Khris

Hi all,

I have no prior experience of track cycling or cycling of any sort with exception to some moutain biking about 7 years ago, however I train in the gym alot and my tutor a sports scientist and cyclist asked me to undergo a sprint test for 5 seconds to determine my peak power output. It was 1,340watts which is a little over 17 watts per k.g of bodymass, is this good to start track cycling or an indicator that I may be good at it as he said I should give it a go.

carleton

Yup, that's pretty good.

That being said, you don't need such high numbers to have fun racing at the track

Khris

Thanks, carleton, how good is it? Im 23 years old, Just wondering would be be too late to do it competitively, my tutor said he enquired into the county track cycling team and they said I was beating most of their under 23's, and their benchmark guy is @ 1,400 watts peak power, so Im not too far off that for being untrained in regard to cycling (sprint track).

carleton

Well, I would guess that you will win a World Championship in 1-2 years.



Just kidding There are so many variables involved in doing well at track racing.

By the way, I'm sure that David Espinoza (20 or 21) puts out well over 1,400W and he's not on the National team...yet.

Things start with getting a good bike. Nothing spectacular, just something that can handle your power output. So, I'd stay away from the entry level steel. Maybe a Fuji Track Comp, a Trek T1, or Felt TK2.

See about getting a coach or at least a mentor. A coach will give you daily workouts and stuff. A mentor would provide more high-level advice (like I'm giving now).

Go to the beginner classes at the track.

Race and have fun.

As far as timing goes, you've got plenty of time. Steve Hill won back-to-back Elite Kilo National Championships at 40 or 41. Jimmy Watkins is 28.

carleton

Further...

Maybe get your tutor to start researching track training protocols. There is no single right way to train for sprint events at the track. But they all revolve around a core of basic lifts at the gym (squat, dead lift, power clean,...)

Maybe spend the first season riding and racing a lot and find out what suits you. You may like short races, long races, time trials, training in general, all of the above, or none of the above.

To be considered for the US National team you may have to meet certain goals in official time trials. Go here and look on the right side of the page: https://www.usacycling.org/track/. Stuff like, "Any athlete who rides a flying 200m TT at or faster than 10.280" or "Any athlete who rides a 1km TT at or faster than 1:02.750" There are only a few dudes in the country that can do that.

Khris

Thanks I live in the U.K though, (northern Ireland) Apparently my power output exceeds that of most of the regional under 23's, i know however the standard will be much much higher in the US. My power recorded was on a stationary bike called "the watt bike", its a new development here in the U.K and is being used for the 2012 olympics. I want to have fun dont get me wrong but I think this could be something Im good at and therefore have my eyes on trophies.

efficiency

You're just going to have to try it to find out.