Hey everyone - as you might have heard, the Coronation indoor velodrome is opening up *really* soon! As ERTC members, access to the new velodrome and its benefits are afforded to you as part of your membership. As such, I am happy to announce that ERTC’s first session at the new Velodrome is October 20, 8-9pm! With all future dedicated ERTC track time sessions until the end of March taking place at the same time slot, Monday nights from 8-9pm.
So what does this mean? How does this all work? HOW DO I START RIDING?!
The new velodrome is a bit steeper and has a wooden surface, so will require a full certification and accreditation process for all riders, with only exceptions being those who have raced on a wooden surfaced track in the last 2 years. This applies to exactly 1 person in our club, so suffice it to say that everyone in the club needs certification :)
This process is meant to help new riders learn how to ride on the track and to be safe riders, and the nuances of riding on a wooden track, and the intended audience is ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RIDE ON THE TRACK IN THE NEXT 13 WEEKS. You do not need any previous track experience to participate. These sessions also serve as an orientation to track cycling.
The plan for the first half of our winter season is as follows: Starting October 20, there will be a series of 5, 1 hour long sessions. You will be required to attend at least 4 of these sessions prior to participating in any further track activities. Again, we stress that everyone needs to do this prior to riding in this facility. While we recognize that people might be busy and not be able to commit for the full term, you will not be able to participate until the next block of certification sessions. There may be a make up session in the middle, however your best bet to getting on the track as soon as you can is to complete the 4 sessions. The invite to these sessions will be on strava.
After the first 5 weeks, we will launch into a rider progression program aimed at making you a safer, more skilled rider, and work on skills and tactics that will culminate in an event where you can show off what you learned in a race (if you want to)!
Velodrome riding is goal focused - we at ERTC believe that setting your sights on a goal or an event is one of the best ways you can stay motivated to reach your next level. As part of our agreement with the track, our time on the track will be supported with roller time beforehand, and time for strength training in the dedicated gym (time TBD).
You do not need to have a track bike, as there will be track bikes available for you to use. If you are using a loaner bike, please consider bringing a set of pedals you want to use (or you will have to use running shoes and toe clips), and a saddle if you are picky about those.
You should bring your usual cycling kit (for riding in approximately 21 degrees, even in the middle of winter!), a helmet, gloves, and shoes.
If you want to “skip the line” for certification and have a Saturday and Sunday free back to back, AVA is offering certification as a weekend course to the public, for people who don’t have a club certification program or can’t make the time that their club has. You can choose to register in these instead, but the cost is not covered by the club, and is $60 each day. More information will be posted when we have it.
ERTC Owns 3 bike bags - 1 of them is missing. If you have borrowed it recently and you aren’t on vacation right now, let me know!
Picture: 3D render of the inside of the new indoor velodrome. PC: HCMA
Club Updates:
Have friends interested in the club? We now offer reduced membership rates for the remainder of the year, so get them on board! This membership rate continues to enjoy all benefits of membership, until December 31. This rate includes velodrome access until December 31.
Our last event of the year that we put on is the Croken Classic! You can read more about it here https://www.ertc.org/crokenclassic - if you have volunteered at a previous event this year, let me know and I will shoot you a coupon code for free entry. If you wanna volunteer, you can do so here: volunteersignup.org/9AE7W
Ride Updates:
Hills rides are now starting at 5:30PM to account for darkness. Bring lights - you will be sent home without them.
Racing/event Updates:
CROSS IS HERE!! WEDNESDAY, ARGYLL, 6:30PM (last midweek race :( )
Oct 18 - CROKEN CLASSIC!! Volunteer here: volunteersignup.org/9AE7W
Oct 18-19 - CX Double Header in Calgary - See ABA for details.
General Reminders:
Official Rides are posted on strava. If you haven’t requested to join, please do so here: https://www.strava.com/clubs/2845 if you’ve applied and haven’t heard back, e-mail me, but first, make sure your strava name matches your registration name.
Day to day communication and general chatter is via slack. You can join here: https://join.slack.com/t/edmontonroada-7u36621/shared_invite/zt-1t5qvezds-JotWB~e_EJcXrD9NArQarA - this is where you can get real time updates about unofficial rides, talk bikes with club members, and sell your stuff to other club members! If you identify as female and would like to be included in the WoERTC communications and event announcements, please message Heather Curtis on Slack to be added to the private WoERTC channel. Please remember to use the “reply in thread” feature when using slack (especially in the general channel, think about all the group chats you are in, general is like a 400 person group chat)
Remember to review your insurance needs for the season if you registered before March 31st (if you registered after, it will have been an option on your registration. No action means that you will be covered for group rides only. You can learn more here: https://www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/insurance-info
Have a cool photo from the last week you want featured? Send it to me via email (I need the resolution) and I’ll make it the header photo! Cool way to show off what you’ve been up to!