Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

A number of members have expressed an interest in trying track racing and are unsure where to start.

We’ll be running a Saturday afternoon introduction to track for adults starting 10th May. 2-4pm

This will be introductory with the idea that riders transition to Monday and Wednesday night training for the real deal.

You will need a Silver licence for Saturdays but a Gold licence if you are going to race RAW. If you are borrowing a bike, you'll need your own pedals and shoes and of course a helmet.

You can't ride a road bike on the track (it's too steep, your bottom bracket is too low and your cranks too long and you'll probably come a cropper on the bank as a result of pedal strike).

What you will learn:
how to "keep pedalling"
how to start ... and stop
riding on the banking
watching out for other riders on the track
where to ride and when
how to keep turning left

Put your name down below if you are interested so we can work out how many numbers etc.

1. Peter Bownes

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!

[quote="Eleri"]

You can't ride a road bike on the track (it's too steep, your bottom bracket is too low and your cranks too long and you'll probably come a cropper on the bank as a result of pedal strike). [\quote]

How low is too low? The only thing I've found on Google is from Manchester velodrome, stating the bb is a minimum of 280mm from centre to the ground, with 165mm cranks.

Depends on the velodrome banking, your pedals, cranks, etc. You'd be fine on most of the flatter tracks but most road bikes would come close to striking at tempe, especially at lower speeds.

Even ignoring the bottom bracket height the main issue is the gears and brakes on the bike....

Yep - track captain is right! No road bikes of any description.

I've got a track style frame (read fixie) that has 165mm cranks, 190mm clearance. This particular brand used the same frame for their track bikes, with the fixies they just threw on brakes with clips to hold the cabling (no braze ons).

Will that be ok if I remove the brakes and throw on a track handlebar (which I will need to find)? I should have correct gearing available for the day

My track bike is 280mm from the centre of the BB to the ground and the cranks are 165mm.

If they sell it as a track bike I assume yours is OK. Definitely take the brakes off and put track bars on it.

Great, thank you for the confirmation. Leaves me no excuse now!

there isn't a chance this will be in the morning is there? I've got something in the afternoon that will mean I can't attend if its afternoon...

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!
11. John Healey

The sessions will run 2-4pm on Saturdays. Eleri could you update the first post please.

Long time.. First time..

I'd like to attend.

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!
11. John Healey
12. George Kollias (will pay club membership by then)

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!
11. John Healey
12. George Kollias (will pay club membership by then)
13. Robert

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!
11. John Healey
12. George Kollias (will pay club membership by then)
13. Robert
14. Rod Isaacs

Can I just say I'm getting really excited for next Saturday... I hope the weather is kinder than this weekend

Will the Saturday Intro to Track sessions be on regularly beyond this first one? Will we be able to attend a few until having confidence to join Mon/Wed training?

We've booked the track through to end of June at least.

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!
11. John Healey
12. George Kollias (will pay club membership by then)
13. Robert
14. Rod Isaacs
15. Marc R.

Hi All,

5 day to go!

I’ll be opening the gates at 1:30 so everyone has time to get set up and we can run through the program for the day.
The first session will be very basic as we gauge everyone’s competency on a track bike.

If we have wet weather, the session will still be held. Everyone will find out the fun of riding rollers, another part of track riding.

Colin

I'm out - boo.

1. Peter Bownes
2. Ben Thomson
3. Tim Clifford (dependant on leave approval from the Minister)
4. Ian Laing (will require borrow of a track bike c56cm)
5. Ray Patton
6 Carol Rosier
7 John Johnson
8 Adam Ward (depending on start time)
9. Jacob Richter (new member and will require the borrowing of a track bike 58cm)
10. Kylie Simmonds - it has been a while!!
11. George Kollias (will pay club membership by then)
12. Robert
13. Rod Isaacs

Does anyone have a 58-60cm track bike to loan me for the day?

Marc there is an incomplete 59 cm hilbrick at the club. I plan to get there earlier tomorrow to look over the bikes

Let me know John. Been wanting to do this since 2011 but things keep happening

Is there any chance that the track will be available for those who regularly attend Mondays & Wednesdays? I'd love to come get some more sprint sessions in.

This PDF on the web is a great summary for riders who are interested in starting track riding.
http://www.ridethetrack.com/pdf/trackracing_intro.pdf Well worth reading before today's session or before next week.

I'm a late addition. See you all there.

Remember to bring your pedals and matching shoes/cleats if you are planning to ride a club bike.

After some trepidation, that was great fun!
Thanks Col, John, Dylan, Dana & Eleri.
See you next Saturday.
Have a great ride,
Peter

If someone finds they have accidentally picked up an extra set of allan keys today, please bring them next Saturday. The 6mm wants to be reunited with its siblings.

Intro to track is on again this Saturday from 2pm for riders with at least a Cycling Australia silver licence. See the original post for full info.
http://www.ridethetrack.com/pdf/trackracing_intro.pdf

Is anyone going to be at the track today? Weather permitting if be keen to have a training session.

Hi All,

This Saturday's, 7th Jun, training is cancelled due to the DHBC Track Carnival being held. Come on down, watch the fun and give a helping hand.

The Next Saturday, 14th Jun, will be the last session as RAW starts the following Friday night.

Colin

If anyone wants to help with Canteen for an hour - please call me on 0410 343 663

just a reminder that Saturday will be the last session come rain or shine

Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable and well run series of sessions Colin. Also a big thank you to Dylan and John Caley who were excellent assistants. 'Intro to the Track' was a kind way to describe the event. More like track training for old codgers. And the old codgers had a great time to boot.

Just to echo what Marc said, thanks for your time and help at the track Colin. I believe we went from white knuckled scaredy cats, to cats that were a little less scared and a little less white knuckled and importantly had smiles on faces. Thanks also to Dylan and John and all the 'old codgers' that made the Saturday sessions great fun.

Rod Isaac
Can you please contact me directly on marc@hwy.com.au
We need to arrange your rego for the Nowra TTT. Apologies to the Webmaster for using the forum, but the PM option doesnt want to work.
Regards
marc