Velo Kids

Track bike and Infield introduction.

If the child is here for the first time, have their parents sign a waiver. Adopt a low key approach over fees. Bike rental fees for kids are waived. If the parents plan on bringing the child back regularly, there is a $100 velo kids membership fee that should be paid. It is okay if they take a few sessions to decide.
Fit child to suitable bike. For seat height, heel on pedal at bottom point with slight knee bend is good place to start. Check for pant cuffs that are not tied in. Duct tape ankle if necessary, pay special attention to right (chain) side. Tuck loose laces into shoes. Supply helmet from bin under table make sure strap fits well.
Explain briefly direct drive concept for slowing down and controlling bike, how to start off with pedal up and forward, pushing down to get going and up onto seat. Explain no need to use toe clips to start just ride bike around infield to get the feel of how it is different from their regular bike.
Watch kids as they ride around and as they become more comfortable, have them try to get feet into toeclips by flipping the pedal on the way down. Avoid looking down too much as this will result in possible crashes into the boards!
Those that show they have mastered getting feet in should be encouraged to weave the bike in and out of a line of orange cones placed in a line on one side of the infield oval. Cones should not be too close together at this point as some will find toeclip overlap very disconcerting and get scared if they are not that confident.
For those that look comfortable and safe put out the pop bottles with water in them. Explain that they should try to pick them up and put them down again without them falling over. If they have trouble grabbing a bottle, suggest they start just knocking it down with the palm of their hand to start. This gets them putting the hand in the right place without losing too much control as concentration is taken away from steering. After knocking a few over they will naturally progress to the pickup. Putting the bottle down is always more difficult. It must be placed on the floor as any drop distance will cause it to fall over. Try to place it slightly in front of you and steadily on the floor as you ride by it in a smooth motion.

First Laps

1. Get kids into manageably sized groups. If a lot are out split them up into 2 groups. Likewise, if there is a large difference in skill levels leave those who are not yet ready to move up on the track on the infield to gain more confidence with their bike handling exercises. Switch groups later.

2. Take the group to the edge of the track, minus bikes. Stand a couple of feet up on the straight so that you are higher than them. Then explain what they are going to be doing next. Show the cones on the red line. Explain that they will be riding OVER the cones as they are moved up the track on both straights.

3. Pay special attention to the issue of shoulder checks. Shoulder checks are fundamental to the safety of all riders on the track at all times, in all situations. Demonstrate how the shoulder check is performed by walking along the Cote towards the cone, looking over the right shoulder to go up onto the track and then over the left shoulder to come down or exit the track.

4. Place three cones on the straights both sides of the track, with help from a second volunteer. Place the centre cone on the red line. Place the other two on the black line before transition one and after transition four so that riders have plenty of space to enter and exit the track over the cones without having to negotiate a steep incline. Riders should be able to come on and off at a low angle safely on the straight without getting close to the banking.

5. With the second volunteer mimicking the actions on the opposite side, stand in the centre of the track before the first transition to prevent anyone from going too far. The riders should be heading down to the Cote underneath you and before they get into the banking at too low a speed.

6. As the riders come around the Track riding 3-4 bike lengths apart, call instructions about controlling the bike on the uphill and especially the downhill part of the straight. They should be able to control their speed so that they maintain their distance from each other. Watch carefully for shoulder checking and remind those who forget as they come by.

7. As you see the progression of the procession, have them do a lap out of the saddle every so often, to change the dynamic and enhance the skill level. At appropriate points as you see the confidence increasing move to raise the cones on the straight. Leave the end ones in place and move the centre one up, Halfway to the blue, on the blue, halfway to the yellow and at the yellow line. Add one or two cones to define the line up and down the track.

8. At the yellow line after a few laps have them take a hand off the bars and touch the rail. This will really show who has the highest comfort levels regarding bike control. Time on this exercise will be dictated by number of riders, groups and speed of learning. If more than one group, switch over and send first group back to infield for water, rest and more skills ie, bottle pickup toeclip/strap practice etc.

9. Once all participants have done the exercise it should be apparent if there are any who are not ready to go onto the track. If so talk to them and ask them to come back next week for sure and go through the process again as you don’t want them to get hurt by falling off. Some kids need a little longer than others, but all can do it if they keep trying. Have them stay on the infield and keep practicing.

10. Take the others to the start line area explain that they are now going to get the chance to ride individually on the track and they must listen very carefully to instructions given. Ask for a volunteer or choose the most accomplished individual in the group. Tell them to ride on the Cote until you say otherwise. Remind them to get their feet in the clips before leaving the concrete area of the track.

11. As they ride the Cote tell them to pick up the speed/pedal faster, correct grip positions, hold the drops for a more stable ride. When the rider is going fast enough tell them to stay on the black line, all the time giving encouragement. Make sure the rider keeps the speed high enough to stay on the track. Give them 5-6 laps of looking comfortable, then ask them to come down onto the Cote and slow down and come off. They will tire fairly quickly at this point with all the nervous energy expended anyway. As soon as the rider is off the Cote get the next one up and go through all the participants.

12. If time permits do a second run on the track with each rider and make it a flying lap at the end. Give them the time when they come off and tell them that they should be able to improve this time significantly if they come back next week and do it again, now that they are beginning to get the hang of it.

13. Be sure to thank everyone for coming to the FCV and tell them that they can come every week and as they get better and better we will teach them how to ride Higher and faster as they develop their skills. If there are any racers at the track while the group are still there have the experienced rider demonstrate a flying lap from the yellow line for them explaining the reason for the line taken etc.

14. Leaving the track with an image of speed in their heads should give them something to think about and hopefully talk about over the next week before they return for another go at the most fun you can have on two wheels. Ask them to bring a friend next time too if they can!

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