Taster session at Manchester Velodrome

graeme_s-2

My wonderful girlfriend bought me a taster session at Manchester Velodrome which is coming up in a couple of weeks. Just wondering if anyone had advice on what I'd need to take with me, what to expect, and how to get the most out of it?

suze

Your ordinary riding gear, helmet, and shoes with standard LOOK cleats for the hire bikes. Not Keo, they tend to come uncliped from the hire bikes with disasterous consequenses. Take a drink with you as it has quite a dry atmosphere, and can be quite dusty.

If you've never rode track or even fixed wheel before the coach will give you a short chat. Then get you riding around on the blue run off area and when he/she thinks your ok they'll suggest riding on the track, first on the "cote d'azure", and then if your going fast enough higher up the track. You'll soon be riding around on the blue line and even higher.

Don't change your line without looking over your shoulder first.

And lastly ENJOY...!

edhornby

if you have no suitable shoes they can be hired - no visors on helmets or any other objects that could come loose, other than that it's all good - you won't need lots of layers as you soon warm up so a short sleeve top will work fine

and it's brilliant fun

avoidingmyphd

put your drink on top of the drinks machine in the track centre.
This means you can pull over and have some without getting off your bike. You'll see when you get there.


i got this advice off here, and was very pleased I did!

singlespeedexplosif

Don't change your line without looking over your shoulder first.

really the only thing you need to remember!

Yorkiand

edhornby wrote:

if you have no suitable shoes they can be hired - no visors on helmets or any other objects that could come loose, other than that it's all good - you won't need lots of layers as you soon warm up so a short sleeve top will work fine

and it's brilliant fun

Shoes can be hired, helmets are included in the price.

My first thought when I went on the taster session was how steep the banking was. It looked frightening. But an hour later I was flying around the top and the burst of speed you get as you come down is great.

As ed says it's great fun. A real buzz infact. Can't wait to go again.

Eddy S

There is some useful general info here re clothing and stuff. Take plenty of water/enery drink of your choice - it's a very dry atmosphere.

Graeme_S wrote:

.....and how to get the most out of it?

You'll get the most out it by listening to the coach running the session! 8)

graeme_s-2

Thanks for all the replies. Looking forwards to this even more now!

I commute on a fixie during the winter, so comfortable with that, never ridden on a track before. Have been to several Revolution meets, so I'm all too familiar with how terrifyingly steep the banking looks, but I also know that riders do generally stay up when riding on it.

I have road shoes, but they're fitted with Crank Brothers 3 hole cleats, so presumably I'll need to hire shoes. Might give them a ring and make sure they can accommodate my size 13 feet!

andy_wrx

avoidingmyphd wrote:

put your drink on top of the drinks machine in the track centre.
This means you can pull over and have some without getting off your bike. You'll see when you get there.


i got this advice off here, and was very pleased I did!

Officially, no.
Drinks officially shouldn't be on the track, you should leave then at the bottom of the railings at the top of the ramp.
I think the issue is that someone had a leaky bottle, dribbled over the trackside next to the drinks machine, puddle, wet tyres not good for grip...

But in practice, it'll depend on who the coach is as to whether they're bothered.


(- in similar way, you shouldn't spit or clear your nose out on the track :shock:
- see below... )


You will get warm so short-sleeve jersey would be OK, but you would be advised to wear two layers, just in case you come off and slide down the banking.

Do wear track mitts.

You can either hire shoes, or wear trainers and they have some toeclip&strap things which clip into the (old tyle) Look Delta pedals.

There's more on http://www.manchestervelodrome.com/stat ... ations.htm

General Track Safety
The session Coach should stress the need for safety and good practice with the riders under their charge at all times. The following notes are for guidance and should be followed by the Coach as well as the riders:
Do not eat within 2 hrs of a training session.
Riders must not spit or clear their nose onto any surface within the Velodrome. It costs £8.00 in time and materials to clean up bodily fluids on each occasion. If you are feeling sick please remove yourself from the track area if possible, as the session may be cancelled if any part of the track area is contaminated, and needs specialist cleaning.
Track mitts must be worn to reduce injury risk on any contact or impact – and can also be used to wipe your nose! If you have a rear pocket in your jersey, take a handkerchief or tissue with you to clear your nose or throat, and be careful when you take your hand of the bars!
Riders must not eat or chew gum whilst on the track, and must dispose of any gum appropriately.
Riders should wear two layers of clothing above the waist. If you are hiring Velodrome shoes you must wear socks, and it is good practice anyway as it prevents chafing.
If your helmet has a peak fitted, it must be removed. No other fixings to helmets are allowed, including light(s), cameras and mascots. Cleats should be unworn and in good clean condition.
When not on the track riders should wear warm clothing.
Riders must not ride up or down on the ramp, must not ride in the riders “D” or on the track centre floor.
No drinks are to be consumed or taken onto the blue safety zone – keep them on the ramp or in the riders “D”.
Do not walk from the riders “D” to the changing rooms in cycling shoes.
Riders should not ride outside the Velodrome and then bring the bike back in as this brings more dirt onto the track surface.
Specification of a Manchester Velodrome bike:
Track bikes must have a fixed wheel, 165mm cranks, and 280mm (11”) bottom bracket height (measured from floor to centre of bottom bracket), no braze ons, and must have track ends. Coaches must advise riders to check their own bikes before taking to the track, including: tyres, chain tension, wheel nuts. If a “fixie” bike is used, that matches the measurements above, and has brazed ons or cast cable or gear stops, they must be padded with foam and taped over with insulating tape.
Use Schwalbe or Continental clinchers or tubulars (black tread only), 23 mm wide. Tyres must be inflated to 8 bar (119psi), and the pressures, and tyre condition checked regularly. Do not use Michelin tyres or any dual compound tyres. Other tyres and tubulars may in future be recommended after analysis.
Do not use brand new tyres on the track without first preparing them thus; rub the surface with alcohol or white vinegar or other degreaser before use. Ride the first three laps on the Cote d’Azure or bottom of track.
No spare sprocket on double rear hub, bar ends in handlebars.
No quick release spindles. Wheel spindles should not extend beyond the track nuts, front and rear, and should be sawn off flush with the nut, and filed smooth.
Recommended gears for novices, and all riders on taster sessions - 84” gear adults, 74” for 9 -12 year olds.
The gearing on Velodrome hire bikes range from 72.6” (44 x 15) to 83.9” (50 x 16).
Gearing for all endurance SQT’s, including Madison and Derny, shall be restricted to 88”. The only exception is the “A” SQT, where it is unlikely that there are any Velodrome bikes (84” gears) used on this session. It does not apply to Sprint or Sprint/Keirin SQT’s.
Do not have any active devices such as bike computers or digital displays that can distract you whilst riding. As a computer is a “projection” it is not allowed.