Velodrome first timer

[snobetter]

Went with a group to Newport Velodrome at the weekend, 9 of us hired the track, bikes and a coach for 2 hours. I loved it, were there a track nearer I'd happily go weekly. If you've never tried it give it a go if you get the chance.

[chris7676]

I have done open air York and Manchester many times. It's great especially if they do coached sessions with a decent number of people of similar experience. Most of velodromes do taster sessions - which is a coached session for beginners or those wanting to ride again.

[yellowjack]

I've been on the Bournemouth outdoor velodrome a couple of times. Always stayed on the flat part though. And only on a geared road bike thus far.

I have been unable to convince myself that I can reach the sort of speed where I could stay up on the banking. At 51 years old I think I've reluctantly accepted that "proper" velodrome riding is for better cyclists than me. Occasionally I go to the local BMX race circuit instead, as that seems far less dangerous!

[snobetter]

yellowjack said:

I've been on the Bournemouth outdoor velodrome a couple of times. Always stayed on the flat part though. And only on a geared road bike thus far.

I have been unable to convince myself that I can reach the sort of speed where I could stay up on the banking. At 51 years old I think I've reluctantly accepted that "proper" velodrome riding is for better cyclists than me. Occasionally I go to the local BMX race circuit instead, as that seems far less dangerous!

47 year old after a poor years cycling here, no issue on banking, after being built up to it. The slope also doesn't change in pitch, so if you can ride just on the boards on the black line you can ride at the top. We were all beginners, no one fell or came close to, if you're interested you can do it no problem.

[yellowjack]

snobetter said:

47 year old after a poor years cycling here, no issue on banking, after being built up to it. The slope also doesn't change in pitch, so if you can ride just on the boards on the black line you can ride at the top. We were all beginners, no one fell or came close to, if you're interested you can do it no problem.

I think maybe it's all in my head then. I like that the Bournemouth tracks (BMX and velodrome) are open to use unless there's a booked session in progress though. The velodrome especially is good if your head really isn't in the right place for a road ride with all the concentration that requires. Looping an oval over and over again with no one else on the track does give you an opportunity to simply switch off and just turn the pedals...

[lufbramatt]

yellowjack said:

I've been on the Bournemouth outdoor velodrome a couple of times. Always stayed on the flat part though. And only on a geared road bike thus far.

I have been unable to convince myself that I can reach the sort of speed where I could stay up on the banking. At 51 years old I think I've reluctantly accepted that "proper" velodrome riding is for better cyclists than me. Occasionally I go to the local BMX race circuit instead, as that seems far less dangerous!

Stop talking yourself out of it

The boards are grippier than they look (its not a waxed tenpin bowling lane!) and you don't have to be going fast, just think of it as riding on a bit of a cross camber which sort of flattens out the faster you go.

My dad did a taster session for his birthday when he was 62 and loved it!

[m444ttb]

I’ve done a couple of similar taster sessions at Newport going back a few years plus a load of aero testing on my TT bike more recently. Decided to build up a track bike this winter with the aim of slowly getting into doing a little more and hopefully some individual pursuit eventually. I gather Newport track time is going to be more limited than normal in 2022 due to Team GB training there while Manchester is refurbished.

[numtumfutunch]

Big velodrome fan here and even took one of the kids when she was 13. Great fun

One thing Id strongly recommend is you only go with people you know and trust

Whilst waiting for our club session one time there was a stuff up between a number of individuals, not many of whom looked like they were used to riding in groups, resulting in a very nasty shoulder injury

Ive only ever ridden it when block booked with club mates, if theres a decent number of you its really only marginally more expensive than the open access taster days

Cheers

PS 13y old was well up on the banking after a short induction and enjoyed riding with discipline in the peloton of pain TTT

[Daveyraveygravey]

yellowjack said:

I've been on the Bournemouth outdoor velodrome a couple of times. Always stayed on the flat part though. And only on a geared road bike thus far.

I have been unable to convince myself that I can reach the sort of speed where I could stay up on the banking. At 51 years old I think I've reluctantly accepted that "proper" velodrome riding is for better cyclists than me. Occasionally I go to the local BMX race circuit instead, as that seems far less dangerous!

Go with some mates! I went to Lee Valley a couple of years ago, it was off the scale! Get a track bike, that'll give you enough to think about to forget the banking. You don't have to race, but you get so into it. I was knackered after an hour, but also was glad it was 2 hours drive away, or I'd be mortgaged up to the hilt.

[anonymous-user]

m444ttb said:

I’ve done a couple of similar taster sessions at Newport going back a few years plus a load of aero testing on my TT bike more recently. Decided to build up a track bike this winter with the aim of slowly getting into doing a little more and hopefully some individual pursuit eventually. I gather Newport track time is going to be more limited than normal in 2022 due to Team GB training there while Manchester is refurbished.

Yes track time at Newport will be limited for a while, try PDQ or 42 Degrees are pretty good for sessions though you’ll either need accreditation or demonstrate enough experience and nous to not be a liability. 42 are a great bunch, hugely experienced and organised loads of racing this year (I was too busy to get along) and Jason’s (PDQ) sessions are well structured and usually split by ability so you get loads of track time and some recovery. Hopefully work will quieten down in Feb/March and I’ll get back into it…