As a new member of the FFBC, I am impressed by the methodical and structured approach that the team takes towards training and race preparation. A big part of this is Thursday Night Training, led by Larry Nolan. When Larry mentioned that he would be leading the Saturday morning beginners track session on Jan 17, the opportunity to receive this same structured approach to velodrome riding was too appealing for me to pass up. I was among 30 or so riders that came to Hellyer County Park on a foggy and chilly Saturday morning, and I freely admit to being a little bit nervous. It was with relief when Larry, staying consistent with his methodical step-by-step approach to training, began the session on the warm-up area, where we did a variety to drills to build our confidence with close quarters riding. These included single file riding with speed changes, two abreast riding and bumping drills, and three abreast rising and bumping drills. Since track bikes lack brakes, and using your legs constantly to make speed changes is tough on the hamstrings, Larry taught the concept of subtle position changes to adjust speed. An adjustment to an inside line to gain speed, and an adjustment to an outside line to lose speed. A line of riders will quite literally form a ‘fan’ in response to changes in speed. After extensive drills on the flat surface of the warm-up area, we broke into groups for some track riding. The skills practice at slow speed translated very well to confidence on the track. All the riders looked comfortable and safe, and with their new found skills, were enjoying their velodrome experience. This was my first time on the track, and for me, Larry’s teaching approach was invaluable to building my confidence to ride the velodrome safely. I may even make track cycling a regular part of my riding 🙂