For the past several years, the Finnegan'sToys, Discover Chiropractic
team (Emerald Velo, previously sponsored by Corben/Huntair) has

provided early season racing clinics, discussing strategies, safety and
riding skills. These clinics have been well received by those who

attended, plus the clinics are free. There may be another session this
year, although with racing season upon us, there is not a lot of

spare time to fit it in.

Or, as John mentioned in his lengthy eMail, as he sits at home with a
broken leg, practice race simulations whenever possible ...

An excerpt from his eMail:

1. Club rides. Especially for beginners or those of you who have only
done cyclecross. And sorry, just sauntering rides although great are
not enough. You have to have short hard club rides on nearly flat
roads, to give beginners a feel for the speed, and the closeness (that
is necessary to keep from getting dropped). And it helps to have
experienced riders giving feedback at least for a few rides... Club
rides of 20 plus riders are huge in the midwest in almost every town
with a bike shop. This is where people learn to ride and race.

2. Practice riding close to people. Practice pacelines. In general, if
you are a racer, whenever you are riding with anyone else, you should be
doing pacelines and riding close to one another. Even on a casual ride,
ride side by side and chat. You should get comfortable with handlebars
only 2 to 3 inches away. Yes you may touch occasionally but that's all
that will happen and its all learning not to panic.. Yes you need a
good spin and a quiet upper body.

3. Never ever make sudden movements if you know there are people around
you. Always assume they are to the side of you or are overlapped on your
rear wheel. Never ever brake in a pack if you can help it. That
doesn't mean you can't move to the side or etc.. you just have to do it
slowly.

4. You need to spin when riding in a pack. Seriously there are all
kinds of benefits to a good spin. One of them is its safer.

5. Ride at Alpenrose Velodrome. Other than my one time getting
crashed, it really is quite safe, safety awareness is heightened and
everyone is trained quite well. Go to at least two Wednesday training
classes. And also read up on velodrome safety and then ask a lot of
questions too.

6. If you don't have a club, ride with PWTC. Seriously their Tue Wed
or Thur rides will provide some good group riding dynamics. Their
pacelines aren't great but its better than nothing !

7. If by yourself practice riding on the white line...