A report from the track

Beasty

I was on the track at Manchester velodrome yesterday, and another boardsie suggested I posted a report.
I have been riding the track for over 10 years now – I used to work only 2km away from the velodrome, and would try and get on every week or so. However back problems put paid to that for a number of years.
Since I came over to Ireland a couple of years ago I have tried to get on the track whenever I go back (usually coinciding with United matches).
There is a lot of information on the website – www.manchestervelodrome.com.
I attend hour long taster sessions. Although these are designed for beginners, there are normally a number of experienced riders on (particularly those who, like myself, don’t want to get into formal training sessions).
These sessions are for up to 15 riders. You can hire bikes and shoes, or take your own (track bikes take Look Delta cleats, or you can use toe-straps. The cost for the hour, including bike hire, is less than £10.
The Tuesday taster session starts at 12. Yesterday there were a couple of newbies, and a number of vets (most of them well into their sixties). Those who are new to the track are given basic instructions, focussed on safety. They start on the flat to get comfortable with the fixed wheel, and most importantly how to stop. Once they get some confidence they progress to the “Cote D’Azur” – a pale blue section with a shallow slope, where you can get some momentum. The main track has a similar slope down the straights, but it is 43 degrees round the bends. It looks daunting, but if you stick to the black line it’s quite easy to get used to.
The experienced riders ride the blue line, and the newbies normally keep to the black line. Some will try riding around the top of the track, which involves 2 short but steep climbs each lap, but it’s worth it for the exhilaration (and pace) you can get coming from the top of the slope down to the black line on the straight.
Normally I will join a line with some of the others. Everyone take a lap at the front to keep the pace up. You change over at the end of the straight to rejoin the back of line further round the bend.
Yesterday, however, I treated my ride as a time trial. I did 144 laps in total (keeping count in my head). On the face of it, this equates to 36km, but because the blue line is higher up the track, my total distance was nearer 38km. Next time I’ll try it on the drops (back permitting) to see how far I can really go in an hour!
I will be heading back for my next ride in a couple of weeks (another United match:)).

blorg

Orwell are having a track day at Sundrive on Saturday for anyone who is interested in giving it a go. I know it's not quite the same as Manchester

Beasty

blorg wrote: »

Orwell are having a track day at Sundrive on Saturday for anyone who is interested in giving it a go. I know it's not quite the same as Manchester

I would love to give Sundrive a go - it's just I struggle to get any time at the weekends. Hopefully I'll get down some time next year.

I would recommend track cycling to anyone though, and I am sure the new surface at Sundrive will make it an excellent facility. I felt so good after yesterday's ride, I'm even tempted to gou out and get a fixie for my winter commuting:)

I guess the main problem with an outdoor track is the elements - at Manchester I can stay within a few inches of someone else's wheel quite comfortably - not sure I would want to do this if there is much wind or rain disrupting the rhythm of the "chain gang"

Beasty

blorg wrote: »

Orwell are having a track day at Sundrive on Saturday for anyone who is interested in giving it a go. I know it's not quite the same as Manchester

Just looking at the notice on the Orwell website, you might wish to confirm which Look pedals they use if borrowing a bike - as I mentioned Manchester use Look Delta, not Keo.

blorg

I'm 99% sure they are Keos. Someone else who has been down there before could possibly confirm.

Chips Lovell

I haven't been there for a while now, but the last time I was they were all Deltas.

Mr. Skeffington

An e-mail I got from track organisers a while back:

Hello All,

Bike Hire & Pedals
We at the Sundrive Track have reviewed our price stucture as we felt that the fee of €10 was a bit steep for someone who might want to come to the track more than once a week, but we still need an influx of funds to keep our fleet of hire bikes maintained and functional. From now on cost of bike hire for seniors will be €5 and €2 for youth (& unwaged). This fee will be payable at the point of hire. League sign on fee fees remain unchanged with €5 for Senior with entry free for youth.

We do intend to change our pedal of choice to LOOK KEO (from the current DELTA) and when that is done there will be no changing of pedals or gearing allowed We will also have the inserts to convert to toe strap. Hire bikes are essentially for beginners and the maximum gearing on them would be 82 inches. . For now bring your own pedals & shoes but bear in mind that will be switching in due course and we will give advance notice of when we are changing our pedal system We would encourage all committed track rider to buy their own bike. We would also ask that anyone who has cycling shoes which they have outgrown, that they donate them to us at the track and we will fit KEO plates to them for use by youth riders.

www.trackcycling.ie

Lumen

I want a velodrome for Christmas. Apparently they only cost about €20m or so to build.

That's the sort of banking I'd like to see bailed out.

Beasty

Lumen wrote: »

I want a velodrome for Christmas. Apparently they only cost about €20m or so to build.

That's the sort of banking I'd like to see bailed out.

At that price I think we should build 4 - one for northside, another for southside and a couple in the regions

Seriously though, the Manchester one was one of the best sporting investments ever made (by any country) - just look at the results it has produced. It's a fantastic facility that gets used every day for cycling as well as many other events (basketball, badminton, netball and even concerts in the main arena - there is also a state of the art gym). There is a local kids club, and junior sessions are on most days, with a weekly racing league also.

I don't think anyone will be prepared to invest in something like this in the current economic climate, but when things start to pick up, I am sure it is something that (those currently out of work) builders can turn their hands to. It does not need to be a 5,000 seat arena like Manchester, but the Dublin catchment area is not that much smaller than Greater Manchester, and it would be sure to get plenty of use.

ednwireland

Lumen wrote: »

I want a velodrome for Christmas. Apparently they only cost about €20m or so to build.

That's the sort of banking I'd like to see bailed out.

take a bit longer takes 12 weeks (see attached pdf) theres something inthere about about a training facility for $1.5 million, i'll get you one when i win euromillions.

Edit : better than a turbo trainer ?

godihatethehils

blorg wrote: »

Orwell are having a track day at Sundrive on Saturday for anyone who is interested in giving it a go. I know it's not quite the same as Manchester

Much more importantly, they're having their Christmas party after it