Herne Hill Saturday Training

"not my bike but the spacers suggest someone with alien proportions. the tallest stack I have ever seen
Either that or It suggests someone with very, very poor flexibility."

I've ridden with the guy who owns that a few times on the Monday night race training sessions, I think he is one of us "more mature" guys that attend - hope he's not too badly hurt, on the plus side the front wheel looks ok

You're right - the broken bike belongs to Paul, one of my contemporaries, the broken bones to his friend Paul, also one of my more mature acquaintances - both really nice guys and my best wishes for speedy recoveries to both (and to Paul for a new bike purchase!). If you're confused, don't be - my name isn't Paul too, but my middle name is!!!

Any idea how this happened?

It happened just before I got there - from what I heard, a girl went down at front of group, broken bike Paul went straight into her and over, landing on his head and then everyone in that subgroup went down too...

Bizarrely, I'm in the middle of typing you an email with coaching questions!

I was towards the back of the group that went down .. best guess is that the 3/4th rider moved up too quickly and took out the wheel of the girl behind her ..

But whoever was behind shouldn't have been overlapping, no?

We were moving high and coming into the home straight, where there was a bit of kickback today, and so there must have been a bit of overlap...so overlap while moving up the track I would say as the cause.

A shame because there was a really nice pace going on the slower group that was sticking together and actually a decent size. There was no one "out" - pretty much everyone was in one of the two groups and going to make it to the end of the session.

I hope everyone involved gets back on their horse next week (apart from the genuinely injured)

Agree.. certainly shouldn't have .. and that is most likely the cause but I wasn't in a position to see exactly what went on ~

Just came across a reasonably similar sized frame to the Edwardes that got a little bit bent (!) yesterday, on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dolan-Track-Chamion-Frame-/180897049595?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a1e4debfb

I'd be able to give a hand at my workshop in SE16 transferring the bits over if he does happen to get a new frame....give me a shout if you read this.

That's a really kind offer Fausto - you deserve lots of good karma :-)

Mike, if you read further back in the thread I admit to overlapping and rubbing wheels about a month ago - some how i managed to hold it upright so perhaps I am already in debt to Madam Karma ;-)

Interesting how the whole headtube is off cleanly with the parts looking untouched.

Hurtling down the back straight on the final lap of the B 10 lap scratch race on Sunday, there was a serious touch of wheels in front of me, post race analysis pointed to one rider on the white line changing line without looking over his shoulder. Luckily we didn't come down but it was as scary a moment I've had at HH.

It's why the coaches bang on about 'look before leap' so much!

But yeah, that must be a world record for the most the number of spacers on a track bike.

Finally got a Saturday off work, pretty keen on coming down watching then inters and then doing to novice training and group.

How busy is it for inductions currently? Read it was busy, earlier in the year.
Is there an area for bike work? Will have to ride over and take brake off/gearing there.
What kind of GI is needed for novice-going into intermediate in time?

Thanks
Jamea

Finally got a Saturday off work, pretty keen on coming down watching then inters and then doing to novice training and group.

1.How busy is it for inductions currently? Read it was busy, earlier in the year.
2.Is there an area for bike work? Will have to ride over and take brake off/gearing there.
3.What kind of GI is needed for novice-going into intermediate in time?

Thanks
Jamea

1. Come along on on Saturday, busy is a perception!
   
2. Plenty of space to tinker with your bike, I think track centre is best. Bring a towel or similar to put under your bike though, so you don't spend ages grovelling on your knees for that 6mm nut you dropped and is now buried in the grass.
   
3. I think for the induction / beginners session 84-86" is sufficient. I've ridden the intermediates on an 82" before now. Of course, others may have a different view on what the right gear is. Ultimately it is what you feel comfortable with.
   

Just remember that it seems as though you will have to do the induction and then come back a week later for your first basic training.

84-86 is definitely sufficient for basic training. Its averaging 18mph but like colin said. What you are comfortable riding and controlling is best since most effort spent in the introduction is the mentally fatiguing task of getting used to ride close to others in a bunch.

Just remember that it seems as though you will have to do the induction and then come back a week later for your first basic training.

Can you elaborate? The website implys you can do induction and then go into the basic training the hour after?

http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/sessions_and_training/session_pathway/

^ They changed it this year. The high numbers of people there for inductions meant that people just turning up for the beginners's session weren't able to join, as most everyone from the induction wanted to stay on.

So I won't be able to go from an induction to training straight in one day?
Tedious as I work Saturday's so have few free!

Is it that busy then currently?

That's correct. But I haven't been down recently, there might be some flexibility if it's less busy.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up.

I don't think there is much flexibility on being able to ride the beginners session straight afterwards. What was happening was, lots of riders were turning up for the induction and then riding the beginners session straight after. I understand the reason for the change was beginners who had already done the induction were turning up at 12.00 to find there were no hire bikes for them.

If it is your first time on fixed wheel on a banked track, I think you might find 1 hour will be enough. There is a lot to learn and take in, an extra hour after the induction for most riders is more physically and mentally tiring than they realise. Learning to ride safely has to be the No. 1 priority.

Make sure you remember to get your rider progress card stamped after you've returned your bike. AND don't lose it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for more info.
I've my own ride so that's not an issue.
Who should I look for/speak to with regards to signing up?

Weather permitting I'll be down between 10-11 to watch the inters and then do novice. I'll be on a felt, so say hi.

Skinny, yes I forgot your earlier post about you having your own bike, but then at the same time I was trying to generalise. Even so, I think you may find the same policy applies about riding both sessions.

You'll find a table in front of the old stand. Pay up, sign up, grab a wrist band and enjoy. I won't be riding tomorrow, so cannot say hello.. But do give the forum your feedback.

If the weather's like this, will the 1pm session still be on?