WHAT ON EARTH IS ROLLER RACING

There are many references on the web to bicycle roller racing but to many, the term is a mystery. Roller racing is a competition among two, three or more riders on stationary bikes. These can be on sets of rollers, where the riders must balance their machines and ride as fast as possible at the same time, sometimes, with the aid of holders who keep them from falling. A second option is to use the same rollers with fork stands and a third, increasingly popular option is the use of home trainers.

In each case, competitors and spectators can see the progress of a contest, usually a 500 metre or one kilometre  "sprint",  but sometimes longer, on a large dial or digital readout on a screen set up behind the contestants.The equipment is set up at a club room o, more often in a mall or shopping centre  and is used as as an attraction in connection with a membership or sponsorship drive. Participants may be from the cycling community or may be 'walk-ons" from the spectators. Interest is sparked by a board showing best time of day or session.

In days of yore and, more infrequently now,  the large dial with from two to four pointers, had the information on contestants' progress fed to the pointers via flexible cable drives, rather like speedometer cables, connected to worm gears behind the dials. The pointers, usually of different colours, moved as the riders pedalled. The dial, marked in metres from zero to five hundred, was painted on plywood backings which were supported on tripod stands,  rather like an archery target. This equipment was cumbersome, prone to frequent breakdowns and needed a good storage place and a willing club member with a half ton.

The latest equipment, however, is much more portable and reliable. It's electronic and consists of speed sensors on each bike transmitting the necessary information to a laptop and thence to a projector that shows the riders' progress on a virtual dial on a large screen.

Whatever the equipment, roller racing is s sure-fire way to publicise a club. Complete the set up with a good sound system, some loud music and a good commentator and public awareness of your organisation and its activities is guaranteed!

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