Track Information |
| What is Track Racing? |
| No brakes, no gears, explosive sprinting and tightly packed riders on short banked tracks - this is Track Racing! |
| Track racing takes place on short (between 150m and 550m) tracks consisting of two tight, banked corners joined by two short straights. Olympic and World Championships are generally held on 250m wooden tracks. The atmosphere is electric in a packed velodrome as riders flash by under the noses of spectators at anything up to 40mph. |
| Short and Fast - Long and Tough |
| Track events can be split into two main types - sprint events, which generally last for less than two minutes and Endurance events which can be up to 40km in length. Sprint racing specialities include the "Kilo", a straight 1000m against the clock and the "Kierin" (Japanese for 'fight') where riders battle to stay behind a pacing motorcycle for a series of very fast laps, before sprinting for the line when the pacer pulls off. Endurance races include the "Pursuit" where races pit teams of four or individual riders against each other. The simple aim is to catch or gain time on your opponents who start on the opposite side of the track. |
| Something for Everyone Whatever your cycling talents, Track Racing has something to offer you. Apart from being a great sport in itself, Track Racing is also an excellent way for all cyclists to work on their skills and fitness. |
| Track Bikes The bad news is you do need a special type of bike for Track racing, however the good news is that you can hire a bike for a taster session until you decide if track racing is for you, or you can buy a track bike from ?200 which is good enough to get established. |
| Where are the Tracks? There are Tracks all over the UK but based from Newbury the main tracks are: |
| Reading Velodrome
This is an out door 450 m track, which offers training nights Tuesdays and Thursdays with a Track League on Monday nights from April to September
Reading Track |
| Calshot
This is a 140m meter in door track that offers training sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays during the winter and runs a track league from October to February a great way of keeping up your racing speed and keeping dry!
Calshot Track |
| Newport
The newest of the UK tracks Newport is a 250 m in door wooden track.
Newport Track
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| Interested? For further information contact Ian Greenstreet Other useful sites include: British Cycling |