newbie track racing

Originally Posted by brainache

I am new to cycling (i have a rusting 5 speed racer in the garage)
My brother who has been competing for a few years has talked me into track racing. Newport in Wales is the nearest track to me, what equipment if any would i need for a starter/novice day on the track.

cheers

Originally Posted by wavydavy

Don't know if they do shoe or helmet hire brainache but here's a couple of links for you to have a look at

http://www.cyclewales.org.uk/comp/t...%20Sessions.htm

http://www.sports-coaching.com/newporttrackcycling.htm

Good luck

Originally Posted by closesupport

you where right aout the relaxing your elbows and leaning into the corners, next is to ride as part of a group.

when your riding in pairs or a part of a group, how often are you supposed to exchange lead and at which point on the trac, when you feel you need to or?,

ive mastered the corners applying a little more power through the corner, dropping and loosening the elbows,now its riding at a speed where i can maintain being part of a group, maintain a safe distance from the rider in front. i can and am prepared to get up really close, but i find that i'm applying more power and accelerating in the corners but the other riders tend to drop in speed.

not only that when im riding around and i can see andrea, but i cant for the life of me hear what she is saying. i have never thought that i may have an ear problem, but everyone else could hear her and make out what she was saying?.....

thanks for the advice so far!.....

Originally Posted by wavydavy

Brainache, glad to hear you had a good time there



Nice to hear that you're making progress, sounds like your confidence is building too

In terms of group riding, & this is general info as there will be some 'exercises' where this might not apply. Firstly most group 'training' riding is done on the blue line half way up the track called the 'stayers' line. You tend to change either every lap or half lap, just at the end of the straight - ie where the advertising starts- Before you swing up the banking have a bloody good look over your shoulder to make sure you're not going to take anyone out. Even if you're convinced that there's nobody there have a look, the coaches won't let you progress to the next stage if you can't demonstrate that you can ride safely with awareness. As you go up the banking don't ease off too much, going up the banking will slow you slightly anyhow but you'll now be riding a bigger circle than the riders below you and they should be moving past you below you. You've got to keep watching them to check when the last rider's coming through and then you can drop on their wheel. Again it's important to have a good look just in case there's someone else just out of your peripheral vision. Initially it's safer to leave a half a wheel gap then close it up. As your control & technique levels increase then you'll be able to drop quite close to the wheel without too much bother.

The 'team pursuit' method of changing is loads more exciting & you'll do this as part of the 'track skills' course, basically you're riding in a group of 4 on the black line, change every half lap but this time you change at the middle point rather than the beginning of the banking, go right up to the top & come straight down & if your timing's spot on you'll get right on the last rider's wheel. Again you must look before you make any movement up or down the banking because there's always the risk that someone's not where you'd expect them to be.

With regards to staying close then I find it's easier to look at the rider in front's seatpost rather than their wheel (although you should still keep an eye on the gap ) & if they slow or you overshoot then go a little UP the banking rather than getting under them, the theory being that the bigger circle you're riding will bring you back rather than lose momentum & speed, wheras if you go under them then you're riding a smaller circle plus if he flicks down the track then you're likely to be taken out by him.

If you can't hear Andrea then you must tell her that you're having difficulty hearing her. Some of it may be that you're trying to concentrate on doing so many new things right at once that it's hard to percieve what she's saying & as you gain experience and confidence you'll be able to devote more of your perception to what's happening in the wider arena. If she's got something to say to you then she'll normally shout it as you're coming towards her so maybe you should be listening out for her at that point, also try turning your head a little to your left so you don't het as much air noise in your left ear.

When you come to do your 'track skills' then you'll be doing a number of different exercises over 2 hours, the coach will explain in detail EXACTLY what he/she wants you to do, how often to change, which line etc & in some exercises will ride with the group. If they're happy with you then you can go on & do your 'induction' test where the skills you've learnt will be tested & if they decide that you're safe & aware & can follow instructions then you'll get your accreditation wich will enable you to participate in the SQT sessions and some of the track leagues/events require accreditation in order for you to participate.

Blimey, I should write a training manual

Good luck mate, & well done on what you've achieved so far. It's not as easy as it looks

Originally Posted by closesupport

you know your stuff best to seek advice from the old and wise