Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast

HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 13

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:12:08 GMT

A slightly different podcast for you this time - a touch of culture alongside the normal updates on leagues and ratings. What are the links between choral music and cycling? Favourite English cathedral? (Ely, Coventry and Liverpool (x2) make the podium). Who described HHV as 'church without the God?'. And could we really have a singing lapboard?

Regulars Matthew 'Swanny' Swann and Phil Wright are joined by A-Cat and newly-turned vet Adam Nelson, and Jonathan Mayes - keen cyclist and CEO of the Cathedral Music Trust.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 12

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 15:32:15 GMT

Just a couple of weeks to go now before the biggest and most anticipated event in the bike racing calendar. Not Paris-Roubaix, the opening of the Herne Hill Velodrome Wednesday Track League. Regulars Swanny and Phil Wright are joined by Simon Tucker and Feodora Rayner - respectively the new chairs of the charitable HHV Trust and the Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome. And what was expected to be a gentle look-ahead to the coming season covers some deep subjects - including the role of the chairs, the logistics of resurfacing the track, bike thefts and security measures - and death. Worth 45 minutes of your time, especially if you can work out how many times the dreaded phrase 'wonderful community' is used.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 11

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:58:55 GMT

We’re half-way through the season already and podcast regulars Matthew Swann and Phil Wright are joined by two special guests for this women’s racing-themed edition. Linda Wiljaars is a long-time stalwart of Women’s League A’s and Wednesday night C’s, and Sorrel Allen is brand new to track racing - and bikes in general. Plus, a round-up of Vets and Youth racing and Phil’s adventures on the TdF. And don’t miss Linda’s casual name-drop of her childhood racing opponent, or Sorrel’s frankly weird coffee porridge tip.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 10

Sun, 25 May 2025 10:03:29 GMT

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.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 9

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:32:34 GMT

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.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 8

Sun, 05 May 2024 12:25:54 GMT

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

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Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast (Episode 7)

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:52:48 GMT

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.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 6 - The End of The Season

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:30:21 GMT

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.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 5 - The Final Countdown

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 16:18:14 GMT

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

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Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast (Episode 4b)

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:29:30 GMT

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.

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Herne Hill Velodrome - the Track League Podcast (Episode 4)

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:24:37 GMT

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.

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HHV Track League Podcast - Episode 3b

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 10:00:36 GMT

Swanny returns with a round-up of some of the big events at HHV over the past few weeks - including Womens League, the Mixed Madison at Velofete, Vets League and the Team Champs.

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Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast (Episode 3)

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 11:13:50 GMT

"I don't need a fanclub, I've got Herne Hill" Fred Wright.

A special edition of the The HHV Track League Podcast from and around the British National Road Race Championships - where several HHV regulars did rather well. Not least Fred Wright, who'll now be wearing the red and blue stripes through the Tour De France and the rest of his season. Phil Wright joined HHV President Ned Boulting on a road trip to the championships, before heading to the Basque Country for the start of the Tour. Ned shares the challenges of commentating and his dream of hosting the finish of a national road race at HHV. And Fred gives Phil some lessons in hosting a podcast and wonders whether today's juniors at HHV have it harder than him and Ethan.

Episode 3(b), hosted by Swanny, and rounding up all the racing from Velofete, will drop in a few days time.

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Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast (Episode 2)

Thu, 25 May 2023 14:47:29 GMT

Episode 2 of the podcast that tells you everything you want to know about track cycling and South London’s legendary Olympic Velodrome. Hosts Swanny and Phil are joined by HHV’s Cycling Development Manager, coach, racer, commentator and Derny driver Thea ‘The Slayer’ Smith and Velociposse rider and future World Masters Champion Feodora Rayner. On the menu - why Velofete is better than Glastonbury, what on earth is Derny racing all about, Wednesday night hoo-ha’s, pathways, pipelines and victory celebrations. Plus the usual round-up of (most of) the month’s racing.

Please visit our supporters:

Convene ESG, supporters of Track League

Condor Cycles, supporters of Women’s League

FHHV, supporters of Vets League and the Velodrome in general

Rapha supporters of many of our development and community programmes

Theme music by Charlie Swannn

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Herne Hill Velodrome - The Track League Podcast (Episode 1)

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:40:40 GMT

The Herne Hill Velodrome podcast is for everyone who wants to know more about track cycling and this incredible and historic venue in south east London. Whether you’re a seasoned track cyclist or are curious about what goes round the oval, we talk you through the races and riders.

Hosts Phil and Swanny also discuss why Buddhists are wrong about cycle racing, the increasing housework prowess of World Tour Cyclists, why wearing a bright yellow helmet can make you go faster, and the importance of red socks.

Please visit our supporters:

Convene ESG, supporters of Track League

Condor Cycles, supporters of Women’s League

FHHV, supporters of Vets League and the Velodrome in general

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.