Pilditch is an exciting track to ride on. Its relatively short length (250m) and steep banking (47 degrees) make riding and racing far more thrilling than at bigger cycling track (such as Hector Norris), for riders and spectators alike. However, the unique characteristics of our track also require that riders use it with considerably more awareness and respect than is needed at the big tracks. Safety and common sense must always prevail. If you see a situation that concerns you, bring it to the attention of a track official or organiser. We all want to make the most of this facility, and it is up to each individual to conduct him/herself in an intelligent, responsible manner. Please become familiar with these basic rules to ensure both your safety, and that of other riders.

Our goal at Pilditch is to make everyone's experience on the track as safe and risk-free as possible, from training sessions to race events.

Remember there are only two kinds of cyclists; those that have crashed and those that are going to.

How do we make sure that people are safe?

Our track is smaller (250m) and tighter (47 degrees) than many of the other cycling tracks in South Africa most of which are 400 to 500 meters long and significantly less steep. Does this mean that our track is "less safe"? Certainly not! But it does mean that things happen faster on our track, given that one lap takes about 17 seconds at speed, you have less time to make a decision about where you are going, how you're going to avoid someone, or how you're going to get out of the way of something happening.

Our best weapon against "unsafe riding" is education. If you are a first time rider at the velodrome, we strongly recommend that you Learn to Ride Track. So strongly, we'd pretty much say it's mandatory. We often get objections about this. "I'm a licensed rider, I don't need to take a lesson on how to ride a bike" or "I've been riding bikes for years, why should I take this?" Our answer is simple: in order to ride the track, you must have adequate levels of both fitness and, more importantly, skill. Learn to Ride Track sessions focus on the skill component. Simple skills like, how to get on and off the track safely, to more advanced skills like riding in a pack or doing a bunch race. However, Learn to Ride Track sessions serve another purpose, they teach all riders the same skills. Two people who were at different Learn to Ride Track sessions both know what "stick!" means - no other track in South Africa teaches this universal command!

The faster you are, the higher the stakes. If you get out on the track and are capable of riding at 50 km/h but don't have the skill to properly control that speed, you are an even bigger risk to the other riders on the track than those who can't manage 40 km/h. So even more reason for you to do everyone a favour and familiarize yourself with the basic rules and etiquette of riding on the track. Additionally, you KNOW that everyone else on the track is safe because they too have been taught these safety rules!

Unfortunately, we don't yet have a system of licensing at the track. That is, we can't act like the Traffic Departmentand ask you to demonstrate an adequate skill level in operating your bike on the track before we give you full access to the banks. We can, however, ask you to get off the track and not come back. We've never had to do this to date, so please don't be the first person to receive this honour. We can come up with several recommended guidelines on competency though. And here they are...

Common Sense:  Safety is the first and highest priority!  Always ride as if the other cyclists have the right-of-way. Be polite and friendly to others, and you can expect the same in return. Obey any special rules.  Remember you represent not only yourself, but also your club and the sport every time you get on your bike. 

Correct hand position:  Remember that track bikes do not have brakes.  There are no brake hoods on the handlebars to rest your hands on.  Therefore, NEVER ride with your hands in a “brake hood” position, as you might on a road bike.  Since there are no hoods to rest upon, your hands could easily slip off the front of the handle bars – with a crash guaranteed.  Only ride “in the drops”, which is more stable and reduces wind resistance, or completely on top of the bars in a resting position.  

In addition, riding “in the drops” will keep another rider from accidentally hooking your handlebars with their handlebars (another guaranteed crash).  Thus, riding “in the drops” is the safest way to ride, particularly when racing or riding in groups. 

Finally, keep your grip on the handle bars relaxed.  Holding the handle bars in a “death grip” will reduce your bike handling ability.  Stay relaxed and loose. 

Planning:  As you warm up prior to moving up to the apron, check out who's on the track and see what they are doing. You will need to work the other riders and their training into your routine. For example, if riders are motorpacing you would not want to be practicing standing starts.  Never impede or surprise another rider.

Passing:  The faster rider is always responsible for passing safely. Slow riders are responsible for riding straight and allowing faster riders passing predictability.  Never "get out of the way" of the faster rider – it is their job to safely avoid and pass the slower rider.  Always maintain a straight line around the track.  

“Stick”:  As you approach a slower rider with their head turned in the direction you want to pass, sound off with the command of "stick" in order to make the slower rider keep from turning in front of your passing lane. If you hear "stick", continue to ride straight (parallel to the track).  Wait until all riders have completely passed you before changing your track position.

Use your head:  Turn your head in the direction you want to turn and glance back before you gradually move up or down the track.  Your head movement acts as a “turn signal" to riders behind you to indicate what you may intend to do.  It also keeps you from moving in front of a rider who is passing you.  Always assume that there is a faster rider in your “blind spot” so look before you move.

Track Flow:  Except for entering the track from the apron (the blue, non-racing portion at the bottom of the track) the "Sprinters Lane" (area from the black, datum line to the red, Stayer's Line), is reserved for fast riding. Basically, the Sprinters Lane at the bottom of the track is for sprint and tempo riding. The top half above the red, Sprinter's line is for slower riders, warming up or just riding laps.

Leading up:  When riding in a paceline if the rider infront of you swings up (off the front of the paceline) roll through before swinging up the track. Even if you do not want to pace do not follow the rider infront of you up the track (following up), rather roll through and as soon as the rider who has just swung up is behind you, swing up the track (leading up).

Practicing Standing Starts:   If you are practicing standing starts in the pole lane, gain permission from everyone on the track before you begin. Do no do this when there are many people on the track.

Two abreast:  Riding two across, when there are several riders on the track, is discouraged at Pilditch as it takes up too much space. Faster riders coming from behind have to ride too high up the track to get around.  If you must talk to another rider go roll on the roller blading track.

Entering the track:  Always look twice to be certain that no fast riders are approaching in the Sprinters Lane behind you as you enter the track.  Cyclists may be riding at 60 km/h or faster as they come around the corners.  To pull onto the track in front of a fast moving rider could spell disaster for all involved.  A rider in the Sprinters Lane should never have to steer around a person who is entering or exiting the track in front of them.  Also, check that you are not entering the track as someone is exiting in the same area. 

Exiting the track:  The same rules apply to exiting the track.  Always look behind you to make sure that no one is approaching, particularly if you are about to pass through the Sprinters Lane. Make sure you have a clear path to the inside of the track. Also make sure that you are not exiting at the same point where another rider is entering.  If you are not sure what another rider is about to do, maintain your position and speed and come around the track again.