Coaching: How to get started in track racing in Ireland in the next few weeks

Action from Sundrive Road Track in Dublin, beginners are welcome in the weeks ahead

Having been to the forefront of track racing in Ireland for many years, Hugh Byrne and his colleagues at the Sundrive Track – based at Dublin’s Sundrive Rd track – are inviting riders who have never ridden before to come along in the next few weeks and months. In this piece Hugh explains how you can get involved by first practicing with the club on the track and securing accreditation to become a track rider. Once you’ve cleared that formality the world is your oyster; you can even hire a track bike.

We have set down ten dates for accreditation for those who wish to get involved in track racing at the Sundrive Track in 2013. Five of these opportunities will come before the Summer Track League, with a further four scheduled in advance of major National Championships races like the Omnium, Keirin, team Events and Autumn Track League. The final opportunity will be 27th July a little over a month prior to the Senior National track Championships.

Please note also that this year the accreditation will be a two-stage process. Basic skills and ability to participate in normal track training will be acquired on the scheduled dates below. But all riders will have to partake in at least one further normal training session where they will have to develop those skills and demonstrate their ability to perform them at speed safely before being allowed to race.

We would urge those who are interested in exploring this aspect of our sport to get involved early in the season. It takes time to develop the skills required and time even for the most able of road riders to do themselves justice on the track and indeed it takes time to be able to do all of this safely. The technical aspects of sprinting and standing starts take longer to master and this is something that most won't appreciate until they measure themselves against those who have put in the time. We can teach you, but the earlier you come to us - the more you can learn!

We have an extensive fleet of track bikes for hire and very experienced coaches on hand to help you make the transition. All hire bikes are fitted with either Look Delta (old type) pedals or toe strap and gearing is restricted to 49x16. This gearing is fine for training and developing cadence, but anyone looking to progress in the sport would eventually have to think about getting their own bike. But, as I say, we have hire bikes to help you get up and running.

There are of course benefits to taking in all aspects of our sport and we like to encourage and welcome everyone. Track helps you improve your pedalling, pace judgement, explosive power, seated acceleration and tactical awareness. But most importantly it is technically challenging and fun! Naturally it is those who put in the most time on the track who will excel, especially with the sprint events. If you are still in doubt regarding whether it will help your road riding or not - look at the top ten TT riders at the nationals last year and ask yourself how many of them are track riders.

Dates for Accreditation at Sundrive Track below

Saturday 16th February 12.30
Saturday 2nd March 12.30
Saturday 16th March 12.30
Saturday 6th April 12.30
Saturday 20th April 12.30
Saturday 4th May 12.30
Saturday 18th May 12.30
Saturday 8th June 12.30
Saturday 22nd June 12.30
Saturday 27th July 12.30 **** (Final Accreditation for 2013)

Accreditation is the basic level of skill required to participate in training and riders will be required to participate in at least one further full training session and only if can be signed off on some other skills and ability to display those at speed, will then be allowed to race.