A very big thank-you to all who supported our new Monday Night Training Rides (MNTR), which started on Monday 30th March and ended recently on the 13th April. This block of three sessions were open to all riders, from any cycle club, who wanted to brush up their race skills before our summer season starts.
Great turnout!
Blessed with reasonable weather and daylight conditions, we had a healthy turnout of almost 30 riders for each session. It was great to see an enthusiastic Slipstreamer turnout, but also great to see riders from Charlotteville and Willesden take up our offer of training.
This is a MNTR…
We made the environment challenging for all ages, but where possible concentrated on younger riders gaining experience through riding with their slightly older peers. Each session had a skill, tactical and performance element which led nicely into a handicapped end-of-session race. For most, this resulted in over 20 miles worth of training opportunity we had not been able to offer before.
These are TMNT. Nowhere near as exciting as a MNTR!
In only a few weeks, we began to see improvements in both skill and performance, as confidence and fitness began to blossom. The handicap races were intended to be about 80% duration of the Summer series races, and intended as an opportunity to put into practice skills and techniques learnt during the main session.
Maddie, Dexter & Jojo
We also had a chance to incorporate younger riders into activities without any problem. A squad of three riders (Maddie, Jojo and Dexter), who supported us every week, were later joined by Finn, Angel and Taylor to make a very focussed training squad. The emphasis for these riders was how to work in groups, and to avoid ending up riding alone in races.
The older riders showed some terrific performance qualities and a solid understanding of racing safely. We certainly would like to offer more of these sessions, and will look at the possibility of providing more when availability allows. Of course, as ever, this always relies on the support of volunteers, so if you want to help us out do get in touch.
Please remember that our Monday Night Races start on 27th April 2015, with C/D/E starting racing at 18:30, and A/B at 19:00. Full details are on our calendar here – but do click here to go to the 1st event, or here to go directly to the British Cycling website.