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Post by stevo on Aug 11, 2014 8:29:37 GMT
my father in law bought me a 'track taster' at the Olympic velodrome and I shall be attending in Sept. Never been near a track in my life and wonder if any of you guys have done this and whether you have any tips for a total novice? :-)
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 11, 2014 8:58:14 GMT
Few for starters: Don't stop pedalling - you might try if faced with an incident etc but the bike will fight back if you do - learn how to regulate pace with acceleration and deceleration but try to avoid sudden movements, especially with people around you. Keep the pace and line solid in the banks (unless told otherwise by instructors, you may have to vary speed and do fancy manoeuvres when say doing stacking drills, this will only happen as you get more advanced though). Do your shoulder checks when changing position, you flick your elbow to warn others before moving over. Remember to breath well, keep spinning and relax - it can allΒ feel daunting at first, especially when high up the bank, hanging onto the bars with a death grip, with overly stiff arms and shoulders, will make for even worse a ride if you're tense, as the bike handles badly, you breath worse and use energy inefficiently - stay smooth and flowing. Concentrate on what instructors tell you, learnΒ the etiquette / rules and communicate with other riders. particularly to help dictate line pace and when going around people in drills (or just overtaking on a lap). Have fun, be sociable; you're riding your own bike alone (as ever) but the formal sessions are heavily reliant on working well with those riding with you, particularly if doing drills and exercises - it's good to get on with everyone. Don't take it personally if people shout at you and don't be scared to do the same to others, particularly if they're doing something to jeopardise either their, your or group safety. Watch the gap size dictated by the instructor or group leader and work to keep it at the right distance. Stay smooth, when more advanced, some of the training may blow your energy levels apart (silly fast laps when 'chasing the snake' at the end of a session for example), if so, drop off the track carefully in the appropriate way and come in a bit early if burned out. Learn where to get on and off the track properly (ask the instructor if unsure). If the pace is slow and the bike is feeling slippy, tell everyone to pick it up a bit - squeaky tyres and flighty feeling front or rear end are a warning but if you're not used to it, you may not spot it. If you are going to test the limit of slowness v grip (I don't recommend doing this but it may happen if the line is coming off a lap slow for example), do it just above the Cote d'Azur (blue bit at base) so that a slip will mean you're back on the level. Climbing the banks at slow speed is not the best idea, as essentially it's like climbing a dead steep hill sideways with minimal grip. Sometimes you need to back the pace off when say doing drills in a group and catching up on a group in front - it's best to do this down the straights and hold speed in the bends (or even speed up a bit and nudge it back again on the straights - taking your stacked group down is everyone's worse nightmare).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 9:12:15 GMT
Did one at the Manchester Velodrome about 2 years ago... was great fun! No gears and no brakes keeps things pretty simple! Just listen carefully to what the instructor says and you'll be fine.
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Post by captslog on Aug 11, 2014 10:37:40 GMT
Looks like it would be fun, just a shame that it's not closer. The new Derby one will be on my doorstep though.
A few years ago when my son was having bike problems, he went to the LBS and the chap there mentioned a track that was close to us but I can't think where it was and can't find it now.
I get the feeling it was north Leics, anyone know of it? This is likely to be an outdoor BTW. I found references to an old one in Leics, which was demolished, so I don't think it could have been that.
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Post by stevo on Aug 11, 2014 14:24:22 GMT
Thanks Rad. that does sound a bit daunting, but will certainly take note of all the instructors have to tell me! :-)
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Post by chas on Aug 11, 2014 14:50:33 GMT
Looks like it would be fun, just a shame that it's not closer. The new Derby one will be on my doorstep though. A few years ago when my son was having bike problems, he went to the LBS and the chap there mentioned a track that was close to us but I can't think where it was and can't find it now. I get the feeling it was north Leics, anyone know of it? This is likely to be an outdoor BTW. I found references to an old one in Leics, which was demolished, so I don't think it could have been that. Used to be outdoor ones in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, now all gone I think there'll be huge demand for the new one when it opens. Nearest at the moment is Forest Town in Mansfield www.foresttowntrack.co.uk/ not really banked but still good fun.
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 11, 2014 15:07:07 GMT
Thanks Rad. that does sound a bit daunting, but will certainly take note of all the instructors have to tell me! :-) You'll probably only ride round spaced out on a taster session - I've hit you with intermediate + level input there, so you'll know a bit more than most. By coincidence, I'm on the track again at Newport this evening and after having to miss a slot earlier in the year, my rescheduled race accreditation is next week, so I'm focussing in on it all at the mo' !
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 12:33:45 GMT
Glasgow velodrome does taster sessions as well as full accreditation sessions. It looks brilliant fun - and no wind or rain! :-)
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 12, 2017 16:41:05 GMT
Rather than start a new thread....Wife has bought me a taster session at Manchester for my birthday! Never ridden in (nor visited) a velodrome before and am a bit excited (and nervous). Just watched a couple of videos and am worried about the fixed wheel - I often pedal backwards and don't want to end up in a heap! From the schedule, it looks as if Team GB are training afterwards. Not sure if you can watch or not? Read Radchenister 's notes above, but if anyone else has tips I'd be grateful to hear them. (Including parking advice etc)
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Post by robertsims on Jun 12, 2017 18:12:20 GMT
Nothing to add to rad post above but i did taster in Newport in December and loved it. Looks daunting at start but once flying round then great fun.
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Post by RobP on Jun 12, 2017 20:50:04 GMT
Just finished my accreditation course at the Olympic velodrome, a great experience and this provided perfect reason for n+1 which is now hanging in my garage ready for more sessions as an accredited rider Dont worry about back pedaling. Its a real effort to even try and you certainly wont manage it by accident. Read Radchenister teps and relax and enjoy it. You will be on the drops when on the track so stay loose and relaxed in the arms as if you get too stiff movements on track can become a bit jerky Been to Manchester velodrome loads of times and there are two parking areas: the first by the Evans store and the cafe (Turn right just before velodrome) the other is behind (go past velodrome and entrance on right) If by some strange chance both are full the huge Asda next door had loads of parking and we use this when spectating at events and would expect if anything like the Olympic velodrome then you will be able to sit in track centre or up in stands to watch the GB team
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 18, 2017 21:18:58 GMT
You forgot to mention RobP that next to the Asda is Decathlon!!!
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Post by RobP on Jun 19, 2017 20:20:11 GMT
You forgot to mention RobP that next to the Asda is Decathlon!!! Oh yeah forgot that bit have been then?
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 19, 2017 21:08:06 GMT
You forgot to mention RobP that next to the Asda is Decathlon!!! Oh yeah forgot that bit have been then? Yep, went on Saturday. Put something about it on 'who's getting out there'. It was an hour long session. I was surprised at how big the track was and how steep the banking was. I was very nervous for a couple of days beforehand. I have this vague memory of coming off a bike in Germany as a kid when you pedaled backwards to brake - I was convinced I would do the same with a fixie and end up in a heap! (Thankfully I didn't! ) We seemed to spend ages getting bikes sorted. There were approx 15 of us in the session, none of whom had done it before. After a couple of laps getting used to starting and stopping we were set loose. I kept pretty low to begin with until I built some confidence. I then managed to get above the blue line into the advertising bits, but got a bit scared on occasion when trying to get through traffic. It was really hot and we were told that we ought to have a couple of breaks to re-hydrate. After my first break I was knackered! I guess walking in the Peak District the day before was having an effect. When I came in for a second break, the instructor said there was only 5 mins left. So off I went again, but my legs had turned to jelly! Overall, a really good experience and one I'm glad I've done. I was beaming like a Cheshire Cat afterwards, which is unusual for me as I'm normally a miserable b*gger! I'm not thinking of taking racing up seriously, but would go again if one of my kids or friends wanted to go. P.S. The only disappointment was that they didn't have an AF GF in Decathlon for me to look at after the event!
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Post by chas on Jun 19, 2017 22:08:26 GMT
Unfortunately the AF GF is internet only, don't know why
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