Cycling BC presents the 2011 Development Track Camp at the Commonwealth Legacy Velodrome.

Cycling BC is currently running a Junior Development Track Cycling camp on the Commonwealth Legacy Velodrome, hosted by the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association. The goal of the camp is to teach youth and junior riders an array of track cycling skills, which they can use towards reaching their future cycling goals.

The camp includes 14 youth and juniors riders from the Greater Victoria area and Comox, BC.  A few elite riders from Vancouver and Victoria are also taking advantage of the camp, fresh off of racing at the Canadian Track Nationals only a couple weeks ago. Leading the Camp is renowned track cycling coach, Jeremy Storie, along with sidekick and apprentice, National Team track cyclist, Tim Sherstobitoff.

Day 1 started off with a full overview and instructions on track riding, etiquette, and basic skills. While the majority of juniors have completed a learn to ride clinic at the Burnaby Velodrome at the beginning of the year, a refresher course helped remind the riders of a few key points. As 14-year old Gillian Ellsay puts it, “the most important thing when riding the track is not to stop pedaling!”

After a solid warm up, the group started off with a flying 200m effort, and based on their time they we put into appropriate groups for flying 1-3 lap efforts. The focus for this exercise was to work on riding close to each other’s wheels, staying relaxed, planning ahead, communication, and quick rider exchanges. By the end of the day, they were all starting to look like seasoned veterans!

 

Tomorrow, the riders will have an easier morning session, focusing more on skills. However, in the evening, everyone will take part in the fast and furious local Friday Night Racing put on the by the GVVA. The camp will conclude after two more track sessions over the weekend.  

A huge thanks goes out to Cycling BC, the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association, and all the sponsors and supporters that were able to revive and reopen the Commonwealth Legacy Track and who support track cycling in British Columbia and Canada.