Friday Night Track League at Halesowen returns this year on May 6th and runs through to September 9th. A packed programme of racing for riders of all ages and abilities starts promptly at 7.15pm each week.
GB Sprint star Jess Varnish learned her trade there…
Under-12s welcome to race on freewheel bikes in the freewheeler category, as well as on fixed – for those with some coaching – in the V-Sprint league for younger riders. For youth riders and upwards the format has been tweaked slightly this year, and riders will be split into three categories.
Category A roughly corresponds to 1st and 2nd category men and women plus stronger youth and juniors; category B corresponds to 3rd categories and 4th categories with experience, plus youth and juniors according to ability; while category C is for younger youth riders and men and women beginners and masters. It is up to you to register in the category you feel suits your ability level, but the organizers reserve the right to invite a rider to change category.
Each evening’s racing includes four events for all riders with a mix of sprint and endurance races for all. Separate sprint and endurance leagues are run within the league as well as one event per night counting towards a veterans and women’s league.
There’s also have a Visitors’s Cup Competition for the most successful non-domestic club or team, won last year by Redditch Road and Path Cycling Club.
All riders now need to be accredited, which can be done through training sessions at the track. These are available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This does not apply to riders who are accredited already to Newport or Manchester.
This year, the organizers hope to step things up with the West Midlands Madison League, run in partnership with Wolverhampton Wheelers.
With a clubhouse, café and bar, FNTL prides itself on a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Check out the early arrivers barbecue!
