track cycling - Acreditation this saturday at Sundrive

lennymc

So after watching the world track championships, and with some encouragment from harrybelafonte and kumate_champ, Ive decided to go get acreditation this Saturday at the sundrive track.

Ive cycled a fixie for a few weeks last year, but apart from that have no other fixied experience, and ive obviously never cycled on the track.

Does anyone else fancy heading out to give it a try?

Lenny

Dermot Illogical

lennymc wrote: »

So after watching the world track championships, and with some encouragment from harrybelafonte and kumate_champ, Ive decided to go get acreditation this Saturday at the sundrive track.

I did it last year. It's a blast. Enjoy!

lennymc

Im looking forward to this tomorrow! Anyone else heading out?

Inquitus

You have the details handy lennymc, its something I would like to try.

lennymc

From Saturday, February 04 2012
To Thursday, April 05 2012
10:30am - 12:30pm Saturday of each week by HughB This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Hits : 54

Hire bikes available.

All hire bikes fitted with Look Delta (old type) or Toe Strap

Cost for Accreditation : Seniors €10 Bike Hire €5
Youth/unwaged €5 Bike Hire €2
Location: Eamonn Ceant Stadium. Sundrive Road
Contact: Hugh Byrne 086-3488708
trackcyclingireland@gmail.com


taken from http://trackcycling.ie/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=461&year=2012&month=03&day=03&Itemid=54

Inquitus

lennymc wrote: »

From Saturday, February 04 2012
To Thursday, April 05 2012
10:30am - 12:30pm Saturday of each week by HughB This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Hits : 54

Hire bikes available.

All hire bikes fitted with Look Delta (old type) or Toe Strap

Cost for Accreditation : Seniors €10 Bike Hire €5
Youth/unwaged €5 Bike Hire €2
Location: Eamonn Ceant Stadium. Sundrive Road
Contact: Hugh Byrne 086-3488708
trackcyclingireland@gmail.com


taken from http://trackcycling.ie/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=461&year=2012&month=03&day=03&Itemid=54

I am on kids GAA duty this week at that time sadly, but will defo try and make one of the sessions, thanks.

kenmc

Since there's no race in summerhill tomorrow i might go along to this. what do i need besides my cold hard cash? What does the accreditation consist of? how long does it take?
Do you get a choice of toe-straps or deltas? what are "old type" deltas?

lennymc

costs are listed above (10 euro i think plus 5 euro bike hire. Delta cleats are look cleats. Normal biking gear. not sure what else. I think its practice laps round the track, with track etiquette. Ill be there about 10.15 looking lost.

kenmc

lennymc wrote: »

costs are listed above (10 euro i think plus 5 euro bike hire. Delta cleats are look cleats. Normal biking gear. not sure what else. I think its practice laps round the track, with track etiquette. Ill be there about 10.15 looking lost.

Cool, and if one were a lazy-ass, where would one park a car nearby? I had a quick look on google maps but don't see any obvious car parking there.
I know that delta cleats are look cleats, but it says "old style"; how do you determine what that is?

smcclaw

I think deltas were the ones before keos so they take a different cleat than most current Look pedals. I'm sure someone else can confirm

Beasty

Yes, they have delta pedals fitted - keo cleats will not work with their bikes, but deltas cleats (there's only one "style", but different amounts of float, which are colour coded) will

Joxer_S

There is a big box of shoes fitted with delta cleats at the track

kumate_champ07

Accreditation is all about safety. Just pay attention and you will fly thru it. Some basics, always look for oncoming traffic when walking on, make it a habit, even if theres not many on the track or none at all. Never move left or right without checking that theres nobody behind you, the bikes are very quite mostly and with no brakes you could cause an accident easily if you make a turn without checking.
Dont turn the bike with your head, when you look behind keep your shoulders and arms stable, might take some practice.

for anyone thats raced road bikes it might be a bit strange to have to keep pedalling after you pass the finish line.

you'll notice it takes more effort on the bends, coming out back onto the straight I have to take a couple of seconds rest where I let the pedals spin with no effort, otherwise Id crash into the back wheel in front if I carry my momentum with the same power applied.

kenmc

cool ta. what should I wear for the toestraps, in case theres no shoes there that fit me? I have a spare pair of shoes with no cleats on currently...

Dermot Illogical

kenmc wrote: »

cool ta. what should I wear for the toestraps, in case theres no shoes there that fit me? I have a spare pair of shoes with no cleats on currently...

I found runners were ok when I did it. You're not going to break any records on the flying 200, but they'll do the job.

From what I recall, the session is firstly about getting used to the track and the bike. Obviously it's a bit of a change from a road bike, so most people were finding the fixed gear bikes a bit strange at first. A few laps practicing around the track and it quickly feels right. Then there are some laps where you practice going around the track in a group, going to the front and dropping off etc. Then some follow the leader stuff, up and down the banks trying to keep a consistent distance from the wheel in front. We also did lead-ins, where you get a chance to both deliver and be delivered to the 200m line for a sprint finish. This was very enjoyable, and tough.
All in all it's a great few hours fun and games.

lennymc

had a ball today. really enjoyed it. So much so that I think im going to try my hand at the racing. (any excuse to get another bike)

Big thanks to Harry Belafonte for the cleats, and the tips and encouragement!

Lenny

monkey 456

Sounds great. What did the session comsist of?

lennymc

monkey 456 wrote: »

Sounds great. What did the session comsist of?

started off with a bit of a talk about track cycling, riding on fixed gear bikes, starting off and stopping on track. Then we went on to the track itself, did a couple of slow laps to get used to riding and looking on the track, aswell as stopping. We then started imcreasing the pace a wee bit and riding a bit closer to the rider in front, and worked on that for a while. We then did some up and overs, again at a faster pace, and finally we did a snake kind of thing (cant remember what it was called) but it involved riding the same line as the rider in front of you, with a lot of seemingly random and erratic direction changes, all the while looking around to make sure your not going to ride into the path of someone. That (and a CI licence) gives you accreditation to train on the track, to race you need a race licence.

all in all i would recomend it. it cost me 15 quid for teh morning including bike hire.

dave_o_brien

Is there a newcomers thing on this weekend? I did the accreditation as part of the intervarsities and would like to pop down on paddy's day for a while, if something's happening...

lennymc

track is closed this weekend David, but will be back open on the 24th. I should be out then.

dave_o_brien

lennymc wrote: »

track is closed this weekend David, but will be back open on the 24th. I should be out then.

Thanks lenny. I was planning on doing a road race then, but we'll see, my fitness is still very inhibited due to thesis work!