GLASGOW RIDERZ
helping young people get the most from cycling
Group 2 Brief - Spring Term 2016
This upcoming term Group 2 will be once again be run by Jim Brewer and Pete Shuttleworth., if you’ve any question please get in touch or .
Glasgow Riderz is a British Cycling group and as such racing is a large part of what we do. Over the autumn the training was primarily aimed at improving skills for entering Cyclocross races (although they are largely MTB skills). As we move into the spring we will focus the training on skills that are useful for Criterium races (which are largely road skills) moving to some off road skills when the weather is poor.
Crit Racing
Criterium (Crit) or circuit racing takes place on closed, traffic free circuits, it's one of the most popular forms of cycle sport and is open to all youth riders. A list of local races is below and the coaches will be happy to answer questions and provide advice if your rider is interested in taking part. There is a friendly atmosphere at the races and almost everyone will be willing and able to help you out with any issues on the day. Normally time at a race is 30 mins plus spectating.
Dirt Crit Racing
Dirt Crit racing also takes place on closed, traffic free circuits, this time on off road trails. It's one of the most popular forms of cycle sport and is open to all youth riders. A list of local races is below and the coaches will be happy to answer questions and provide advice if your rider is interested in taking part. There is a friendly atmosphere at the races and everyone will be willing and able to help you out with any issues on the day.
Glasgow Riderz Park Life Series races will normally last 30 mins plus spectating – these are mid-week sessions in a friendly, familiar environment and provide an easy-going and fun introduction to bike racing.
Dirt Series West Region races have two sessions on each race day. Session 1 will comprise of 4 skills stations. A maximum of 6 points will be available at the bottle station and the wheel lift with a maximum of 3 points available at the other two stations. Each rider will be given a points card which will they take to each station and scores will be recorded by the judges. Session 2 will be an off road race that will be handicapped according to the scores obtained in the skills session. Be prepared to be there for most of day which normally run from 9-3. There may be a tea tent but normally you will need to supply your own food & drink.
Coaching Plan Spring 2016
The techniques we will be working on are based around group riding and include:
1. Position in a group
2. Changing position in a group
3. How to signal in a group
4. How to get away from the group
5. Making a good start
6. Position on the bike
7. Cornering
The underlying concepts and ideas we will teach are:
· Aerodynamics
· Bike handling skills
· Benefits of group riding
· Race craft
· The joy of cycling (Although that’s always on the list)
Parents/Guardians can help your Rider develop by:
· Reading the “Readme” at www.glasgowriderz.co.uk/read
· Making sure their bike is serviceable and ready for the new sessions. Any problems with this our sponsors at Billy Bisland’s for the cost of parts alone. Alternatively any local bike shop should be able to help you out
· Talk over the questions and ideas above where the opportunity arises (e.g. aerodynamic shapes like sports cars)
· There are some excellent videos on the British Cycling website that you might want to show to your rider. We’re not expecting them to be Lizzie Armitstead or Mark Cavendish just yet, but it will help with the ideas above.
· https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/skills/road-racesmart
Athletes can help their own development by:
· Regular attendance – the biggest single factor in improvement;
· Cycling a lot. We intend to run midweek sessions as the nights get lighter which will include Crit development sessions. During the winter we have had a lot of success with our members attending Monday night roller sessions.
· Racing – the races are local and very accessible.
· Being prepared. The athlete should be aware of their own responsibilities. Their bike and gear is their responsibility and we will be reminding the kids of this during the term. Wish us luck with that one.
Calendar of Events
2016 Crit Racing West Region (Any bike is suitable, as long as it has no disc brakes, the smoother the tyres the better. Riderz also has some drop handlebar bikes available for member rental for £2 a week.)
Date / Race Name / LocationSaturday, March 19, 2016 / SCW Crit 1 -Bella Crit 1 / Bellahouston Park
Saturday, April 23, 2016 / SCW Crit 3 - Kames Klassic / Kames Motorsport Complex, East Ayrshire
Thursday, May 5, 2016 / SCW Crit 4 -Bella Crit 2 / Bellahouston Park
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 / SCW Crit 5 - Kames Klassic / Kames Motorsport Complex, East Ayrshire
Thursday, June 2, 2016 / SCW Crit 6 - Bella Crit 3 / Bellahouston Park
Tuesday, June 14, 2016 / SCW Crit 7 - Clydesdale Colts / TBC
Thursday, July 7, 2016 / SCW Crit 8 - Bella Crit 4 / Bellahouston Park
Thursday, July 21, 2016 / SCW Crit 9 - TBC / TBC
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 / SCW Crit 10 - Kames Klassic / Kames Motorsport Complex, East Ayrshire
Thursday, August 25, 2016 / SCW Crit 11 - Glasgow Dynamos / TBC
Thursday, September 1, 2016 / SCW Crit 12 - Bella Crit 5 / Bellahouston Park
2016 Dirt Crit Racing West Region (Any bike other than a road bike is suitable)
Round / Date / Club / EventSCW Dirt Crit 1 / 17/04/2016 / EKRC / Whitelee
SCW Dirt Crit 2 / 08/05/2016 / Clydesdale Colts / Cathkin
SCW Dirt Crit 3 / 18/06/2016 / Glasgow Dynamos / Cathkin
SCW Dirt Crit 4 / 14/08/2016 / Glasgow Riderz / Pollock
Glasgow Riderz Park Life Series (Any bike other than a road bike is suitable)
Thursday, May 12, 2016 / MTB XC / Park Life 1 - Glasgow Riderz Dirt CritThursday, May 26, 2016 / MTB XC / Park Life 2 - Glasgow Riderz Dirt Crit
Thursday, June 9, 2016 / MTB XC / Park Life 3 Glasgow Riderz Dirt Crit
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