Track cycling Herne Hill

[Ed209]

A couple of us are interested in getting into track cycling; is there a calendar for ACC events at Herne Hill?

I've been directly onto the Herne Hill website, and they require you to do an induction before you can participate, but frustratingly they don't offer inductions in the winter unless enough people request it.

[Bridget]

Mark Leedham is track secretary, so check with him re ACC dates, or they might be on the new events calendar.

I think even with the new surface, you can't really ride on the track in the wet so I doubt there is much going on there at all at the moment. The clue is the people in VCL jerseys turning up on our club run

I should think if you want to try some track before the Spring you'd be best organising a trip to Calshott or Cardiff. Speak to Mark though as he will know better than me.

[Ed209]

Thanks Bridget; I'll keep an eye out for Mark.

[Jon H]

All being well, the London Olympic velodrome will be open from March onwards.

http://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/con ... velo-park/

[Andrew G]

You can't ride Herne Hill if the surface is wet so there isn't really any winter stuff happens there, it is used for cyclo cross (around the back etc).

Check the Herne Hill calendar for when the induction sessions start and get down for the first one. Once you've done it you're clear for racing. I don't think there are any ACC only events apart from the Track Champs and that gets a low turnout, although Mark promotes a couple of events under the ACC name. There is a midweek track series so if you like the track after an induction and a couple of training sessions then sign up for that. You'll need a racing licence and first week you'll race as a novice, after that you can race in the second group, which is equivalent to say 3/4 on the road. It's a good series and good fun, I raced a few of them after work a few years ago (commuted on fixed and then flipped the wheel andremoved the brake fo racing) but didn't really have the time to keep going with work and racing at the weekend. The series gives you a good mix of events but obviously due to numbers they are geared to scratch/points/devil type races than match sprinting. Good fun though and a great introduction to track racing.

[Ed209]

Thanks for the info.

FYI, HH are doing an induction this Saturday 1500, so we'll be going along to that.

[Andrew G]

Have fun. A lot of people would benefit from a track induction as it teaches good discipline for the road such as looking far enough ahead, prediction, and shoulder checking before moving.

[Marcus]

[quote="Andrew G"]A lot of people would benefit from a track induction as it teaches good discipline for the road such as looking far enough ahead, prediction, and shoulder checking before moving.

[Phil H]

Yes. When you have no brakes and are riding a 48x16 in a bunch at speed then situational awareness is important.

[Andrew G]

48x14 or 48x13 for me at Herne Hill.