Velodrome taster but scared of heights
- Thread starter Markymark
- Start date
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Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
I don't think it's compulsory to ride up on the very top section. Did the taster session at Lea Valley last December and enjoyed it a lot. When you get going it's fine. Just takes a few laps to get used to riding above the bottom couple of lines.
TissoT
Guru
- Location
- The Home of British cycling
Ride on the blue (half way) that's what your coach will say after a 20mins of riding on the black line you need to be 15+ mph to climb to the blue line .. Its takes a good few hours to feel at ease relax your peddling on the straights and pedal hard ish on the bends, Once you have been you will be more than likely be back for more .I have been riding at Manchester for the last 10 years its some where
to ride in the winter and good fun .
to ride in the winter and good fun .
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deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
The banking at Herne Hill Velodrome is pretty unremarkable. It could be a place to get a feel for it.
biking_fox
Legendary Member
- Location
- Manchester
I had a go on Manchester one a few years back. It didn't seem any worse than cresting the top of a hill. Most of your attention is forwards rather than the drop to the side. I found it great fun and very easy to get up to speed.
42 degrees, that's quite some hills you ride there!!
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
Its not like London up here, we actually have a few hills that are worth climbing!
I've been on Manchester Velodrome, and as long as you keep pedaling you'll be alright.
In there the angle is constant, same at the top as the bottom, so as long as you're going fast enough you keep going round.
Having said that, look at the way sprinters crawl round the top of the bankings when they're sussing each other out.
In there the angle is constant, same at the top as the bottom, so as long as you're going fast enough you keep going round.
Having said that, look at the way sprinters crawl round the top of the bankings when they're sussing each other out.
Postmanhat
Senior Member
- Location
- Derby
Also not good with heights and didn't like the look of the banking at Derby velodrome at all. But you really don't notice/think about it once you're on the track. Was far too busy getting used to riding a fixed wheel and not having brakes! Also, going right up shouldn't really be required for a taster session. Just say something to coach if you don't fancy it.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Yep - although my experience is at Newport. Haven't been for a while so I know my first job will be to ride the black line before venturing onto blue. Might take 30 mins but I'll get there.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
1878 iirc.
I last raced there in 1978, not including the informal summer evenings league we used to run at work in the 90's.
When you do the final certification in Glasgow you'll be peeling off the front of a group and it's a weird sensation seeing them all pass below you as you go pretty high on the banking to drop to the back of the group. You just need the confidence to keep pedalling strongly when you're on the banking.
Postmanhat
Senior Member
- Location
- Derby
Plus the power to stay up there! Two people tumbled down from the banking at Derby accreditations I've been in. Ran out of puff and ground to a halt. One clattered into a rider below and broke his collarbone. I haven't been in a rush to go back since, but once we get some proper winter weather..
Citius
Guest
That's why it's called a 'taster' session. You won't know until you try.
