Herne Hill Saturday Training

I bet they're not allowed to do that anymore. Forgot your kit? Then you do PE in 'skins'.

The dude in jeans and trainers last weekend was only allowed in because he could ride backwards sitting on his handlebars

at a steady pace?!

up the banking

Sounds painful

Ok so looking at the website it says induction is at 12 (under getting started), but on the calendar it says 1, I assume the calendar bit is right?

I think they were changed to 1 so that people couldn't ride the intro and then the basic session.

Yeah I thought I read that... Why?

I notice that with the right chromosomes I could do an induction then ride for another hour after...

Not sure why but someone (one of the coaches) mentioned it a while back.

I'm sure people used to do the youth session and then intermediates, I wonder if that isn't allowed anymore either.

1 session a day, no exceptions.

.

Ok now I'm standing in a queue for bikes and I understand!

I'm going to shave my beard and stuff a bra [*] and start coming on Sundays.

Ah awesome, I totally overslept today :(

24mph avg today phew. That red roberts is stunning in person!

The last few laps of that through and off today was comparable to B Cat racing if anyone is thinking about Track League.

The last few laps of that through and off today was comparable to B Cat racing if anyone is thinking about Track League.

The cold wind did not help today. I am not sure the coaches affectively allowing this training session to turn into a 'race' this early in the season when riders may not have their track legs working is such a good idea. I'll be the first to admit I was a bit wobbly for the first 20-30 minutes or so. The cold cross wind today was of no help to anyone. When the pace went up towards the end, there were more experienced riders playing 'rush the gap' which then lead to less fit riders not capable of holding the wheel in front. In my view it got close to being unsafe with riders all over the track. A few less fit riders were jumping back in towards the end having taken a few laps out, so I baled with 5 laps to go in both halves of the session. Hopefully the coaches picked up on this and will address this next week.

That said, it was great to be back at HH again. Seeing some familiar faces from last year, and a few new faces mixing it up. What with the inner track and hard stand area being about 2/3rds finished, the cable trench for lighting being dug, a promising track season awaits.

Plenty of racing at HHV these days for everyone! So don't do it during training sessions!

That's not really fair man. Tony actually tried to slow it down as soon as he noticed people dropping off and the line breaking up but then again they only did 15 hare and hound laps wich is 10 less than last week. Sure this particular through and out exercise is supposed to be for everyone but it's real hard to try to conform to an average form. The pace towards the end will always be more or less dictated by the critical mass of the stronger riders. And the wind will always blow hard on HH. The last 5 laps are gradually picking up pace like they should and always have. This is the speed over the last 20 or so laps after the pair sprints and it looks just like it always do to me. But I agree it feels like the pace is somewhat crazier than last year but then that's how the mind works innit.

The last few laps are always a bit more spirited. The coaches spoke about keeping gaps small at the end of the break. The speed did fluctuate more than usual today but I imagine everyone was getting used to riding close again after a winter on the roads (or sofa).

Wise comments erikjonsson. The coaches will always prioritise safety above all other issues and there were no concerns today. Good quality riding by pretty much everyone.
When exercises get a little rapid (but not racing), it is inevitable that some riders will not stay in touch with the main group. When this happens, a coach is normally allocated to gather together the dropped riders so that they get a good workout at a slightly slower pace.
On the 'rushing the gap' point made by colinsmith123, this was noted by one of the coaches and the point made to riders at the midpoint briefing.

The last few laps are always a bit more spirited. The coaches spoke about keeping gaps small at the end of the break. The speed did fluctuate more than usual today but I imagine everyone was getting used to riding close again after a winter on the roads (or sofa).

Yes, most exercises will raise pace towards the end and shell people out, that's common.

I'm just going to throw something in here, for you guys to think about:

Why do you think you need to be absolutely on the wheel of the rider in front at all times?

Nice to be back and see faces in basics again -hi Moserism if you see this, good luck in the Classic tomorrow and thanks for looking out for me today, track legs getting broken into now.

RPM, the problem is when stronger riders let a gap develop, they have no trouble putting on the gas and closing it. but if a weaker rider is behind they are then left out in the wind and may not be able to. it also causes concertina-ing...

Really enjoy this morning and I'm dying to have a go at some racing. So today's pace was comparable to b races?
Will I get slaughtered in my first races?
Btw I'm the tall thin London Phoenix rider on the white Planet X

RPM, the problem is when stronger riders let a gap develop, they have no trouble putting on the gas and closing it. but if a weaker rider is behind they are then left out in the wind and may not be able to. it also causes concertina-ing...

What causes the concertina effect is people not controlling their speed smoothly. Not necessarily the size of the gaps.

Actually, you will get more concertina-ing when people kick back because they are too close to the rider in front and have no space left to control their speed.
A wheel length to 1/2 a bike is actually better for these types of session with riders of mixed ability. Learning to manage a gap at 1/2 a bike will teach people how to ride in a group far better than believing they must be 'on the wheel' immediately. That can come later.

Even the Olympic team pursuit team have changed the 'fag-paper' gap to about 8-10" now so they have room to control their speed.

It's all relative and a wheel length would have been regarded as a small gap today. Totally understand what you are saying about the concertina effect and it being caused by fluctuations in speed rather than the size of the gaps but, I suppose, if everyone concentrates on holding a uniform gap it will nullify changes in pace.

Edit. BoardChrisman - Go for it, you looked comfortable.