Velodrome Mcr

lakesluddite

Ay up.

Couldn't get the grin off my face after taking a taster session in the Manchester Cycling Centre last week - a rather tremendous birthday gift from my other half. Bit nervous at first, mostly about riding fixed gear for the first time in about 30-odd years, but once you learn to keep pedaling, I was loving it.

Did try to get out of the saddle to increase speed, but soon thought better of it when nearly thrown off.

Anyone else had a crack at this? I'm guessing a lot of you have - how did you find your first time? I'll definitely be going back - doubt I'll go for accreditation though. (See, still grinning!)

iPete

I ride fixed on the road, makes the transition easy but same as you, big grin, I'm not great with heights and it sure as hell feels high!!

If I lived next to a velodome I'd take up track properly.

turboslave

I'm on a taster session next week, any tips pointers for a first timer on the boards? need to sort out my bike size, a 53 would be best but think its got to be a 52 or 54, would you advise going bigger or smaller than normal?

Thanks in advance.

napoleond

Go with the 52

John1458

I went along for a taster session at Newport Velodrome on Sunday and loved it! Took a bit to get used to riding fixed and a the angle of the boards but after that it was great fun. Now looking for a beginner and improver course to do over the summer. I personally ride a 54cm Trek but sized up to the 56cm Dolan Ares hire bike.
Crucial Advice - Don't stop pedalling!

turboslave

Thanks Nap, John.

Graham K

I do fancy a bash at this myself, whats involved in it apart from going round in ovals non stop pedalling?

Sprool

I had a taster session at manchester between Xmas and new year - what a blast! Got sucked into riding faster and faster once you get the confidence up to ride the banks its really addictive. After ½ hr we got a bit of a peleton going, 10 of us on the taster session, hard work with fixies and no brakes keeping the effort right to sit an inch behind the guy in front, and a lot of concentration. I have a huge respect for velodrome racers after this.

bartolli

I am going to be spending a fair bit of time in Manchester over the next few weeks, anyone know what the lead time is on these taster sessions? Are they booked into 2016?

lakesluddite

Bartolli wrote:

I am going to be spending a fair bit of time in Manchester over the next few weeks, anyone know what the lead time is on these taster sessions? Are they booked into 2016?

According to the website "For public track taster session or spin session please check the track timetable for a session which you are available for. Once you have chosen a suitable session please telephone reception on 0161 223 2244 (option 3) to check availability and book."

You might be able to get in one of the sessions, I don't think it's a case of being booked up for the foreseeable future. Saying that, my other half booked mine months ago, so can't really say for shorter lead times.

slowbike

John1458 wrote:

Crucial Advice - Don't stop pedalling!

I don't see how you can .... assuming you're clipped in, if you relax your legs then you're just carried around on momentum, if you actively try and stop pedalling you're braking ...

slowbike

Graham K wrote:

I do fancy a bash at this myself, whats involved in it apart from going round in ovals non stop pedalling?

Er ... go around in ovals and non-stop pedalling ...

plus getting used to going up on banked corners, positioning, riding close to another person, overtaking, wishing you had a bottle on the bike, hoping your heart doesn't explode and wondering when the coach is going to order you off so you can get a breather!

ic.

When I asked RE bike size for me lad, they said they could do 1cm increments so you might get a 53.

Booking wise, I've never had a problem and no session I've been on has been full.

They are great through, need to sort myself out and book another one.

pinarellokid

Bit of planning required to get on the boards, I joined a popular club on there and it gave me lots more opera unities to get out there and do it.. Take another level of fitness to bo any good, and that's the bit I love about it.. You have to work really hard to even keep up. Going through the accreditation myself now and it's tough going, but miles more interesting doing the routines

napoleond

I got my accreditation a couple of months ago. The SQTs are great! Off to Newcastle Track tonight...

navrig2

Slowbike wrote:

John1458 wrote:

Crucial Advice - Don't stop pedalling!

I don't see how you can .... assuming you're clipped in, if you relax your legs then you're just carried around on momentum, if you actively try and stop pedalling you're braking ...

I've never ridden a fixie so may be miles off with this but I don't think it is that easy.

I remember doing a spin class on a fixie with a fly wheel on front. I knackered myself and forgot about the fixie bit so stopped pedalling. Momentarily my legs thought about stopping then the fly wheel kicked in; then my legs tried to resist the fly wheel momentum and suddenly there was bits of pedal and pedal cage flying all over the place.

I suspect that if you try to do that on a track bike you'll upset the balance/rhythm of the bike and you'll be down like a shot.

Baby Trek

I went on the taster session and then joined a training group that have a 4 hour session each month over the winter. Absolutely hooked now...best thing I have ever done cycling wise, love it!
I have bought my own track bike and get up to Manchester once per month as trying to get accredited for when they open the one in Derby - as it will be nearer for me to travel to.
Anyone out there...give it a go...most of it is head games with the banking and the rest is fantastic fun!

Baby Trek

pinarellokid wrote:

Bit of planning required to get on the boards, I joined a popular club on there and it gave me lots more opera unities to get out there and do it.. Take another level of fitness to bo any good, and that's the bit I love about it.. You have to work really hard to even keep up. Going through the accreditation myself now and it's tough going, but miles more interesting doing the routines

Totally agree...I did my first taster improver session for a pink slip the other week..loving the lumps and bumps exercise!

diplodicus

Navrig2 wrote:

I suspect that if you try to do that on a track bike you'll upset the balance/rhythm of the bike and you'll be down like a shot.

I did a taster at Calshot.

As I passed the instructor he shouted something to me which I missed. I attempted to stand up, freewheel and turn my head as I would do on my road bike to speak to him. It then felt like the rear wheel was trying to overtake the front wheel while the pedals threw me skyward . Just managed to keep it upright.

Apart from that one moment enormous fun.

ic.

NapoleonD wrote:

I got my accreditation a couple of months ago. The SQTs are great! Off to Newcastle Track tonight...

What skills did you need to learn?

John1458

Slowbike, unfortunately in the session after me was a friend of mine having a taster session with his club, at the end he sprinted for the line and lunged forwards momentarily stopping pedalling whilst locking his legs like on a road bike, he got thrown over the handlebars and broke his collar bone :L Please don't let that put you off, all it needs is a respect for the bikes! I throughly enjoyed my session and after my A-Level exam plan to get some more time on the boards