The Sundrive Velodrome Committee has scheduled ten dates for accreditation in Dublin for those who wish to get involved in track racing at the Sundrive Track in 2014. Five of these opportunities will come before the Summer Track League, with a further three scheduled in advance of major National Championships races like the Omnium, Keirin, Team Events and Autumn Track League. The final opportunity will be 26th July a little over a month prior to the Senior National Track Championships.
Gaining accreditation ensures that riders have the basic level of skill required to participate, safely, in training sessions. Riders are required to participate in at least one further full training session subsequent to the accreditation session in order for the coaches to assess their ability. Should the rider attain the required skills standard they will be ‘signed off’ and issued with an accreditation ‘pink slip’. Once the rider has a ‘pink slip’ they will be allowed to partake in competition.
2014 Dates for Accreditation at Sundrive Track below
Saturday 15th February 12.30
Saturday 1st March 12.30
Saturday 15th March 12.30
Saturday 5th April 12.30
Saturday 12th April 12.30
Saturday 19th April 14.00 **
Saturday 26th April 14.00 **
(Pre League intro to Racing for 2nd Stage Accreditees)
Saturday 24th May 14.00 **
Saturday 21st June 14.00 **
Saturday 26th July 14.00 ** (Final Accreditation for 2014)
** On these dates New U10/12/U14 riders will be accomodated during the youth Session at 12.30. Apart from Accreditation dates we will accept new youth riders during the first two weeks of the month at any youth specific session
Sundrive Summer League
Wed April 30th to Wed June18th (8 Weeks)
Informal racing and prize giving on Monday 23rd June
Sundrive Autumn League
Wed July 2nd to Wed August 20th (8 Weeks)
Informal racing and prize giving on Wednesday 27th August
Accreditation Costs at Sundrive
- Senior €10 & €5 bike hire
- Youth/Unwaged €5 & €2 bike hire
Season Training Fees
- Senior €30 (or €5 per session)
- Student/Unwaged/ Junior €20 (or €5 per session)
- Youth U12/U14/U16 €10 (or €3 per session)
- Family €40
- Bike hire is charged in excess to above
- Senior €5 / Unwaged €2
Training for Accredited Riders
- Every Saturday from 1st February at 1030 (bike hire 1010 to 1025)
- Senior / Junior / U16
- Eamonn Ceannt Stadium, Sundrive Road
Youth Training
- U10/U12/U14/ Novice U16 Saturdays at 1230 (bike hire 1210 to 1225)
- Eamonn Ceannt Stadium, Sundrive Road
Please note also that once again this year the accreditation will be a two-stage process. Basic skills and ability to participate in normal track training will be acquired on the scheduled dates below. But all riders will have to partake in at least one further normal training session where they will have to develop those skills and demonstrate their ability to perform them at speed safely before being allowed to race. We have also scheduled a Pre League ‘Introduction to Racing Day’ on 26th April for those who have completed the first two stages of their accreditation in advance of our Summer League
We would urge those who are interested in exploring this aspect of our sport to get involved early in the season. It takes time to develop the skills required and time even for the most able of road riders to do themselves justice on the track and indeed it takes time to be able to do all of this safely. The technical aspects of sprinting and standing starts take longer to master and this is something that most won’t appreciate until they measure themselves against those who have put in the time. We can teach you, but the earlier you come to us – the more you can learn!
We have an extensive fleet of track bikes for hire and very experienced coaches on hand to help you make the transition. All hire bikes are fitted with either Look Delta (old type) pedals or toe strap and gearing is restricted to 49×16. This gearing is fine for training and developing cadence, but anyone looking to progress in the sport would eventually have to think about getting their own bike. But, as I say, we have hire bikes to help you get up and running.
There are of course benefits to taking in all aspects of our sport and we like to encourage and welcome everyone. Track helps you improve your pedaling, pace judgement, explosive power, seated acceleration and tactical awareness. But most importantly it is technically challenging and fun! Naturally it is those who put in the most time on the track who will excel, especially with the sprint events.
If you want to find out more about events at Sundrive Velodrome
please email: sundrive@trackcycling.ie