Novice Racers how can we help?

[Toks]

Hi guys I'm just thinking about ideas to help novices sample a bit more racing. Un ike TT'ing it can be quite daunting trying to get into RR'ing I know because it was only on my 3rd attempt of trying before I actually had the bottle to start racing at Hillingdon (thanks Ajay):oops:

The feedback from last Sat's B race was good and most people were quite positive. On the back of a phenominal year for ACC RR'ers it would be a shame not to push on again next year.

1. Would a novice race group (part of club run) starting in Feb help?
2. A mock race once a month perhaps
3. A race targetted from the BCF racing calender for all Novices to attend
4. Perhaps once a week starting next year one of the fast boys take the novices for the first 45mins?
All ideas welcome!

[MJ_1993]

It all sounds good

[George]

I'd love to help here.

Earlier this year Marek helped organise a couple of mock races which were good fun.

[Toks]

[quote="George"]I'd love to help here.

Earlier this year Marek helped organise a couple of mock races which were good fun.

[huw williams]

As a little incentive on these lines I'd like to dip a tenative toe in the water to see what everyone thinks.

I've spoken to Toks last week and Keith Butler this morning and both are in agreement that after the success and numbers involved in last weekend's club RR - the possibility exists that we might hold the 2008 club race on proper open roads

That's right a REAL road race to decide the road race champion

My thinking behind this is that we wouldn't have to traipse over to West London but could use one of the local habdicap courses. Keith suggested either Newdigate, Norwood Hill or South Nutfield - all roads easily accesible to ACC member for training and easy to get to on the day.

Keith is more than willing to get involved, reckons Glynne would be able to sort a comissaire etc, the cost would be no greater than Hillingdon and depending on which course we used, marshalling we need to be minimal.

His only caveat was that he wouldn't allow complete novices to race but wanted novices to undergo some dedicated race training groups such as the one Toks suggests on this thread.

At the moment this only a tentative suggestion to see what members think and we are in no way commited to doing it - but I can't see any reasons why not and it would be far more convenient for everyone wanting to take part on the day.

So to recap... some of our club's top racers will have a training structure in place to help you prepare, the race will be end of season on roads close or on the club route - meaning more riders able to compete and more friends, familys able to spectate

Over to you guys... what do you think?

[kieran]

how do the mock races work - wondering about safety etc?

Chertsey used to hold introductory races but with it closing where will these be held now?

[huw williams]

Mock races - Toks is a master at these and there's enogh good racers, experienced riders in the club now to organise great sessions

Also there are a few surrey league race trianing days on the roads around Leigh/Newdigate come March time

[adrian]

This all sounds pretty exciting. I really enjoyed last Saturday and must confess to having re-run the last few laps in my head hundreds of times since then (always with the same outcome, of course ).

I really appreciate the generous offers of help already made here. All Toks' suggestions look great (although I'm a bit worried about the prospect of being 'taken for 45 minutes by one of the fast boys.' Still, if you think it would help my cycling... )

I'd make sure I went on more CRs if there were a dedicated novice racing group.

Hillingdon was a bit of a schlepp, but that wouldn't necessarily be a disincentive for me to doing some sessions there. Like Huw's idea of the open-road RR for next year, too.

Got a bit of a spanking last weekend, but even so: '[THWACK] Thank you, sir. May I have some more, sir?'

[Andrew G]

Keep an eye out for the Starter Pack and Power Pack sessions that Surrey League run over the winter. Info [url=http://www.surreyleague.co.uk/powerpack/powerpackhome.htm]here[/url].

I did quite a few of these last winter and they are great. Tactics, training, race simulation exercises the lot. Quite a lot of complete novices attended from the start who hadn't even done through and off so you will not be out of your depth. You're split into ability/experience groups so you work with people at the same level. Last year I managed to get at least a couple of other ACC to join me at most of the sessions and we were kept together in a group.

[Tony]

Like Toks, I'm keen to ensure that a stronger racing culture is established within the club. With the current crop of riders and general increased interest in racing, there's no reason at all why we can't build on the many successes of last season. For newcomers, I'd definitely check out the John Leitch training sessions that are planned in November (ref. Surrey League website). I'm sure there will be more such sesssions next year too!

Also, if anyone has any suggestions they don't want to post, don't be shy about contacting Toks, Paul or any of the other more experienced RRers such as myself to discuss. I'd also be keen to hear ideas that prevent or slow the traditional exodus of riders that we seem to have from the club each year. I also have a few ideas here...

Within a season or two, wouldn't it be great if ACC becomes the club that experienced 2nd / 3rd cats in the area wanted to join rather than leave? With Toks and Marek returning (I think they are anyway!), we seemd to have turned the corner....

[Rob C]

How many points do you need to be a 3rd cat?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

10 Rob

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I'm all for this but I would have thought that the circuit we use for our Thursday evening Surrey League Handicap event at Horne (PROMOTER REQUIRED PLEASE) would be much more suitable as it is (a) known to riders/helpers, (b)much shorter, (c) has a very conveniently placed village hall and (d) cooked food is available at the golf club.

I think the longer circuits would become a bit daunting for novices, getting dropped and not seeing anyone for 1/2 hour.

[huw williams]

Thats another good one - and I notice Mr T that it doesn't have any climbs bigger than a speed bump???

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

The hill is every bit as tough as Hillingdon and I would still recommend it for the reasons given even if I don't ride.