|
Integrating Youth and New Riders It is particularly important to welcome and accommodate newer riders and youth. When someone arrives at a session whom you do not know, be especially concerned to make them feel at home. Introduce yourself and ask them what sort of experience they have. If they are fresh out of track 1 or have only a little experience, be prepared to spend one or more sessions helping them find their way. Note that some riders will require less assistance than others. If someone does not want any help, do not force it on them just because they are new. They may in fact not need it. If observation shows that a new rider does need assistance, avoid shouting or complaining of the person’s mistakes in front of others. It is particularly dangerous to command a new rider to get off the track. This can cause them to attempt to leave the track too quickly, producing a crash that would otherwise not have happened. The one exception is when people go too slowly. Then do shout to get them to speed up or move down on the blue band. Always use the person’s name, so that they know you are talking to them, and say something unambiguous, like “faster!” or “speed up!” Note that many people will not understand phrases like “pick it up.” For other problems, get the regulars to give the person a lot of room, quietly and calmly get them off the track as soon as possible, and speak to the person politely and out of earshot of others. If the person is only making minor mistakes, it is best to wait until they come off the track for a break and then approach them, explain what they have done wrong and why it constitutes a danger, and ask them to try to avoid making that mistake again. Most new riders will appreciate any assistance you are willing to give them. Newer riders will not be able to hold a wheel, so you will have to follow them instead. Guide them up onto the track, look at how they are riding, talk to them about what they need to do to get more comfortable, and get them to start doing exercises like shoulder checking while holding a line, riding out of the saddle, and riding one handed. If a number of new riders show up, ask a regular for assistance, or take them up in groups of two or three. Most people need to get a number of laps in before they can ride comfortably enough to manage the drills in track 2. After Track 1, rec. sessions are their main opportunity to do that. Rec session leaders have an important role to play in ensuring that they get that opportunity in a supportive, welcoming environment. Newer riders also need practice getting on and off the track safely. Getting off is particularly challenging, as most will either come off the track at too high a speed to turn on the concrete, or stay on at too low a speed to stick to the track through the turns. They need someone behind them telling them to stay on the track or get down onto the blue band as the occasion warrants. It is important to make newer riders understand that while we want them to get on and off on the back stretch, we don’t want them to crash in the attempt. Better to stay on the blue band through turns three and four if you are going too fast or drop down onto the blue band through 1 and 2 if you are going too slow. Getting off smartly on the back stretch takes practice, and newer riders need to have an opportunity to get that practice. Keep following and advising them until they can manage it. New riders should not be riding at or above the blue line, changing the lead in pace lines or passing over top of other riders. As soon as they are comfortable doing laps, they should be sent to Track 2 or skills and drills to acquire those abilities. In the meantime, they may encounter difficulties if there are riders of varying speeds traveling on the black line. If you notice newer riders slamming on the breaks as they encounter slower riders on the black line, you may need to lead them around the track yourself, showing them how to signal, shoulder check, use the stick word, and pass over when it is safe to do so. Since you can’t do two things at once (follow the newest rider and lead a group of newer riders around the track) you may need to have the new riders come on and off the track in groups. |