Louisville Wheelmen Newsletter -- May-June 1996

Skills Drills & Developmental Rides

by Rebecca Cole, Developmental Coach

DO THE BUNNY-HOP

Skills Drills sessions will be held at E P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park on May 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th (the rain date), at 6:30 p.m. Why come to Skills Drills? Bicycling has inherent safety risks. How many riders have never come around a corner to find a branch across the road, never had a car swerve in front of them, never been caught out in a rain storm on a oil-covered country road, never touched wheels with another rider? Even if you have not experienced these bike-handling challenges, you probably will someday. Skills Drills teach bike-handling skills which help cyclists deal with such safety challenges. Rock-dodging, panic braking, wheel-touching, bunny-hopping, steering through wet corners, and counter steering will be covered. Group riding skills, such as single, double, and rotating pace-lines, will also be covered. Each session, taught by the Club Coaching Staff, will review skills taught at previous sessions, and teach and practice new skills. Participants will be divided into groups, based on their experience and ability, so everyone feels comfortable learning and practicing important bike - handling skills.

DEVELOPMENTAL RIDE

Interest in Developmental Rides has been steadily increasing. Riders have been practicing pace-lines, learning skills such as climbing hills efficiently and descending safely, and enjoying each other’s company on endurance rides. Developmental rides will be held on Mondays (an easy recovery ride), Tuesdays, Thursdays (Skills Drills), Saturdays, and Sundays. Check the Team Training schedule or Voice-tel box #2 for specific information. Wednesdays will be left open, for riders’ personal training. Personal training, such as doing intervals, is an essential ingredient for improvement.

Last summer, the Coaching Staff discovered that the Louisville Motor Speedway is an excellent place to do interval training, and the best place to learn to do intervals. There are no stop lights or traffic to interfere, and the environment is very controlled. It is easy to get your heart rate to exactly the right place and ride the exact time required for the training. Any Club member who is interested in having a member of the Coaching Staff meet them at the Speedway, to learn the basics of interval training, is invited to leave a message on the Voice-tel. A member of the Coaching Staff will set up an appointment with you. Appointments are necessary to insure there will be a Coach present who can devote the time to help you, and to avoid overcrowding at the Speedway.

Return to the Newsletter Table of Contents
Return to the Louisville Wheelmen home page

last updated: 30 April 1996
by Duc M. Do