San Fairy Ann Cycle Club

As part of my list of things to try in cycling during 2009, I today went to Herne Hill to have a go at cycling track.

I was intially impressed by the gradient of the banking of the corners, and was by the general condition of the track surface. Eric Le Jeune provided me with a few instructions, on how to sign on to the list of riders, where to hire a bike, and even had the necessary spanner to get the standard pedals off, to allow me to put my SPDs on.

The day was really well structured to the credit of VCLondres (the resident cycling club, i think). I entered the beginners induction for £4, and received enough training to become confident on the bike and on the circuit. The induction took total novices both of track cycling and fixed riding and gave all riders confidence.
The course itself was well planned, conducted at slow speed to allow people to learn safely on a clear track, and contained Starting off, riding on the banking, track rules, stopping and some group riding exercises all well supervised.

After enjoying this induction, I was deemed to be able to progress to cycling round with the more experienced riders, Eric included, who kindly went out of his way to make sure I was informed and knew what I was doing.
After some riding round the track in a group of 4, some rotation, and some rest, we were then able to race, with the group being split into faster and "aspiring" riders. These races were safely done and I was grateful to remain in the slower group.

In all I went from a novice track rider, to a slower competent rider in a morning (now watch it go wrong now I have said that). I found the day extremely worthwhile and would highly recommend it.

Thanks to Eric for the pointers etc, and I hope to go up to Herne Hill again shortly to see if I can develop some sense of how to position myself when racing in groups.

Great write up Joe. Very informative. Thank you.

Does anyone know if these "beginner" sessions are held at any time other than Saturday mornings? I want to ride in the club champs but have never ridden fixed before so could probably do with a session as described by Joe before the big day, but I don't think I can make either of the remaining 2 Saturdays before the 30th.

If there are no "official" beginner sessions before the track champs, are any of our more experienced riders planning on a visit to Herne Hill one evening and would you mind giving me a few pointers if I could make it at the same time?

Thanks in advance.

Damian.

I would give Eric Le Jeune a call, his number is in the mag.

Rather frustratingly my fixed wheel is sat in my garage and wont be used for a couple of weeks, but no one will be in to loan you the bike, after all you did sell me some great wheels!!! What goes around ...

I think I read in a mag or on the forum that the club might have one that you could borrow (might be wrong), while I am not the most experience fixed rider, I imagine some miles in the flat in between Yalding, Marden, Laddingford etc could be a great second, as you ll really get to practice the art. It really helped me, when I did it.