having a go at track cycling

EmcD123

Hey boards,
im waiting another year before i try racing on the road as i want to give a go at a few different types of cycling first,going to try some mountain biking soon aswell.
One of the things that got me interested in cycling was watching the sprints and other fast stuff in the track.

How do you go about getting a little time on the track,nothing serious,no racing or anything like that(i wouldnt be allowed anyway). Just to get a feel for it,i think its something i could be good at.
its hard enough to get info as there doesnt actually seem to be much out there on it?
so questions, do you need a certain number of years with a licence to cycle on the track(not race)?,does a recreational license allow you to cycle on it?
and is it a good idea to try track or should i just skip it? and is it something you can do alone?or would it be better to find someone to do it with

Harrybelafonte

Most of the information you need is here

There are multiple threads on here about track cycling.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=89134106

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=91134029

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057187765

Harrybelafonte

EmcD123 wrote: »

1.How do you go about getting a little time on the track,nothing serious,no racing or anything like that(i wouldnt be allowed anyway). Just to get a feel for it,i think its something i could be good at.

2. its hard enough to get info as there doesnt actually seem to be much out there on it?

3. so questions, do you need a certain number of years with a licence to cycle on the track(not race)?,

4. does a recreational license allow you to cycle on it?

5. is it a good idea to try track or should i just skip it?

6. is it something you can do alone?or would it be better to find someone to do it with

1. See the first link

2. See the first link, track cycling is very much a minority discipline. More people will sign up for an A4 road race than for a full day of track racing.

3. No

4. Email the guys in the track commission for clarification

5. Only you can know. You want to do it, so do it. Simples.

6. The track in Sundrive is locked off behind a tall fence. You won't be allowed on it without a coach present. Even during training we are not allowed up on the track until the coaches are there.

Don't overthink it, trackies are a very welcoming bunch, in the same way MTBers are.

EmcD123

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Most of the information you need is here

There are multiple threads on here about track cycling.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=89134106

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=91134029

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057187765

thanks for the links ,i'll check them out now

lennymc

In relation to point 4, my understanding is that a recreational/leisure licence is not sufficient to ride on the track.and you need at a minimum a Limited Competition licence. As harrybelafonte said, you should confirm with the track commission.

edit - checked on CI site and you can race track under limited licence. See here. (unless you are a junior or youth, in which case a junior or youth licence would be required)

EmcD123

i'll confirm that quickly then,full licensce is almost the same as recreational anyway as im a student.

just wondering though, do buses go anywhere near the track since i dont drive and probably wont be able to for at least a few more years,
has anyone else here tried living in galway and doing track and getting there by bus?

Harrybelafonte

EmcD123 wrote: »

i'll confirm that quickly then,full licensce is almost the same as recreational anyway as im a student.

just wondering though, do buses go anywhere near the track since i dont drive and probably wont be able to for at least a few more years,
has anyone else here tried living in galway and doing track and getting there by bus?

I used to disassemble the bike and bus over. Not from Galway obviously. The 9 and 83 might be best bet from Dublin City Centre. There's a club in Galway that do a lot of work at Sundrive, Black Rose.

Beasty

OP, if you ever get over to the UK there are a few indoor tracks that offer "taster" sessions of an hour or so. I think the Olympic Velodrome in London will be difficult to get on, but there are alternatives in Glasgow, Manchester and Newport as well as a new one in Derby due to open in the new year. Manchester for example costs just over £10, including bike hire. You can also hire shoes and helmets there if you are travelling light.

lennymc

we should really look at organising a boards drinking track session at one of the UK tracks.

Harrybelafonte

lennymc wrote: »

we should really look at organising a boards drinking track session at one of the UK tracks.

Comes up every year, as do trips to some six day racing. Doesn't happen.

Beasty

Well I'll be in Manchester next week - first time on the track since February ....

EmcD123

i wouldnt have a hope of going to the uk haha
even buses to dublin would need to be saved up for.
I've met the guy in black rose before but i've never asked about it

eeeee

The 150 goes by the track. You can train on a recreational license but you need a Limited Competition at least to race. Track won't be open again until February, all the info you need is in the links above.

Track is awesome.

lennymc

gadetra wrote: »

You can train on a recreational license

Didnt know that. Thanks for clarifying! Might see if I can get a few of the club members down to try it out.

eeeee

lennymc wrote: »

Didnt know that. Thanks for clarifying! Might see if I can get a few of the club members down to try it out.

Accreditation part 1 can be done with no license, but you have to have a training license to complete part 2. Get them on down!

lennymc

what is a training licence? The club members have either a leisure, limited comp or full race licence.

eeeee

lennymc wrote: »

what is a training licence? The club members have either a leisure, limited comp or full race licence.

It's the €25 one, I heard it described as a training license, I must be calling the wrong thing!

lennymc

getchya. That is the leisure licence. 30 quid next year iirc.

Harrybelafonte

I think somone should email the commission for clarification. When I started a limited comp licence was required, even for training

Harrybelafonte

BTW OP, if you want to come up from galway on the cheap and do it, you'll have to be on the bus in the station for something like 6:15 to make it in time for training at 10am

colm_gti

lennymc wrote: »

we should really look at organising a boards drinking track session at one of the UK tracks.

Come over for one of the open season meets at Herne Hill next year

I've been interviewing for jobs in Manchester recently, would be nice to live beside the NCC...

EmcD123

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

BTW OP, if you want to come up from galway on the cheap and do it, you'll have to be on the bus in the station for something like 6:15 to make it in time for training at 10am

I dont really mind doing that if i felt after the first few times that it was worth it.
Trying to get all the facts together first so i can present the whole idea to the parents.

is there only one training time at 10am?

Harrybelafonte

Carp, can't remember the exact times but you'd need to do Saturdays 10-12, though I think the accreditation a are done later in the day. Senior training is 10-12 every Saturday. When days get longer there's a session Monday evenings. Kids train 12-2 I think.

eeeee

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I think somone should email the commission for clarification. When I started a limited comp licence was required, even for training

I had no license at all for my accreditation and was told that was fine but to have at least the training one for Accreditation part 2, and that was this year.

Accreditation is usually from 12, after senior training. Once you have done that you will have to do a number of the Saturday morning sessions, 10-12 until you are accredited, then you can do Monday sessions. I think the kids are after accreditation?

EmcD123

It really does sound like something that takes a pretty big commitment to be involved in it if you live in connaught

lennymc

colm_gti wrote: »

Come over for one of the open season meets at Herne Hill next year

I've been interviewing for jobs in Manchester recently, would be nice to live beside the NCC...

Party in Colm's gaf!

Esroh

EmcD123 wrote: »

It really does sound like something that takes a pretty big commitment to be involved in it if you live in connaught

David o loughin was based in Cong leading up tp Beijing Olympics so it can be done ;-).

Harrybelafonte

EmcD123 wrote: »

It really does sound like something that takes a pretty big commitment to be involved in it if you live in connaught

In fairness, yes, it does. But at least do the accreditation and see how you feel after that.

EmcD123

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

In fairness, yes, it does. But at least do the accreditation and see how you feel after that.

I definetly want to do that,i'll just end up with a regret if i dont haha and im dying to try it anyway

eeeee

Weepsie wrote: »

I could be tempted to give track a go for a few reasons. In my younger years when I played a loot of football (both types) and hurling I was ultra competitive (though not necessarily good). I like doing long cycles and sportives, but the though of bunch racing and my clumsiness might not be great in the likes of A4 but I think I could manage it better on a track.

Lastly, and mostly, it's an excuse to get another bike

:eek: *runs away scared when Weepsie turns up* ah no Do come along and give it a go. I think the first accreditation is the end of February/start of March I think?

EmcD123

gadetra wrote: »

:eek: *runs away scared when Weepsie turns up* ah no Do come along and give it a go. I think the first accreditation is the end of February/start of March I think?

end of february is perfect as i'll just be back on the bike again at that stage.

Harrybelafonte

Weepsie wrote: »

I could be tempted to give track a go for a few reasons. In my younger years when I played a loot of football (both types) and hurling I was ultra competitive (though not necessarily good). I like doing long cycles and sportives, but the though of bunch racing and my clumsiness might not be great in the likes of A4 but I think I could manage it better on a track.

Lastly, and mostly, it's an excuse to get another bike

Track is mostly bunch racing too y'know? There are just more rules about it and you get a chance to get used to it before actual racing. It's at closer quarters than road and at higher speeds too. Try it and see how it goes.

Beasty

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Track is mostly bunch racing too y'know?

Despite that in my view it is much safer than A4 racing.There is much more discipline on the track. Coaches are there to keep their eyes on eveything that's going on, and accreditation teaches the basics. Obviously accidents can never be ruled out, but it's a discipline I will certainly continue attempting as long as I am fit and healthy enough to do so. I will probably never do another A4 Open race because of the higher risks involved (which admitedly are probably going to be "riskier" for me than most)

EmcD123

Just as an update here, I'm going to try it ,ive got the go ahead and the club are going to try and facilitate it, haha im really excited for it.

When does 2015 accreditation(or whatever its called ) start?

nak

EmcD123 wrote: »

Just as an update here, I'm going to try it ,ive got the go ahead and the club are going to try and facilitate it, haha im really excited for it.

When does 2015 accreditation(or whatever its called ) start?

Most likely February/March

Harrybelafonte

check the calendar

EmcD123

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

check the calendar

I can only find dates for 2014.

Harrybelafonte

they'll be similar for 2015

lennymc

Beasty wrote: »

Despite that in my view it is much safer than A4 racing.

ditto

fair play Emc - hope you enjoy it!

Only 4 weeks or so until I get my new bike. cant wait.

EmcD123

lennymc wrote: »

ditto

fair play Emc - hope you enjoy it!

Only 4 weeks or so until I get my new bike. cant wait.

I hope i enjoy it too,just need to start getting training in now to prepare

eeeee

EmcD123 wrote: »

I hope i enjoy it too,just need to start getting training in now to prepare

Accreditation starts the last week of February/first week of March. It is weather dependent though. No need to prepare, accreditation isn't arduous, it's more about learning about safety, track etiquette and the bike. Mainly about rules of the track. You can prepare for a track based addiction!

EmcD123

gadetra wrote: »

Accreditation starts the last week of February/first week of March. It is weather dependent though. No need to prepare, accreditation isn't arduous, it's more about learning about safety, track etiquette and the bike. Mainly about rules of the track. You can prepare for a track based addiction!

I have been told before that its seriously addictive. Is actually using the bike difficult though?the fixed gear thing makes me a bit nervous although not nervous enough not to try :cool:

eeeee

EmcD123 wrote: »

I have been told before that its seriously addictive. Is actually using the bike difficult though?the fixed gear thing makes me a bit nervous although not nervous enough not to try :cool:

Not difficult at all just different. It doesn't take long to get used to. It's the safest form of cycling :cool:

EmcD123

gadetra wrote: »

Not difficult at all just different. It doesn't take long to get used to. It's the safest form of cycling :cool:

Its probably a silly thing to worry about but is stopping the bike difficult to do?

eeeee

EmcD123 wrote: »

Its probably a silly thing to worry about but is stopping the bike difficult to do?

No, not at all, once you get used to it. You slow down and stop/grab the fence. It becomes second nature after one or two goes. Just give yourself time. You'll be fine, honestly. It is essentially riding a bike. For me ti was remembering not to freewheel. I only forgot once, the bike kicks your ass! It's very natural and normal after a tiny amount of time.

The biggest thing is safety and track etiquette. That's number 1. Everything else follows from that. The rules make you a much better road cyclist too IMO.

EmcD123

gadetra wrote: »

No, not at all, once you get used to it. You slow down and stop/grab the fence. It becomes second nature after one or two goes. Just give yourself time. You'll be fine, honestly. It is essentially riding a bike. For me ti was remembering not to freewheel. I only forgot once, the bike kicks your ass! It's very natural and normal after a tiny amount of time.

The biggest thing is safety and track etiquette. That's number 1. Everything else follows from that. The rules make you a much better road cyclist too IMO.

Sounds really good, the more i hear about it the more impressed i get by the whole thing.
I'm surprised more people dont try it out because it looks great

Beasty

EmcD123 wrote: »

I'm surprised more people dont try it out because it looks great

Some people think going round an oval continuously must be boring. I rarely hear that from anyone that has given it a go though. When you move onto racing it's even better. The leagues over the summer tend to be well attended, extremely competitive and thoroughly addictive. On top of that you often get 4 chances to race in an evening, and because the races are short I've found it relatively easy to race on the road or do a TT the night before or after a Sundrive track league evening.