good time?

joeconnor

hi i'm 16 and i have been cycling for roughly 2 months, i recently went to the manchester velodrome with my local cycling club, towards the end we did 2 times trials of the 250m lap, with a 1 lap flying start. my first time was 18.22 and then my second time was 17.68. i come 2nd overall including the men and i was told that this was a really quick time, i also had running shoes on with toe clips, not sure if this makes a difference though i was wondering whether this is a quick time compared to other people my age, as i am very interested in going the velodrome more often, with a view to racing. Finally, is there much point in me considering racing, would i be able to keep up with others in my age category? thanks.

oldwelshman

joeconnor wrote:

hi i'm 16 and i have been cycling for roughly 2 months, i recently went to the manchester velodrome with my local cycling club, towards the end we did 2 times trials of the 250m lap, with a 1 lap flying start. my first time was 18.22 and then my second time was 17.68. i come 2nd overall including the men and i was told that this was a really quick time, i also had running shoes on with toe clips, not sure if this makes a difference though i was wondering whether this is a quick time compared to other people my age, as i am very interested in going the velodrome more often, with a view to racing. Finally, is there much point in me considering racing, would i be able to keep up with others in my age category? thanks.

I am not sure if you would have done 200m or 250m timed as it is usually 200m.
Anyway don't get hung up on the actual time as your new to cycling and the more you go on the track the faster you will get.
If you have own bike and clipless pedals it will feel better but your biggest improvement will come from more track riding.
I would not worry about keeping up with people in your age group in racing, that will come in time also.
Dont forget there are many disciplines on the track other than sprint which you maya excell at so try them all over next two years

Pross

Did 19.00 on my only attempt at a timed 250m, pretty much the whole group were within a few 10ths of a second either side of it but did have the times done after each doing 3 or 4 attempts at taking a lap (we are all track novices). The coach told us that 17 seconds is a good time so 17.68 with trainers and straps would be pretty useful! As OldWelshman says though most timed laps in competition are measured over 200m so getting result comparisons is difficult.

Nice to see you back Old Welshman, thought you'd disappeared!

Eddy S

The flying 250 time is something that a lot of coaches seem to use at taster and introduction sessions.

It currently has no direct relevance on any seeding or competition timings BUT will take on a whole new relevance as the new Olympic format omnium kicks in as the 200TT is being replaced by a 250TT to move the focus away from sprinters.

Joe - it's a representative time and a good start. You should consider getting involved in the sport and build on it but as OWM says, don't get too caught up with the numbers. It was setting representative times that set me on my involvement with track racing and the more you get involved the faster you get! 8)

joeconnor

hey guys, thanks for all your responses, really helpful thanks.
i understand what you guys are saying, i think i just need to ride the track more times and just get used to it, i think i will get more involved with it and just enjoy it for now i guess! thanks again, joe.

Pross

That's the attitude - there's a great post on the amateur race forum from a top under 16 rider on what it takes to make it to the top level. Basically, just get out there and ride - train hard and with a lot of effort and committment the results will come but in the first instance get some more riding under your belt, get accredited and do some track league racing.

joeconnor

thanks again for the reply, but i was just wondering if you could send me the link to that post please, i couldn't find it you see and it sounds pretty interesting, thanks.

Bronzie

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12709896

oldwelshman

Track training is a very good way to do structured traiining and will also help your road riding.
I enjoy track training as I find it mush easier doing the intervals on the track than on road doing solo rides.
I never done a 250 actual time but got splits of 15.2 sec laps for a 750m TT and when training often do 19 sec laps for 8 lap efforst, similar to pursuit times.
So your time is actually quite good bit did not want to tell you so
You will find that time will improve quite a bit if you carry on for two reasons, one more experience on the track as it takes couple of years to get near your best on the track, and secondly as your so young you will naturally get stronger and faster anyway.
So now you have to go back and do longer efforts to work on endurance :-)
Your time works out just over 31mph which is quite fast.
I reckon before long you will be able to do 30mph laps with a group of riders for several laps which is well fast enough to race.
Dont foget it is much easier behind some one doing half lap changes compared to riding alone.
Pross, was down vets session last friday and hope to come down again soon for a friday and coaching session on weekend.

joeconnor

hey oldwelshman, thanks a lot for the advice. i think i'm definatley going to get a few more sessions on the velodrome in the summer, and depending on how i'm getting on, i might start racing in the league which starts in september if i'm not mistaken? just want to get more track experience really, again thanks a lot.