Karin Posted July 24, 2015 Posted July 24, 2015 I have not read this entire thread as I see it dates back to somewhere in 2014. My 17 year old son is an avid mountainbiker and although he loves it and has done quite well in it, he's now in a tough category (junior men) as most guys he is competing with is built like 12 year old school boys (no offence) and he is build like a 1st team prop rugby player! He has solid legs and his wattage threshold is about 320 watts and his trainer reckons he can still improve it by 26%. Although he has lots of stamina and can cycle quite technical terrain, he struggles eventually on the uphills. Ok, now after that explanation, he is seriously interested in doing track cycling. We are in the West Rand and went to look at the velodrome in Krugersdorp but there's nothing going on there, it's overgrown and obviously not in use anymore. I know there's the Hector Norris in the South (I think) but no idea where to start or what to do. Obviously I'm not going to rush out and buy a bike, is there a try and looksee kind of setup? Can he just go or is there anyone he can speak to before we rip out the passports and trek cross country to get there? Any advice/assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Loose cog Posted July 24, 2015 Posted July 24, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/groups/trackcyclingsa/ Bloody hell mate, an INDOOR track. You guys are either soft in CT or spoilt!
Loose cog Posted July 24, 2015 Posted July 24, 2015 I have not read this entire thread as I see it dates back to somewhere in 2014. My 17 year old son is an avid mountainbiker and although he loves it and has done quite well in it, he's now in a tough category (junior men) as most guys he is competing with is built like 12 year old school boys (no offence) and he is build like a 1st team prop rugby player! He has solid legs and his wattage threshold is about 320 watts and his trainer reckons he can still improve it by 26%. Although he has lots of stamina and can cycle quite technical terrain, he struggles eventually on the uphills. Ok, now after that explanation, he is seriously interested in doing track cycling. We are in the West Rand and went to look at the velodrome in Krugersdorp but there's nothing going on there, it's overgrown and obviously not in use anymore. I know there's the Hector Norris in the South (I think) but no idea where to start or what to do. Obviously I'm not going to rush out and buy a bike, is there a try and looksee kind of setup? Can he just go or is there anyone he can speak to before we rip out the passports and trek cross country to get there? Any advice/assistance would be greatly appreciated.Hi Proud Mom He sounds like a sprinter! Please do come along on a Saturday afternoon from 14h00. Ask for Diane, Jeremy (see above - he runs the Academy) or any of the guys. Friendly bunch and your son is almost guaranteed a ride after the racing. Let him bring a set of pedals and his shoes. If you don't come right please drop me a PM.
Karin Posted July 26, 2015 Posted July 26, 2015 Hi Proud Mom He sounds like a sprinter! Please do come along on a Saturday afternoon from 14h00. Ask for Diane, Jeremy (see above - he runs the Academy) or any of the guys. Friendly bunch and your son is almost guaranteed a ride after the racing. Let him bring a set of pedals and his shoes. If you don't come right please drop me a PM. Thank you. He would be thrilled to hear that you think he's a sprinter, he's been telling me that for ages! I spoke to Jeremy on Friday. We will be going through on Wednesday. Excitement is the order of the day in my house at the moment!
gtr1 Posted July 26, 2015 Posted July 26, 2015 ProudMom, just be careful........once the bug has bitten !! It is a great place for youngsters to learn bike handling skills, pedaling technique, and fun short races for the family to watch. Plus we are just a great bunch of guys at the track :-)
SurferChild Posted July 28, 2015 Posted July 28, 2015 Thank you. He would be thrilled to hear that you think he's a sprinter, he's been telling me that for ages! I spoke to Jeremy on Friday. We will be going through on Wednesday. Excitement is the order of the day in my house at the moment! Hi there... How did your son find the track? I think it was mentioned before... once the bug bites...He sounds like a strong lad and I'd like to see him doing well Keep us updatedCheers
Karin Posted July 28, 2015 Posted July 28, 2015 Hi there... How did your son find the track? I think it was mentioned before... once the bug bites...He sounds like a strong lad and I'd like to see him doing well Keep us updatedCheers He hasn't gone yet. He was doing a MTB race a Sunday, so didn't want to go through on Saturday before the race. He is going tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about the "bug", he's already so enthusiastic, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to afford another cycling genre! Let's see how tomorrow goes but he's so incredibly passionate about cycling that I know he's going to love it. The distance might be an issue as we live in Roodepoort, he's at school in Northcliff and I work in Sandton - so, getting him to the track might become a bit of an issue but again, I'm willing to try and make it work. I will keep you updated.
Karin Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 So, this is how the conversation went after my son's first track training with Jeremy: Me: So how was it? Son: It was tough, it was horrible, I'm feeling sick, I'm in pain, hated it, so different from mountain biking, exhausted. Me: Are you coming back next week? Son: Of course!!!! It was AWESOME. Can I try a race on Saturday? Me: *big sigh*
Cargyrl Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 So, this is how the conversation went after my son's first track training with Jeremy: Me: So how was it? Son: It was tough, it was horrible, I'm feeling sick, I'm in pain, hated it, so different from mountain biking, exhausted. Me: Are you coming back next week? Son: Of course!!!! It was AWESOME. Can I try a race on Saturday? Me: *big sigh*ProudMom, you have a problem, your son has been bitten by the velodromitis bug and now he NEEDS to ride a fixed gear. Good illness to have. He is going to get so strong, give him time. Hopefully see you soon at the track, just wish this cold weather could warm up a lot.
Loose cog Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 Yep, the short sharp bursts of intensity is very different to long hard rides on or off road. Probably likened to running 100, 200 and 400 meter races rather than a marathon. I trust your son quickly learn the ropes!
Tumbleweed Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 So, this is how the conversation went after my son's first track training with Jeremy: Me: So how was it? Son: It was tough, it was horrible, I'm feeling sick, I'm in pain, hated it, so different from mountain biking, exhausted. Me: Are you coming back next week? Son: Of course!!!! It was AWESOME. Can I try a race on Saturday? Me: *big sigh* Hahahahaha! Too awesome! Glad to hear he's into it!
Tumbleweed Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 Oh, and since Jezza's been mentioned a couple times on this thread, I just have to issue a word of caution. By all means, get into track cycling. That's a healthy pursuit, both physically and mentally. Jezza, however, has gone downhill since he started Crossfit some time back, which he annoyingly tries to get me into. Granted, it's good for the body, but when it makes a man hold forth on the merits of Eye of the Tiger as a training song on a Sunday morning in your house, you have to question whether it's good for the mind... You have been warned... ps, Next time you see him, ask Jezza where his Alice band is...
Trackmonster Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 I have not read this entire thread as I see it dates back to somewhere in 2014. My 17 year old son is an avid mountainbiker and although he loves it and has done quite well in it, he's now in a tough category (junior men) as most guys he is competing with is built like 12 year old school boys (no offence) and he is build like a 1st team prop rugby player! He has solid legs and his wattage threshold is about 320 watts and his trainer reckons he can still improve it by 26%. Although he has lots of stamina and can cycle quite technical terrain, he struggles eventually on the uphills. Ok, now after that explanation, he is seriously interested in doing track cycling. We are in the West Rand and went to look at the velodrome in Krugersdorp but there's nothing going on there, it's overgrown and obviously not in use anymore. I know there's the Hector Norris in the South (I think) but no idea where to start or what to do. Obviously I'm not going to rush out and buy a bike, is there a try and looksee kind of setup? Can he just go or is there anyone he can speak to before we rip out the passports and trek cross country to get there? Any advice/assistance would be greatly appreciated.Hi, if you go down to Hector Norris Park on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00pm Martin Van Wyk and Club Europcar have lots of new and old riders on the track and you can also arrange a bike there. Just take some pedals with. They will give you the right advice and help your son get into track cycling. There are lots of young riders there as well. He will love it!
SurferChild Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 So, this is how the conversation went after my son's first track training with Jeremy: Me: So how was it? Son: It was tough, it was horrible, I'm feeling sick, I'm in pain, hated it, so different from mountain biking, exhausted. Me: Are you coming back next week? Son: Of course!!!! It was AWESOME. Can I try a race on Saturday? Me: *big sigh*This is so awesome... I had to chuckle!! Ja track cycling is VERY different from any other form of cycling being it road bike or mountain bike. That toughness, illness, pain etc is strangely enough addictive. But track is something you learn to love!! I'm glad the young man had fun!! Good for him.
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