SUTTON CYCLING CLUB

Cycling With Youth in Mind

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RACING ACADEMY

The Academy riders are our most experienced riders and are involved in all forms of cycle racing. We have regular riders on the Track, taking part at Herne Hill Velodrome, and Road racing at venues such as Hillingdon Circuit and Crystal Palace.

The Academy is managed by experienced coach Peter Fordham, backed up by club coach Ron Thompson (years of racing and cycling experience).

Youngsters who are interested in joining this group should contact the Academy Manager

The programme of rides is subject to the training and racing requirements of the members of the Academy and as such is difficult to programme too far in advance. Please check the 'What's On' link to find out what is happening this week. Or contact any one of our Academy coaches for information of upcoming training or Turbo sessions.


EARLY SEASON ROAD RACING

Prepare your Programme.

Here is some information about early season races (March and April) for Youth categories. Juniors and Espoirs (U23s) contact Peter if you have difficulty sorting out your events.

Prepare a programme of races you intend to ride. You may need to consult parents if they are your taxi service, and talk to other riders, you may be able to share transport.

Sort out your gears.

If you don't and they're not correct you could be disqualified. I recommend that you ride these restrictions all the time, you need to develop leg speed and it's no good if you can't keep up with other competitors in races because you don't ride such gears in training.

You will remember Peter sent details to youth riders on 21st November giving you your Categories and gear restrictionss.

Closed Road Circuits.

As youth riders you can only ride on closed road circuits so your options are limited, largely Crystal Palace, Hillingdon and possibly the new circuit at the Royal Docks.

There are some circuit events organised by the Surrey League, check on Surrey Cycle Racing League

Preparation.

Your preparation for the summer should have already started. The foundation that you put down in the next three months will determine how good your season will be. You cannot start training in March / Aprill!!

You should be keeping a diary already of the training you're doing, how you feel etc.

For those who go training with Peter, we'll be meeting at Nonsuch as usual at 9:00am on Sunday mornings (road rides). If it's frosty, ring Peter on his mobile 07778 192739 to see whether we're going out on MTBs, in which case we leave at 9:30am.

Off-road training at Sutton Arena and turbo-training at 1st Wallington Scout Hall will continue this term - Arena restarts Wednesday 2nd January and turbo Thursday 10th January.

Remember, form and performances early season are not critical. If you do well that's OK, but think of early season races as training. The big events (championships) are in the summer, not spring, and it's those you should be looking to win.

Also remember early season you may need to wear more clothes to race than you will in the summer, just because you're racing doesn't mean you have to wear shorts and/or short sleeve racing vests.

Early season races for Youth categories

Day Date Venue Youth races start Entry Fees
Tues 15th April Hillingdon 6:30pm £2 (series reg £5)
Tues 22nd April Hillingdon 6:45pm £2 (series reg £5)
Tues 22nd April Crystal Palace 6:45pm (Jnr 7:15) £3 (Jnr £10)
Tues 29th April Hillingdon 6:45pm £2 (series reg £5)
Tues 29th April Crystal Palace 6:45pm (Jnr 7:15) £3 (Jnr £10)
Then Weekly

Crystal Palace Summer League (Road Circuit)

  • Every Tuesday evening, April - August 2008
  • Commencing Tuesday 22nd April
  • Under 16s £3
  • Racing starts 6:45pm (be there early to sign on and warm up)

    • Herne Hill Track League

  • Every Monday & Wednesday evening, May - August 2008
  • Commencing Wednesday 7th May
  • Under 16s £3 (More young riders on a Monday)
  • Racing starts at 7:00pm

    • The Leagues are Entry on the Line (EOL), that is, on the day of the race, but for other races it is usually cheaper to enter in advance - closing dates are 3/4 weeks before in the case of major events. For championships there is normally no EOL.

    If your child is interested, please speak to his/her coach and we can make sure they are properly prepared, both as regards the cycling and the paperwork:

  • Applying for a Racing Licence
  • Choosing the right event
  • Entering in advance
  • Entering on the line
  • Gear-check
  • Signing on
  • Warming up
  • etc, etc

    • YOUTH GEAR RESTRICTIONS FOR 2008

    Changes to Youth Gear restrictions for 2008, as highlighted in grey in the extract from the 2008 Handbook given below.

    3.3.1 In all road events (other than events promoted in accordance with T.R. 7.12) juniors shall be restricted to a maximum gear such that the distance covered per crank revolution is 7.93 metres. The gear restriction shall not apply to seniors.

    3.3.2 In all events other than under the provisions of 3.3.3 below, Youth category riders shall be restricted to maximum gears as shown in the following table.

    YOUTH CATEGORY GEAR RESTRICTIONS

    CATEGORY ROAD RACING TRACK RACING ROLLER RACING
    YOUTH A 6.93 metres 6.93 metres 7.93 metres
    YOUTH B 6.45 metres 6.45 metres 7.40 metres
    YOUTH C 6.05 metres 6.05 metres 6.94 metres
    YOUTH D 5.40 metres 5.40 metres 5.40 metres
    YOUTH E 5.10 metres 5.10 metres 5.10 metres

    3.3.3 For track and roller racing events where a Youth A, B or C rider has received dispensation from BCHQ to compete against riders of an older category, then that rider shall be restricted in gearing to that of the older category.

    The gear charts for achieving these restrictions are on the BC website: - Download Gear restrictions Document

    General Information.

    We can also advise on bike frame size, bike fit, and positioning. Contact us for more details.