Velodrome cycling
Discussion
Had my first ever session at the velodrome (in Newport) with a group of guys from work. What a rush! Didn't actually go that far but I'm utterly knackered. I don't think my legs have hurt quite as badly as they did at the end of a 500m (2 lap) solo time trial. My arms are also killing me.
Does anyone go regularly? What are you riding? I was told that to run your own bike you need to have completed a 3 part beginners course and an intermediate course. Definitely something I'd like to have another go at this year.
Does anyone go regularly? What are you riding? I was told that to run your own bike you need to have completed a 3 part beginners course and an intermediate course. Definitely something I'd like to have another go at this year.
I did the first accreditation level at Glasgow before I moved away. Rode one of their bikes. Was amazing fun. You don't realise how steep that banking is on the telly!
At the end we had to do 3 fast laps. I set off in front and was determined to stay in front so went as hard as I could. Felt like puking afterwards but enjoyed it and stayed in front to the end. Whether that was down to my awesomeness (unlikely) or the reticence of the other riders remains a mystery
I would definitely have continued the accreditation if circumstances allowed.
At the end we had to do 3 fast laps. I set off in front and was determined to stay in front so went as hard as I could. Felt like puking afterwards but enjoyed it and stayed in front to the end. Whether that was down to my awesomeness (unlikely) or the reticence of the other riders remains a mystery
I would definitely have continued the accreditation if circumstances allowed.
I was warned not to go up to the spectator seating beforehand. So naturally I went straight up there. Mild terror then ensued! It was ok after we got going though. I initially struggled to get it round on the black line then something clicked and I was high up the banking dropping down etc. managed to stay on the bike too. Not for want of trying though. An attempt to freewheel at the end of our 500m TT had me riding the bucking bronco! My friend did have the group's only fall after we came up behind some others spread out up to the red. I was behind and went high. He went low and realised his mistake too late. Tried to run off track where there was no grip. Net result one more air vent in his sleeve.
Sounds like your session was a bit more informal than the one I went to. The number of riders on track and what they were doing was carefully controlled to ensure that no one found themselves out of their depth or with nowhere to go.
I reckon it could end up pretty addictive, with a constant need to get faster. Great way to spend time in the saddle at this time of year too.
I reckon it could end up pretty addictive, with a constant need to get faster. Great way to spend time in the saddle at this time of year too.
I was on The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome this morning for a drop in session. I passed my accreditation over 15 months ago and usually go at least once or twice a week for some winter exercise. My first time on the boards left me totally knackered and I decided at that point I needed to get some serious miles into my legs before going for my 2nd, 3rd and 4th accreditation, so I postponed the remaining accreditations for the next 6 months until I was fit enough. I used the hire bikes for all the accreditations even though I had my own bike as the thought of an inexperienced rider coming down from above and wiping me and my new track bike out filled me with dread.
Just a thought but were you to flip the stem and remove a couple of the spacers on the giant, the bars will be in the same position/height but you will be significantly reducing the stress on the steerer tube. you don't even need to cut the tube until you are content.
Newport run private sessions with a coach for groups without accreditation which are very popular. Shame the velodrome is an admin vortex though...
Newport run private sessions with a coach for groups without accreditation which are very popular. Shame the velodrome is an admin vortex though...
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 January 08:39
pablo said:
Newport run private sessions with a coach for groups without accreditation which are very popular. Shame the velodrome is an admin vortex though...
That's exactly what we did. Thankfully someone else organised it! Looks like we're going back in April or May. I want to convince 3 others to get accredited so we can share the travel costs.Always wanted to give this a go. My closest track is Manchester but Derby will be open sometime this year which gives me chance to get some miles in on the mountain bike and save to get a cross bike prior to making an attempt on the woodwork. I see the taster sessions are very well priced.
And track bikes don't seem to break the bank if the bug bites.
And track bikes don't seem to break the bank if the bug bites.
I did my accreditation at Bournemouth on the open air velodrome and it was great.
Just rock up on a sunday pay £10 for a tutored session inc bike hire (look pedals or straps) or £7 if you have your own bike and they will teach you how to ride a bike on a track from scratch or take up where you left off.
http://www.bournemouth.cc
Just rock up on a sunday pay £10 for a tutored session inc bike hire (look pedals or straps) or £7 if you have your own bike and they will teach you how to ride a bike on a track from scratch or take up where you left off.
http://www.bournemouth.cc
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