manchester velodrome taster 19/07/2011
many thanks if you were at the taster session yesterday and allowed a couple of newbies to ride in a line on the pace line with you. It was great fun, didn't realise it would be so hard to keep an even gap to the guy in front so I know what I need to practice
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I have to say that the speeds you can reach, the absence of brakes, the fixed wheel and the less-than-smooth transition from flat concrete floor to steep embankment all made for a buttock-clenching evening
What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma!
I'd consider myself a safe group rider and can hold a wheel. I rode the track many many years ago, even did well at the Nationals one year, but not sure whether all this will make much difference.
My ultimate objective is to be whizzing around the London Velodrome in next year's winter league!
Ski to live
IIRC you need to do a taster, and improver session (or get a coach to sign you a slip to say that you're ready for accreditation) and then do the accreditation which I think is a proper assessment that takes a full day or afternoon
--Jens Voight
You need to impress the coach at a taster session and get a slip to allow you to progress, not always possible as there has to be 3 other riders prepared to ride in a line with you for 20 minutes. You then have to complete the "track skills improver" (friday 6 til 7) and then the "Skills session" and "induction session"; These last two can sometimes be done in a day, but there are no full day sessions advertised at the moment. You will have to do each of them in order on sundays 8 til 10 at night. You may be asked to repeat any of them. The coaches are not looking for speed, but for safe behaviour.
Give it a go. It's fun
Two outcomes, the riding position on the track bike was much more comfortablle than my road bike, so i'll be on that in the morning and more long term I trip to Newport or even Gosport to achieve my accreditation. As big bruv said to me today, when the track opens in London there will be so many others trying to achieve accreditation it could take weeks to even get on the track. Third outcome is to get a track bike!
Ski to live
This isn't really an issue for me, but whole idea of achieving accreditation was to avoid the crowds later this year, (or even 2013 as I suspect) when the London Velodrome opens, rather than Manchester. But it now seems the accreditation process is venue (cash) driven rather than a demonstration of competence at riding the track via a lead body such as British Cycling.
Ski to live
You're probably correct in that it's about revenue - but I should point out that British Cycling have nothing to do with the Manchester Velodrome. It's run by Manchester CIty Council. BC just rent office space in the building.
If you have 'probationary accreditation' at Manchester - what does it take to get the full deal? Is it just one extra session? If so - not really a huge deal as you still get to ride.
The stupid thing is I was acredited at Newport, then I was was at Manchester for world masters which you can ride without acreditation, but I was not allowed to ride a derny training session at Manchester !! This was after I found myself there with nothing to do as special endurance coaching session had been cancelled!!! So I was ok for that but not derny.
I asked them if I was allowed to drive my car in Manchester as I sat my driving test in wales also
Its stupid as the coaches are all qualified at Newport so whats the difference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
I can no longer attend next Sunday morning's accreditation session at Newport due to work commitments. If someone else who has sufficient track experience wants to take my place, contact Newport Velodrome.
Ski to live
As far as I know with London thay still have no idea what is happening after the olympics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
I am just looking at the logisitics of getting on the train from Paddington to Newport and back this Friday to ride the Vets Session. Getting my bike from the station to the track being one hurdle to overcome.
Do you which coach I should contact to see if I could also do my accreditation on the Friday's session?
How do I do the 'xxx wrote' bit in front of the " with BB codes?
Ski to live
Ask Courtney or Chris.
What do you mean in last sentance?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
If I want to race in Vets leagues, should I just accredit at Manchester or, as my job takes me all over the UK, and I want to train at other velodromes, should I bite the cash munching bullet and accredit everywhere???
Thanks in advance.
Fismaster
I dont think you will have any issue on other tracks and you will find drop in sessions available at newport where all standards are catered for and you will find beginners will do some riding and more experienced will ride in between the beginners routines so not all on the riders on track at same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
When it comes to training at other track's SQTs or riding other leagues, speak to the organisers as they usually accept Manchester accreditation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY