I understand there is a velodrome in Dublin

BlackMirror

I will be in Ireland this summer. In the US, the nearest velodrome to my house is three hours away. But when I'm staying in Howth, it will only be a DART ride away.

When I'm in Dublin, is there any way I can 1) find a track bike to rent or borrow and 2) ride it on your velodrome.

I have three fixed gear bikes, but I only get to ride them on city streets (though once I did manage to get on the freeway). I don't think I can bring any of them to Ireland with me because my wife always insists on being able to hand-carry all of our bags.

I'm looking for something new and unique to do this trip. Besides, I've already found Bono's house and my wife won't let me kiss the Blarney stone because she says I talk enough as it is. And I'm bummed that I'll miss the Liffey Swim once again.

Chips Lovell

BlackMirror wrote: »

is there any way I can 1) find a track bike to rent or borrow

Best place is to rent one at the track itself. They have a selection there that you can rent out and use either for training or racing events. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but think it was €5.

BlackMirror wrote: »

and 2) ride it on your velodrome.

The track season starts around the end of April, so keep an eye on the cycling Ireland website (www.cyclingireland.ie) to find out when racing and training are. You'll have to check with them, but I suspect you'd either have to pay for Cyling Ireland membership or produce a USA Cycling license to participate.

Darondo

el tonto wrote: »

Best place is to rent one at the track itself. They have a selection there that you can rent out and use either for training or racing events. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but think it was €5.

Which velodrome are ye referring to here? The only one I knew of was the one in Kimmage in Ceannt Park, i didn't think you could rent a bike at it. Is there another one somewhere? Just wonderin...

rubadub

I would find a velodrome boring myself, would still like to try it once

BlackMirror wrote: »

Besides, I've already found Bono's house

Bonos house/vico-killiney-dalkey-coast is a fantastic cycle route! I go there all the time, nice bench there to rest on after that hill;)

Chips Lovell

Darondo wrote: »

Which velodrome are ye referring to here? The only one I knew of was the one in Kimmage in Ceannt Park, i didn't think you could rent a bike at it. Is there another one somewhere? Just wonderin...

That's the one.

Caroline_ie

I was at the track a few times last year and I don't think it's 'open' everyday... last year they had sessions after work only and Saturdays... weather permitting .. as it's an outdoors track ... You can rent a bike out there. I know a lot of Irish track cyclists train in Manchester.

Chips Lovell

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I was at the track a few times last year and I don't think it's 'open' everyday... last year they had sessions after work only and Saturdays... weather permitting .. as it's an outdoors track ... You can rent a bike out there. I know a lot of Irish track cyclists train in Manchester.

That's right, it's only open for scheduled events.

blorg

There's a velodrome in Dublin, and you can hire bikes at it? Christ, I didn't know that. Saw The Flying Scotsman recently which woud inspire me to give that I go. Great film, I knew of Obree before and it was a good dramatisation.

Caroline_ie

.... there's nothing very glamourous abous this track ... I even entered a International competition last year ... I was the only 'international' competitor ... It's still good training thought!

Chips Lovell

I believe their getting a new surface in. I could be wrong, but I was under the impression it was meant to be done this winter. Haven't been down there in ages, so I've no idea if it happened or not. Would make a big difference.

Caroline_ie

I was discussing this yesterday ... if we had a proper Velodrome, that could encourage people to take up track cycling... especially with the nasty weather we get in the winter ... and summer ...

penexpers

Track cycling would be very very boring I imagine.

Caroline_ie

penexpers wrote: »

Track cycling would be very very boring I imagine.

It can be very boring yeah... and it does make me dizzy ... but it's great strengh and sprint training!

Morgan

It's only boring if you're not pushing hard enough. The pain usually pushes any other thoughts out of your head.

This is the Irish track cycling website:
http://www.trackcycling.ie

It contains details of bike rental, when the track is open and so on. You should email them with any questions you have - Hugh, the PRO, should get back to you straight away.

pete4130

They meet Wednesdays at the velodrome (calling it a velodrome is an overstatement though. You need to be accredited and have your licence to rent a bike. The bikes are supplied by the city council, green Terry Dolans. you can bring your own pedals, shoes and cleats for them or use the straps provided, but you have to get there early to get a bike before they are all gone. I've been up there last year to shoot some photos. Friends of mine would be regulars there when the season is on.

The track, well, what can I say? I work in a mapping office for the council and came across original proposed plans for it dating from 1957, so thats how old it is. It's not very steep, the surface isn't very smooth, but its all there is. It's in a what would in an area that would be descrobed as having some "social problems", in other words it used to be dog rough but isn't so bad nowadays. Last time I was up there the kids were throwing bottles (plastic thankfully) at the group of riders as they cycled around the track.

I did hear rumours of it to be resurfaced as well, but no idea if or when this is going to happen. Howth is a bit of a distance out, it could take you 3 hours to make the trip in rush hour traffic as well!
You could probably buy a new/2nd hand track bike in the states, bring it here, use it and sell it on for as much, if not a little more than you paid for it in the states to be honest, so you wouldn't have to worry about bringing it around with you, even a basic Fuji or something?

Dr_Colossus

Just an FYI. Came across this velodrome today when out for a run and ran a few laps around it's perimeter. There was some youth time trials going on in the track itself but it looked to have been resurfaced and smooth. Was quite surprised really we've such a thing and did look nice.

stuf

blorg wrote: »

There's a velodrome in Dublin, and you can hire bikes at it? Christ, I didn't know that. Saw The Flying Scotsman recently which woud inspire me to give that I go. Great film, I knew of Obree before and it was a good dramatisation.

Read his autobiography last week and then watched the film. Thought the film was diabolical in the aftermath of the book. Completely misrepresented some of the situations. It's one thing changing things for dramatic expediency if you represent the spirit of what happened but the film didn't manage to do it.

Would highly recommend the autobiography and then the Battle of the Bikes documentary on youtube which tells the part around his and Boardman's one hour record attempts

Beasty

penexpers wrote: »

Track cycling would be very very boring I imagine.

I used to live just outside Manchester and would try and get on the velodrome every week. The facility is fantastic, and I try and get on the track every time I go back to Manchester.

"Taster" sessions are one hour, and I never found them boring. All sessions are very popular, and people travel for hours just to give it a go. Virtually everyone who tries it enjoys it and want to come back for more.

There is a limit of numbers on the track for taster sessions (12 I think), and most sessions are fully booked. It costs just under £10, including bike hire and coaching. There is always someone to overtake, or keep up with, and if you can get a line going you can build up a good track technique. I also found an hour on the track is a great help in building up strength and speed.

At 43 degrees, the banking can be a bit daunting at first, but once you get used to it, it's just like riding a bike!

If anyone finds themselves in Manchester and wants to give it a go, you can book in advance - full details can be found at www.manchestervelodrome.com