IGA Cyclo Sportif SA season 2009

Norwood Cycling Club are putting together a number of teams for the coming IGA Cyclo Sportif SA competition. Would you like to join us? Individual riders or groups are more than welcome. What is a cyclo sportif I hear you say?

Cyclo Sportif is designed for bike riders of any age who don't want to race but want to be challenged. It's a timed team event with teams (a maximum of nine riders and a minimum of five) challenging the clock over a set distance of about 46 kilometres. Cyclo Sportif is setup for recreational cyclists looking for knowledge, fun and riding challenges to improve fitness levels and cycling capability in an organised, friendly and safe event environment under the Cycling SA banner. Whether you ride with a bunch of mates on the weekend, a coffee shop group, a business corporate team, Cyclo Sportif is for you.

The concept is very simple. Your team of nine, eight, seven, six or five riders leaves from a designated start point together and are timed as a group. When your team crosses the finish line, your last rider's time is the one that counts. So the object is to stay together and work as a team. There's no point in one rider jumping away and blitzing his or her team, it's like a team time trial, you all stick together and finish as a team. Each rider assists the other rider in their team, the strong riders protect the less experienced riders for example but all team members have a role to play in getting to the finish line. Each bike will be supplied with a Times-7 transponder. This device assists in recording your team's time officially. And remember the key is to stay together for the whole journey and cross that finish line as a group. Each team will depart the start line at thirty second intervals. In most cases a team will ride two circuits of a set course, totaling around 46 kilometres.

Cycling Australia Offical Recreational Licence In order to take part in a Cyclo Sportif event as a member of one of the Norwood Cycling Club teams you will require at least a recreational Licence and membership of the Norwood Cycling Club.

Your recreational licence includes public liability and limited personal accident insurance and will provide you with the opportunity to participate in other events such as organised recreational rides and formal training activity, including training on the track. If you want to try racing at a later date, you can upgrade your recreational license to a full racing membership at any time.

In addition, your included recreational licence will open up opportunities for you to:
Sign up for Wattbike Fitness Testing Register for Introductory Cycling Skills Programs
Get involved with World Class Velodrome Training Options
Receive regular E-Newsletters
Benefit from additional Bicycle Insurance

IGA Cyclo Sportif Timed Events Cycling SA will conducted six (6) IGA Cyclo Sportifs over a five month period. The proposed dates, yet to be confirmed are, two events in December 2009, one in January 2010 as part of the Tour Down Under, then three more rounds between February and April 2010. A course in West Lakes has been confirmed and a further two circuits in Willunga and Williamstown are being negotiated with local councils.

Introductory Cycling Skills Programs If you are looking to improve your cycling skills, you may wish to attend an introductory cycling skills program. These programs will be run by fully accredited coaches and will be held at various times throughout the year. Keep an eye on the Norwood Cycling Club website for updates as to when these programs will be run.

Wattbike Fitness Testing Evaluations The Wattbike is the most valuable tool in today's cycling to access your ability and fitness. The Wattbike is ideal and simple to use for performance testing. The British Cycling Talent ID team have used Wattbike prototypes for over 2 years and it is now a fundamental element of their Talent ID screening programme.

Their standard tests are: 6 second Peak Power 200m Sprint 3 minute Endurance

Riders are given a full print out of their test results. A range of additional test protocols are currently being developed. www.wattbike.com

Velodrome Training Options Members can use the world renown Super-Drome Velodrome at Gepps Cross for training and track bikes are available for hire. For further details and current member's rates, please contact the Cycling SA office on 8260 1800.

Regular E-Newsletters All members will receive regular e-newsletters to keep you updated with all club news, event information, special member offers and much more.

Bicycle Insurance Optional Bicycle Insurance is available through Cyclecover. See their website for further details: www.cyclecover.com.au

More information like dates and costing are yet to be confirmed, but we can tell you that a Recreation Licence is only $66 annually. If you want to be included in our mailing list for information relating to Cyclo Sportif SA email: secretary@norwoodcc.on.net with the heading 'Cyclo Sportif SA ' please. Our Cyclo Sportif coordinator is available to visit/ride with any prospective NCC cyclo sportif teams, or riders wanting to join one of our teams, to explain the concept and help you with your team or individual application. To arrange a discussion please phone or text David on 0414 332 488.

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 2009 Cyclo Sportif Calendar
The City of Charles Sturt is the first local council to sign up for a leg of the IGA Cyclo Sportif.
The City of Charles Sturt will host the timed team event of Sunday 17 January 2010 as part of the Tour Down Under build up and associated events.
Other proposed, yet to be confirmed, dates are as follows:
Round 1: Sunday 6 December 2009 (Williamstown)
Round 2: Sunday 20 December 2009 (Snapper Point)
Round 3: Sunday 17 January 2010 West Lakes Confirmed
Round 4: Sunday 7 February 2010 (Willunga)
Round 5: Sunday 7 March 2010 (Williamstown)
Round 6: Sunday 11 April 2010 (Willunga)