A Trainers view of a Handcycling Weekend at Stoke Mandeville
Our weekends at Stoke Mandeville have progressed from ones which focussed solely on race training to ones which are more inclusive and now include group rides on local roads. We have ride leaders who ensure that the rides are conducted in a safe way. It is important to stress that the weekends are open to everyone, irrespective of ability. However, we, the organisers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all those taking part and of the general public and have the final say on those joining the road rides.
If you don’t have a handcycle, there is the opportunity for those interested in taking up the sport to come along and “test drive” one of the Association’s bikes. Our handcycles can be loaned out for a 6 week period (a small charge is levied to cover maintenance) which is the next step to help people new to handcycling determine what type of bike suits them best.
The weekends start on the Friday evening and that is an opportunity to socialise, to renew acquaintances and get to know newcomers.
The Saturday morning session lasts for 3 hours and starts at 10pm. The focus is on teamwork, interval training and skill work but the program is adapted to suit those present. The session finishes with either an elimination or a factored race, depending on how many are present. You will expect to have had a good workout after 3 hours on the track!
After a short lunch, we go out for our afternoon road session. There is an 8 mile circular course about 4 miles from the stadium, and once there, we separate into smaller groups of similar ability. This enables those who want to treat it as a road training session to do so and leave those that remain to have a pleasant group ride. Each group can chose how many loops they do and it has been known for some to do 3 circuits!
My view as coach is that I provide the framework and it is up to each individual to put as much as they can into it. The more you can put into it, the more you will get from it. Participants are often surprised by just what they have achieved during the sessions, even experienced racers! By the end of the day it is possible to have ridden anything from 25 miles up to 60 miles. Newcomers to the sport will, if they continue training regularly, become capable racers or be able to regularly ride tens of miles with a few months.
For those staying over, there’s time to freshen up and then it is off to Aylesbury for a pint and meal. Assuming that they have not consumed too much, those taking part gather for the Sunday ride at 9.30am. We are beginning to see more people join us for the Sunday ride.
The future is looking promising for our handcycling weekends at Stoke Mandeville.
If you don’t have a handcycle, there is the opportunity for those interested in taking up the sport to come along and “test drive” one of the Association’s bikes. Our handcycles can be loaned out for a 6 week period (a small charge is levied to cover maintenance) which is the next step to help people new to handcycling determine what type of bike suits them best.
The weekends start on the Friday evening and that is an opportunity to socialise, to renew acquaintances and get to know newcomers.
The Saturday morning session lasts for 3 hours and starts at 10pm. The focus is on teamwork, interval training and skill work but the program is adapted to suit those present. The session finishes with either an elimination or a factored race, depending on how many are present. You will expect to have had a good workout after 3 hours on the track!
After a short lunch, we go out for our afternoon road session. There is an 8 mile circular course about 4 miles from the stadium, and once there, we separate into smaller groups of similar ability. This enables those who want to treat it as a road training session to do so and leave those that remain to have a pleasant group ride. Each group can chose how many loops they do and it has been known for some to do 3 circuits!
My view as coach is that I provide the framework and it is up to each individual to put as much as they can into it. The more you can put into it, the more you will get from it. Participants are often surprised by just what they have achieved during the sessions, even experienced racers! By the end of the day it is possible to have ridden anything from 25 miles up to 60 miles. Newcomers to the sport will, if they continue training regularly, become capable racers or be able to regularly ride tens of miles with a few months.
For those staying over, there’s time to freshen up and then it is off to Aylesbury for a pint and meal. Assuming that they have not consumed too much, those taking part gather for the Sunday ride at 9.30am. We are beginning to see more people join us for the Sunday ride.
The future is looking promising for our handcycling weekends at Stoke Mandeville.
