Track cycling coaching

LVYCC offers coaching sessions and social ride opportunities for 6 to 18 year olds to enjoy cycling, socialise and enjoy the sport. We are part of the British Cycling organisation as an accredited Go-Ride club.

We organise regular track cycling coaching sessions at Lee Valley Velopark’s indoor velodrome at the Olympic Park, Stratford. These sessions take place on midweek evenings. Please check the Events page to find out when the next one is.

The sessions are open to LVYCC members aged ten and above, but numbers are limited and there is a priority system in place if the sessions are oversubscribed. They are designed for novice riders right through to accredited racing riders. The focus is on track skills and tactics for racing. We encourage young riders who want to train for racing, and develop and support those who have the ability through to the British Cycling Talent Pathway.

The cost for our track cycling sessions varies. This is higher than our road and MTB sessions because of the cost of hiring the track at Lee Valley Velodrome. If you need to, track bikes are available to hire from the Velodrome.

All riders are required to sign-on prior to the session and a parent or guardian is required to remain on-site for the duration of the session.

Email track@lvycc.co.uk for more information and to book a session.

Find out more about track cycling with British Cycling’s guide.

Frequently asked questions

You can hire a track bike from the Lee Valley Velodrome for £10 a session, but riders need to be at least 145cm tall. The hire bikes are fitted with Look pedals, so you will need Look Keo cleats on your cycling shoes. You can hire these shoes for £6 a session from the Lee Valley Velodrome.
If you want to race you’ll need your own track bike or a loan bike from LVYCC. You’ll be responsible for maintenance and any repairs, new tyres etc, and for getting the correct gearing for youth racing.
Sometimes at outdoor velodromes (e.g. Welwyn and Herne Hill) hire bikes can be used for track league on site. Check with the venue.
If you are getting your own bike and are still learning to ride and race, don't be tempted by fancy handlebars and expensive wheels. Go for a good frame and then upgrade the bars and wheels once the rider is skilled and confident when racing in a bunch. You can pick up second-hand track bikes, and as they are simple machines and they get very little wear and tear, there is little advantage in buying new.
There are rules about what tyres can be used (for adequate grip and safety) on indoor tracks so make sure you are aware of these. If you use your wheels on outdoor tracks make sure they are clean before riding indoors.
Clincher tyres rather than tubulars are better to begin with at least, so that you can easily change an inner tube if you get a puncture.
Riders must wear their LVYCC club kit for sessions at Lee Valley Velopark. Club kit - this is to comply with Lee Valley Velopark’s club session rules.
Riders should wear a base layer under their jersey as this helps prevent friction injuries if they fall off. The track coaches can give you more information.
Helmets and track mitts must be worn, and cycling glasses are recommended to protect riders eyes.
To access most public sessions at Lee Valley velodrome you have to be 12yr+. However, riders aged 10yrs+ can ride in private club sessions or at specific after-school sessions. Riders have to be big enough to fit any available track bike and there are minimum height restrictions. Other velodromes may have different rules, check with the venue and event organiser for further information.
To race track you need to be at least 10yrs+ and have track accreditation on your BC race licence, and sometimes, extra accreditation for certain track leagues, including Welwyn and Herne Hill - some venues allow youth and adults to train and race together, and this is why an extra assessment for safe skills may be necessary.
Lee Valley Velopark
See above for information about our track coaching sessions.
Welwyn Gosling Velodrome
Regular coaching sessions organised by Welwyn Wheelers
welwynwheelers.org.uk/whats-on
Herne Hill Velodrome
Track Tasters, Track Skills, Training Sessions for riders from 8 years and up.
hernehillvelodrome.com/track

To access general training sessions and race in track leagues, riders must hold valid accreditation.
Accreditation can be gained quickly through after-school and club cluster sessions, which are tailored to youth riders, and run by BC and club coaches. Sunday club cluster sessions for novice and intermediate riders, can be booked through British Cycling. They take place in Lee Valley Velodrome.
Attainment is through four assessment stages, the four stages must be completed at the same velodrome. Once completed, your accreditation will be recognised at all other indoor velodromes in the UK (except Calshot).
If you hold a British Cycling racing license, your track accreditation will be recorded on it when you renew your membership. If you need this sooner, you will need to request a new card from BC Membership services. For the Lee Valley Velopark (LVVP) you need to have a LVVP membership as well as British Cycling.
Outdoor velodromes, such as Herne Hill and Welwyn may require you to attain their accreditation to participate in their sessions. Check each venue’s requirements. Welwyn Track League requires all riders, even indoor-accredited riders, to attend a training session to be assessed before signing up for their track league.
If you are starting to ride the track, get as much experience as you can on outdoor tracks: the surface tends to be easier to ride with more grip, and the banking is less severe. Outdoor velodrome sessions are cheaper and longer, so new riders have more time to become confident in a bunch situation.
Club coaching
Attend the Wednesday evening LVYCC sessions at LVVP throughout the year.
Attend the club cluster sessions (for newer riders and for accreditation).
British Cycling Cluster Sessions for novice and intermediate riders
There are two ability groups who will work on general track drills and techniques, as well as introducing novice riders to the track.
Open only to Youth A, B, C and Junior riders Go-Ride Clubs. Riders must be aged 10-18. These sessions also count towards riders’ track accreditation.
British Cycling Track Development Centre sessions for Youth A, B and Junior
These sessions are designed to develop track skills and racing craft, and to test the skills that are part of the Regional School of Racing format. It has a five-week rotating programme, providing high quality track time for riders to prepare for and practise skills learnt at RSR. Riders who attend and aspire to RSR level can attend. Riders must have track experience and be at least partially accredited.
Holiday sessions
Keep checking the British Cycling Eastern and South Eastern Facebook pages for holiday club sessions. There will always be holiday club sessions throughout half-terms and longer school holidays at Herne Hill and some at Lee Valley Velodrome.
Indoor track leagues
Lee Valley Velopark hosts the excellent London Youth Track league which is one of the best leagues for youth racing in the country and runs from autumn until spring each year.
Outdoor track leagues
Outdoor racing runs from spring until autumn.
Welwyn - This velodrome is managed by the Gosling Park Organisation, but coaching and events are managed by Welwyn Wheelers
Herne Hill - Riders must have previous experience of track racing, or have been attending the Herne Hill Youth Intermediate Training sessions.
National events
There is a National Youth Omnium series for youth A and B riders (Under 14 and under 16), with some support races for younger riders.
See link above for information on dates, standings and series regulations.
The British Cycling Talent Development Handbook is designed for youth A and B riders to refer to. It has the various benchmarks that riders should be working towards to move through the talent pathway. Look at the track pages.
Read the British Cycling guide to track racing.