Any of the track cyclist autobigrophies have good training tips?

Im looking for more training info. apparently Chris Hoy used a very heavy bike for training in his early years? wrap some lead around the tubing maybe? or fill with stainless steel ball bearings?

do any of his books or any other track cycling based books have unusual training tips and sample programs?

some of the Japanese ergo trainers look amazing in keirin youtube videos, with the huge flywheels, would love to be able to make something custom for standing start practice

also, what about building very heavy wheels for training, something like velocity b43/h plus son eero with extra weight added, just not sure how to add the extra weight to the rims

Read Cav's autobiography.

Why are you looking for unusual training tips from an autobiography? How do you think riding a heavier bike, or having a huge flywheel will help you? KISS. You only need the bike you already own.

Can I suggest your best place for track cycling training tips would be by training and racing at HH in the first instance.

Training on a heavier bike should improve acceleration when racing on a light bike. ive heard of cyclist loading up panniers just for the extra weight, would also help them on hill climbs tho thats not track. Just like those weighted vests that american footballers and other athletes use. I tried ankle weights for basketball years ago and they helped, tho they are an injury risk. Rugby player and sprinters run with sleds(with weight) attached by a harness.

the stationary trainer with the heavy flywheel doesnt slip when doing standing starts, wattbikes dont even have a realistic standing start. One of the senior members on my team mentioned he was thinking of buying one for the club.

I race already but Im interested in learning as much as possible. Ive looked thru fixedgear fever and read 'upupup!'. Theres just doesnt seem to be many training books out there.
running in the ocean is good for footballers. The Japanese do short uphill sprints on a purpose built training area at keirin schools.

ive done weight work to prepare for this season, single leg leg-press, not all cyclists realise its better to do 1leg at a time. It doesnt look as hardcore with half the weight. Im switching to OLY lifts for next season, and front squat

I'm sure I read some advice somewhere that went along the lines of:
"maybe you should think less about what other people are doing and more about what you have done and what you want to do"

Added weight is really old tech. Tow a lorry tyre behind your bike for standing starts, or wear a weighted vest etc etc...
It all may or may not help, depending on the individual.

The Japanese do short uphill sprints on a purpose built training area at keirin schools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c97Ee1690UQ

^^^^^^^^
It always puzzled me why this type of thing is not a sport in its own right. You don't need an expensive track as there are plenty of roads and you could have uphill or flat sprints of slightly varying distances to suit the heavier or lighter riders.

I really do think it could (should) be done and would bring many into the sport who are not physically suited to endurance events or standard road races, it also looks a hell of a lot safer than track (and road) racing.

As nice as tracks are they should not always have to be a necessity for our sport to take place.

Tony

^^^^^^^^
It always puzzled me why this type of thing is not a sport in its own right. You don't need an expensive track as there are plenty of roads and you could have uphill or flat sprints of slightly varying distances to suit the heavier or lighter riders.

I really do think it could (should) be done and would bring many into the sport who are not physically suited to endurance events or standard road races, it also looks a hell of a lot safer than track (and road) racing.

As nice as tracks are they should not always have to be a necessity for our sport to take place.

Tony

Erm, have you never heard of hillclimbing?

Nice vid by the way, makes me wish I spoke Japanese...

Erm, have you never heard of hillclimbing?

But how many hill climbs are flattish and several hundred meters long or less? :)

I was specifically talking about road racing for track sprinters on very short stretches of road, uphill or not. This type of racing would physically suit a very different type of rider than endurance road riders and could be done in many locations without the need for a track.

Just a thought, but it could be fun.

Tony

I wouldn't call that flat-ish! Looks like a nice steep downhill followed by a nice steady uphill. I agree though, most hillclimbs are on steep, slow grindy inclines...

Interestingly, I think from memory that the road I'm moving to in a few days time is fairly quiet, pretty straight and rises quite steadily for about 500m - winter uphill sprint training will need to be discussed with my coach.....

Does anyone know what component of fitness they are working on with that exercise and how?

If you're talking about the hill the guy says it's supposed to be training for the final sprint in keirin races - as in putting out the power and dealing with the pain I guess, it's not a very informative program - he also says they've been doing it since the keirin school was founded which is probably the main reason they do it (tradition). Also it's probably supposed to be fun/relief from the usual repetitive training, a lot of the students seem to like it and they have races every year.

Anyway I'm not sure how scientific the training methods are at the keirin school, they mostly just... ride a lot in the actual classes, although they have time to fit in their personal programs as well. I think much of it is about learning tactics and manners and whatever in races, and preventing any problems with the gambling by drilling them very strictly so they won't misbehave when they turn pro and weeding out anyone who can't take the strict lifestyle while races are being held.

You're absolutely correct. There's (obviously) a lot of tradition in keirin school.
I can see that, yes cardio wise, that hill sprint might approximate the fatigue at the end of a race, except it does it by going uphill so from a muscular training angle it's strength training rather than speed endurance.

maybe im imagining it but i though obree said he used to find big hills in scotland and do them repeatedly - if anyone could verify this?

brilliant video :D