Come and “try the track” is the message from the Sussex League based at Brighton’s Preston Park.

Four special “open track” sessions have been arranged. Weather permitting (see below), these will take place on Wednesdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 April, starting at 6.00pm and continuing until around 8.00pm or nightfall. Please note the early start time.

The Sussex League is hoping that new riders will be tempted to give track riding a try during these informal evenings, prior to the official league meet calendar which begins in May.

While these evenings are mainly taster sessions for newcomers to track cycling, experienced riders will also be very welcome. All seniors are invited to attend, as well as any youth riders aged 12+, provided they are also on track bikes.

There will not be any structured coaching as such, but coaches will be on hand to offer guidance and tips on position, bunch riding, etc. All these taster sessions will be free of charge. Please note, however, that if the track is wet a session will not take place. If in doubt, please ring Vern McClelland on 01903 814351.

Preston Park’s legendary refreshments will be available, and there will also be a very limited number of track bikes for loan, on a “first come, first served” basis.

This is an ideal opportunity to sample the delights of riding on fixed-wheel at Brighton’s very own track. And, of course, if you enjoy the evenings, you might like to take part in the official Sussex League meets starting on Wednesday 2 May at 7.00pm.

These meets will then take place every Wednesday evening (weather permitting) until 15 August. Preston Park has been dubbed “the friendliest track league in the country” and a warm welcome is always given to new riders.

Seniors (on track-bikes) get five different races per meet and youths (on freewheels) get three. An evening for a senior would typically have an 8-lap scratch race, a handicap race, a devil, a points race and an unknown distance event, but there is a 4-week cycle of races which varies the fun! And every 4 weeks there are championship events for sprints, points races and scratch races.

The League has its own monthly newsletter, reports and results are posted on cycling websites and there are great refreshments every meet, as well as a commentary.

The first “Try the track” evening at Brighton’s Preston Park was a resounding success, with Sean Yates attending as a surprise visitor and a total of over 30 riders enjoying the “open track” session.

In sunny but fresh conditions, a mix of regular league competitors and newcomers took to the circuit. Previous Tour de France stage-winner and yellow jersey holder Yates was joined by, among others, Preston Park’s own national sprint champions Lee Povey and Peter Mitchell.

2007 Try the Track Starts

A large contingent of youngsters from VC Jubilee took part in the event, some practising their fixed-wheel skills on the track itself and others getting in some freewheel training on the grassy track centre.

It is hoped that many riders will be tempted to participate in the official track league meets which begin on Wednesday 2 May.

Meanwhile, three further “Try the track” evenings are on offer on the next three Wednesdays in April. There is no charge for taking part, refreshments are available, and all riders aged 12 or over are welcome provided they are on fixed-wheel track-bikes.

Gavin Smith