Power Pack - Welcome Corner...

The Surrey Cycle Racing League is affiliated to:

an invitation to join a series of training sessions through the winter

first dates are planned for winter 2006:

Sunday 5 November - Sunday 19 November - Sunday 3 December

* group 1 - beginners to join a Starter Pack of similar riders, all new to the sport of road racing

and

* group 2 - existing 3rd Cat and 4th Cat riders to join Power Pack, to work on improving their skills

…..the aim is 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.

The venue:

Brockham, near Dorking, though with the potential to move elsewhere. As things stand, the starting point would be here on the fringe of the quiet roads that run out towards the neighbouring villages of Leigh, Charlwood, Rusper and Newdigate. Last winter we made regular use of the long, straight, flat, quiet lane…it that can be found by searching on Streetmap for Gadbrook Road.

Time:

Unload the bike (if coming by car) and sign on the sheet so we are kicking off 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 plan your training for the coming week to plan your training for the coming month 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 help at this early stage by listening to/giving a steer on your proposed winter training schedule while (later on) lending an ear to your plans for the next racing season. 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.

John Leitch