What to do now Friday night racing is over

[Metro Commuter]

Srry - it was young Princess' birthday last Friday, and this Friday I have one of our final rehearsals for The Laughing Bunch, and the rehearsal is as needed as you need some Km under your bike wheels....

[Robbo]

The weather forecast for tomorrow looks good so training is on again.
Craig Chapman has put together a packed program to suit all riders so we should see plenty of you there.
This week will see the return of moto pacing for those who can handle it, and also the BBQ will finally be making its debut.
Last week Chelsea Ireland had her first race and won it going away from her rivals. We may be able to fit in a race or 2 this week if the program allows.
We had a number of Newcastle riders attending the RAW sprint series event in Sydney on Saturday and they all did really well. If you want to see why they are doing so well, come on in and bring your bike.

Metro (aka the larger Princess of the family), let me know when you can make it so I can buy extra for the BBQ.
Commuter, dont be afraid son, come on in. I will find a way to fit a beast in the hot plate.
Hillbilly, come on mate, let the IT guru ride. We all know he is going to towel you up. Just accept it.
Stig Impersonator, if its wet dont wear that see through white thing. Have some respect for the contents our stomachs!
2ndwheel, which bike? which wheelset? just pick one!
Proudly hairy legged, you have been quiet this week. Did we upset you?

[2ndwheel]

Robbo

I can lend you a spare set of fast wheels for the BBQ's debut derby. This may encourage Both commuters to turn up and show us there speed while slipstreaming said BBQ.

Regads

Ijustcantdecidewhichbiketoride.

[Proudly hairy-legged]

It takes more than a few barbs from you guys to upset me.

Your post makes the Friday night sessions sound pretty appealing, I might ask permission to venture down tomorrow. Especially if there is grub on offer.

[Metro Commuter]

I can not make the track tomorrow night - have the penultimate practice at Rosie's School of Rock for the Laughing Bunch, and I am yet to learn my huge guitar solo.  After that there is a gig at a pub, as a trial run, then the Radcliffe benefit.  If people think I am a hopeless cyclist, wait to see how bad I am playing my Les Paul!

Might drive by, depending when practice finishes.  May drag Seldo and the Chai Lord along as well, as well as Master Metro Commuter (love to get him to take up riding).

[Robbo]

we always need more juniors MC, even those with heritage such as your young bloke is afflicted with.

Let us know what pub you are playing at, that way we can all ensure we dont visit it on that night. If you are as bad as you say, we dont want to be scared off before the benefit night.

[Gai M]

Craig Chapman has put together a packed program to suit all riders

This would be good


This week will see the return of moto pacing for those who can handle it,

I can handle moto pacing but not at A, B or C grade pace,


........... We may be able to fit in a race or 2 this week if the program allows.
.....

Which wheel, which bike? which wheelset? just pick one!

I usually train on 48/16 with my standard wheels on my only track bike. (entry level)

Last season, I found that I had to use my better wheels which are set on 48/15 to try to keep up with D grade.
Near the end of the season I got so desperate that I started using my good road front wheel with allen key spindle to try to keep up.

Given my physical characteristics, I don't think that the "just pick one" approach is appropriate for me.  

Which wheels do I use tonight?  My training wheels, racing wheels or my best front wheel?  I am not looking at winning versus not winning but just survival.  Training is not going to be so effective if I have to withdraw because younger stronger riders pass me.


It has taken a lot of "blood,sweat and tears" for me to continue track racing considering the number of times I have been lapped or just completely out paced  last season.  

Sorry everyone, but I do like doing track and I want to continue.  Do I really have to spend big money on "elite level" equipment in order not to be lapped in nearly every scratch race or practice race.  In the previous season, when I was racing against a number of new or older adults, I  was able to be much more competitive than last season.  It is most disheartening to be continually left struggling behind the others  and then having to continually assess whether I am about to be lapped by some tearaway or two.



I thought having a second track training night was going to be a good thing, but given the recent forum information, I fear that I am going to put myself through a lot of disappointment and frustration.

  
I have a competitive streak, and I hate being almost always last.  This happened in my first season and I trained really hard to improve.  After 4 seasons, can I realistically improve that much again?  

I don't have a coach anymore who speaks encouraging words to me from time to time.  It is a very lonely situation when one is not winning or close to it.  A lot of people have been supportive, but it is depressing when I am aware that there is at least one promoter - not in Newcastle- and at least one coach who give the impression that they think I am an inconvenience.


PS I have probably paid more money to the Newcastle Velodrome Trust attending training sessions and competitions than anyone else.  So I think it is fair that I get a fair return.

[dr_rob]

As a newcomer to both the sport, the track, and this forum, I will add my 2c.

Firstly, I am grateful to have a velodrome on my back doorstep. We are even more fortunate to have people who will donate their time to show us the basics and the finer points of track cycling. With relatively small numbers and a reasonably wide distribution of ability, it is always going to be difficult to cater to the needs of all. I think the two nights a week, whilst still in its infancy, will develop to give all of us a chance to better ourselves over a variety of disciplines.

I appreciate that it is hard both physically and mentally to train when you're at the back of the bunch, however your measure of success will be when you pit yourself against those in your age group - I would expect that hard training over Winter would pay dividends later. I'll be heading out there knowing that it's likely that I will not make the full distance either, but therein lies the challenge to better myself - We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.

What are you specifically looking to gain from the sessions? Are you at a point where you think you're at your physiological peak? Are you looking to develop some specific skills? Do you keep a training diary? Do you have goals for the year?

It may help to be more proactive at the sessions, and not let them be steered by the younger boys who just want to have a measuring contest.

As for equipment, I feel that at our level it makes little difference (despite what the marketing guru's will have us believe). I'm not sure that rolling around Broadmeadow on a Look 496 with some Mavic crábon wheels and a SRM crank would make me any faster. Ride what you're comfortable with. Gearing is more important, and if you feel that you're not set-up correctly, then ask Craig, or someone else who knows their stuff, for some advice.

Hopefully word will spread about the quality of riding at the track, and this will encourage riders of all abilities to join. Have you put out the word amongst the people you road race against?

Finally, I commend your determination to show up at training - that's 90% of the battle. Hopefully the example you set will encourage more female riders onto the track.

[Robbo]

Now come on Gai, when did Blundo give encouragement? If you reckon name calling is encouragement then we can soon start that up for you. Nah, just jokes, we all had a chuckle at his ways and he is missed a lot. "have a go ya HANDBAG", or "come on Granma, finish today would be good", or 'get off the track if you cant go faster than that', or the best - "JAAAAACKK, I'LL KILL YOU!!!!" all classics.

It is difficult to provide for such a wide variance in speed and endurance when organising training and particularly races on such a short track. Be assured that we do have the benfit of all participants in mind when we organise these things. At the end of the day though we cant stop the young from trying to go as fast as they can, after all thats what racing is all about.

I thought last week I had you in a group that was pretty equal. Unfortunately for you though another youngster in Chelsea found some speed and took off for the last lap. I was really happy for her and I think that ride has made a big difference for her going forward.

At the end of the day, the only way to get faster is to try as hard as you can to keep up with the next person. Good luck.

Oh and by the way, if you think you have more than anyone else at the velo I need to tell you that you are sorely mistaken in that view.

[2ndwheel]

As for equipment, I feel that at our level it makes little difference (despite what the marketing guru's will have us believe). I'm not sure that rolling around Broadmeadow on a Look 496 with some Mavic crábon wheels and a SRM crank would make me any faster.

Dr Rob (aka new sprint king)

I am sure  i saw you taking a keen interst in the 496 lookbike  last weekend. (what did the bank manager say when you asked him for $10k for a bike frame.) and besides it's all about the bling these days isn't it.

[Robbo]

From what I heard it is going cheap!

[hilljockey]

Is it still raining in Newcastle?  How wet has it been today?

[Boostland]

Still raining at the lake, been raining here on and off since lunch time.

Looking at the radar it's raining at velo right now.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR713.loop.shtml

Not looking good for a track session as there is not a lot of heat to dry it out, and there could be more showers.

[Haddo]

I work in Hamilton and the roads are wet now and it is not looking good for a 6 o'clock session.

Its not actually raining now but has been for a few hours and doesnt look warm enough or clear enough to dry in a hurry. 

[hilljockey]

Count us out tonight Robbo.  That's 3 x Scotch Fillet you won't have to buy.