Northumbria Vikings Cycle Speedway

kveðja {norse - "welcome"}

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Eh, what's Short Track Racing?

I've been asked so many times by people who've never heard of Cycle Speedway "What is it?", and decided it's best NOT to use the "Speedway on pushbikes" analogy we've used since World War 2, because an awful lot of folk have never seen Speedway either, but rather to call it "pedal bike racing on a short oval track". So that's what I'm calling it here, you may prefer "Short Oval Racing", I would certainly prefer a name change for a new era - shame on me!).

You won't find shorter than this!

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So now, visitor, you know what Cycle Speedway is from the photographs above. Those of us (probably the vast majority) who have it in their blood will describe it as being similar to Roller Derby on bikes, others maybe suggest Destruction Derby is closer to the truth, as a googlie at some CS videos on YouTube may suggest. However savage some of the "friendly" on-track conflict may appear, we love it, get loads of fun and plenty of laughs from it, make new friends, travel quite a bit and stick with it for ages. It is, of course, a great way to stay mobile and reasonably fit if you'd otherwise be using only your elbows to support a glass or a PS4 controller.

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Come and have a go!

So, reader, now you know. With 2 or 3 metric dozen clubs around the UK, you can find one close enough to go take a look. You'll be made very welcome, you'll be loaned a bike and helmet, and you'll be shown the ropes by a track expert wherever you land, it's that kind of setup. We are waiting for you at Northumbria STRC (oops, sorry - CSC) but your first visit will prove fruitful whichever club you aim for. Use the links above or below to get in touch, or just turn up at the track when we resume serious Northern League Racing activities on 22nd March at 2:00 pm. Come and watch free, come and ride free. It's your move!

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Here we go again!

Absolutely ANYONE who can ride a bike, any flavour, is more than welcome to join the Vikings as they continue their 2015 season racing and training on Saturday afternoons from 2:00 pm for about an hour. We'll also be practising at regular Tuesday evening sessions from 6:30 pm. See our Forum or Facebook page for latest updates. There really is nothing to do but turn up and ask for a ride, it's as simple as that, and there are no charges at all for introductory sessions or until you become a full Club member. Get along to Cramlington Sporting Club and join us in the cheapest, most competitive and exciting cycle sport in the World! Our super new racetrack is between the tennis courts and 3G footie pitches and we are under floodlights throughout winter and evening training.

Knowles Acknowledged

Andy Knowles receives his belated "Vikings Clubman of the Year 2016" award from Sheffield Team Manager Adrian Brownell. This is the second year running that our semi-detached (Middlesborough) Mister Dependable has won this award in recognition of not only his fabulous support in travelling with a home team 30 miles distant, but also his totally unselfish on-track performances which have also made him our Bonus Point King.

Club Coach to Luxury Coach!

Saturday 29th October 2016 and our British Cycling Head Coach, Richie Smith joins a very select band of fully-qualified Cycle Speedway Coaches at Wednesfield, elevating himself from Lord to God at the Vikings lair. Not sitting on his newly-won laurels, Richie immediately sizes up some opportunities for winter indoor racing at several venues on Tyneside should the desire to race be strong enough. Some interest has already been shown by several of Terry Kirkup's Team Midaircrisis mountain bike club colleagues so we may see some fresh talent if this comes off.