IN THE LOOP: HHV January NEWSLETTER
TIME TO GET YOUR EARLY BIRD TIX
iT’S THE South London Grand Prix 2026!
Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July 2026
3pm - 10pm
Your eyes do not deceive you, the South London Grand Prix will now be on a Friday and Saturday this year! We had such a ball last year that we’re doing it again.
When you buy Early Bird tickets not only are you saving money, you’re helping us plan in advance. Grab your tickets now so we can make this the best SLGP yet.
SLGP SUPER SUPPORTERS WANTED
Our Super Supporter scheme worked so well last year that we’re giving you another chance to help elevate grassroots track cycling at HHV.
In the spirit of supporting not only local but national and international cycling, we are proud to offer the chance for you, dear reader, to support an international athlete.
A Super Supporter ticket of £250 will see £200 going to an international athlete to be spent on travel and accommodation. The remaining £50 will go towards running the event itself.
In addition to warm fuzzies, Super Supporters will also get:
2 adult and 3 child tickets, or 4 adult tickets
1 reserved picnic bench
A digital shoutout in our communications
2026 RACE PLANNER RELEASED
Off to the Races!
We’re thrilled to unveil our 2026 race calendar, with all of your favourites returning for another exciting year at Herne Hill Velodrome - please visit individual events on our website for more details.
Convene esg TRACK LEAGUE
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
Our legendary weekly Track League returns every Wednesday from 6pm with multiple youth and senior races each week. Watch or race with the next track champion here.
FHHV VETS LEAGUE
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
Open category racing for women 30+ and everyone aged 40+ on Saturday evenings once per month from 5.30pm in 3 different fields.
CONDOR WOMEN’S LEAGUE
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
One Saturday evening of every month from 5.30pm onwards with racing for women of all experiences.
Speaking of women…
International Women’s Day TAKEOVER
A jam-packed day of activities aimed at celebrating and connecting women and non-binary people in cycling.
Dulwich Village Junction
Our local councillors have asked us to pass on a message regarding Dulwich Village Junction - next to Dulwich Hamlet Primary School. It’s an incredibly visible space, which happens to be close enough to HHV that any cyclists riding through red lights at speed reflects badly, not just on cyclists in general, but on the velodrome and our community. Please cycle considerately through the junction, thank you!
The Festive 500 at Herne Hill Velodrome is back for 2026
10 riders. 500km (1,112 laps) in one go. Over six editions, riders have raised £100k+ for charity, and we’re opening applications early again, giving you almost a full year to train, and we’re offering free coaching support for underrepresented riders. You don’t need to be an ultra-endurance pro: just pick a charity, tell us why you want in, and commit to the challenge.
Yes, it’s hard, but it’s all on a traffic-free velodrome. No cars, no potholes, no navigation. Bring spare kit, plenty of food, overnight helpers, and even grab a nap if you need… just don’t underestimate how tough those laps feel through the night.
First round of applications closes mid-February, with a few places held back for later in the year if you're undecided right now. 2026 is our second year of equal representation, with half the places reserved for women.
Share with your clubs + riding pals 🩵
THANK YOU FIXERS!
Roger, Graham, Emily, Yuzo and Keith
They came, they fixed, they cleared the bike mountain
A huge shoutout to our mechanic volunteers who gave their time and expertise to repair our bikes: Roger, Roy, Eddy, Keith, David, Graham and Yuzo were a great help. Even Emily the dog got stuck in.
If you know how to fix punctures, tune up disc/rim brakes and index gears, there will be a regular monthly session in the Pavilion. Get in touch with Jenni to get on the list: jgwiazdowski@hhvt.org
BIKE MAINTENANCE CLASSES
Ops manager / mechanic Jenni is teaching bike maintenance in 2026. The more you understand your bike, the more likely you are to ride it!
Introduction to Maintenance
Don’t know where to start? Start here!
Whether you're a seasoned vet or a total bike n00b, it pays to learn some basic bike maintenance. Punctures are very often the first real obstacle a rider will encounter - we'll cover how to fix those, and much more.
We will cover how to...
use tools
prevent punctures
replace an innertube
keep tabs on your bike
clean your bike
By the end of this 4 hour class you will have more confidence in yourself, your abilities, your kit, and your bike.
Introduction to Indexing a Rear Derailleur
Faeries don’t change your gears, YOU do!
Indexing gears is no mystery, you just need to be shown what the heck is going on down there.
If your gears make a 'click' when you push the lever (or twist the grip), you have what's called indexed shifting. This requires occasional upkeep to make sure your gears are doing what you tell them to do.
We will cover:
How gears work (hint: it's not magic)
How to efficiently use your gears
How to tune up a rear derailleur using barrel adjusters
How to index a rear derailleur from scratch
Common problems with gears and how to avoid them
By the end of this 4 hour class you will have more confidence in yourself, your abilities, your kit, and your bike.
Jenni will be away in Japan for the month of March, and then more classes and saddle fittings will resume in April. Stay tuned for dates.
That’s all for now friends.
Until next time, keep turning left!
The team at Herne Hill Velodrome
ps. Relive the excitement of the 2025 South London Grand Prix and watch our highlight reel as you BUY YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKETS HERE.