing and some close call results keeping us all waiting with baited breath for the final podiums at the end of racing.
Youth 1 league winners
Our Youth 1 riders have been battling it out all season to be at the top of the league at the end of the season. We have been treated to some amazing racing all summer and some outstanding performances by female riders more than giving the boys a run for their money!
Open podium:-
1: Jacob Day 2: Ren Baty 3: Eva Unsworth 4: Maddie Buffa 5: Luca Baron-Bailey
Girls podium:-
1: Eva Unsworth 2: Maddie Buffa 3: Mila Unsworth 4: Greta Wilkinson 5: Penny Blackburn
YOUTH 2 monument medals
Our Youth 2 riders may not have been racing for League points this season but they were racing for Monument Medals! Awarded for Youth 2 riders who raced 6, 12 or 18 events across the season, recipients were as follows:-
Bronze (6 or more):- Jack Johnson, Toren Edwards, Ramon Arun-Castro, William Brooks, Rafi Arun-Castro, Delilah Duits, Finlay Lochrie, Hugo Hogg, Francis Sundkvist-Stringer
Silver (12 or more):- Daniel Hoelder, Zac Blackwell, Luke Hill, Florence Pearce, Micha Sundkvist-Stringer, Teddy Canty
Gold (18 or more): Robhin Biswas, Alfie Tolfts, Lukas Beanland
(Many of our medal recipients moved up to Youth 1 during the season and so may have raced many more events than the medal suggests!)
GEORGE SLATER AWARD
This award goes to the Most Promising Youth rider who is already battling out with the Adults at Track League. This year’s recipient was Emma Buffa who, aged just 14, has shown herself to be a force to be reckoned with finishing 4th in the overall B category and a commanding 1st in the Women’s category - well done Emma!
THANK YOU!
Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone who raced, volunteered, judged, commissaired, manned the cafe, organised sign-on, cheered loudly, commentated, manned the gate, manned the lapboard and many other behind the scenes helpers. We couldn’t run track league without you and you are all very much appreciated!
UPCOMING YOUTH RACING
CHAllenge tires LONDON & SE CYCLO CROSS LEAGUe Round 4
Sunday 4 october
Round 4 of the London & South East Cyclocross League will be held at Herne Hill Velodrome. Hosted by Herne Hill Youth CC there will be a fun and challenging course incorporating all the favourites - Big Bob, the Camel Humps and technical sections within the track itself.
Bring all the family to experience the camerarderie, youth racing, barbecue, cakes and food and drink - and some top quality racing. With racing categories U8/U10, U12, U14, U16 and Junior and separate entries for Girls and Open riders, there will be something for everyone!
