Track Cycling in the Calshot Velodrome

Stage One - TrackStart

Excellent fun for people wanting to try the track. All abilities are catered for, you just need to be able to ride a bike. You will progress at a pace suitable to the group, allowing you to learn the basics and get a real buzz from riding the track. We supply bikes, helmets and first rate coaching.

Family and Young People Courses

Courses marked Family are open to youngsters of 12 upwards with an accompanying adult or 16 and 17 year olds on their own.

Course content

Purpose

These 90 minute sessions are designed to give riders an experience involving ‘fixed-wheel’ track bikes, riding at various height levels on the track.

Description

Progression is paced according to the group’s ability as a whole, rather than at higher individual ability. The session is concerned with acquiring skills and knowledge to enable the rider to ride safely at Calshot Track. Though some riders may be a little challenged, do not expect a training session!

Contents

Typically the sessions may include

• Allocation and sizing a bike to fit the rider
• Short discussion on the characteristics of a track bike
• Basic braking drill on a flat surface inside the track
• Intermediate & Advanced braking drills on the green inner track
• Cornering drills on the ‘Cote d’Azur (pale blue band)
• Riding on the track between the black & red lines at the bottom of the track, progressing
• to riding at higher points on the track
• De-brief, including an outline of further track riding options

Equipment

We supply track bikes, shoes and helmets. Customers are advised to bring their own helmets to save time adjusting the centre helmets to fit..Our bikes are equipped with Look Keo2 pedals. Those riders who use the same pedals may prefer to use their own shoes. We suggest that long-sleeved tops and trousers/cycle tights are worn whilst track cycling.

Please note that we do not permit riders to use their own pedals

Stages 1 and 2–Slipstream!

Fast-track your way from track novice to GAS in Three Weeks! Slipstream! Is the quickest way to progress from Track novice to Calshot’s GAS sessions. Three 90 minute sessions teach the basics of track riding, before introducing 'through and off' (team pursuit drill) and sprint work. It’s the perfect platform for those in a hurry!

Go Group Riding

For those cyclists who have had a TrackStart session in the last 12 months and want to try the next exciting step of riding the track with others. The sessions will include learning to ride in close proximity to others and 'team pursuit'-type drills. Minimum age 12 years

Course content

Purpose

These sessions are designed to teach riders to participate safely in more advanced drills on the track, whilst riding with others.

Description

Progression is paced according to the group’s ability as a whole, rather than at higher individual ability. The session is concerned with acquiring skills and knowledge and creating good riding habits. New techniques are taught and practised, with riders spending much of the session on the track (breaks are included for feedback etc). Drills may last as long as 15 minutes and a reasonable level of cycling fitness is desirable. The emphasis is on learning through tuition, discussion and practise and the course should not be regarded as a training session!

Contents

Typically the sessions may include

• Allocation and sizing a bike to fit the rider
• Gentle low level warm-up
• Cornering drills
• ‘Follow the Leader’ and other drills requiring the riders to cycle at all parts of the track
• Basic, Intermediate and Advanced ‘Through and Off’ drills to develop the skill of following closely behind other riders
• Individual Sprinting drills
• Riding up to and stopping at the perimeter rail. Setting off from the rail
• Team Sprint
• Cool down
• De-brief, including an outline of further track riding options

Equipment

We supply track bikes, shoes and helmets, though you may prefer to wear your own helmet. Riders are not permitted to change the Calshot pedals (Look Keo2) for their own but are free to use their own shoes if fitted with Look Keo 2 cleats.

We suggest that long-sleeved tops and trousers/cycle tights are worn whilst track cycling.

Stage Three - Group Accelerator Sessions (GAS)

GAS is for graduates of Slipstream and Group Riding, preparing them for our Thursday Track Training (stage 4). Using the skills learned previously, the sessions will include warm up, stamina-building exercises and simple sprint drills. They are a perfect opportunity to see what track training is about.

Fridays 6.30pm–8.15pm, ending 25 March 2011

£15 (excludes bike hire – £4.50 per session, shoe hire £3.70 per session) Adults only

From April 2012 GAS will be running on Thursday evenings from 7pm-9pm

Stage Four

Thursday nights are aimed at competent track riders progressing from GAS and with a fairly high ability/fitness level (see Rider Assessments below). The sessions will run on similar lines to GAS but with higher speeds and more complex drills.  

Thursdays 7pm-9pm
These sessions have finished until autumn 2012

£15 per session
Bike hire £4.50
Shoe hire £3.70

Please book in advance

Stage Five

Tuesday training will be run as more demanding sessions, normally including interval work and  ‘race-orientated’ drills. Riders will have significant track experience added to high levels of fitness and ability (see Rider Assessments below).

Tuesdays 7pm-9pm
These sessions have finished until autumn 2012

£15 per session
Bike hire £4.50
Shoe hire £3.70

All sessions must be booked in advance.  

Early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. The sessions are restricted to a maximum of 16 riders and need a minimum of 6 riders to go ahead. Our policy is to check on take-up at 1300hrs on the day preceding the session, to determine that it will run.

£15 (excludes bike hire £4.50 per session, shoe hire £3.70 per session).

Rider Assessments

Our experience has shown that it is beneficial to the safety of riders and for the general flow of the sessions, to try and ensure that riders are booked onto the session appropriate to their ability and fitness levels.

Riders progressing through the ‘Tour de Calshot’ programme are continually assessed  by the coaches and should seek advice from those coaches as to which session is suitable for them.  

Riders wanting to ride Stages 4 and 5, who have not been through the ‘Tour’ system will need to speak to a Calshot coach for guidance

Fast track your performance via private tuition

1 person

• 1.5 hrs £80
• 3 hrs £150
• 6 hrs £260 (includes lunch)

Second person is 50% extra, for 3 or more enquire about our group rates