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If
ever
you
thought
of
joining
others
in a
group
ride
or
racing
with
a
cycling
club,
were
glad
you
found
us.
This
year
will
be
one
of
the
best
ever
and
you’ll
be
delighted
you
came
along.
With
more
popular
events
planned
than
ever
before,
closed
permit
roads,
more
spectator
events
,
better
member
services,
better
graded
events
and
higher
number
of
riders…
you
will
be
coming
along
to a
club
that
puts
you
in
front.
Our
new
Summer
season
includes
Melbourne’s
best
Thursday
night
twilight
rides
at
Sandown
Raceway
which
sees
over
300
entrants
and
7
grades
or
riders
from
25kph
to
40+kph.
Its
easy
to
find
a
grade
to
enter
and
you
can
settle
in
to
your
current
fitness
pace.
This
is a
fantastic
night
after
work
and
the
club
hires
out
the
track
exclusive
to
SVCC.
All
CA,
ADF
and
club
members
may
enter.
Our
Winter
season
includes
long
distance
road
rides,
crits,
public
events
and
lots
more.
Rides
are
available
every
week
all
year
long.
See
membership
details,
its
easy
to
join
at
any
time
of
the
year.
No
cars
on
the
track,
just
hundreds
of
riders
competing
for
approx
1
hour
around
the
smooth
surface
all
eager
to
be
in
the
first
bunch.
Its
so
much
fun
and
rewarding.
To
participate,
you
need
to
be a
SVCC
member.
Read
more
about
joining
here
or
come
along
and
try
a
few
start
rides
here.
Also,
This
year
there
are
more
special
events
for
all
grades
starting
and
improvements
to
our
members
favorite
events,
more
family
involvement,
larger
crowds,
more
rider
development
and
in
general,
lots
more
fun.
If
masters
cycling
is
the
new
golf,
then
SVCC
puts
you
in
front.
SVCC
is a
club
for
30+
years
riders
and
families.
Events
are
held
weekly
so
you
can
plan
your
entries
around
your
lifestyle.
Membership
also
includes
a
cycling
license
and
rider
insurance
for
events
and
training.
Our
specialized
insurance
policy
gives
you
peace
of
mind
when
your
out
on
your
bike.
This
extended
policy
is
another
step
in
making
SVCC
a
member
based
club
that
puts
you
in
front.
You
can
participate
weekly,
monthly
or
every
now
and
then
with
Southern.
SVCC
Members
regularly
go
out
on
group
training
rides
together
pre
race
day
so
you
can
always
find
a
partner
or
bunch
of
friends.
Come
along
and
try
Joining
a
cycling
club
Joining
a
cycling
club
is a
great
idea
for
you...
and
your
family.
Joining
a
cycling
club
gives
you
fantastic
benefits
along
with
giving
your
family
an
enjoyment
of
seeing
you
complete
goals,
being
in a
sport,
interacting
with
other
people
and
importantly,
gives
you
and
your
partner
a
commitment
of
fitness
that
will
carry
through
for
many
years.
The
riding
is
super
fun,
but
it
is
the
extended
energy
you
gain
outside
the
ride
that
is
the
real
benefit.
Also,
It
is
brilliant
for
showing
your
kids
/
grandchildren
a
healthy
lifestyle
and
sport
in
which
mum
or
dad
keeps
trying...
trying...
trying...
and
winning.
It
gives
great
benefits
for
the
whole
family,
plus,
you
as a
rider
become
fitter
than
you
were
in
years.
Cycling
is a
minimal
stress
sport
on
the
body,
So,
if
your
starting
at
30
years
of
age,
50
or
70,
SVCC
rides
are
graded
for
new
members
to
start
at
any
time.
Most
of
our
events
are
within
20 -
60
minutes
drive
from
Melbourne
and
we
have
members
from
all
around
Melbourne,
inner
suburbs,
outer
suburbs,
Gippsland,
The
Peninsula,
Bellarine,
Central
Victoria
and
around
Australia.
We'd
love
to
see
you
join.
Talk
it
over
with
your
partner,
kids
and
colleagues
etc.
Its
a
great
idea.
First Time Racing
Come along and watch a cycling race or two before competing, ask lots of questions and observe how others are
geared, what apparel, kit etc.
Check all your gear the night before and recheck before packing.
Arrive nice and early, 1 hour or more early so you have lots of time to register,
warm up and talk with other riders, ride the course and rest before race begins.
Come to the 'signing-in' table to meet the handicapper and tell him/her that it is your "first time". The chances are that you'll
be a bit nervous, but we'll look after you. Have an idea of the kilometres that you have done over the last month or so, as this will help
us decide which grade to first start you in.
Inform us if you have any medical problems or history that we should know about.
As with general road riding a helmet is compulsory, and importantly must conform to
the 2004 Australian Standard (it will have the relevant sticker inside). It must be noted that helmets purchased overseas will not have this
necessary approval.
Your bike should be road/race worthy for the event.
When we race Criteriums and Track, you may not have accessories attached to your bike. No pump, lights, tyre repair kits, attachments or
loose pieces. Items that may fall loose or drop off must be removed pre race.
When we race Open Road Racing, long distance etc, this allows a full kit with pump, lights, jersey pocket accessories etc.
Items such as missing handle bar bung ends must be replaced.
Ask the Club Captain for an 'Escort Ride' around course pre race and get live tips and advice
about corners, bunch etiquette, where to accelerate, decellerate, rest while riding, dangers etc. Ask for help, we have plenty of people willing
to be mentors and pass on the experience that they have and every grade has people who will help you.
Warming up and pre race body preparation. Arrive early and stretch your body and muscles,
perform a warm up ride of about 5 km nearby or on the circuit. A 3 to 5 km ride will give you a better start, longer endurance and gets your
legs, body and muscles and levels ready for a race. Warm up by riding fast cadence, slow grinds, rapid sprints etc, all the things that you can
anticipate for that course.
Get to know the track - any noticeable rises and corners. Get your heart rate up, so that your lungs have been
opened.
Have a full bidon / water bottle for the race (750 mls /hr is a rough guide). On a
hot day have two bottles - one for the warm-up and one for the race. Ditch warm-up one for the race proper. Come to the venue well hydrated, well
fuelled (refer to the A.I.S. website for more information on eating/drinking times before races).
Be on the starting line five minutes before 'the starting gun' and listen to the pre-race briefing. Our starters should know that you
are a beginner.
During the Race
Hide in the bunch preferably at the front rather than the back. You will find it more
difficult at the back because of the surges and attacks, especially on the hills. If struggling on the hills try and move to the front at the
bottom of the hill and drift back through the bunch as you climb - and do it each lap. Watch out for the 'drop kick effect' when a rider
stands up and his bike 'comes back' towards you. To avoid this don't follow too close or overlap the wheel in front.
Avoid wheel overlapping and riding half wheel. Keep your riding safe by being behind
a rider rather than slightly left or right where wheels might touch.
Stay lucid in your body, relaxed arms, and eyes always to the front (if you turn your
head your bike will sway close to others). Stay on the drops when riding into a headwind. Do a short turn if you find yourself at the front -
you will gain the respect of your fellow riders if you
'do a turn'.
Be aware of other passing grades and, if your group is passing a grade give a wide
birth. Do not pull in front of another group as soon as you have passed them. Remember that your group may be up to 50 metres long.
Sharp Corners and pedal position
The inside pedal should be up when cornering to avoid your pedals hitting the ground
causing unbalance and mishap.
The Bell Lap
Position, position, position. Good luck but maintain your 'real estate' - riders do try and take it all the time. Give way to other grades
that are on their bell lap. In the sprint hold your line once the sprint has started. Do not cut any corners or ride underneath someone at any time in the race or in the sprint.
In the sprint, pedal with with power and cadence, keep riding straight.
DO NOT TAKE YOU HANDS OFF THE BARS ACROSS THE FINISH.
So you think you have a place, claim it with the finish line judges.
We try and wrap up the presentation as soon as possible after the races. Cash prizes
are given.
Start your recovery as soon as you finish. Drink, drink, drink & refuel, eat something. Muscle recovery begins with eating.
The next day
You can get out on your bike
and ride over flat terrain spinning your legs to get rid of your soreness. If you can't get out, jump on the ergo/wind trainer or rollers
and spin the legs for 30-45 minutes keeping your heart rate down.
Note: Information given here is not SVCC policy, but a guide to help the novice competitor.
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