Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome

[Sunny Portrush]

Just back from an Accreditation 1 course at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and thoroughly enjoyed it. I`ve never been inside any velodrome before and it was rather daunting to see the banking up close.

We had a few warm-up laps on the flat apron and I kept looking at the banking and wondering how on earth I was going to get up. In fact, I said to the bloke cycling beside me that there was no way I was going to the top.

But by the end of the hour, I was whizzing around the banking with a huge big stupid grin on my face!

Track bikes are bloody odd though!

 

[13 rider]

Done it at Derby scary but brilliant .

 

[Slick]

Nice, not sure if I would have the confidence to try it or not, so kudos for giving it a go. Are you going back?

 

[Beebo]

Once you commit to the banking you have to go with it and drive through the bend, great fun but hard work.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Nice, not sure if I would have the confidence to try it or not, so kudos for giving it a go. Are you going back?

Yeah, defo going back. As mentioned, I did the Accreditation 1 level and have now booked the Accreditation 2. There was a woman on the course today who had only done a little road cycling, had never gone clip-less before and was beaming by the end.

The worse part was trying to slow the bloody track bike down just by pedalling slower - a couple of times I had to do another full lap as I was approaching the stopping area way too fast!

If you have a velodrome near by, I would definitely give it a whirl

 

[Sunny Portrush]

See the speed, i`m a blur, no camera could match my speed (ie, my wife takes crap pictures lol)

 

[User33236]

I had a go at the Manchester Velodrome on a day organiser by a member of this forum. Absolutely loved it. As you say it's a bit scary seeing the banking but didn't feel at all unsafe riding round it.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I used to race at Meadowbank, I decided the accreditation at Glasgow was a money making exercise* so have not raced on the track since**.

*which it is.
** I may go back to racing at Caird Park as I am now back working within travelling distance

 

[Markymark]

Once you commit to the banking you have to go with it and drive through the bend, great fun but hard work.

Working through my accreditation and you learn quickly that you don't need to go nearly as fast as your fear in your first go.

 

[Slick]

Yeah, defo going back. As mentioned, I did the Accreditation 1 level and have now booked the Accreditation 2. There was a woman on the course today who had only done a little road cycling, had never gone clip-less before and was beaming by the end.

The worse part was trying to slow the bloody track bike down just by pedalling slower - a couple of times I had to do another full lap as I was approaching the stopping area way too fast!

If you have a velodrome near by, I would definitely give it a whirl

It's definitely closer to me than it is to you, so I might go in and watch one night to see what it's all about.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I used to race at Meadowbank, I decided the accreditation at Glasgow was a money making exercise* so have not raced on the track since**.

*which it is.
** I may go back to racing at Caird Park as I am now back working within travelling distance

Good point, does every track now have this accreditation requirement ? When did it start and who/what was behind it ? I too rode the track league at Meadowbank for a bit. In those days, late nineties, all you needed as bike, helmet and the usual BCF licence. There was however a open training session one night a week where newcomers could learn the ropes if they wanted. I don't recall anything mandatory.

 

[Slick]

It's all insurance and elf and safety now innit.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Yeah, you need to go through the accreditation process before you can ride on the track by yourself and most velodrome`s seem to have it these days. To be fair, I think it is possibly needed Although I`m confident when out on the road, riding a track bike takes a bit getting used too.

At Glasgow, it looks to be £40 for all four stages, at Meadowbank it`s £25. However, you need to offset that by saying Glasgow is a brand-spanking new indoor track whereas Meadowbank is outdoors. I`m just down in Musselburgh so will pop along to Meadowbank for a shot on that track. I don`t mind doing Acc1 again at Meadowbank as I think I need all the practice I can get.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

It's definitely closer to me than it is to you, so I might go in and watch one night to see what it's all about.

It`s only £10 for Acc 1, you get the bike, shoes and helmet thrown in for that price. I took my own helmet but as I don`t have Look cleats, used a pair from there - was really good fun

 

[Sharky]

Only rode the track once - on Bootle track, a very large concrete track but was great fun. Always regretted not having another go.