Track Season?

dave_o_brien

Hi All,

I currently am a member of Orwell Wheelers, and have a league racing licence with them, but after the Intervarsities track day the last week, I'd love to race some track events this year. So a few things;

Dolan Pre Cursa; is it the best value track bike around? Any other options?

Licences; what would be the story for me there? Upgrade my licence or what?

What is the season like for track? I'm currently mid-thesis, so time is at a premium until June, so when does the racing start and finish?

If anyone wants to offer any other nuggets of wisdom, please do.
Thanks,
Dave

Caroline_ie

http://trackcycling.ie/ for all info you need and you can ask me as well.

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Dolan Pre Cursa; is it the best value track bike around?

Yes - I actually have just ordered one myself.
You can rent one at the track if you want to try it out too.

Licences; what would be the story for me there? Upgrade my licence or what?

You need a licence. An open licence allows you to race the track. YOu can also pay on the day if you only have a touring type licence. There are fees to the track league too. 30/35 EURO for the whole Wednesdays series ( 8 weeks ) and there are 2 series Spring and Autumn. ( i don't have the specifics on hand right now, best if to look at the website for now - I will get back to you in the specifics later on)

What is the season like for track? I'm currently mid-thesis, so time is at a premium until June, so when does the racing start and finish?

The starts series start in april and the autumn series in july. There are also weekend open competition.

Since you are with Orwell, contact Gary McNulty who looks after track affairs for your club.

Harrybelafonte

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Hi All,

I currently am a member of Orwell Wheelers, and have a league racing licence with them, but after the Intervarsities track day the last week, I'd love to race some track events this year. So a few things;

Dolan Pre Cursa; is it the best value track bike around? Any other options?

Licences; what would be the story for me there? Upgrade my licence or what?

What is the season like for track? I'm currently mid-thesis, so time is at a premium until June, so when does the racing start and finish?

If anyone wants to offer any other nuggets of wisdom, please do.
Thanks,
Dave

Not sure on the Pre Cursa being best "value" (lack of knowledge on my part), but it is a great bike. Others may be able to confirm.

Track calender is as follows:

2012 Calendar (Submitted dates)

Sat 2nd June Duane Delaney Track Meet (Dublin)

Sat 16thJune Interprovincial Round 1 (Belfast)

Sun June 24th Senior Interpovincial (Belfast)

Sat 30th June IVCA Track Championships (Dublin)
Sun 1st July IVCA Track Championships

Sat 7th July International Track Day (Dublin)

Sat/Sun 14th/15th July Senior Men Olympic Omnium (Dublin)
Senior Women Olympic Omnium

Sat 21st July Junior Track Chamionships (Belfast)
Sat 21st July Youth Track Championships (Venue TBA)

Sat 4th Aug Team Sprint (Men & Women) ,
Team Pursuit (Men) ,
Demo Team Pursuit (Women)
Men's Keirin

Sat 25th Aug Youth Interprovincial Round 2 (Kanturk)

Sat 1st - Sun 2nd Sept Senior Mens Track Championship (Dublin)
Senior Womens Track Championship

Sat 8th / Sun 9th Sept National Veteran Track Championship (Dublin)

Sat 22nd Sept Leinster Track Championship

Sat Sept 29th Interprovincial Round 3 (Dublin)


Track Leagues

Sundrive Summer Track League Wednesday 2nd May to Wed 20th June
(8 weeks with presntation on 27th June)

Sundrive Autumn Track League Wednesday 4th July to Wed 22nd August
(8 weeks with presntation on 29th August)

Orangefield Track League Tuesday 5th June to Tuesday 21st August
(12 weeks)

Check out trackcycling.ie for more. You should be cool for the second season?


I think a full Racing Licence will cover you as long as you have accreditation, which I presume you do.

dave_o_brien

Caroline_ie wrote: »

http://trackcycling.ie/ for all info you need and you can ask me as well.



Yes - I actually have just ordered one myself.
You can rent one at the track if you want to try it out too.


You need a licence. An open licence allows you to race the track. YOu can also pay on the day if you only have a touring type licence. There are fees to the track league too. 30/35 EURO for the whole Wednesdays series ( 8 weeks ) and there are 2 series Spring and Autumn. ( i don't have the specifics on hand right now, best if to look at the website for now - I will get back to you in the specifics later on)



The starts series start in april and the autumn series in july. There are also weekend open competition.

Since you are with Orwell, contact Gary McNulty who looks after track affairs for your club.

Great, thanks for that, I'll contact Gary about doing a bit of training for the Autumn series. With the Dolan's, the delivery options are a bit confusing, would you let me know how long it takes to arrive? I'm a bit off pulling the trigger and ordering one yet, but starting to give it proper thought.

I rented a Pre Cursa last weekend for the Intervarsities day, and really enjoyed it. I think we're back there this weekend, and looking forward to it again.

Beasty

There's a 58cm Pre Cursa for sale in the adverts sub-forum if you care to do a search

You can buy new directly from Dolan, or you could try www.velodromeshop.net who currently have the Pre Cursa at £499

Caroline_ie

dave_o_brien wrote: »

With the Dolan's, the delivery options are a bit confusing, would you let me know how long it takes to arrive? I'm a bit off pulling the trigger and ordering one yet, but starting to give it proper thought.

Where did you ordered it from? I ordered mine from http://www.dolan-bikes.com/.
I ordered mine Monday and they said it should be with me on friday. They send it through DHL.( just the frameset though I am swapping therest with my existing track bike ).

I am Sundrive Track Team PRO this year ( we're 2 ) - Don't hesitate to PM me.

Caroline_ie

Dave, I forgot to mention, you are also welcome to attend the pre season track race training which will take place the couple of Wednesdays before the league start. It's a series of mock races, just to get us in the mood before the season kicks in. There is a small fee. I will update when I know the dates.

LCRC_BAX

Beasty wrote: »

There's a 58cm Pre Cursa for sale in the adverts sub-forum if you care to do a search

You can buy new directly from Dolan, or you could try www.velodromeshop.net who currently have the Pre Cursa at £499

There is indeed - it's mine!

Still for sale if you take a 58cm let me know

Caroline_ie

Same as http://www.dolan-bikes.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=237 - it's a good idea as well to keep an eye on their clearance corner and their eBay shop .

RobFowl

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Same as http://www.dolan-bikes.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=237 - it's a good idea as well to keep an eye on their clearance corner and their eBay shop .

Shill

dave_o_brien

LCRC_BAX wrote: »

There is indeed - it's mine!

Still for sale if you take a 58cm let me know

Thanks everyone for the advice.

LCRC_BAX, the top tube is 565mm, yeah? Normally I take a 56cm frame, and my race bike has a 560mm top tube, so your 58cm pretty close. Is it a small frame for the advertised size, say compared to a road bike? The frame I was on at Sundrive was marked as a 55cm, so I'm guessing it was a 56 frame (top tube of 550mm) and found it a pretty good fit. How should the fit compare to a road bike? Your build (pre-cursa with navigator pista wheels) was what I was looking at on the dolan website.

Now the thing is, I don't have any cash at the moment, I'd need to be selling one of my bikes to raise the cash. Are you rushing to get rid of it? Obviously, don't hold on to it on my behalf if you get an offer!

Harrybelafonte

I think most people go a little smaller for track bikes. My road is 57 and track is 56. If you were happy with th 55cm then I'd guess 58 would be too big. You'll be in the hooks most of the time and that (to me) seems like a bit of a stretch.

dave_o_brien

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I think most people go a little smaller for track bikes. My road is 57 and track is 56. If you were happy with th 55cm then I'd guess 58 would be too big. You'll be in the hooks most of the time and that (to me) seems like a bit of a stretch.

Makes sense, although from the road bike, I'm well used to sitting on the drops with a 56cm top tube. I don't know how conscious I was being of position and fit given I had no previous track bike experience to compare it to. But definitely the 55cm pre-cursa I was on caused no problems. But according to dolan, they don't make a 55cm; their 56cm has a 55cm top tube length though, so I reckon it's that?

Harrybelafonte

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Makes sense, although from the road bike, I'm well used to sitting on the drops with a 56cm top tube. I don't know how conscious I was being of position and fit given I had no previous track bike experience to compare it to. But definitely the 55cm pre-cursa I was on caused no problems. But according to dolan, they don't make a 55cm; their 56cm has a 55cm top tube length though, so I reckon it's that?

My knowledge ends here I'm afraid. I know there are a few more points involved, but can't be sure. Some'll probably come along and say 56 is fine for you tbh.

tawfeeredux

Sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but does anyone know what sort of training is being done on Sat mornings at this time of year? Is there a set schedule or does it depend on what those turning up are looking to do?

Beasty

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the advice.

LCRC_BAX, the top tube is 565mm, yeah? Normally I take a 56cm frame, and my race bike has a 560mm top tube, so your 58cm pretty close. Is it a small frame for the advertised size, say compared to a road bike? The frame I was on at Sundrive was marked as a 55cm, so I'm guessing it was a 56 frame (top tube of 550mm) and found it a pretty good fit. How should the fit compare to a road bike? Your build (pre-cursa with navigator pista wheels) was what I was looking at on the dolan website.

Now the thing is, I don't have any cash at the moment, I'd need to be selling one of my bikes to raise the cash. Are you rushing to get rid of it? Obviously, don't hold on to it on my behalf if you get an offer!

Guys

Can we please keep discussions on the bike for sale to the cycling adverts sub-forum. Given it's a specialist bike and I have no connection with the seller I didn't mind mentioning it myself, but we don't want the main forum to get people posting about their bikes for sale every time someone starts a "what bike" thread for example

Thanks

Harrybelafonte

tawfeeredux wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but does anyone know what sort of training is being done on Sat mornings at this time of year? Is there a set schedule or does it depend on what those turning up are looking to do?

It's kinda depending. Not many are showing up in this weather so the sessions really depend on numbers and abilities.

Caroline_ie

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

It's kinda depending. Not many are showing up in this weather so the sessions really depend on numbers and abilities.

yeah, like he says I'll find out.

dave_o_brien

Beasty wrote: »

Guys

Can we please keep discussions on the bike for sale to the cycling adverts sub-forum. Given it's a specialist bike and I have no connection with the seller I didn't mind mentioning it myself, but we don't want the main forum to get people posting about their bikes for sale every time someone starts a "what bike" thread for example

Thanks

Apologies Beasty, I was only looking for info on sizing really.

Bairdsy

Can anyone come down - as in someone that has never done any track cycling and not a whole lot of cycling in general recently....

Beasty

Bairdsy wrote: »

Can anyone come down - as in someone that has never done any track cycling and not a whole lot of cycling in general recently....

You need to get accreditation - details of sessions are normally posted on the www.trackcycling.ie website. At this time of year they tend to do 1 or 2 sessions a month, normally on Saturday mornings, with hire bikes available (weather permitting )

Caroline_ie

Bairdsy wrote: »

Can anyone come down - as in someone that has never done any track cycling and not a whole lot of cycling in general recently....

You need to be accredited in order to use the track. I am not sure what the schedule is for 2012 accreditation. I think it's still every second saturday morning, but I'll find out.

Bairdsy

Caroline_ie wrote: »

You need to be accredited in order to use the track. I am not sure what the schedule is for 2012 accreditation. I think it's still every second saturday morning, but I'll find out.

That'd be great, thanks so much to you and Beasty!

Harrybelafonte

Or you could email the Track guys directly by going to trackcycling.ie and using their contact page:

Track Cycling Ireland Contact page

Caroline_ie

Currently we only run Accreditation sessions on the first Saturday of the month at 1030. This will probably stretch to 2 per month later in the year.

Only accredited riders can take part in normal training and a Cycling Ireland licence is also required just to train. Club licence is fine for training but you require at least Restricted Competition Track licence to race.

The is a cost involved for Accreditation and also there will be cost per session from March (or a season fee).

All this information is on www,trackcycling.ie and if you click on any event on the calendar all the information is there.

Training at present in not too specific or difficult but designed to keep the riders moving so as to keep them warm which building up some fitness and skill. We will be starting Derny work later in March but apart from Licence and Accreditation you would also need own bike and a selection of gears as this will be aimed at an advanced level of rider.

Thank you

C

CramCycle

What about brakes, can I ride my fixed if I reverse the callipers? I don't fancy taking everything off, so would inverting the calipers be sufficient? I just find my own more comfy than the Dolans (nice as they are, I may have just had one slightly too big).

Harrybelafonte

CramCycle wrote: »

What about brakes, can I ride my fixed if I reverse the callipers? I don't fancy taking everything off, so would inverting the calipers be sufficient? I just find my own more comfy than the Dolans (nice as they are, I may have just had one slightly too big).

I very much doubt it. It's not just about the braking, it's also the danger of having the lever and what not there. Get there early and try a few different sizes out?

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I very much doubt it. It's not just about the braking, it's also the danger of having the lever and what not there. Get there early and try a few different sizes out?

Fair enough, I'd like my own bike and her geometry so I might just try and set up another handlebar and see can I interchange them and the brakes, shouldn't take much time, just awkward to carry around.

But for the forseeable future, I will rent out there.

Harrybelafonte

CramCycle wrote: »

Fair enough, I'd like my own bike and her geometry so I might just try and set up another handlebar and see can I interchange them and the brakes, shouldn't take much time, just awkward to carry around.

But for the forseeable future, I will rent out there.

I have a good handlebar in the adverts section LOL

How are you set up brakewise now? Hoods or on the flat?

Caroline_ie

CramCycle wrote: »

Fair enough, I'd like my own bike and her geometry so I might just try and set up another handlebar and see can I interchange them and the brakes, shouldn't take much time, just awkward to carry around.

But for the forseeable future, I will rent out there.

What I have been doing for the past 2 years was to remove the brake of my Bowery when I had drops and just 1 cross brake at the front. Takes 2 minutes to remove the brake and calipers.

nak

Caroline_ie wrote: »

What I have been doing for the past 2 years was to remove the brake of my Bowery when I had drops and just 1 cross brake at the front. Takes 2 minutes to remove the brake and calipers.

Works fine for me too. I ride to the track and take the brake off when I get there.

Joxer_S

Caroline_ie wrote: »

What I have been doing for the past 2 years was to remove the brake of my Bowery when I had drops and just 1 cross brake at the front. Takes 2 minutes to remove the brake and calipers.

Would it be a problem if mudguards were still attached? I rented a bike at the intervarsity accreditation but the shoes I borrowed were awful. I could pop off the front mudguard pretty quickly along with the break but not the rear.

Harrybelafonte

Joxer_S wrote: »

Would it be a problem if mudguards were still attached? I rented a bike at the intervarsity accreditation but the shoes I borrowed were awful. I could pop off the front mudguard pretty quickly along with the break but not the rear.

Yes, I'm pretty sure it would be a problem.

Joxer_S

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yes, I'm pretty sure it would be a problem.

For safety reasons? It's an sks full mudguard fitted pretty close to the wheel so there's no real risk of anyone else getting caught on it

nak

Joxer_S wrote: »

For safety reasons? It's an sks full mudguard fitted pretty close to the wheel so there's no real risk of anyone else getting caught on it

I still don't think it would be allowed. I use the same mudguard on my track bike if I use it for commuting, but take it off during track season and use a clip-on mtb mudguard instead. Much easier.

Caroline_ie

Please guys, remember that Track is a serious discipline, so No mudguards, proper pedals ( No MTB pedals ), No baggy shorts. As much as we are happy to welcome everyone wanting to give the track a chance, we need to keep it safe for everyone.

Joxer_S

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Please guys, remember that Track is a serious discipline, so No mudguards, proper pedals ( No MTB pedals ), No baggy shorts. As much as we are happy to welcome everyone wanting to give the track a chance, we need to keep it safe for everyone.

Fair enough, I was thinking it might be ok for a once off (accreditation or intervarsity), I wouldn't propose to leave a mudguard on there for a proper race. There was a fine collection of toe clips, spd's and jeans there last weekend!

Harrybelafonte

Joxer_S wrote: »

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Please guys, remember that Track is a serious discipline, so No mudguards, proper pedals ( No MTB pedals ), No baggy shorts. As much as we are happy to welcome everyone wanting to give the track a chance, we need to keep it safe for everyone.

Fair enough, I was thinking it might be ok for a once off (accreditation or intervarsity), I wouldn't propose to leave a mudguard on there for a proper race. There was a fine collection of toe clips, spd's and jeans there last weekend!

Caroline mentioned MTB pedals because they're too easy to come uncoupled from. Same can't be said for toe clips. What day were you there that people were going around in jeans? I was there Saturday and there was nothing like that?

Joxer_S

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Caroline mentioned MTB pedals because they're too easy to come uncoupled from. Toe clips aren't the same. What day were you there that people were going around in jeans? I was there Saturday and there was nothing like that?

Toe clips are safer than a spd set to high tension?

Intervarsity accreditation last Saturday, there was one guy in jeans and spd's. I am fully aware that is not regular or acceptable in any typical track racing situtaion and not trying to suggest they should be. My question about the mudguard was made in this context, the rules were relaxed slightly in order to allow people to experience riding the track.

Caroline_ie

AFAIK the invarcity was a just a accreditation session with no actual racing.
This would not allowed in a race or even at training.

godihatedehills

it would be great to take a casual all-inclusive approach but if you ever witness a crash at a track you might understand more why they have to take their safety measures so seriously

Joxer_S

Joxer_S wrote: »

I am fully aware that is not regular or acceptable in any typical track racing situtaion and not trying to suggest they should be.

it would be great to take a casual all-inclusive approach but if you ever witness a crash at a track you might understand more why they have to take their safety measures so seriously

This would not allowed in a race or even at training.

Again, I'm not suggesting they relax any rules. My first experience of the track was last weekend when it was pretty lax as I outlined above, I was simply trying to find out what gear/modifications I would need if I wished to try it again using my own bike.

Harrybelafonte

You're better off contacting Track Cycling Ireland directly. Those who have answered have had a completely different experience to yourself, so TCI would be better at clarifying and explaining the situation

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Caroline mentioned MTB pedals because they're too easy to come uncoupled from. Same can't be said for toe clips. What day were you there that people were going around in jeans? I was there Saturday and there was nothing like that?

Bike polo guy was in jeans, but they looked more like jeggings (I learned this word from the girls in the house).

godihatedehills wrote: »

it would be great to take a casual all-inclusive approach but if you ever witness a crash at a track you might understand more why they have to take their safety measures so seriously

Indoors but you get how much worse on an outdoor it might be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0tMhlhnga0

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I have a good handlebar in the adverts section LOL

How are you set up brakewise now? Hoods or on the flat?

On the hoods, drop bars.

Caroline_ie wrote: »

What I have been doing for the past 2 years was to remove the brake of my Bowery when I had drops and just 1 cross brake at the front. Takes 2 minutes to remove the brake and calipers.

I have mine taped up so it would be more difficult, might look into getting just a drop brake for easy removal.