Discussion
assume you are talking about herne hill, i havent been but its popular despite the annual threats of closure.
you will need to do go along and find out if they run a beginners course first. a velodrome is a pretty daunting place and its important that you know what you are doing for your safety and for the others around you. even has a fairly experienced roadie i made loads of mistakes and was grateful for the beginner sessions. there should be a coach there too, this means that you will be doing training drills and things rather than just riding round so you get used to moving around on the track. a three hour session should leave you wiped out.
most places will have hire bikes, these are fine for learning the ropes but a decent track bike can be had for around £500 if you get into it.
you will need to do go along and find out if they run a beginners course first. a velodrome is a pretty daunting place and its important that you know what you are doing for your safety and for the others around you. even has a fairly experienced roadie i made loads of mistakes and was grateful for the beginner sessions. there should be a coach there too, this means that you will be doing training drills and things rather than just riding round so you get used to moving around on the track. a three hour session should leave you wiped out.
most places will have hire bikes, these are fine for learning the ropes but a decent track bike can be had for around £500 if you get into it.
I did a few sessions at Herne Hill last year, it was great fun. I'm not sure whether it is still open, as I haven't been this year.
The season is about to close though isn't it? The track isn't floodlit and is outdoors, so needs dry, light evenings.
I found it an odd sensation, as I'd never ridden fixed before. You can get a good track bike for not too much, so it shouldn't be too expensive a sport to get into.
The season is about to close though isn't it? The track isn't floodlit and is outdoors, so needs dry, light evenings.
I found it an odd sensation, as I'd never ridden fixed before. You can get a good track bike for not too much, so it shouldn't be too expensive a sport to get into.
If you get into it it is a fantastic form of cycling.In Manchester you need to do an induction course and learn how to navigate your away around the track.there are plenty of training sessions and some track leagues.Warning be prepared to fall of at some time.
But it is fun with a capital "F". I assume after the Olympics the velodrome will be open to the public so might be worth enquiring now as to what they will be doing.No chance of being hit by a bus or by a car!!!!!!
But it is fun with a capital "F". I assume after the Olympics the velodrome will be open to the public so might be worth enquiring now as to what they will be doing.No chance of being hit by a bus or by a car!!!!!!
Depending where in London you are, if its north London 20 minutes up the A1 is Welwyn track. I have ridden the league this year but its outdoors and finishes this Friday.
They run training sessions on Saturdays and weeknights during the season, you have to do the training with the coaches before you are allowed to race.
Look on Welwyn Wheelers club site for info.
They run training sessions on Saturdays and weeknights during the season, you have to do the training with the coaches before you are allowed to race.
Look on Welwyn Wheelers club site for info.
summit7 said:
Depending where in London you are, if its north London 20 minutes up the A1 is Welwyn track. I have ridden the league this year but its outdoors and finishes this Friday.
They run training sessions on Saturdays and weeknights during the season, you have to do the training with the coaches before you are allowed to race.
Look on Welwyn Wheelers club site for info.
Am South West so Herne Hill is probably closer. Will have to check out their website for information, although having said that, it looks like the season is finishing as the weather gets worse so maybe I'll just have to continue road riding and look into it next season They run training sessions on Saturdays and weeknights during the season, you have to do the training with the coaches before you are allowed to race.
Look on Welwyn Wheelers club site for info.

happy to organise something in Newport if there are enough interested parties. most likely it will be a sunday from 0900 to 1200.
if i cna sort somethign out it will be a coached session and a mix of beginners and experienced riders but they will most likely split the groups so its not complete carnage on the first interval....
if i cna sort somethign out it will be a coached session and a mix of beginners and experienced riders but they will most likely split the groups so its not complete carnage on the first interval....
Cookie172 said:
Well that's great news. You've brightened up my day!AyBee said:
Am South West so Herne Hill is probably closer. Will have to check out their website for information, although having said that, it looks like the season is finishing as the weather gets worse so maybe I'll just have to continue road riding and look into it next season 
Have a look on the London Fixed-Gear, Single Speed forum http://www.lfgss.com/. There's a track specific section, but the rest of it is useful if you're cycling in London. 
AyBee,
Welwyn are running road bikes on track training sessions throughout the winter on Wednesday evenings (as long as it is dry).
Great way to get used to the track and have some coaching AND keep sharp over winter.
Come and say hello - find the oldest geezer on the oldest Clements steel road bike giving it large to the youngsters - that will be me.
The sessions start in October and will be listed on the club website
Welwyn are running road bikes on track training sessions throughout the winter on Wednesday evenings (as long as it is dry).
Great way to get used to the track and have some coaching AND keep sharp over winter.
Come and say hello - find the oldest geezer on the oldest Clements steel road bike giving it large to the youngsters - that will be me.
The sessions start in October and will be listed on the club website
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horpe, I need to get over some time and see if they do beginner sessions.