Schedule

Riding at the Forest City Velodrome

The objective of the Forest City Velodrome Association is to provide a venue where cyclists of all skill levels and cycling backgrounds can enjoy the thrill of velodrome cycling. Whether through Track School programs to introduce new riders to the skills to allow them to safely enjoy the speed and thrills of the track or elite-level racing showcased on Saturday nights, the Forest City Velodrome Association has a program for you.

To ensure the safety of all, no rider will be allowed to race in a mass start race without first having completed eight hours of practice track time on the Forest City Velodrome. This requirement may be waived for experienced track riders who can demonstrate their ability to hold a straight line and their knowledge of track etiquette. Such riders will still need to arrive at the track early enough to participate in a track orientation session.

Riders must sand the shine off any new slick (treadless) tires or they may slide down the track on their first corner (80-grit sandpaper stapled to a block of wood works well).

Weekly Track Schedule

Note that the schedule can change due to track closures for special events, so please check our Track Closures section for notices of all upcoming schedule changes.

Special Bookings

If you, your school, cycling club or any other organization would like to book the track for training sessions or camps, please contact Rob Good at Rob.Good@ForestCityVelodrome.ca or (519) 883-7849.

Track School

The Forest City Velodrome offers a Track School whereby riders acquire the skills they need to enjoy the track safely, either as recreational riders or competitive racers. All new riders start with Track 1, which is a prerequisite for all other track riding.

Our 3pm Saturday "Velo Kids" session offers an opportunity for ongoing practice to those who either have some difficulty getting used to the track bike or need to develop more strength to sustain the speeds necessary to ride on the track. Your Track 1 instructor will refer you to Velo Kids if necessary.

All Track 1 graduates are encouraged to begin regular attendance at Monday night "Skills and Drills" sessions, where they will get ongoing training in controlling the track bike and riding the track safely and confidently. They are also encouraged to attend Rec. sessions, where they are permitted to ride below the red line, and asked to refrain from overtaking. Monday and Tuesday evening Rec. sessions and Wednesday afternoon "Huff 'n Puff" sessions are particularly recommended for new riders.

Riders interested in unrestricted recreational riding or racing must either complete our "Track 2" course or attend Monday "Skills and Drills" sessions, which offer an equivalent to the "Track 2" course. Upon completion of Track 2, riders can ride anywhere on the track during recreational sessions and will know how to overtake safely and ride in pace lines. Those interested in doing so are also permitted to attend Wednesday night race training or Thursday night interval training sessions. Track 2 courses are offered on a monthly basis by appointment.

The Forest City Velodrome offers a wide range of programs for the recreational rider. These sessions offer a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere for the fitness rider with some skill building instruction and practice. Racing is not allowed in recreational sessions! However, your session leader may ask you to participate in the occasional drill to improve everyone's performance -- or just have fun.

While the progression from Track 1 through "Skills and Drills" to Track 2 and on to race training is ideal, not all riders may be able to attend all sessions all the time and some may already possess many of the skills the sessions aim to teach. Out of town riders and those with track racing experience should consult their session leaders about their training needs.

What to Bring to Track School

• Your own pedals and shoes if you have them (toe-clips and strap pedals are available for those who don't); pedals should be only finger tightened on the cranks but may need to be wrenched off at the end of the session; please bring your own pedal wrench
• Running shoes for those who will use toe-clips and straps (the less knobby tread on the soles the better!);
• Helmet, shorts, socks, shirt, gloves are needed;
• Warm clothes in the winter for riding and waiting between drills (loose pants or loose shoe laces are not acceptable!);
• Water to drink; and
• please bring your own pump.

Please read the Track Rules and Etiquette page before riding the track.

Track 1 and 2 sessions must be pre-booked with the session instructor. Recreational and "Skills and Drills" sessions do not require prebooking.

Rental Bikes at FCV. The only adjustment riders are permitted to make to the rental bikes is to raise or lower the seat, and attach or remove pedals. Please do not replace or adjust handlebars, stems, seats, wheels, chains, sprockets, cogs, chainrings, etc. without permission.

Volunteers keep our fleet of bikes in good working order, Please do not make more work for them by changing things on the bikes.

Track School Passports

Entrants into the velodrome's Track School system will be issued a passport card at their first session. This card is to be retained and presented to each session leader as proof of ability and skill level attained. Session leaders will initial the card upon successful completion of each level.

Track Closures

Friday, February 5: 6-7:30 pm Skills session canceled. Track open for Winter Nationals race training.

Saturday, February 6: Afternoon Velo Kids and Youth Training sessions suspended for the FCV Winter Nationals -- Kids racing begins at 7.00.

Back to Top

Track 1: Initiation Session
(to be taken by all new riders to the track)

Prerequisite: the ability to ride 25 kph for a few minutes.

Develop the skills to ride safely on the Forest City Velodrome. Learn track safety, track etiquette and technical skills.  Riders of all abilities welcome. You will learn:

• basic track skills;
• riding fixed wheel with your pedal systems or toe clips and straps;
• bike control;
• solo laps; and
• group riding in line.

For more on how to prepare for Track 1 and what to expect, see our participant's guide.

These sessions must be booked in advance.
For Saturday or Sunday sessions, please pre-register at info@forestcityvelodrome.ca

These sessions are usually over subscribed so you will need to book several weeks in advance. In the email please indicate a primary date and a secondary date that you wish to attend.

For updated registration information go to the Home page of the FCV website.

You must complete this Track 1 course to the satisfaction of the instructor to progress to Track 2 and Recreational sessions.

Contact: Saturday, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Info@ForestCityVelodrome.ca

Back to Top

Recreational Riding

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Track 1.

This session offers an opportunity for cyclists of all skill levels to develop their fitness and enjoy riding on the smooth, wind-free, traffic-free environment of the velodrome. This session is a drop-in session.

Talk to your session leader to learn additional skills during your riding time, this will make your step to track 2 much more easy.

Contact: Monday, 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dennis Higgins
Contact: Tuesday, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Contact: Tuesday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rob Fournier
Contact: Wednesday, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rob Good, (519) 883-7849
Contact: Thursday, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Alan Dennis
Contact: Saturday, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Don Grandy, (519) 886-5749
Contact: Sunday, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Rob Fournier

Back to Top

Huff 'n Puff

Prerequisite: Track 2

A dedicated session for our older (60+) and slower (33 km max) riders. If you are old but not slow, please go to another session. If you are slow but not old, you may attend with permission of the session leader.

No advance booking is required but completion of track 2 is a pre-requisite. No new riders, please.

Contact: Tuesday, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Contact: Wednesday, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Ernie Regan and Magnus Graham, (519) 681-9454

Back to Top

Skills & Drills

Prerequisite: Track 1 and the ability to ride 25-30 kph.

This is a drop-in session focused on low speed drills designed to improve your control of the track bike and confidence on the track.

Most drills will be done on the concrete, on rollers, or on the track below the blue line. Emphasis is on giving recent Track 1 graduates an opportunity to develop the skills to ride well during recreational sessions and go on to more advanced training sessions. Drills to improve fitness, speed and strength may also be included for those who have an interest. Regular participants are considered to have completed Track 2 and can have their passports initialed by the session leader.

Contact: Saturday, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Rob Good, (519) 883-7849

Back to Top

Skills Development

Prerequisite: Track 1

These skills sessions will be introduced as a break during a recreational riding session to help riders enhance their skills.

Examples of drills during this time include riding out of the saddle; switching hand positions and shoulder checking while holding a line; moving up and down the track in the banking without loosing energy or running up on those in front of you; riding in pacelines with coaching on proper technique for making efficient exchanges, and riding in double pace lines on the black and red.

Try it you will enjoy it, plus your riding will improve.

Contact: Sunday, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Dennis Higgins

Back to Top

Track 2: Group Riding and Track Skills Sessions
(These sessions are offered on an "as needed" basis depending on registration numbers)

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Track 1 and the ability to ride 30 kph for 10 minutes.

Develop your confidence riding in small groups on the track. This session provides instruction on mastering paceline riding‚ the basis of all track riding.

Offering an introduction to many basic track skills, this session gets you comfortable riding on all areas of the track in various situations. This is a fun session that will improve your comfort level on the track. This session is also a refresher for those who have been away from the track for one or more months and those needing extra instruction.

Track 2 sessions must be pre-booked.  Class size is limited.

Your instructor is: Sunday (pre-reg only):
Rob Fournier

Back to Top

Velo-Kids

This structured introductory program is designed for new riders and young people under 14 who have just started coming to the track. It will help build confidence and skills on the Forest City Velodrome. Velo-Kids activities are age- and ability-based. Riders can move from one category to another as their skills increase.

Categories:
Junior-Pee Wee - ages 7 years - 10 years
Junior-Sport - ages 10 years - 12 years
Junior-Teen - ages 11 years - 14 years
New riders of other categories welcome

NoteVelo Kids sessions run concurrently with Youth Workouts.

Contact: Saturday, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Back to Top

Youth Workouts (experienced Velo-Kids)

Prerequisite: Velo-Kids

This program offers youth-oriented skills and drills designed to teach track etiquette and build strength and endurance. It is perfect for riders from 12-18 who have already developed the ability to ride on the Velodrome and are looking for fun, hard, fast, riding, an opportunity to improve their fitness, and a bit of a challenge.

During each session the riders will do skills and drills to increase their Speed, Strength and Endurance.

Categories:
Cadet - ages 12 years - 16 years
Junior - ages 14 years plus

Contact: Saturday, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Rob Good, (519) 883-7849

Back to Top

Sport Paceline Riding

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Track 1 and 2 along with the ability to ride 35 kph for extended periods of time in a paceline.

Build fitness through the winter. This will be a faster than normal, steady paceline workout (no sprints). Two lines form, one on the black at 35-37 km/h, the other on the blue at 38-42 km/h. Where numbers warrant, a line splits in two sections, maintaining a 1/2 lap separation. Passing is not allowed. Lead riders must give up the lead every second lap. Participants should have the fitness to hold the speed and be comfortable riding at close quarters. Those who cannot hold the speed on the blue must move to the black. Those who cannot hold the speed on the black should go to a recreational session. Those wanting to go faster than 42 km/h should go to a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday training session.

This session is a drop-in session.

Contact: Sunday, 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Back to Top

Skills & Drills 2

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Track 1 and 2 along with the ability to ride 38 kph for 10 minutes.

This session offers structured drills as well as faster group riding, advanced skills, and workouts to improve speed, strength, and fitness. It provides good experience for those interested in more challenging recreational riding and an intermediate alternative for those interested in high-performance riding.

This session is a drop-in session.

Contact: Thursday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rob Fournier and Dennis Higgins,

Back to Top

Structured Training: Skills & Workouts

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Track 1 and 2 plus experience from Skills & Drills session riding or special permission of the session leader. Riders must be able to maintain 40 kph for 10 minutes.

This session offers a mixture of high intensity Structured drills with race simulations. The workouts will make you more confident and raise your skill level for road races and racing at the Forest City Velodrome. You will experience the thrill of racing in a classroom setting. Race simulations will be analyzed after the finish, so that each athlete will be instructed on how to react and race more effectively.

During each session, Madison team training will be part of the workout.

If you want to race on Saturday nights and improve your fitness come to this session!

Contact: Wednesday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rob Good, (519) 883-7849

Back to Top

Racer Evaluation and Orientation

A class where experienced out-of-town riders can be evaluated for their ability to ride safely on the track prior to Saturday's race night. Riders will be instructed on the rules, safety drills and features of the Forest City Velodrome.

Saturdays, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, open to race entrants only.

Contact: Saturday, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Back to Top

Race Night

Prerequisite: Please note that to ensure the safety of all, no rider will be allowed to race in a mass start race without first having completed eight hours of practice track time on the Forest City Velodrome. This requirement may be waived for experienced track riders who can demonstrate their ability to hold a straight line and their knowledge of track etiquette. Such riders will still need to arrive at the track early enough to participate in the Racer Evaluation and Orientation session.

Participate either in the London Track League events (mass start events of various lengths and formats, seeded by ability into "A" and "B" groups) or the Madison Team Racing.

Check the race calendar regularly for updates.

Race warm-up and orientation: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm (race entrants only)

Racing: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Bike rentals available.

Contact: Saturday, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Rob Good, (519) 883-7849

Back to Top