I can wait to June and agree that some warm up training at Newport or Welwyn would be a good idea, so that we can all make the most of our time in Manchester.
Thanks to Geoff and Stef for organising this for the Club too.
Thanks for this input.......I think it is important to organise something reasonably soon to build on this enthusiasm...Newport would be a good option as it is indoors...Welwyn don't usually start track till April, although, with the numbers we have we could book it if the weather is good. Those with track bikes would be o.k. but we wouldn't be able to use the Welwyn Wheelers track bikes until April I suspect and we would have to ask them ...the advantage of indoor velodromes is all winter and wet/bad weather riding and access to all their hire bikes
Also, the track at welwyn is a completely different to the indoor velodromes and not to be compared. There is nothing like the buzz you get from Manchester or Newport.
Some hard track practice and discipline at welwyn would however be a very good start and perhaps riders could share their bikes so everyone interested could get some experience of track riding.
I'm sure we can organise something along these lines if others are keen.
Meanwhile I will continue to pursue Newport and push for Manchester as soon as possible.
If you cant get a slot on an indoor velodrome until the summer then the best place for a warm up is our own track. You can learn all you need on the grass track and we have the bikes and its free.
Its also the best place to learn to ride fixed. Riding an indoor wooden velodrome is actually very easy if a little intimidating at first. The biggest difficulty if you have no experience of it is riding fixed.
Im happy to run a beginners session later in the year once the grass is usable if needed.
That is the best way and doesn't involve costs of hire......we obviously can't emulate the banking effect but getting everyone used to fixed and the discipline of close riding and changes would be great.
We are on the booking list and the new schedule comes out in February...It's first come basis so I'll book 2-3 sessions when it comes.
Calshot is fine but again a long way away. It is, i think part of the old skol 6 day track permanently put into a hanger looking out onto the solent. Its short and steep but isnt full width so doesnt go as high. You can see in the photo on the website that the blue line is way over half way up the track. Not quite the same as Manchester or Newport. One of our youth parents was looking at arranging a trip down there in April but there was little interest at the time. I will ask if they are still thinking of going.
This is a possibility. They are less used and very friendly. Claire Lewis, Sophies mother was trying to get some interest as Tim says. The track is shorter and tighter...the straights are very short and not so friendly when learning. Having said that, Sophie managed first time with no problems.....it's worth a shot but the range of opportunities are not quite the same as M or N.
It's worth bearing in mind the new Bournemouth track too, as it's currently easier to book than Manchester or Newport. It's 250m and therefore very similar geometry to M and N. It's an outdoor track so subject to weather, but if a session is cancelled due to rain it is re-arranged without charge. It's a lot cheaper than hiring M or N - but it's just as far away!
You know, wouldnt it be great if there was an indoor wooden olympic standard velodrome somewhere in the south east, maybe somewhere like north london....oh hang on!
o.k. everybody........great enthusiasm. Lets think it through.
Lots of riders are keen to try velodrome riding. Outdoors it requires good weather...that's ifyou want to enjoy it and it is safe enough. Outdoors on a good track gives you a buzz as it's faster than road and the banking is fun.
We have Welwyn on the doorstep, so no need to travel further for an outdoor velodrome. We have our own track on grass (without banking) to practice riding fixed and learning track skills.
none of these emulate the speed and excitement or rush you get from riding indoor velodrome track.
London is closed for hire till 2014...don't ask me for a reasonable rationale...it just is.
Calshott is closer than M or N but smaller, not so easy and you do have to get across London one way or another.
Newport is almost identical track-wise to Manchester. Easier to hire, but still pretty booked up.
Manchester is the best at present for experience and the facilities...just hard to book.
I'll explore Calshott and book us Manchester when it becomes a possibility in Feb.
Tim will run some starter sessions on grass as soon as the track is o.k.....probably end of April/early May. Any sooner and the grass won't have grown and it will spoil the track for racing later.
thanks Tim.......the Harlow saga is news to me...any more info? gutted that they took down an indoor so close...what would it be worth now eh? How times change.
from my perspective, riding manchester was special - the history, the photos of the gb/sky guys all around, the statue of reg harris overlooking the track,
the quality of the track itself (ie the boards) and of the actual venue, the feel of being indoors and the similarities with gent where we were a few months ago.
you wont get that at the other venues.
once we have a session booked though, agree pre-training at our track is a good idea. when i was there people with no fixed experience were jumping on track bikes with no problem at all, but i was pleased i had ridden fixed beforehand and had that small advantage.
I never rode at Harlow but i think it was outdoor, 250m and steep concrete set in the ground. (Mark may have ridden it?) It was on prime development land and sold for many millions with a view to building an indoor velodrome. A club was set up around the project but it never happened. I dont know what happened to all the money but there were lots of rumours of dodgy dealings and holiday homes suddenly appearing in Barbados, that sort of thing.
Agree Tim...sounds typical and very sad....still we are where we are......only 3 indoor timber tracks in England...one not accessible.....one in Wales and the latest in Glasgow.
I think your summary of Manchester pitches it just right Stef.
Once you have ridden there with all that atmosphere you are forever smitten.
should hear soon on future bookings at track.......likely they will only have 2 hour slots so I'm planning to book a morning and afternoon pair of sessions so the trip will be worth the drive. This should allow a period for some reviewing of the morning session, a spot of light refreshment and then another session where lessons learnt can be applied.
That's the plan so hang in there all you potential trackies.
Won't know for a week or so. The likely earliest booking will be in July.
Oh and yes that A. Leveton is rather good. Very envious of all that sunshine Max and He will be enjoying in NZ. It's snowing again here just in case you are interested :-)
o.k. everyone.......after much haggling and an early refusal I have managed to secure a booking for Sunday 2nd June. I can only book a 2 hour session as there is such a demand they only permit one booking slot per day.
It will be from 6pm to 8pm so those interested please indicate very quickly. We can sort transport etc. later but I must have numbers soon to plan .
Bikes can be hired there as well as shoes if you don't have look delta cleats.
More detail later on costs but for now just an indication of who can and wants to attend will suffice.
Please note that CCA have their first grass track race event on OUR track on Saturday 1st June
Knew there was a good reason for not doing the Chiltern 100 I'm in please, there might be a plus one just as a spectator if that's okay? Would like an opportunity to try fixed on our grass track in advance if possible (not ridden fixed before). Adam
Comments
I can wait to June and agree that some warm up training at Newport or Welwyn would be a good idea, so that we can all make the most of our time in Manchester.
Thanks to Geoff and Stef for organising this for the Club too.
Also, the track at welwyn is a completely different to the indoor velodromes and not to be compared. There is nothing like the buzz you get from Manchester or Newport.
Some hard track practice and discipline at welwyn would however be a very good start and perhaps riders could share their bikes so everyone interested could get some experience of track riding.
I'm sure we can organise something along these lines if others are keen.
Meanwhile I will continue to pursue Newport and push for Manchester as soon as possible.
Its also the best place to learn to ride fixed. Riding an indoor wooden velodrome is actually very easy if a little intimidating at first. The biggest difficulty if you have no experience of it is riding fixed.
Im happy to run a beginners session later in the year once the grass is usable if needed.
That is the best way and doesn't involve costs of hire......we obviously can't emulate the banking effect but getting everyone used to fixed and the discipline of close riding and changes would be great.
We are on the booking list and the new schedule comes out in February...It's first come basis so I'll book 2-3 sessions when it comes.
One of our youth parents was looking at arranging a trip down there in April but there was little interest at the time. I will ask if they are still thinking of going.
See http://www.bournemouth.cc/
Mark F
looks good that bournemouth track.
It was replaced by a Sainsburys, I think.
Lots of riders are keen to try velodrome riding. Outdoors it requires good weather...that's ifyou want to enjoy it and it is safe enough. Outdoors on a good track gives you a buzz as it's faster than road and the banking is fun.
We have Welwyn on the doorstep, so no need to travel further for an outdoor velodrome. We have our own track on grass (without banking) to practice riding fixed and learning track skills.
none of these emulate the speed and excitement or rush you get from riding indoor velodrome track.
London is closed for hire till 2014...don't ask me for a reasonable rationale...it just is.
Calshott is closer than M or N but smaller, not so easy and you do have to get across London one way or another.
Newport is almost identical track-wise to Manchester. Easier to hire, but still pretty booked up.
Manchester is the best at present for experience and the facilities...just hard to book.
I'll explore Calshott and book us Manchester when it becomes a possibility in Feb.
Tim will run some starter sessions on grass as soon as the track is o.k.....probably end of April/early May. Any sooner and the grass won't have grown and it will spoil the track for racing later.
Leave it with ,me and watch this space.
And Herne Hill is alive and well, thriving at the moment i think.
from my perspective, riding manchester was special - the history, the photos of the gb/sky guys all around, the statue of reg harris overlooking the track,
the quality of the track itself (ie the boards) and of the actual venue, the feel of being indoors and the similarities with gent where we were a few months ago.
you wont get that at the other venues.
once we have a session booked though, agree pre-training at our track is a good idea. when i was there people with no fixed experience were jumping on track bikes with no problem at all, but i was pleased i had ridden fixed beforehand and had that small advantage.
I never rode at Harlow but i think it was outdoor, 250m and steep concrete set in the ground. (Mark may have ridden it?) It was on prime development land and sold for many millions with a view to building an indoor velodrome. A club was set up around the project but it never happened. I dont know what happened to all the money but there were lots of rumours of dodgy dealings and holiday homes suddenly appearing in Barbados, that sort of thing.
I think your summary of Manchester pitches it just right Stef.
Once you have ridden there with all that atmosphere you are forever smitten.
Geoff already told off for over-teaching me.
Max Pendleford smiling like a man off to NZ tomorrow for their 30 degree summer. Hang on.
Fun and terror in equal measure.
That's the plan so hang in there all you potential trackies.
Won't know for a week or so. The likely earliest booking will be in July.
Oh and yes that A. Leveton is rather good. Very envious of all that sunshine Max and He will be enjoying in NZ. It's snowing again here just in case you are interested :-)
It will be from 6pm to 8pm so those interested please indicate very quickly. We can sort transport etc. later but I must have numbers soon to plan .
Bikes can be hired there as well as shoes if you don't have look delta cleats.
More detail later on costs but for now just an indication of who can and wants to attend will suffice.
Please note that CCA have their first grass track race event on OUR track on Saturday 1st June
Very sorry to say I am at a wedding abroad that weekend, Katie and Edward may be able to make it, will have to check.
Alistair
I might make my own way up and spend a couple of days across the border in God's County first though.
Vic
I'm in please, there might be a plus one just as a spectator if that's okay?
Would like an opportunity to try fixed on our grass track in advance if possible (not ridden fixed before).
Adam