Track Report
Thanks to Jeff Hanner for this great report about the track night held on Saturday. Thanks too to Doug Tincello for organising such a great evening out.
On Saturday 19th November Welland Valley Cycle Club took to the velodrome in Derby for the autumn track session. There was a mixture of experience, with some riders holding accreditation, however they were hugely outnumbered by the novices. After selecting our bikes and shoes we settled for a briefing from our coach for the evening, starting with the basics and probably the most important instruction “don’t stop pedalling” and being told to “get on the drops like a proper cyclist”.
After some more important safety instructions it was time to head out on to the track, a quick look round and it was easy to see the trepidation and excitement in the faces of everyone there. Once on the track the experienced riders were off whilst the novices got on their bikes and eagerly listened to the instructions from coach, with these instructions received we set off.
We did few laps on the Cote D’Azur, maintaining the gap to the rider in front and importantly “wiggling those fingers” to make sure we didn’t have a “death grip” on the bars. We then returned to the rail and after a few more instructions we set off again, it was time to hit the banking!
To be able to stay in the banking it was important to maintain “speed and pressure” in the corner as without this, gravity was going to do its thing. We built speed and were on the red line, then up to the blue line and finally all the way to the top of the track, remembering to “check over your shoulder” before moving up. Out of breath and exhilarated we came off track.
After a short briefing we set off again, almost time for the first race, before that we had to practice riding to the top of the track and being able to stop on the rail, this would be our starting point for the Keirin.
Split into two groups the race was about to start, the Derny (Doug) gathered speed. Off we went, three laps behind Derny Doug then three laps racing. Doug pulled off the track and the real race started. There were only two things in my mind, don’t get overtaken and overtake the person in front. The bell rang for the final lap and I’d not been overtaken and was getting closer to the rider in front. On the final straight we were side by side but I have no idea if I managed to get past before the line.
We then quickly went into another race, a shorter two lap sprint, then our final race, a single lap sprint. By the end legs were burning but there were smiles on faces. Congratulation to the race winners, I would happily name them so they can receive the accolades they deserve but I honestly have no idea who won!
The evening finished with a free ride, a chance to practice the skills we’d learnt, to race a friend or to just get the lactic acid out of those legs.
A fantastic couple of hours was over, with more track time than I had expected and the added bonus of a few races. It was time to return our bikes and shoes and look forward to the next time.
I would like to extend a huge thank you to Doug for organising such a great evening at the track, I’m sure I can say this on behalf of everyone there, Thanks Doug, when’s the next one????
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