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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Track cycling

8 replies

3k1D · 22/05/2026 18:54

Cycling…eldest child has been invited to a fast-track cycling course after a talent spotting exercise bike challenge….has anybody else’s child entered cycling this way? I’m just wondering what to expect….

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Ifailed · 23/05/2026 05:55

It's an excellent sport, welcoming boys and girls ( and men & women). Be prepared for plenty of minor injuries that they quickly learn to shrug off.

Like any sport, you can spend as little or as much as you like, the only thing they must have is a decent helmet, which should be replaced if it gets damaged (it will).

You can't legally ride a track bike on the road without a front brake.

3k1D · 24/05/2026 11:37

Thanks for your reply! Hopefully they talk them through it and how it all works…woukd you be able to give a rough ballpark of a monthly cost or is that widely variable depending on how much you get into it?
It’s a completely unfamiliar sport to me other than watching a few bits on tv during the Olympics….

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Ifailed · 24/05/2026 20:18

It really does depend, I know at Herne Hill Velodrome in SE London they will loan bikes etc, probably less than a tenner for a session.

Go and speak to your local track, and watch what goes on.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 24/05/2026 23:16

Do you mean velodrome or grass track?

Riding on the Manchester velodrome is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done! I think I used to take my own helmet and shoes, and hired a track bike (v low cost). I think helmets and shoes were available to hire though. This was 20 years ago though. But if it’s a talent pathway, costs shouldn’t be prohibitive, but travel costs may ramp up. Sounds like an excellent opportunity to pursue.

changedname1234567 · 24/05/2026 23:36

I have name changed here as it is likely that anyone in the cycling community will be able to narrow me down to about 5 or 6 people or maybe less as I share info. (Although I am going to fudge details slightly.)

I have a child on the GB pathway. Didn’t come through the talent spotting but I know a few that have including one I know very well indeed so I can probably answer quite a lot. 4 questions for you. (And feel free to be a bit sparse on details.)

Age of child
Sex of child
Sprint or endurance
Nearest velodrome

3k1D · 25/05/2026 22:56

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads yes Manchester velodrome - seems like a great opportunity to at least have a go at something completely different (for us!)

@changedname1234567 I DM’d you but it’s Manchester - no idea abut sprint/endurance as she’s literally done zero cycling outside of the typical riding a bike round the park…

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changedname1234567 · 26/05/2026 17:45

Ok - the course is likely to be for “accreditation”. Which is basically a way of saying that she is a competent track cyclist who is safe to train and race.

Once accredited the next step is to join a club. This will help her get training and also give you access to other cycling parents who will be further along the journey than you and so can give advice. If you live close to Manchester then ESV Manchester is the obvious one as it is based at the track and they have track sessions. I have no connection but know a couple of the riders from there who are doing well. If you are not close then you may want to find a more local club although they would likely have more closed circuit (road) than track training.

Once accredited then you are able to go to both TDCs and SQTs. TDC stands for Talent Development Centre. It is the first step on the BC pathway and is designed for 12 - 16 year old accredited riders. Over the summer they take place at Manchester on a Tuesday night. SQTs (structured quality training) are run by the velodrome itself and are more based at adults. (Although kids aged 14+ can attend at least some of them.)

After TDCs the next step on the BC pathway is RSRs (regional school of racing) (aimed at 14 - 16 year olds who are racing fairly regularly).

As far as racing is concerned there are two ways to go about it. One is to attend track leagues. These take place at Manchester on a Monday and Friday night. They are good fun. However, they are probably more adults than kids with a lot of middle aged men attending. However, in 2 or 3 hours you can get 5 or 6 decent races in which is a seriously good amount.

The other option is to go for races that are aimed at kids. Monsters of the Track takes place about once a month at Glasgow over the winter and Icebreakers is similar in Newport. From a social side these are great for the kids as they will get to know others their age. (Particularly for girls as there are not many of them around!) But unless you live nearby it is a long drive for 4 or 5 races spread over a day so far less “return” for a higher “investment” compared to track league. If she is a sprinter then there are “Sprint Futures” which are spread over the different velodromes which are kid based again.

From there you can look at the NYO (National Youth Omnium) although the standard of these can be very high.

One thing that people who have been through the talent spotting say is that once the kids are accredited it can feel a bit like BC has abandoned them as they are then effectively dropped in the pool and treated like everyone else. BC wants (needs!) more riders - especially girls and especially sprinters - but it doesn’t spoonfeed. They will get you on the first rung of the ladder but then you are expected to figure it out yourself. Which is why you need a club.

I have so much more to say but going out in 3 minutes and need to go and about at my children and husband to get themselves ready!

3k1D · 26/05/2026 19:58

This is so helpful to know that they get you up to accreditation and then it’s up to you to get stuck into a club….I think we’ll just treat it as her having a go and seeing if she likes it for now - hopefully they at least point you off in the right direction after the course….

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