It’s that time again Members… Assessment Saturday has arrived and ALL GROUPS will be undergoing assessments this weekend. It’s your opportunity to show off your superb skills gained after weeks and weeks of practice, and your coaches are very much looking forward to see you all in action. If you are not doing an assessment, go to your usual meeting point/s – if you aren’t sure where to go, ask one of the volunteers, or come to the sign-on desk and we will help you.
A few reminders – please read:
- Do not be late please, as this will impact the rest of your group. Unless you have a really good reason, the sign-on team will not allow any latecomers! Make sure you are signed on no later than 9.30am.
- Once you are signed on, do not dilly-dally, but rather make your way straight to the front of the clubhouse, ready for your warm-up by 9.30am sharp.
- Once you have all been grouped and warmed up accordingly, assessments will take place promptly at 10am, and will be in progress until completed. During this time the circuit may be split to accommodate all skills levels.
- Read the helpful notes and guidance below, submitted by your coaches, which we hope you’ll find useful. Do also read your passport booklets before the session so that you understand the demands and the key coaching points for your respective levels.
- Make sure you follow the safety guidelines (click here), particularly the sections on sustenance and rest.
- Relax and breathe deeply – you will be fine. Have FUN and ENJOY your session!
- DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORTS!
- And finally, Parents: please stand back during assessments and kindly do NOT interfere in the sessions or question the coaches’ methods – they are all British Cycling qualified and know exactly what to look for during these sessions. If you’d like a reminder of the Parents’ Code of Conduct to which you have signed up, where this is clearly stated, please click here, or do come and ask the sign-on team for a copy.
And some helpful guidance from your lead coaches running the assessments:
Bronze Circuit Riders’ Assessments (Road Bikes Only)
Assessment Lead Coaches: Adam M and Dave S
Aspects we will be looking for through the assessment are communication between riders, and the awareness of one another through the course of the assessment. Most importantly, you are in control of your bike!
- Before you start: Make sure you are in a low gear, you and your riding partner are safe, your crash helmets are properly fitted, and your bikes are safe to ride.
- In the start box: Talk to one and another about which direction you are both going to approach the first cone. Put your pedal in the right position, look over your right shoulder, and check with your partner that you are both ready to leave the start box.
- Through the slalom: Leave enough room for your partner and yourself to go around the cones, so you both can stay side by side. Keep your inside pedal up so it does not hit the cone.
- The funnel: Enter the funnel together staying side by side.
- Corner: Once you have left the funnel you turn right – the outside rider needs to speed up so that you both can stay side by side. As you turn the corner, you will need to keep your inside pedal up.
- Bottle pick up: As you approach the bottle pick up, you need to tap your brakes so you are in control of your speed as you go to pick up the bottle. You can pick up the bottle with either your right or left hand. The hand you are not using to pick up the bottle needs to just tap the brakes as you are between the two boxes – this will stop the bike running away from you and keep you in control. Place the bottle on the second box. Then look for your partner and head towards the stop box. If you are ahead of your partner then you will need to track stand and wait for them to catch you up.
- Stop box: Look over your right shoulder before entering the box. You should arrive in the box together and stop using both brakes. As you come to a stop, put one foot down for balance. Before leaving the box, you should check your partner is ready, put your pedal in position, look over your right shoulder and leave the box together.
Bronze MTB Riders’ Assessments (Mountain Bikes Only)
Assessment Lead Coaches: Ralph P, John G
For those members wishing to try for the Bronze mountain bike award, you are very welcome to do so after the group warm-up, and will be directed to your meeting point by Ralph. The assessment will take around 30-40 mins, after which bronze students will continue with a MTB session in an appropriate group. MTB riders who don’t wish to do the assessment will join Alex and Mark for a MTB session as normal from the start of the session.
For those members wishing to try for the Bronze mountain bike award, you are very welcome to do so after the group warm-up, and will be directed to your meeting point by Ralph. The assessment will take around 30-40 mins, after which bronze students will continue with a MTB session in an appropriate group. MTB riders who don’t wish to do the assessment will join Alex and Mark for a MTB session as normal from the start of the session.
Silver 1 Riders’ Assessments
Assessment Lead Coaches: Phil C and Andy B
We will be splitting the group into smaller sub-groups with between 6 and 8 riders in each. You are asked to please stay in the group that the coaches assign you to for the duration of the session, and to make sure your rider number is clearly visible. This is to make sure that we can properly observe everyone and give each rider quality feedback after the session.
We will be splitting the group into smaller sub-groups with between 6 and 8 riders in each. You are asked to please stay in the group that the coaches assign you to for the duration of the session, and to make sure your rider number is clearly visible. This is to make sure that we can properly observe everyone and give each rider quality feedback after the session.
The session will start with a refresher on the key behaviours and techniques that we will be looking at, which will include:
- Group riding close to other riders
- Changing in the group
- Pace management and control
- Use of gears
- Ascending, descending and cornering
- Communication, signalling and consideration of other riders in the group
- General awareness and attention to safety on the circuit
- Endurance & stamina
- Consistency & predictability of riding
Coaches have been observing the Silver 1 riders over the last few weeks, and will include previous observations on overall readiness when considering progression to Silver 2. It is not uncommon for Silver 1 riders to remain with the Silver 1 group for 2-3 assessment cycles (sometimes longer when attendance is sporadic). If you do not progress to Silver 2 this time around, please do not be disheartened. We will work to progress you just as soon as you are ready to ride successfully in the Silver 2 squad.
Silver 2 Riders’ Assessments
Assessment Lead Coaches: Steve C and Paul M
Silver 2 will be assessing riders on their general riding ability and endurance. Riders will be split into groups of 4-6 of like ability and stamina. After warm up the groups will ride for an agreed number of laps. Static coaches and riding helpers will be marking groups and individuals on group riding, cornering, ascending/ descending, gear selection and endurance/ pace.
Silver 2 will be assessing riders on their general riding ability and endurance. Riders will be split into groups of 4-6 of like ability and stamina. After warm up the groups will ride for an agreed number of laps. Static coaches and riding helpers will be marking groups and individuals on group riding, cornering, ascending/ descending, gear selection and endurance/ pace.
We’re looking for riders to demonstrate that they can ride confidently and safely in a group around the Hillingdon Circuit at a pace that will allow them to comfortably take part in Gold Sessions; whilst demonstrating the necessary skills in gear selection, climbing and descending in a continuous 40 minute ride. Paul and I (Steve) are looking forward to the session on Saturday – see you there!
Gold Riders’ Assessments
Assessment Lead Coach: Dave G
It’s all about puncture drills for Gold! The riders shall be split out in groups of 8-10 riders, with all riders being assigned a partner. A pit lane shall be established at the side of the circuit. The lead rider shall, somewhere near the pit lane, indicate who is to go through the puncture drills, and if the puncture is either a front or rear puncture. Immediately, the nominated rider should raise one hand in the air to indicate to other riders and race officials that they have a problem, working their way to the rear of the group, being joined by their teammate, and moving safely across to the side of the pit area.
It’s all about puncture drills for Gold! The riders shall be split out in groups of 8-10 riders, with all riders being assigned a partner. A pit lane shall be established at the side of the circuit. The lead rider shall, somewhere near the pit lane, indicate who is to go through the puncture drills, and if the puncture is either a front or rear puncture. Immediately, the nominated rider should raise one hand in the air to indicate to other riders and race officials that they have a problem, working their way to the rear of the group, being joined by their teammate, and moving safely across to the side of the pit area.
In the event of a front wheel puncture riders shall:
- Continue on to the pits and change into a suitable gear to re-start
- Come to halt, unclip from both pedals and stand astride the top tube
- Lean forward and undo the front-wheel quick-release lever and the quick-release lever on the front brake
- Lift the handlebars 5 – 10 centimetres to allow sufficient space for the mechanic to remove the wheel from under the forks and replace it with another
- Lean forward and do up the quick-release lever on the front wheel and do up the quick-release lever on the front brake
- Clip back into the starting pedal and position themselves ready to re-join the circuit when instructed to do so by the pit officials
In the event of a rear wheel puncture riders shall:
- Continue on to the pits and change into the highest available gear
- Stop, dismount and stand beside the bike
- Help the mechanic by undoing quick-release lever on rear brake
- Lift the saddle 10 – 20 centimetres (4 – 8 inches) to allow sufficient space for the mechanic to remove the wheel and replace it with another
- Do up the quick-release lever on the rear brake
- Turn the crank and select a suitable lower gear ready to re-start
- Remount the bike and position themselves ready to re-join the circuit when instructed to do so by the pit official
In both cases, the teammate shall then help the rider return to either the same, or the next available suitable group. Every lap of the group shall see a new rider nominated. The group shall ride steady whilst riders return.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
For future assessment dates, always refer to the calendar on the Clubhouse noticeboard.