Velodrome

[Furberger]

I had my second session on a velodrome yesterday on a proper track bike and my first session peddaling in anger! 2 lap Keirin. Proper addictive and it gives me an excuse to buid another bike to add to the stable
Anyone else ride track on here?

[AyBee]

No, but I'd love to

[louiebaby]

Let's have a full write up old chap, I'd love a crack at some velodroming...

Where was it, how much did it cost, who did you race, etc...

[JRM]

I think the one in Dulwich somewhere lets you go round

[hullbilly]

I would love to cycle around a velodrome, there arent many Velodromes in the uk are there?

Is there any in London/Surrey?

[jodypress]

Herne Hill Velodrome: http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/

outside, but fun to be had.

[anonymous-user]

one in newport, south wales too.

[louiebaby]

jodypress said:

Herne Hill Velodrome: http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/

outside, but fun to be had.

Never realised how close it was. Might pop along to their beginner session on Sat morning...

Maybe the missus would like to try it...

[Mr Gear]

louiebaby said:

jodypress said:

Herne Hill Velodrome: http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/

outside, but fun to be had.

Never realised how close it was. Might pop along to their beginner session on Sat morning...

Maybe the missus would like to try it...

There's a good one in Southampton http://www.calshot.com/cycle.html

I had a go on it a few years ago and loved it.

[Parsnip]

Done it a few times - great fun, but not really my forte - not enough hills you see.

Diving down the banking and hammering out a sprint is muchos fun though.

[Pupp]

Yep, ridden the boards a few times, including Manchester and the now gone Leicester track

Great fun and for my money the purest form of cycling there is.

Next Q should be, 'who has done any roller racing?'

[louiebaby]

Did my first session last night on a Velodrome, at Herne Hill.

Rocked up at 18:30, and persuaded a young lad to give me a quick induction. I was lent an old fixie, and jacked the seat up really high, strapped my feet into the cages and completed a few wobbly laps to gain confidence. Then I got chucked in with the "Adults Intermediate and Expert Race Training Night."



I know I shouldn't blame the equipment, but it was hardly geared for speed, and combined with lack of clip in pedals and a very narrow handlebar, I never won anything. I don't think I disgraced myself though.

Now I'm going to spend a bit of time on Ebay to find a track bike suitable for a 6' 8" mad man.

I loved it, the people were friendly, helpful and fast, and I had a great evening.

(There was some proper bike porn there too...)

[Rich_W]

Pupp said:

Yep, ridden the boards a few times, including Manchester and the now gone Leicester track

Great fun and for my money the purest form of cycling there is.

Next Q should be, 'who has done any roller racing?'

Back in my yoof. I was a member of a cycling club. I was in the MTB section. But one evening they were doing this against another local club. I can still vividly picture one of our guys on the rollers, guy each side holding the bike upright whilst he hammered away like a nutter and a large "Countdown" style clock rolled around showing who was winning. Looked terrifying!

pic for the un-initiated

[Pupp]

Rich_W said:

Pupp said:

Yep, ridden the boards a few times, including Manchester and the now gone Leicester track

Great fun and for my money the purest form of cycling there is.

Next Q should be, 'who has done any roller racing?'

Back in my yoof. I was a member of a cycling club. I was in the MTB section. But one evening they were doing this against another local club. I can still vividly picture one of our guys on the rollers, guy each side holding the bike upright whilst he hammered away like a nutter and a large "Countdown" style clock rolled around showing who was winning. Looked terrifying!

pic for the un-initiated

Terrifying indeed.... and knackering!!

[jodypress]

Pupp said:

Rich_W said:

Pupp said:

Yep, ridden the boards a few times, including Manchester and the now gone Leicester track

Great fun and for my money the purest form of cycling there is.

Next Q should be, 'who has done any roller racing?'

Back in my yoof. I was a member of a cycling club. I was in the MTB section. But one evening they were doing this against another local club. I can still vividly picture one of our guys on the rollers, guy each side holding the bike upright whilst he hammered away like a nutter and a large "Countdown" style clock rolled around showing who was winning. Looked terrifying!

pic for the un-initiated

Terrifying indeed.... and knackering!!

If you fancy having a go yourself: http://www.rollapaluza.com/

Rollaplauza's fastest riders:

1 Matt Crampton 17.90
2 Craig Maclean 18.94
3 Chris Hoy 19.44
4 Marteen 19.47
5 Robin Thompson19.59
6=Joe Wood 19.75
6=Duncan ferris 19.75
8 Caspar 19.76
9 Pete Mitchell 19.78
10 Ian Holt 19.84

[Uriel]

I was out for a road ride tonight and swung by Gypsies Green in South Shields. I thought it'd been closed for years, maybe opened for the running club every now and again, but the gates were open and the place was deserted. I thought it would be rude to not go in and spend and hour or so playing about.

It's not in the best of shape, quite bumpy and a few tiny glass shards scattered about and the wind coming off the sea didn't help, but it was good fun - first time I've ever been on a track. I'm planning on heading down again tomorrow.

Anyone in the area that fancies a go should get down soon as I think they're planning on knocking it down to build a hotel.

Edited by Uriel on Wednesday 12th May 16:50

[a11y_m]

jodypress said:

If you fancy having a go yourself: http://www.rollapaluza.com/

Rollaplauza's fastest riders:

1 Matt Crampton 17.90
2 Craig Maclean 18.94
3 Chris Hoy 19.44
4 Marteen 19.47
5 Robin Thompson19.59
6=Joe Wood 19.75
6=Duncan ferris 19.75
8 Caspar 19.76
9 Pete Mitchell 19.78
10 Ian Holt 19.84

Ah, Rollapaluza - the quickest way to make yourself throw up

I'm still mentally scarred from my mate taking part at SSUK09 last year in Dalby:




I do fancy a go on a velodrome for a laugh but know I wouldn't be any good. At least we'll actually have an indoor one north of the border in the next couple of years, the outdoor track at Meadowbank in Edinburgh is a tad scary...

[louiebaby]

jodypress said:

1 Matt Crampton 17.90
2 Craig Maclean 18.94
3 Chris Hoy 19.44
4 Marteen 19.47
5 Robin Thompson19.59
6=Joe Wood 19.75
6=Duncan ferris 19.75
8 Caspar 19.76
9 Pete Mitchell 19.78
10 Ian Holt 19.84

To be more than a second quicker than the next best person over that short a race is nothing short of amazing. A second and half quicker than Sir Hoy is pretty sweet too...

Wow.