First Session
I had my first session at Newport last night. Really enjoyed it and can see myself being a regular there once the course ends. I can't believe it has taken me this long to go there considering I only live 4 miles away :shock:
My big concern before starting was that I'd instinctively try to freewheel but I soon realised that this wouldn't happen. It was also daunting to walk up the ramp from the changing rooms and see the banking looming above me. We went through the usual beginner's drills starting off with a few laps on the flat to get used to the bikes, followed by the cote d'azur, then between the red and black for a couple and finally up onto the blue line or higher and once I got used to not trying to steer around the corners or lean I really started to get into it. We then practiced riding in a line, signalling and dropping to the back which didn't go great the first time as there were many people who'd never ridden on a wheel before and others who decided to surge through when they hit the front but we soon settled down before riding shoulder to shoulder laps either side of the blue and finishing with all 20 of us riding in line. My only problem was I was put on a 50cm Giant which felt tiny - not surprising as I usually ride a 58cm on the road so I'm going to make sure I get at least a 56cm next week.
I've now just got to persuade the Mrs to let me buy a track bike as I think I'm going to be hooked
A couple of the JIF riders who came on after us had lovely Cervelos but I think I'll settle for something second hand for now. 
My big concern before starting was that I'd instinctively try to freewheel but I soon realised that this wouldn't happen. It was also daunting to walk up the ramp from the changing rooms and see the banking looming above me. We went through the usual beginner's drills starting off with a few laps on the flat to get used to the bikes, followed by the cote d'azur, then between the red and black for a couple and finally up onto the blue line or higher and once I got used to not trying to steer around the corners or lean I really started to get into it. We then practiced riding in a line, signalling and dropping to the back which didn't go great the first time as there were many people who'd never ridden on a wheel before and others who decided to surge through when they hit the front but we soon settled down before riding shoulder to shoulder laps either side of the blue and finishing with all 20 of us riding in line. My only problem was I was put on a 50cm Giant which felt tiny - not surprising as I usually ride a 58cm on the road so I'm going to make sure I get at least a 56cm next week.
I've now just got to persuade the Mrs to let me buy a track bike as I think I'm going to be hooked
A couple of the JIF riders who came on after us had lovely Cervelos but I think I'll settle for something second hand for now. 0
Comments
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Excellent, would love a go myself 8)0
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Hi Pross, was it the beginners session you did on the monday evening ? Do you have to book and was there a waiting list ?0
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Yes, it was the beginners. I had to book back in January and have got on the March course so not too bad. About 20 in the class, some are complete cycling beginners as well as track virgins so there's a good mix.0
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Definitely want to get down to Herne Hill asap. Been riding fixed for a year or so now, but never on a proper track.0
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Did a taster session last night at Manchester.Really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone0
