[quote]an invitation to join a series of training sessions through the winter
the first dates are planned for:
Sunday 11 November 2007 12noon start: Brockham
Sunday 25 November 2007 12noon start: Brockham
* group 1 - existing 2nd Cat and 3rd Cat and 4th Cat riders to join Power Pack, to work on improving their skills
and
* group 2 - beginners, all new to the sport of road racing, probably planning to enter events in 2008, to join a Starter Pack
The aim:
to appeal to any individual within this spread of ability levels who feels to be in need of guidance.or who is looking for an incentive to get out for a training ride
The concept:
to provide something for those who are tentative about dipping their toe into the world of cycle racing - plus help for those individuals who have already made their first steps but still feel unsure.
The routine:
to gather once every two, three or four weeks - whichever turns out to be the most appropriate.
Start venue:
previously we have mostly started from Brockham, but sometimes moving to a village hall such as Newchapel for different challenges.
As before we will ride to a starting point
and then use the quiet roads that run through fields between the neighbouring villages of Brockham, Charlwood, Rusper and Newdigate.
Last winter we made regular use of one particular long, straight, flat, quiet lane.it that can be found by searching on Streetmap for Gadbrook Road.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... newmap.srf
Time:
You should plan to unload the bike (if coming by car) and fill in the signing-on sheet and be ready for kicking off/being on the road at 12 noon
.for something like 2 hours, perhaps 3 hours in better weather.
Using a smallish circuit means we are never too far from base, and there are stops to regroup, recover and evaluate progress.
The aim:
to ride and talk...
to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses
to help you spell out your goals
to listen to the goals of others
to meet others at the same "raw" stage of racing/race-preparation as you
to help you recognise that you are not the only one worrying about the same things
plus
to relax and make friends
to feel to be part of a like-minded community
.... and later on at events themselves: to have a few moments prior to the race
Surrey League thrives on having a steady flow of new riders. We want them to feel welcome and to have somewhere to turn for answers. There is something of a strange contradiction in cycle racing in that while everyone is trying their level best (during the race itself) to beat the rest, the sport contains many people who are more than happy to share experiences and offer useful advice.
A coach can also help at this early stage by giving a steer.
This is an open house. So feel free to come along. There are no boundary lines, no need to switch clubs. Just a pooling of new riders still slightly nervous.. but also excited at what their body might be capable of when prepared properly and then put under racing stress. and those who want to move up the ranks next summer.
Remember, most of us race for the joy of competition, for a feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment.
..that's not a quote from me but from a psychologist.
However, it's where I'm coming from, so if you buy into that concept too, we should get along fine.
