going to the velodrome tomorrow night ....
northernneil
Posts: 1,549
... for a taster session, what should I expect ? what should I take ?
I know they provide shoes and helmets, but what else do I need ?
I know they provide shoes and helmets, but what else do I need ?
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Just normal cycling kit really.
Bring a water bottle as you will need it. And if you're gonna crash, a giant set of tweezers.
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Expect to have a whole load of fun. I did the session a couple of weeks back and it was fantastic fun.
Once you get into it though, don't forget you can stop and grab a drink and get your breath back. The track just makes you want to go faster each lap and you have to force yourself to calm down a bit at times.
Although after our session we got to see some of the GB team doing some final prep for the World Cup event - then we realised we weren't going as fast as we thought
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i'm off to the newprt velodrome on the 14th march
i cant wait!
i have always wanted to have a go but never thought myself fit enough, but a few TT's duathlon and a lot of riding with guys better than me has made me realise, you dont know if you dont give it a go!
make sure you update us on your experience, i'm interested to know how it goes......0 -
kaiser83 I'l be joining you in Newport on the 14th, are doing the beginners course? I think we are going to get a bit of a kicking by the boards...0
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newport's great fun, if you're there for a few hours water and food are a good idea. If you are hiring their bikes getting the right look cleats is money well spent0
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Benjamin Hall wrote:kaiser83 I'l be joining you in Newport on the 14th, are doing the beginners course? I think we are going to get a bit of a kicking by the boards...
yeah i reckon so, look for the dude that should be on a rugby pitch and not wearing lycra, thats me! hahaha0 -
Well chaps here is my experience from yesterday,
We got there well early so watched a a club session before us lapping round and round and we were a bit worried that it would just be 2 hrs of lap after lap.
Our hire bikes were waiting there and it only took a few mins to get helmets (you could take your own and I will next time, my hire one was dripping with sweat when i got it...eeoow) and the hire shoes. On the shoes you could either hire them or not and use clips but I would strongly recommend hire shoes - people with clips had lots of issues.
Our coaches got us lined up and talked us through the basics, then a couple of tentative laps round the blue zone and pretty soon everyone was up on the banking.
Had about 10-15 mins of free time then we stopped and had a drink, then they split the group into 2 groups of 8 and we had a 1 on 1 individual pursuit against the relevant member in your team for 2 flying laps which was good.
Then they got us doing a team pursuit (pulling out the riders who either could not keep to a steady pace or struggled to keep the gap narrow enough)
And finally we all did a single sprint lap to find the winner (I thought I did ok with a 19.59, second place).
Then another 10 mins of free time before finishing and heading for the showers.
All in all it exceeded my expectations, everyone really really had good fun and as a group we will certainly go back. If you have never done it I highly recommend it.0 -
Those of you doing the Newport beginner's course don't worry about fitness levels - it really is a beginner's course, when I did it I was one of the fittest there which really is saying something. A lot of others did little or no cycling on the road, many were riding in trainers and a few in normal t-shirts and shorts. You'll be fine, it's good fun as I'm sure Neil found out at Manchester!0
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yes don't worry about how fast you go - it was much more focussed on keeping a steady easy pace on the pedals,0
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i'll be taking my atmos with me then, sweaty helmets are not for me :?
so its a four week begineer course, once they have you on the bike and riding, whats to learn after that, or have i missed something simple here?0 -
Yep ....
loads .....
you'll see ..... my eyes were opened last night0 -
what is the deal with shoes and pedal at Newport? I'm using my mtb shoes on my road bike...Can you hire shoes at the velodrome? Orshould i just buy some road shoes?0
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kaiser83 wrote:i'll be taking my atmos with me then, sweaty helmets are not for me :?
so its a four week begineer course, once they have you on the bike and riding, whats to learn after that, or have i missed something simple here?
I've been riding for years - and am still learning!
(The most basic skill involves circling the track on the black line. From there you move up the track, learn to pass, drop in out out of lines, pursuit, sprint, get extra speed, etc, etc, etc).
Riding track is relatively easy. But it takes a lot of practice to do it well - and there's a lot more to it than just going round in circles all day.
THe more you learn - the faster you go and the more fun it becomes!0 -
Benjamin Hall wrote:what is the deal with shoes and pedal at Newport? I'm using my mtb shoes on my road bike...Can you hire shoes at the velodrome? Orshould i just buy some road shoes?
The hire shoes will have the correct cleats on them to fit the pedals on the hire bikes (Look Delta cleats if I'm not mistaken).
So either hire their shoes or bring trainers (which work also). Or bring some shoes with Delta cleats (the cleats the came before the Keo cleats)0 -
There are no hire shoes at Newport.Pokerface wrote:Benjamin Hall wrote:what is the deal with shoes and pedal at Newport? I'm using my mtb shoes on my road bike...Can you hire shoes at the velodrome? Orshould i just buy some road shoes?
The hire shoes will have the correct cleats on them to fit the pedals on the hire bikes (Look Delta cleats if I'm not mistaken).
So either hire their shoes or bring trainers (which work also). Or bring some shoes with Delta cleats (the cleats the came before the Keo cleats)
The bikes are fitted with either Look Delta pedal so you'll need your own shoes with the correct cleats or you will be provided with a toe clip and strap converter that clips in to the Look pedals which means that you can use trainers/your MTB shoes (which lots of people do on their initial visits). Some bikes at Newport have had the Look Deltas replaced with toe clip/strap pedals because the converters are no longer available.I’m a sprinter – I warmed up yesterday.0 -
Does anyone know what type of look pedals calshott have on their bikes because I'm going tomorrow and would prefer to use my shoes which have keo cleats.
Cheers!0 -
Is taking your on pedals to Newport a total no no?0
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Benjamin Hall wrote:Is taking your on pedals to Newport a total no no?
Definite no; unless they are attached to your bike 0 -
Oh well, I reckon I can use this as an excuse to buy some road shoes.0
