Herne Hill Saturday Training

recovery epo

massage with "happy ending"

From the Chelsea physio?

Go on then, if you're offering.

Srsly, I think the key will just be in pacing yourself and not busting a nut to keep up in the sprint exercises. If it's as big as it was at the weekend, it should be fine to do the whole session at a decent pace without burning out later.

conversation starter: "last man"

I like to mix it up - throw in a "i'm last" here with a "last rider" there. Keep things interesting. Eye contact important.

.

Is it Saturday? No commentary on today's sessions.

Too busy doing the novice racing afterwards. both were good! too bad a sudden bout of hail stopped the kierin finals

Is it Saturday? No commentary on today's sessions.

hahahah.

My hub threads got stripped on the way down to the track this morning and I had to ride Essex in the hail

Didn't clock today's average speed I'm afraid, will rectify that as soon as I can.

The session this morning seemed aimed at punishing those thinking of riding again in the afternoon - I blame those seated sprints for my lack of silverware in the novice race. Interesting exercises though, and a smaller group meant there was a bit more to do.

I'm tired now.

How did the Novice Racing pan out? Did Dimi clean up?

Pretty much. In the scratch race, I broke too early and couldn't sustain it, and three or four riders, led by Dimi, beat me on the home straight. He got the points race as well with a second and two firsts in the sprints.

The keirin final was hailed off so it will need to be repeated at a later date...

I got accused by Tony of being a ringer, despite it being my first racing experience bar one Monday night. May have just been collateral from standing near Dimi, but I'll take it as a compliment.

Really great afternoon all in all, really grateful to the organisers! Wednesday nights here we come.

I had fun at basics this morning but I good it's quicker next week.

Really wish I entered the kid races.

I had fun at basics this morning but I good it's quicker next week.

Really wish I entered the kid races.

Indraripper, time for you to step up to the plate. Or put another way, time to get on the start line.

The quality of the novice racing was impressive and not at all as 'noddyish' as some may have expected.

A couple of tips for novice racers (and not necessarily based on observations of today's riders):

1. The datum line is the shortest distance round the track, stay on it when you've instigated a sprint and you'll have a better chance of keeping your lead ;)
   
2. What do professional track riders do between races (when they're not warming up or cooling down)? They rest! Sit down and relax, don't stand up and wander about like hens in a coop.
   
3. Bare legs are great in hot weather, not so when it's below 10 degrees or when you're waiting around. Invest in leg warmers that can be worm until you're warm enough to take them off.
   
4. Garmins and computers are for road rides, for God's sake take them off and leave them off (and no, not in 'jersey pockets' because you're a racer and you'll wear a skinsuit on the track, not roadie bibs and tops).
   
   

That's all for now

You forgot to moan about caps.

Indraripper, time for you to step up to the plate. Or put another way, time to get on the start line.

I think that was the only chance for novice racing for a while :(

You forgot to moan about caps.

I know, caps ALWAYS LOOK LIKE SHOUTING ;)

I did the Induction today. Loved it and will definitely be back next week for Basic Training.

I stayed afterwards and caught some of the Novice Racing:

I also shot the last two laps of the first race on my iPhone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3mxS-fCEvo&feature=youtu.be

I caught part of the Keirin on camera, will upload it now.

I also shot the last two laps of the first race on my iPhone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3mxS-fCEvo

nice one, you can see on this video why I almost got disqualified.

Beginner Keirin race on Vimeo

I had fun at basics this morning but I good it's quicker next week.

Really wish I entered the kid races.

And have to face a possible loss to 12 year olds?

Better than sit at the side cold wishing I was riding!