Another newbie... :)

AlunJ

Finally plucked up the courage to book my beginners course at Newport Velo, starting next week
I've only a road bike so will be hiring a bike from the velo, just curious as to what bikes they supply and what I'll need to take with me on the day? and of course any hints and tips are much appreciated!

Thanks, Al

AlunJ

anybody?

caterham

I've completed the beginners course and improvers course now and really enjoyed it.
The bikes are oldish pinarellos but not state of the art or fancy at all so don't get excited. They are though perfect for what they are used for and from what I've seen are kept in pretty good nick considering.
Just wear your usual summer riding kit, it gets pretty warm sometimes so keep that mind. Unless you want to use old style toe clips you'll need look delta cleats on your shoes, make sure their delta cleats as well as these differ from the newer Keo cleats (caught me out!).
The beginners course is focussed more on learning skills safely than anything else so don't expect to really find it difficult from an athletic point of view.
Tips and hints umm have fun I'm sure you will! To be honest the coaches all seem really good and are always mega helpful and don't be afraid of asking any stupid questions I certainly did!
Don't want to give too much away as half the fun is turning up and not really knowing what your going to learn this week though

AlunJ

Many thanks for that My pedal's are keo's so seeing as I've got to get down to the cycle shop and pick up some new gear, perhaps i'll pick up some delta cleats as well I must say I'm nervous but certainly looking forward to it! I'm pretty new to the sport so I think my biggest concern is being able to keep up with the pace but I'm sure I won't be the worst person there

Clever Pun

It's great fun, did my induction and basic training at Herne Hill on Saturday.. looking forward to next week

Just keep pedalling, they'll tell you everything else you need to know

AlunJ

it's in an hour, absolutely bricking it but can't wait at the same time

AlunJ

Well it went absolutely amazing, I was very nervous and at first I thought I was defying gravity going round the track but it soon all came together and I can't wait to next week! Only problem I think we had was a few people perhaps lacking the confidence to carry some speed through the corners, but i'm sure we'll all get there

Clever Pun

yeah going round the bottom the first time and looking up at the corner is quite intimidating, you soon forget all about it though

Anonymous

Nice one

AlunJ

Indeed it wasn't long before I was leaning into the bike trying to get more speed best start saving for a track bike then!

SimonAH

Fabulous isn't it! I should have started the improvers course at Newport yesterday but got delayed and didn't make it - four weeks time it comes round again, can't wait.

AlunJ

With a bit of luck i'll be on the improvers then as well

andy_wrx

As someone says, wear shorts & jersey, as it gets hot.

Wear an undervest as a second layer - if you did crash, it saves on road(track) rash.
And gloves too

Helmet without a peak, or camera brackets or anything fitted.

Take a drink.

AlunJ

Did all of that

acidstrato

SimonAH wrote:

Fabulous isn't it! I should have started the improvers course at Newport yesterday but got delayed and didn't make it - four weeks time it comes round again, can't wait.

cant you just book for next week? its not a group of sessions like the beginners. well it werent when i did it anyway

Pross

There is a 4 week improvers that follows straight on from the beginners. To be honest it doesn't change that much so it is almost a 4 week extension to the beginners course with a view to getting you ready for accreditation. It covers things like stacking in groups of 4 or 5, taking laps, 'spacial awareness' i.e. a bit of a free for all to get you used to moving about in race fashion and possibly doing some timed flying laps as well as the usual pace line stuff and weaving. They then also have a weekly improvers session (or did in the winter) which is more of a training session aimed at lower fitness riders / newbies. I went to a few of them and they were more fitness oriented than skills oriented.

AlunJ

Anyone recommend a good first track bike? Probably won't invest just yet but considering it.
The one I really want is the planet x carbon pro track, tad over budget though

acidstrato

Pross wrote:

There is a 4 week improvers that follows straight on from the beginners. To be honest it doesn't change that much so it is almost a 4 week extension to the beginners course with a view to getting you ready for accreditation. It covers things like stacking in groups of 4 or 5, taking laps, 'spacial awareness' i.e. a bit of a free for all to get you used to moving about in race fashion and possibly doing some timed flying laps as well as the usual pace line stuff and weaving. They then also have a weekly improvers session (or did in the winter) which is more of a training session aimed at lower fitness riders / newbies. I went to a few of them and they were more fitness oriented than skills oriented.

i must have done the weekly one then because i have never booked a batch of improvers sessions, but there was nothing about low fitness when i went! average speed was well over 25mph every sesh!

acidstrato

AlunJ wrote:

Anyone recommend a good first track bike? Probably won't invest just yet but considering it.
The one I really want is the planet x carbon pro track, tad over budget though

most people get Fujis or Dolans, i'd prefer the latter out of the two
I have a PX, its mad they used to cost £389 for frame, fork+ headset and seatpost. Mine cost about £500 to build at home

AlunJ

I think I might get the planet x, so far i've seen a few dolans and fuji's down there, only problem with the dolans is they all look the same! plus the planet x is carbon I guess, and unbelievably gorgeous :oops: £769 to build myself

oldwelshman

Go for a second hand bike for the first one.
I bought Chris Hoys old 853 steel frame.
I still use it as a spare for events so if I get a mechanical on my dolan I can climb off and throw the 853 on and race. I have good wheelson it and 853 or Alu frame is fine for bunch riding.
Once you decide to commit to track then look at new bike but theres always bargains to be had and you will get to knowguys who may be selling when you visit the track more.

Pross

acidstrato wrote:

Pross wrote:

There is a 4 week improvers that follows straight on from the beginners. To be honest it doesn't change that much so it is almost a 4 week extension to the beginners course with a view to getting you ready for accreditation. It covers things like stacking in groups of 4 or 5, taking laps, 'spacial awareness' i.e. a bit of a free for all to get you used to moving about in race fashion and possibly doing some timed flying laps as well as the usual pace line stuff and weaving. They then also have a weekly improvers session (or did in the winter) which is more of a training session aimed at lower fitness riders / newbies. I went to a few of them and they were more fitness oriented than skills oriented.

i must have done the weekly one then because i have never booked a batch of improvers sessions, but there was nothing about low fitness when i went! average speed was well over 25mph every sesh!

Was that this winter? I went to a couple on Sunday evenings - the first was 3 hours and due to the bad weather it had been opened up to everyone so there were some top track racers there! The average speed was high and combined with a bad set up first time out on my bike and falling off at the end of the warm up I sat the final hour out, even the second session was a bit too hard for me but compared to the other sessions they hold I was told it was easier!

acidstrato

yeah i did the sundays and 2 thursday sqt seshs in feb
most of the sunday sessions were easy with a decent geaar on, a couple though were full of guys who've rode track for years. the sessions were being fully booked up by experienced riders and not improvers basically. I struggled to keep up for a while when i was running an 85" and all the big boys had over 90