Training at Reading Velodrome
Tuesdays - 8.15 pm – 9.45 pm
All the year round the track is available for training on road bikes ( unless
there is a special booking) you can always check with reception. Tel 0118 901 5080
These sessions are not structured so you are free to “do your own thing” –
however you will need to sign in at reception and read the instructions on track
protocol before using the track. Helmets are compulsory.
Thursdays – 8.15 pm – 9.45 pm
Usually starting in March and running until end September there are training
sessions specifically for track racing on fixed-wheel bikes with no brakes.
These sessions are structured and cater for all levels from novices to elite
riders. Novices who wish to progress to racing in the Reading Track League must
receive the approval of the coaches before doing so. From October to March,
Thursday evenings revert to road bike training as above.
Due to the high number of novices since the 2012 Olympics who promise to continue in March 2013, the coaches propose to run a short 4 week accreditation-to-race programme for those riders from 28th March to 18th April prior to Track League beginning. No new novices will be taken on in this period.
From 25th April we will take on new novices for a series of 6 week courses leading to accreditation. The maximum riders per course will be 6 as there are only 6 hire bikes available but new riders with their own bikes will also be included to a maximum of 12 for the session. Interested riders should pre-register with Dick Poole to book a bike. Regular attendance is essential as the course is progressive.
These courses will continue through the season on a rolling basis, beginning a new course every 6 weeks.
Structured Quality Training for Track League riders will continue in parallel and accredited riders will move onto that programme at the end of their course.
Riders attending the Thursday night sessions in 2013 will be required to pay an additional £1 each to the Track League to defray the mounting costs of maintaining the Dernys. No charge will be levied if Dernys are not used and novices will be exempt if they do not use the Dernys.
Fixed wheel training will start on 28th March.
Hiring of Track Bikes
The Track League owns a small number of track bikes which can be hired at a cost
of £5 per session payable to the coaches. Riders wishing to hire one of these
bikes, should, if possible, bring with them their own pedals and shoes and aim
to arrive a little earlier (8 pm) so that a bike can be sorted out. If
definitely coming contact Chief Coach Dick Poole email
r.poole@btinternet.com
Payment and Registration
On arrival riders should go to reception to sign on and pay for the cost of the
session – at the moment £5.55, but if you can produce a Students’ Card the cost is
considerably lower. Once that is done riders new to the track should proceed to
track-side and introduce themselves to one of the coaches.
October 2012