Herne Hill Saturday Training

How do they check that you're safe to do intermediates if the card stamping thing isn't enforced? Is it just that you don't have to get your card stamped, but you can't get into intermediates unless you have done? Do they check? I like the idea of a strict route to follow - means that you and those around you have plenty of experience before you start going hammer and tongs.

From the progression section of the web site: "If you are unsure ask the coach in your session to watch you during the session to advise on your ability." I trust their judgement more than the number of stamps on my card and plan to take their advice on when is the best time to move up. (Granted this may not be easy given the number of people participating each Saturday).

On most other tracks there is a much more formal card / ticket system between novice and expert levels. The card thing is new and should be enforced. Saturday is likely to have been an anomaly.

It's good to hear new-comers to the track understanding the need for some time between starting and riding with the inters. My advice to people wanting to fast-track onto the track is to come to the track a lot and do a lot of sessions ... a few Saturdays, then get the nod to come to Monday sessions. Twice a week for a few weeks and you should pick up the skills.

If the coaches are busy then you can talk to more experienced riders. Most don't bite. Some belong to clubs and are really keen to help out club mates! (Another good reason to join a club.)

Am resisting the temptation to highlight the sometimes absurd amount of photography and filming going on at the track nowadays.

It seems that more than fitness or track craft or anything else the biggest "skill" you need to ride well on the track is to take a look before you move anywhere. Would that be accurate?

So I am just wondering how some folks get around when riding on the road without *ever *looking behind when filtering/changing lanes/turning right etc.

It really is a basic principle of *all *types of cycling - if you want to change lines take a look first....on the road, on the track, on a canal tow path...So I am pretty shocked that there are people so foreign with the concept.

Am resisting the temptation to highlight the sometimes absurd amount of photography and filming going on at the track nowadays.

Duly noted. There's been a ridiculous amount of requests for various film/photography things coming in for a while now. Brought about by the STV campaign creating awareness amongst non-cyclists about the track, and the media grabbing at anything 'Olympic'.

I have felt for some time that this may have a negative impact on sessions and racing eventually and we do have a procedure in place for this kind of thing. It's clearly becoming too relaxed though.

The card system is new this year, and as such sort of still in it's trial period. From what I've seen it's a good idea and does/will work pretty well. There are obviously difficulties in creating a system that prevents less experienced riders from joining tougher sessions that is easily enforceable by volunteers (tracks with more formal accreditation systems are not run by volunteers like Herne Hill is).

If any of the beginners session regulars who come down a lot, so know the deal but have little desire to progress to harder sessions, wanted to volunteer to be responsible for stamping people's card at the end of the beginners session I'm sure it would be very much appreciated.

"It seems that more than fitness or track craft or anything else the biggest "skill" you need to ride well on the track is to take a look before you move anywhere. Would that be accurate?"

It's a massive part of it, IMO. I now ride around the roads using the same "look first" skills as I do on the track. I wouldn't say looking is the only skill tho - there's lots of smaller elements about group skills, etiquette, managing efforts etc. One of my favourites is to remember not to stare at the wheel in front but try to focus on the group, and what's going on four-five bikes in front.

Re photography. Sometimes it seems people are focusing more on that then on the cycling.

"
Re photography. Sometimes it seems people are focusing more on that then on the cycling.

hey now :D

From the progression section of the web site: "If you are unsure ask the coach in your session to watch you during the session to advise on your ability." I trust their judgement more than the number of stamps on my card and plan to take their advice on when is the best time to move up. (Granted this may not be easy given the number of people participating each Saturday).

Yes, please do feel free to come and ask us about anything. We will always find time to answer questions and give advice.

Looking around and being aware is obviously one of the big things in track safety, but perhaps more marked in terms of track cycling being different from road cycling is learning how to ride in a bunch of riders all on fixed gears with similar powers of acceleration and deceleration.

The concertina effect of a line of riders travelling at any speed is inevitable but IMO part of "track craft" is anticipating what other people ahead of you are doing; you can often tell when riding behind an experienced rider that they are effectively dampening down the concertina effect, making it a smoother ride for others on their wheel, whereas a less experienced / less fit rider may exacerbate the situation, often getting out of the saddle to accelerate, or pushing back on the pedals because they've anticipated a deceleration too late.

I think this is the sort of thing that comes with time in the saddle, rather than appealing purely to common sense.

[edit] It's not often I get to say this but I like to think of myself as a good concertina dampener. :)

It seems that more than fitness or track craft or anything else the biggest "skill" you need to ride well on the track is to take a look before you move anywhere. Would that be accurate?

That's a part of 'track craft'. Depending on how that is defined...
I'd also count ability to ride in a straight line and at a constant speed as essential.

Unfortunately the technique for riding a velodrome at a constant speed is rarely demonstrated by intermediate riders resulting in kicking back and the famous 'concertina effect'

ill be the first to admit that no matter how many years of track bike riding I have behind me i'm still occasionally shit when it comes to anticipating changes in the chain gang :D

Yeah, all this photography/filming of training sessions is getting a bit rediculous.
I understand why people would want to do it a race meets... (we all love a good picture of ourselves when we've got numbers on our backs!)... but don't really understand why people would want to film/photograph plain old training sessions.

Another thing I've noticed, is that no one ever seems to ask your permission. If someone wants to film me or take photos, I have no real problem with that. Sometimes I just wonder what they are doing it for, and if I'm going to appear on something that I dont really want to be associated with... If you get my drift?
I think it would be polite if the parties involved would let everyone know what the film/photos are being used for.

The 5th floor crew seemed to be using saturdays session to film footage for a promo of some kind (is there anything they won't promote?).... I knew one of the guys doing the filming, so asked what it was for, but if I hadn't of asked, I wouldn't have known any better! As I said earlier, I'm not massivley fussed by it, but I'm sure some people would be.
Dont you need release forms for this kind of thing?

Guy with camera filming the 5th floor rider (during the novice induction):
"Can you just get on your bike there [wide tarmac by the finish line] and ride along a bit? You probably shouldn't but, y'know, do it anyway while no-one's watching, just make it look like you're gonna start riding"

doesn't the entrance of hhv state that no photography is allowed without permission?

and the famous 'concertina effect'

whats she got to do with it? Is there going to be a Tina Turner concert in HHV?

doesn't the entrance of hhv state that no photography is allowed without permission?

Indeed. Permission is required even if photographs are for personal use.
HHV isn't a public place so certain rules are applied.

We also have to consider the safety of the session if visitors are allowed access to the track centre.

I've stopped coming to HH since I found photos of my 'lycra lunchbox' on a well known homosexual website.

which thread?

Re photography I think people should just be a little more aware that many participants see training sessions as private and if there's going to be photographs and filming then other participants may wish to know how the images will be used.

Not too fussed about being photographed but if people are doing any commercial promotion work I'd like to hope they are chucking some cash to the velodrome / vcl

i wouldn't be surprised if child protection wasn't at least part of the reason for photo restrictions.

i wouldn't be surprised if child protection wasn't at least part of the reason for photo restrictions.

It is, yes.

If the weather is like this, does the induction still happen (Obv. depending on the track being dry)?
Is it just a case of get down and see?

Get down and see/check their twitter. Track drys up pretty quick ones it stops raining.