A second session from Surrey League/Power Pack Coaching before Christmas to
be held on Sunday 9 December
The session will be foccussed on women cat 1/2/3/4 (And novice)riders who -
- If you are planning to race in 2008
- Planned to race this summer but somehow missed out making a start
- Juniors
- Youth (U16 and U14)
Hillingdon
Hillingdon is a car-free circuit, so there is no problem with on-coming traffic.
It is tarmaced and is about 0.9 of a mile round.
The Hillingdon circuit loop includes a straight (often into a headwind), a
mild drag (that goes on) and a short fast descent followed by a tight corner
(one that you can pedal round and get an advantage over riders who lack the
nerve to push forward and who opt to freewheel instead).
This is continuation of last winter’s sessions when there were four in
all, the first two being put on by SheCycles.com and the following pair by Surrey
Cycle Racing League/Power Pack.
They all had a common purpose of getting you fit and ready for racing with
a combination of group riding and exercises containing elements of “flat
out” effort.
Springfield Rd, off Uxbridge Rd.
Timetable
- Assemble at 11.00am onwards
- On the track 11.30am
- Break 1pm – 1.30pm
- Finish 3pm
So hopefully out there for a total of 3 hours, though possibly trimmed back
in the case of particularly bad weather.
Price: £9 Places: 30
There is a mid-session break, so please bring your own packed lunch.
Goals
If you’ve not been to Hillingdon for a month or two, then the news is
that the adjoining site has been developed by Goals, the operator who runs five-a-side
football on mini-pitches all wrapped up within high netting borders.
Cyclists can share in the Goals facilities which include changing rooms, toilets,
showers and drinks…including strong alcohol (should you wish to go on
a blinder).
The floors are slippery and you are advised to remove cycling shoes.
Contact
John Leitch, coach
john.leitch@rbi.co.uk
07963 377 249 or on 01737 84 36 01
Hillingdon 2007 Sunday 4 November session - what the riders had to
say
Jenny’s verdict:
I came to the session to try and improve my bike handling skills and to see
if some road or circuit racing would interest me. I am a member of the Serpentine
club and in the last couple of years I have been racing long distance triathlons.
Although my bike endurance is pretty good, my handling and turn of speed are
not so great.
I really enjoyed riding in the pack and doing through-and-off around the circuit.
The thing I found the hardest was the sprinting to the line: I started out
in completely the wrong gear but by the last time I learnt when to change gears
and to stand and hold my drops. Still got a long way to go but a definite improvement.
I don't really have the right power for short bursts with all the long steady
training I have been doing.
The session got me interested in considering some circuit racing over the winter
as I think it would help my fitness and make me stronger.
Katie’s verdict:
I have never done any cycle racing before - I only bought a racing
bike in May of this year and I have done a few triathlons as a member of East
London Tri.
My legs are fairly strong from running but my bike handling skills really let
me down on triathlon bike courses with lots of corners etc so that’s the
reason I came to the session.
It was noticeable that on the bike at Hillingdon on Sunday I was the one who
was very scared of going downhill and round the corners fast. But I did enjoy
the racing and I think my cornering improved a little at the end.
I learned what “spinning” meant and that I need to up my cadence
quite a bit. I know there’s a lot of room for improvement but I did feel
encouraged by the fact I was managing to catch people on sprints and uphill.
In the skills part, where we were individually doing a slalom course on a downhill
stretch, I found the cones difficult to weave through but would like more of
that stuff.
My friend Philippa and I are now going to join British Cycling and look for
a race we can participate in. Our local track at Eastway has closed, unfortunately.
I am even considering buying a turbo.
I would definitely be interested in doing a session like this again: I am usually
opposed to doing “girls only” events but for this nervous cyclist
it was certainly an advantage.
Trudi’s verdict:
It was a great day which bought together a real variety of women
riders, with a wealth of diversity and wide-ranging experiences.
This in itself led to a good day as far as the company went and, with the excellently
planned sessions, we were all able to gain new contacts and raise the level
of our game, regardless of starting points.
The activities were useful and fun, which for me is always appreciated at
anytime… a bit of light-hearted humour is a good ingredient in anything
you do… and all this took place in glorious sunshine!
I shall definitely try my best to get to the next session on Sunday
9 December. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and particularly appreciated not
being TOLD what to do, but instead encouraged and helped to understand the particular
benefits of each activity.
It was refreshing to have such a relaxed atmosphere in a well presented
and non-intimidating setting. Thanks.
