PH Cycling Jersey goes to the Velodrome
Discussion
After being one of the 'Few' who jumped on Garlicks bandwagon and lovingly purchased a PH cycling jersey I decided that after being worn in (but not spotted by anyone here, that the jersey could do with a treat so I signed up for a day at the Manchester Velodrome with a selection of guys from work.
What a fantastic time we all had!! I cannot recommend this highly enough to anyone who has done a bit of road or mountain biking. We all had a great time and despite being deeply slow on our flying lap time trial I redeemed myself and more importantly the jersey by winning my 6 lap scratch race. Not that the GB squad appeared to be impressed whilst they warmed up.
Few things from the day and some top tips from someone inexperienced in track cycling.
When you arrive dont go into the supporters seating to look at the track. If you do you will look down on the track and it appears cliff like. At least from the centre of the track it only appears shockingly steep.
Yes, yes I now know its only 42 degrees and anyone can get round.
The bikes we were on have no freewheel, no brakes and no gears but quite a few scrapes and battle marks from other inept riders. The no freewheel thing is more disconcerting than no brakes by the way.
Our grouped was coached/encouraged and sometimes looked on in pity by Lisa, who was great throughout.
After an initial brief, we were on the track, well in my case going round the inside trying to stay on the track and failing at each corner. Rule 5 is undoubtably required here. Just pedal like mad and the physics just works.....honest!!
After some help from Lisa (holding a board with PEDAL FASTER written on it) we were all up on the track and lapping at varying speed. The next test was standing on the straights and looking over your right shoulder on the curves. Token effort from me I'm afraid but was now up to the blue line (half way ish up). Then sprints on the whistle, Lisa whistles and we explode into sprint action, well for the first few anyway, now I'm up to the advert height on the track. After the flying 250m time trial...yes, yes was very slow we were split into 3 groups for a 6 lap scratch race. After gaining some idea of tactics from other 2 groups my race started. Sat on the wheel of the leader for 4 laps and then made my move with a lap and a half to go, diving down from the top of the curve I hit the lead and held them off to the line. A win and some glory restored to the jersey!!
Honestly I had a brilliant day, thanks to Lisa for the coaching, Tom for organising the day and other Tom for showing us how a proper sprinter does it!
The blur at the top of the photo is Jason Kenny, truly astonishing leg speed as you cant see as my phone lacked olympic cyclist shutter speed setting
Go and have a try!
What a fantastic time we all had!! I cannot recommend this highly enough to anyone who has done a bit of road or mountain biking. We all had a great time and despite being deeply slow on our flying lap time trial I redeemed myself and more importantly the jersey by winning my 6 lap scratch race. Not that the GB squad appeared to be impressed whilst they warmed up.
Few things from the day and some top tips from someone inexperienced in track cycling.
When you arrive dont go into the supporters seating to look at the track. If you do you will look down on the track and it appears cliff like. At least from the centre of the track it only appears shockingly steep.
Yes, yes I now know its only 42 degrees and anyone can get round.
The bikes we were on have no freewheel, no brakes and no gears but quite a few scrapes and battle marks from other inept riders. The no freewheel thing is more disconcerting than no brakes by the way.
Our grouped was coached/encouraged and sometimes looked on in pity by Lisa, who was great throughout.
After an initial brief, we were on the track, well in my case going round the inside trying to stay on the track and failing at each corner. Rule 5 is undoubtably required here. Just pedal like mad and the physics just works.....honest!!
After some help from Lisa (holding a board with PEDAL FASTER written on it) we were all up on the track and lapping at varying speed. The next test was standing on the straights and looking over your right shoulder on the curves. Token effort from me I'm afraid but was now up to the blue line (half way ish up). Then sprints on the whistle, Lisa whistles and we explode into sprint action, well for the first few anyway, now I'm up to the advert height on the track. After the flying 250m time trial...yes, yes was very slow we were split into 3 groups for a 6 lap scratch race. After gaining some idea of tactics from other 2 groups my race started. Sat on the wheel of the leader for 4 laps and then made my move with a lap and a half to go, diving down from the top of the curve I hit the lead and held them off to the line. A win and some glory restored to the jersey!!
Honestly I had a brilliant day, thanks to Lisa for the coaching, Tom for organising the day and other Tom for showing us how a proper sprinter does it!
The blur at the top of the photo is Jason Kenny, truly astonishing leg speed as you cant see as my phone lacked olympic cyclist shutter speed setting
Go and have a try!
Manchester is pretty good and they run a lot of beginner sessions, from memory its about £25 for tuition and bike hire. Other places are about the same cost but have fewer sessions. There are about 10 velodromes around the country but only a handful indoor, I wouldnt let that put you off though. There is one being buit in Derby soon... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22...
Yes its really good fun and a proper workout, I'd love to go to Newport more often but work and their timetable arent compatible. I'll investigate if a South/West PH session is feasible in the coming months.
I think the OP can claim the first victory in a PH shirt too....
Yes its really good fun and a proper workout, I'd love to go to Newport more often but work and their timetable arent compatible. I'll investigate if a South/West PH session is feasible in the coming months.
I think the OP can claim the first victory in a PH shirt too....
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff