Bournemouth Velodrome
Three distinct groups of clients this past week at Bournemouth track. As the light drops and winters wet fingers begin to end the track cycling season here’s a short round of my weeks work there. Student Power. 1st Introduction session for Bournemouth University who run a series as part of ‘Free your Fitness’ http://studentportal.bournemouth.ac.uk/things/sportbu/free-your-fitness.html 4 new riders enjoyed their first ever Wednesday getting to grips with a fast brakeless track bike and the adventure of riding a banked track. Some of these won’t return, as the lucky students are offered hundreds of other free sports activities, but occasionally individuals can and do get the bug for track cycling. All these students from different courses showed a good willingness to learn and completed 5 different activities during the session. ‘Kids on Track’ Power. http://www.feria-sport.eu/#/autumn-series/4577682763 Our second Saturday of this season, Richard and I now reaching the end of the second year introducing, enthusing and supplying local cycling clubs with new upcoming racing talent for the future. We coach at a level suited to the abilities of the group, this year (Sept 12- Aug 13) having organised, co-ordinated and delivered over a third of all the rider numbers for Bournemouth Track. From local families, schools and sporting youth there’s a whole variety of track cycling skills development we service. A small minority of our clients are now being picked up by the talent development squads as the next star-riders. Saturdays’ oldest boys of 12 weren’t feeling lively so half way through the session I inverted the triangle, ushered the 8 years old beginners onto the main track- and coached the boys on match sprint track standing technique, handy skills to obtain. Some minor tumbles ensued but within time pairs were raving about their new gained ability to make standing start 1 lap race efforts against their mates. Another win for a well- received session for twenty kids. Time Trial Power. Bournemouth track hosted Adam Topham author of ‘Fly through the pain barrier”, expert on co-efficient of drag and British Best all rounder (BBAR) 2012 in preparation for the upcoming Derby 50 mile T.T the last of the season http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Best_All-Rounder Friday Mr Topham utilised the next best thing to a wind tunnel, i.e:- our banked track to test teardrop helmets, aero shoes, micro-adjustments and more on their speed potential. Measuring watts/ power output through cranks linked to computer readings, a completely dry, still, warm four hour booking slot all allowed the T.T master to discover what kit decreases drag and delivers faster times for less watts effort. Scientific sounding ‘co-efficient of drag’, linked with marginal gains (mmmm cycling parlance) all within the mix of the afternoon of Intriguing testing. I wish him the best luck in Reading. So three different aspects of work for me this week, enough to keep me busy either side of running a Bikeability course for a Poole school. We still have a few more weeks of ‘Kids on Track’ so lets do a short good weather dance for the next Saturdays (did I mention we cant ride you around a wet 40+ degrees banking?) Enjoy the seasonal change.