The Tour of France is over for another year and so top of everyone’s minds (perhaps more on a local level than international) will be the Corporate Pursuit event to be held on the Velodrome in August. Training is well underway for teams and the very popular Roller Racing at the Lone star has been completed and has added what I think is another great dimension to the event.
From a parents point of view (rather than Exec member) there are some really great programmes out there for our local kids. I have a 10 year old and 12 year old both involved in the Wheelers and Flyers groups which train at the velodrome. Invercargill kids are very fortunate to be introduced to this sport at an early age and gain experience on the track . Not only is there track time but the older kids also have the option of attending group circuit training at the local gyms 2 mornings a week and during the recent school holidays sessions were held at Splash Palace as well. These initial groups are part of a pathway for young riders mapped out by Cycling Southland which leads to membership in Age Group squads which race on the road and track and then lead into Southland Champs and Age Group Champs. Surely with all this attention and exposure to the track and cross training the province should be producing some high quality cyclists in years to come.
Finally a bit of technical information which may be of interest…. It is worth spending time and money on the contact points you have with your bike... Ensuring the saddle, shoes and handlebars are comfortable, and are in the right position, make the difference between hours of enjoyable riding versus a trip to the physio clinic. The $15 you spend on cork bar tape (and the enjoyment you will derive from practicing wrapping your own bar tape!) is far more important than the hundreds you spend on your GPS unit or the thousands you spend on the name of that flashy Italian frame!
Toni Green