The Vikings Cycling Club’s Novice Program has been running since 2006. It aims to introduce people into the world of road cycling in a safe and supportive environment whether their focus is on fun, fitness, friendship, attempting participation events, as part of a multi sport adventure or with a curiosity or motivation in the racing direction.
The long-running program is being remodeled a little this year with multiple coaches coming in to support more structured skills work, learning on different levels, works in larger bunches as participant confidence grows and facilitate more real-world work on the road when the time comes.
The program will teach you the basics of road cycling as a sport and help build your confidence in riding in larger groups for fitness, pleasure or in a competitive race situation.. We encourage you to sign up for the 2025 Novice Program if you:
enjoy riding and are looking to do more with your bike
are keen to connect with other people who share your love for riding
own a road bike with drop handlebars
ride your bike regularly and are keen to improve skills, fitness and confidence
are new to riding in bunches and want to learn how to ride safely with others on the road
would like to give a racing a go when you are ready.
The program runs for 8 weeks and starts on Monday 8 September (with an info night to be held on Monday 1 September).
For the first several weeks there will be one coached session per week on Monday morning at the Stromlo Forest Park criterium circuit. Mid-program, around the beginning of October, the Monday sessions will switch to the road at a quiet, central location to be advised. These sessions will be complemented in the later weeks by an optional Thursday evening coached criterium skills session and optional participation in a special novice bunch at the club’s main bunch ride, the Norman, on Friday mornings. There will also be an introductory track cycling session held at the Narrabundah velodrome on a Saturday to provide an opportunity to give that a try. The Monday sessions will start at 6am and run until about 7:15am.
The sessions will cover rider safety, bunch riding etiquette, skills practice, communication, cornering and racing basics.
As cycling is an outdoor activity, some sessions may be affected by the weather. If we need to postpone a session, we will do our best to reschedule at the end of the program. If we are lucky with the weather, then the program will formally conclude on Monday 27 October / Thursday 30 October for those keen to attend the final criterium skills session. Integration of novices into Friday bunch rides and Thursday criterium racing will continue over a few weeks thereafter.
In addition to the 11 formal coached sessions, entries to the program also include:
supported Novice groups at the club's regular Friday Norman bunch rides
following the program skills work and criterium intro, participation in a novice category at Vikings SuperCrits (Criterium racing) on Thursday evenings during Daylight Savings months
a free Vikings Cycling Club jersey valued at $130!
a bike maintenance night with a local bike mechanic, where you will learn the basics of bike maintenance, including fixing a flat tyre.
The entry fee for the program is $195 per rider. Numbers for the novice program will be limited to ensure coaching ratios are maintained.
You will need to have an AusCycling “Lifestyle” or “Race All Discipline” license for the duration of the program. This is important because it includes insurance that covers YOU for third party and personal accident events. https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership
Make sure, if you are taking out a new membership that you select Vikings Cycling Club ACT as your affiliated club. (Riders holding existing AusCycling memberships affiliated with other clubs are also welcome to participate in the program).
You will need:
an Australian standards approved helmet, with the sticker saying it has passed AS/NZS 2063
a drop-bar road bike (no Time Trial aero bars or flat bar bikes)
clip-in pedals (though not mandatory).
a water bottle
warmer clothing than usual, as you will be stopping and starting for coaching.
For more information on the program and stories from previous participants, read more on our website. https://www.vikingscycling.org.au/programs/vcc-novice-program/
If you have any questions regarding the Spring Novice Program, please send an email to our Novice Team at: novice@vikingscycling.org.au
We look forward to meeting you and helping you do more with your cycling – whatever that looks like!
Online pricing: