Lee Valley SQT Sessions

I know someone who has got into the winter track league after doing a certain number of hours of SQTs. Not sure if it's an official policy but if that's what you're aiming for it's worth asking directly.

Thanks Dramatic_Hammer, good to know. Off the top of my head believe Winter Track Leagues states 10hours – best get booking ;-)

Can I ask, are SQTs always the same days/time – if so, could I ask what they are please? (Can't see, due to not being stage 4 accredited).

Cheers.

Best to ask Full Gas directly if they'll take you. If you've got your accreditation AND have been crit racing for a few years I'd have thought they'd let you in. Everyone has to start somewhere, however a lot of people who've got accreditation clearly can't ride in a bunch with close proximity to other riders. Crit riding solves this.

I hadn't raced on the track since the early 1980s but managed to get into the London Track League last year after a bit of dialogue.

Hope this helps

Crit riding solves this.

Well, in a way.

.....assuming you don't get spat out the back on the first few laps!

I meant more the endless crash-fests - every week someone in my club has a tale of narrowly avoiding (or not) multiple crashes!

Yes I see your point. I'm lucky in being old - I race LVRC crits - quite quick and riding standard is high with very few crashes.

I did do a few BC events but they were a bit...um...twitchy for me. My club mates do a fair amount of crits at Hog Hill with few spills. I've heard it's a bit different at the Velo Park though...

Thanks Eagle_Glenn, yes – probably first path is to speak to them (FullGas) directly.

Race(d) Tuesday nights Hillingdon (can be twitchy), Velopark and the I'm old enough to race Vets too – let's see how far I get!

Derny training now for accredited riders at LVVP
https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/london2012/velo-park/track/#derny

Anyone on here ride those "Velodrome Open Riding Sessions" listed on the same page? Are they good fun?

I rode the first one and had fun. There were only four of us and we did 2x25 mins as a pace line with 5 mins of rest in the middle. It's not quite accurate when it says 'unstructured' in the description on the website. I think the plan for when there are more riders in the session (up to 20) is for there to be two pace lines, one fast on the blue, one slower on the black, and then people can switch between the two when they feel the need. I certainly liked the session enough that I'm booked on another one next week...

Nice, there's a similar session in Manchester, had 10 on yesterday evening. Definitely needs that slight structure of 2 pace lines as numbers (and range of fitness) grow.

That's good to hear. I used to go to the Newport Open sessions when I was working that way and these sound similar.

I'll definitely be giving them a go - not ridden my new track bike yet!

The LV SQTs vary greatly; I ride them regularly and it is very much dependent on who turns up on the day as to what type of session you get and how much you get out of them. The fitness / standard can vary greatly and it can be tricky for the coaches to try and get the right balance for everyone. But in general I think they work pretty well. I've yet to ride an open session and am pleased to hear there is 'some' structure as a complete free for all would definitely been dodgy. I was hoping to do the derny sessions but a Sunday evening is a bit tricky :( hopefully they'll put on some more at a more viable time for me. If there is anyone that wants to know any more specifics on the sessions post them up and I'll give you my thoughts. Cheers!

So I have just passed my stage 4 and am planning on signing up for the SQT's on the 19th & 26th June.

I am looking to run through the intermediate sessions,

What can I expect to cover ?

I have been told to expect more of the same as stage 3 but at a greater proximity and at a faster speed.

Thanks

I'm currently working towards accreditation. I've done the taster and stage 1, both of which I found pretty easy. I put that down to already being used to handling a fixed gear bike from commuting on one for years.

Stage 2 I found quite a bit more challenging, especially riding closer and staying on the wheel in front. I rode quite far back in the group (whereas I'd been on the front most of the time in the other sessions), and found that the pace varied a lot between straights and corners. The group expanded and contracted a lot and I found myself fearful of running into the back of the wheel in front, so ended up over compensating, which introduced bigger gaps.

I recognised this and told the coaches as much and agreed to come back and do stage 2 again.

Are there any tips for getting more comfortable riding closer to people who you don't know, or are of varying abilities/riding at different speeds? Or to be able to adjust speed faster?

One thing I'm going to try is to consciously ride slightly to the side of the wheel in front to see if that helps at all.

How does stage 3/4 compare?

Try using the track more than pressing back on the pedals then accelerating again. So as you find yourself getting closer to the wheel in front move slightly up the track so you have a greater distance to travel and a little momentum is taken out by going slightly up the slope. This will help keep your pedalling smoother and be less tiring.

Try riding at Herne Hill to get used to the concertina effect in a group. It's more exaggerated at Lee Valley because the banking is steeper but you'll get more comfortable with it.

Also try talking....often a call to 'speed up' or 'slow down' has the desired effect.

My stage 4 session was quite a noisy affair with lots of 'instructions' being shouted from the different packs.

^ I would not do this.

Communication is good where necessary, but people need to be confident and skilled enough to control their speed themselves according to the coach's instructions. Self-appointed on track instructors should concentrate on their own riding and anyone who needs to be given step by step instructions by other riders is not ready to progress.

Saying speed up or slow down generally (i.e. up the pace or drop it) can be useful if you're trying to maintain a constant distance with another group, or even if the leaders are riding too slowly for safety. But I agree that trying to micromanage someone's speed on a corner-by-corner basis is not going to work.

Agreed my suggestion was not to micromanage rather as per danstuff, a general call to pick up or drop off.

Done a couple stage 3's at LVV - Has anyone done stage 4 recently and want to share their experiences? Could find a better thread to post this in

I usually do the Vets SQT sessions. I've had complications after breaking my hip last year so have had to postpone some sessions I booked as I'm just not fit enough yet.

Just wanted to say how helpful the staff at London have been with postponing my sessions - nothing has been too much trouble for them. Great service

Doing these really starts to add up. £360 to store your bike, £20 for Monday nights, £23 for track league, £22 for a derny session.

Anyway to get a reduction?