Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast

Back once again by popular demand (i.e one person expressed an interest on WhatsApp.) Hosts Matthew Swann and Phil Wright are at a windy HHV to talk through the first month of Wednesday night track league, and the early rounds of Vets and Womens leagues. More detailed coverage of Womens League coming in the next episode, along with a proper look at Speed League.

It’s the most anticipated reunion since the Gallagher brothers, and much cheaper. The return of the Herne Hill Velodrome Track League Podcast. Regulars Swanny and Phil Wright are joined by HHV’s own Flying Doctor, top sprinter Izu Chukwulobelu. It’s all here - The South London Grand Prix, Speed League, Spin To Win, Sheona’s Sparkly Sequin race and much much more. 

Five weeks into track league season and regulars Swanny and Phil are joined by a special guest - Holly Jones, the ‘Flying Neurological Anaesthetist’ (try saying that after a few Bianca Road beers). Holly’s currently sidelined by collarbone problems (don’t listen to this podcast while you’re eating, some of the details are a little disturbing) but has been keeping a close eye on the racing. The trio consider some of the important questions in life - can you really be accused of sandbagging if you don’t actually win? How great is it to see Flora Perkins bossing the Vuelta Feminina, and which young HHV regulars beat Katie Archibald in a trackstand competition? And Phil goes philosophical on the mindfulness of racing. DON’T FORGET TO BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE SOUTH LONDON GRAND PRIX 13/14 JUNE AT HERNE HILL VELODROME

Track League is coming! Very soon. Along with a whole season of brilliant local, national and international racing and events at your favourite London velodrome. Vets League and Womens League are back - but with a couple of exciting tweaks - along with the new Speed League. Plus Open meetings, Team Champs, National Derny Championships and the return of UCI International racing with the South London Grand Prix. HHV Racing Supremo Katharine Potsides joins Matthew Swann and Phil Wright to discuss all this and more - including whether The People’s Republic of Herne Hill Velodrome can stake a place on the 2024 Olympic Medal Table. 

First, an apology. Our live podcast in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the HHV Pavilion was a big success, with Phil and Swanny’s season round-up and interviews with Velociposse’s Katherine Fodor, Joseph “The Murminator” Merman, local hero Flora Perkins and Olympic rower turned top-flight trackie Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne. But digital gremlins meant the last two guests were not recorded in a usable form. So, apologies to Flora and Charlotte - we’ll have them both on the podcast again as soon as we can. Until then, enjoy this shortened version where we finally reveal the worst-kept secret of the year - who’s behind the Instagram meme-fest HHV Sh*tposting.  

With the Vets and Women already wrapped up, there's just two Wednesdays to go in the HHV Track League. Matt and Phil get together trackside to review the winners so far, the titles up for grabs and the standout moments of the last month. Including the National Ominium Championships, where local riders once again took on the best in the country. And there's a lot of mutual commiseration over collarbones.The magic spreadsheet mentioned by Matt and Phil should be on this link:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NkL9Pi87FtGAu0fzHJBVtPZa1DE2b-jbtC_zyIX7ccQ/edit#gid=212399889

The South London Grand Prix saw the return to Herne Hill of local legend Flora Perkins. Flora has followed the now familiar path from youth racing in the colours of VCL, through Wednesday track league and national competitions to a place with the GB Academy and the pro team Fenix-Deceuninck Continental. The Grand Prix was the first chance in a while for local fans to see her in action, and she did not disappoint. Swanny caught up with her for this bonus episode.

The UCI brought the South London Grand Prix to HHV and the crowd were treated to some of the fastest riding ever seen at the track. Elite international riders were out in force but Herne Hill’s local heroes more than held their own. That’s the focus of this episode. Swanny’s on Dad duties so Phil Wright is in charge, ably assisted by racer and commentator Jono Maher and Peckham’s Amy Powell. Just two years since she started cycling, Amy is clocking up points in the B’s, riding against the best at the Grand Prix, and is hoping that Wednesday night racing will be suitable training for the challenge of Paris-Brest-Paris.