what a pleasure it is to organise the Junior Training session at Tempe Velodrome on Wednesdays.
One important reason is that everyone is pitching in, particularly the support teams (parents, grandparents, siblings, Lizanne, Phil) - so the riders are getting maximum fun and challenge from the session. Another reason is the graduation of our older and more experienced junior riders to the open session training (the quicker I make myself redundant the better I'm doing my job!) Finally, everyone is pleasant, encouraging and positive - so thanks.We managed lots of racing on Wednesday despite the threatening rain clouds. The Ho siblings (St George), Selina and Wesley, continue to impress. Wesley (U17) had fastest Time Trial with 13.03, just infront of Oskar Wesley-Smith at 13.47, while Selina put in an impressive 15.5. Wesley also cracked 14 seconds in the Flying 200, with Selina just under 20 seconds. Selina stayed out front to beat her brother (who had a punishing handicap) in the 1000m sibling grudge sprint though. Tom Bolton( U15 - but not yet turned 13) is consistently hovering around 14 seconds with his 133 time trials and posted 13.97 on his second go last Monday. Medals all round to our younger juniors - Zeke managed two firsts in the scratch races. The youngest of the riding Wallace sisters, Mia, fought hard twice to catch Zeke who had head starts. Mia gets a medal for gaining heaps of ground and never giving in. Alison polished off Tess twice in a 3 lapper - though it should be said Tess fought back to within a bike length of her big sister in the 2nd heat. No lack of determination in either of these riders. Taku finished ahead of Tallis in their two lapper, although it would have been a "photo finish" without Taku's 4 second head start. Finally, well done to Taku for taking his first turns behind the motopace bike ridden by Phil Kelly.
Waterfall Road Training
Congratulations to DHBC Juniors who made it to Waterfall and back with the Sunday bunches the weekend before last. The photo of the post-ride muffin eating recover session sent by Donna Bolton is delightful!
Equipment
Those of you trying to find a new or used track bike for a junior should first have a good idea of what size frame is needed. You can try the loan frames at the club to get a rough idea. If you already have a road bike that fits well, measure it up, but be aware that on the track you'll be racing and training on the drops for a significant amount of the time, so that needs to be taken into account when considering the geometry of the frame. Track bikes are generally shorter in the wheel base and higher in the bottom bracket. They have track forks (straight) and track bars (sloping curve) for added strength. A reputable bicycle retailer can advise you on what's available and the appropriate size. As a rule of thumb the lighter the frame and components the more expensive the bike. I bought a good entry level track bike off the rack for $700 dollars last year - but you can shop around for specials and discounts on new bikes. Some shops offer our club members a discount, so don't be shy to ask. For e-shopping I like:
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/
This site lists the deals at many retailers and enables you to search to your specifications including for used bikes. If you're after a used track bike, keep across E-Bay for some good deals and while you're at it, why not put a free advertisement on the DHBC Forum?
www.dhbc.org.au/
I have attached the gearing ratio chart so you can set up your new bike to racing specifications for your age category. U15 have a 6-metre rollout, U17 a 6.5 metre rollout.
Elite Results
Those of you interested in rising to the top of your game may be interested in some of the following junior records, all available through the Cycling Australia Website:
http://www.cycling.org.au/?Page=17340
U17 Men Category
500m Standing
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 33.760 Ben Kersten NSW 22.03.1997 Launceston, TAS
200m Flying
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 11.200 Scott Law NSW 26.01.2007 Sydney, NSW
U15 Men Category
200m Flying
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 11.865 Jeone Park SA 17.03.2011 Sydney, NSW
500m Standing
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 35.329 Jeone Park SA 17.03.2011 Sydney, NSW
U19 Men Category200m Flying
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
World 9.899* Max Niederlag GER 19.08.2011 Moscow, RUS
Australian 10.165 Luke Parker VIC 19.08.2011 Moscow, RUS
All Comers 10.356 Sam Webster NZL 15.01.2009 Sydney, NSW
Aust C'ship 10.410 Matthew Glaetzer NSW 03.02.2010 Adelaide, SA
* pending UCI ratification
U17 Women Category200m Flying
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 12.160 Kerrie Meares QLD 20.03.1997 Launceston, TAS
500m Standing
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 36.170 Kerrie Meares QLD 14.03.1998 Adelaide, SA
U15 Women Category200m Flying
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 12.859 Courtney Field VIC 17.03.2011 Sydney, NSW
500m Standing
Record Time Competitor State Date Location
Australian 37.589 Courtney Field VIC 17.03.2011 Sydney, NSW
Road Racing
Our friends from the Randwick Botany Club have extended an invitation to DHBC Juniors with racing licences. See the information below:
Saturday Racing: Subject to the weather racing is on this Saturday 29th October with a 2:00pm start as usual. Remember to check the website for any last minute changes - http://www.randwickbotanycc.com/news.htm
Extracyctacular News
Congratulations to Simon and Jessica for bagging a new house nearby the Velodrome... and we would like to see how the baby bump is going soon too!
That's all for this week,
till next time... keep rolling!
Michelle Brown
DHBC Juniors
0412 442 550