Since I started Cycle Training, i've always wanted to get into Track Cycling; Don't get me wrong, I love riding on the road and am looking forward to getting into some Cat 4/3 races this year but it's the speed and teamwork required on the track which really floats my boat - I guess because it kind of takes me back to competing on the athletics track in my younger days...
Last week I got the chance to go with the RAF Cycling Team and do my first track session at the Newport Velodrome in South Wales. What an amazing experience (which completely made up for the 5AM wake-up alarm!)! There were about 30 riders in total, the majority of whom had never been on the track before so, to this end, we had organised for one of the Velodrome Coaches to look after us for the day and run our training whilst the 'Experts' in the team hit it hard for the duration.
Newport Velodrome, Wales, UK.
We spent the first hour or so getting used to the bikes on the inside of the track; Learning how to stop with no brakes definitely takes some practise and was well worth the time before we started to pick up some serious speed... After a short break, it was our turn to try our hand on the banking! :) This is where it all went wrong for me and, in true 'Matt Williams' fashion, (See Turbo Trainer Danger...) I stacked it on the first turn - not enough speed and down I went, sliding, unceremoniously on my side, still clipped in to the bike, into the centre of the track (burning my elbow, melting the side of my shorts and ripping my favourite BMC Jersey)... Bugger! Hey ho, i've fallen before and i'll fall again so - before i'd even stopped sliding, I picked myself up, ran with the bike to get up some speed & smashed round the next turn! What an amazing feeling this is!
Before we knew it, our 20 minutes was up and it was time to leave the track to allow the other guys to run some pursuit training and do some timed efforts while we topped up on water & energy bars... Soon enough, it was our turn to get out and practise holding a wheel, exploring the track as we went and soon, we were running the track in a 10 strong snake, breaking out at the end of each lap and clipping along at quite a pace... We also got the chance to do some timed efforts - I managed a fairly reasonable 35.2 seconds for 500m which I was more than happy with for my first attempt and was only 1.4 secs behind the fastest Team Rider... So I guess all this training is starting to work out.
To that end, i've decided to try and do more track riding and tailor my training towards it. I'll still do the same endurance work and look to race on the road through the summer but i'm going to look to do more leg-strength exercises in the gym and way more sprint sessions on the Turbo - I want to beat 34 seconds for my 500m time when I head back to Newport in May for the team trails, bring it on!
One of the 'Expert' RAF Team members on a timed effort...
(Photo Courtesy of RAF Cycling)
If you've ever considered trying out a bit of Track Riding, I can't recommend it enough - it's a great feeling and can really help your cycling skills; particularly holding a wheel and getting the confidence to stay close to the rider in front...
If you want any advice on how to organise a track session (not that i'm an expert or anything) or fancy some company if you're going to try the track for the first time then feel free to drop me a line - Any excuse to get back on the 'pringle' whenever I can is good enough for me!
Train safe and catch you again soon,
Matt
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