Anyone cycle competitively?

[Colin D'Cops]

Thread title speaks for itself.

I have never cycled competitively, nor do I actually own a bike at the moment. I had a bike, an el cheapo from K-Mart, and enjoyed riding that about half a dozen years ago.

After watching the Tour De France over the last few years and the Olympics this year however, I have a small fire burning wanting to get in the thick of it competitively - sprint cycling in the velodrome specifically. After stopping tennis competitively only 2 years ago at a really high level, I believe the time is now to give something else a crack (am 19).

Not sure if it's something actually worth dedicating countless hours to however, and worth studying part-time (am studying FT Law at moment). I guess there's a few Q's I have before getting involved:
* Is there regular sprint prize money competitions?
* How is the current state of our cycling in Australia, particularly Vic?
* Do many athletes start riding young like in other sports?

Any discussion regarding competitive cycling and your experiences are encouraged.

 

[Freakie]

Ok where to start. I haven't raced competivetily in the last 2 yeasr (young family), but the cycling scene in Vic is pretty healthy. St Kilda CC and Caulfield Carnegie CC are the two "big" clubs in Southern Melbourne (not sure of the northern combine clubs).

In terms of racing CCCC and SKCC put on weekly criteriums in summer (twice weekly for CCCC) which are graded depending on your ability and experience. Most start off in E grade (or D grade depending on numbers) with A grade the top level of club cycling. Each grade usually has about 50 riders on average, when the weather is nice the numbers swell to about 70 per grade. Winner of each grade usually takes some prize money, the bigger the field the bigger the prize purse (I've won $100 in a B grade race with 85 riders in it).

CCCC have an active junior program but most riders start late in life

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Cheers Freakie.

Might get in contact with a few clubs and suss out the situation then in a couple of months time.

 

[dart]

i had my first go in a velodrome today (Speed Dome in Perth), it was a 2 hour beginner style session (helping a friend raise money for a charity ride).

looked pretty scary at first, ie the steepness plus i'd never ridden a fixie before.

but once we were on the track it didn't take too long to get the hang of it and it was an absolute truckload of fun, cannot wait to go back.

1000 x

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Great reminder, thanks for that Dart.

Just waiting for Uni to finish up for the year and will then give it a crack

 

[dart]

my friend contemplating the steepness of the track: