Getting into track cycling?

Zyzz

Spent last night watching youtube videos so my interest in it has doubled :pac:

To those that do it, is there much cost involved in getting set up and making it a weekly thing?

Beasty

Very little cost really. It's primarily a summer activity in Ireland with only outdoor tracks available. Check out www.trackcycling.ie for information on training sessions which tend to be on Saturday mornings at Sundrive between around February and October (some of the Sundrive guys who post here regularly can confirm)

However you do need track accreditation - not sure if they are doing any more accreditations this year, but again look out on the website and in particular check their calendar

You can hire bikes - only commit to buy once you know you will stick with it. Because track bikes are very simple you can get very good ones a lot cheaper than equivalent road bikes (no brakes, gears or related cabling to worry about, although some fixies with brakes can be used if you take the brake(s) off)

Mechanic365

One lad in our club represented Ireland in the track championships just a mounth or two ago. Its completely different he said.

I would feel fair scary with no brakes!

Beasty

Mechanic365 wrote: »

I would feel fair scary with no brakes!

It would feel even scarier with them in a race of fixies;)

Seriously though, you soon get used to it and the accreditation is all about riding safely for the benefit of the individual and anyone else on the track

Zyzz

Cheers for that post Beasty!

About the accreditation, is it difficult to acquire?

derealbadger

Zyzz wrote: »

Cheers for that post Beasty!

About the accreditation, is it difficult to acquire?

you can get Moroccan accreditation for a few quid and just use that

Beasty

Zyzz wrote: »

Cheers for that post Beasty!

About the accreditation, is it difficult to acquire?

Most will get it in a single Saturday morning (2 hour) session (in Manchester it would usually involve at least 4 sessions of about 6 hours in total, but indoor tracks are much more difficult to ride and in particular race safely)

nak

Last accreditation is the 5th October. All training is weather dependent unfortunately. It's a lot more fun than road racing, and I find it a lot safer.

High Nellie

Mechanic365 wrote: »

One lad in our club represented Ireland in the track championships just a mounth or two ago. Its completely different he said.

I would feel fair scary with no brakes!

But, there is nobody pulling brakes in front of you, no potholes, no gravel, no cars coming against you, no dogs .....

n-dawg

Mechanic365 wrote: »

One lad in our club represented Ireland in the track championships just a mounth or two ago. Its completely different he said.

I would feel fair scary with no brakes!

Honestly I feel less scared knowing that nobody has breaks. The speed of the group is much more consistent then in road racing. No slamming on for apparently no reason.

If your looking for a fun weekend of track cycling Glasgow has almost cleared its accreditation back log and it should be possible to book all 6 hours required for accreditation in single long weekend. The pricing is very reasonable too, accred 1 and 2 are £10 each, accred 3 and 4 are £25 each (1 and 2 are 1 hr, 3 and 4 are 2 hrs). This includes bikes, shoes and a helmet if you need it.

I cant wait to get back on the track bike for the winter, just need this collar bone to heal

Craig06

I'll be going over to Glasgow to give this a go as the facilities look amazing.

Harrybelafonte

Zyzz wrote: »

Cheers for that post Beasty!

About the accreditation, is it difficult to acquire?

Show up on the day. If you're bringing your own shoes check if they're still using delta on the rental bikes as I believe a lot have been changed to Keo. If you have no cycling-specific shoes bring a decent pair of runners and you can use the cages.

Get there early if you are renting and make sure you get a bike that fits you. Bring an allen key so you can adjust anything. You may feel something needs changing halfway through the session

Listen carefully to everything said during the session, always check the track before stepping onto it in case riders are on it, always check over your shoulder before moving, seriously DO THIS, so may close calls of late because people don't do it.

If you're bringing your own bike, try and pick a decent gear. You'll be going slowly the first session, but when you show up for your second session you don't want to be spinning out. It takes TWO sessions for proper accreditation now.

Personally I'd advise you not buy a bike until you're 100% sure you want to take it up, many a shed around Ireland has a lonely track bike sitting, waiting, after maybe two sessions on the track.

High Nellie wrote: »

But, there is nobody pulling brakes in front of you, no potholes, no gravel, no cars coming against you, no dogs .....

Only sometimes.

Mechanic365

High Nellie wrote: »

But, there is nobody pulling brakes in front of you, no potholes, no gravel, no cars coming against you, no dogs .....

Well i suppose its my stigma attached to having no brakes, i can imagine when youre on the track you would need to change your reactions to when soneone pulls across you and not think about braking. Some sport and its really is all about perfection

nak

n-dawg wrote: »

Honestly I feel less scared knowing that nobody has breaks. The speed of the group is much more consistent then in road racing. No slamming on for apparently no reason.

If your looking for a fun weekend of track cycling Glasgow has almost cleared its accreditation back log and it should be possible to book all 6 hours required for accreditation in single long weekend. The pricing is very reasonable too, accred 1 and 2 are £10 each, accred 3 and 4 are £25 each (1 and 2 are 1 hr, 3 and 4 are 2 hrs). This includes bikes, shoes and a helmet if you need it.

I cant wait to get back on the track bike for the winter, just need this collar bone to heal

Where did you hear this? Have been trying to book an accred 4 session that's not mid-week for months now. Was told they cancelled a lot of sessions due to lack of interest the last time I was there, which is not ideal if travelling from Ireland. They wouldn't let me do accred 1,2 and 3 in one weekend even though I have a few years experience here. Got away with 1 & 2 on the same day.

n-dawg

I hadn't heard of them canceling sessions to be honest. I've just checked myself and yes the only accred 4 they are offering at the moment is a Tuesday. Sorry about that. Their online booking system will only let you book the next accred when you passed the previous one. But if you chat to them on the desk they will let you book ahead. I know of a few clubs from up north (of Scotland) that have booked to do there entire accred in a weekend so if you could get a gang that might help.

nak

n-dawg wrote: »

I hadn't heard of them canceling sessions to be honest. I've just checked myself and yes the only accred 4 they are offering at the moment is a Tuesday. Sorry about that. Their online booking system will only let you book the next accred when you passed the previous one. But if you chat to them on the desk they will let you book ahead. I know of a few clubs from up north (of Scotland) that have booked to do there entire accred in a weekend so if you could get a gang that might help.

I rang them and booked 1 and 2 together without any problem. Have a friend who works there and he said there were lots of cancellations due to a lack of people booking sessions (have a min number). Should be busier now, that was during the summer. I just need to do accred 4 now. Would be good to get a group over from Sundrive this winter.