Steve Thordarson reviewing tactics.
Phoenix Racing and the Westerville Bike Shop Present the 2007 Junior Cycling Camp
June 13th-16th, 2007
WHO: Junior cyclists ages 10-18 interested in road bike competition as well as those who just want to learn better bike handling. Registration is strictly limited to 30 participants.
WHAT: 2-day cycling camp by Steve Thordarson, USCF Elite Junior Coach. The camp will be held rain or shine. The focus is on bike-related games, skill sessions, and discussions, as well as road time. This camp is about learning to ride and race smart, and becoming more comfortable on the bike.
DROP OFF: Check in June 13th, 5:00-8:00pm at Otterbein College.
PICK UP: 4th Annual Garrett Wonders Memorial Criterium, June 16th, in Westerville, OH; watch your junior race.
WHERE: Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, offers easy access to the bike trails, open areas for skill sessions, and excellent terrain for training rides. Campers will stay in the dorms and eat in the dining halls.
COST: Cost of the camp is $300 for registrations post-marked by May 7. Cost is $315 for registrations post-marked later.
DETAILS: Below is a list of some of the activities that participants can expect. Some of the activities have links to descriptions from other camps Steve Thordarson has conducted. More details about the camp are available on the flyer, which will be added to this site soon. If you have any questions, or would like a registration packet, please contact Shari Heinrich at PhoenixBikeCamp [at] Columbus.rr.com.
BIKE FIT AND PRE-RACE PREPARATIONS
TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES
- Determining teams and a tactical challenge
- Pre-race preparation - How do you work together?
- How to plan out the strategy of a race - What is the goal of the race?
- Breaking down a race into parts
GROUP DISCUSSIONS
- How to plan out the tactics of a race - Who will do what in the race?
- How to compete in a race - How much work should be done and with whom?
- How to learn from a race - Keeping an eye on the events in the race.
- How to train tactically - What happened in the last race that you should know?
- What are strategies? An overall plan made up of a variety of tactics to achieve a goal.
- Attacking or advancing the position of you or a teammate.
- Blocking or disrupting the position of an opposing rider.
- The greatest tactical ally in bicycle racing is the element of surprise.
- How to Fall Over
- Bumping Wheels in the Grass
- Bumping Shoulders in the Grass
- Bicycle Obstacle Course
- Ride Down the Crooked Straight Line
- Riding Down a Plank & Seesaw
- Ride Inside the Shrinking Circle
- How to Warm up Before a Race
- Track Stand Derby
- Bicycle Limbo
- Bunny Hopping Games
- Hitting a Water Bottle with the Back Wheel
- Wheel Pit Relay
- Riding Down a Plank
- Time Trial Start and Turn Around
- Trench Warfare
SKILL SESSIONS
- Looking Behind
- Push the Rider Out of the Square
- Bicycle Tag
- Riding in a Paceline
- Riding in an Echelon
- Pick Up the Waterbottle Relay
- Feed Zone Frenzy
CLASSROOM SESSIONS
- USCF Rules
- Tactics Without Teammates
- Getting Things Going Within a Group of Riders
- Choosing a Partner
- Picking the Right Person to Attack With
- Making an Attack for a Particular Reason
- Attacking for the Wrong Reason
- Attacking to Test the Riders
- Attacking to Take the Lead
- Attacking to Draw Attention
- Race Start
- Block Out the Competition
- Grab the Dollar
BASIC TACTICAL THEORY
- Advance your position
- Hold your position
- Lose your position
USING TACTICAL THEORY
- Know the Course You Are Racing On
- Know When and Where the Start of the Race Is
- Know Where the Finish Line Is
- Know the Obstacles of the Race Course
- Blocking
- Bluffing
PRACTICE ROAD SESSIONS
- Into the Wind
- With the Wind
- From the Front
- From the Middle
- From the Back
- From a Breakaway
- On a Hill
- On a Descent
- Into a Turn
- Out of a Turn
ATTACKING ROAD SESSIONS
- Timing an Attack - Always plan attacks to occur at the right time
- Waiting until opposing riders are too tired to respond well
- Waiting until the race reaches an obstacle
- Attacking on the flat - Trying to overcome the lack of terrain in a race
- Attacking from the back or front
- Trying to avoid drawing other riders into the mix
- Using the element of surprise or physical strength
- Attacking on a hill - Using the terrain to create separation
- Timing an attack with the middle of a climb
- Attacking on a descent - Taking a chance on obvious terrain
- Timing an attack despite the terrain
- Working for chase groups
