Velodrome taster but scared of heights

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Go for it... As others have said you don't have to ride up the top of the banking when doing a taster session. I was at Lee Valley on Wednesday for a club track session after doing two taster sessions, and it was awesome.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Go for it... As others have said you don't have to ride up the top of the banking when doing a taster session. I was at Lee Valley on Wednesday for a club track session after doing two taster sessions, and it was awesome.

 

[Markymark]

Thanks. My local is also the Lea Valley so will give it a whirl in the new year.

 

[Globalti]

The faster you go, the less frightening the banking will be. Also the faster you go, the more significant the drafting effect from the rider in front so be prepared for the increase in effort you will need to make when the rider in front peels off and you find yourself at the sharp end. Do not slow down suddenly!

 

[TheJDog]

I'm doing the taster session on Monday and it hadn't occurred to me to be frightened. Until now.

 

[Markymark]

I'm doing the taster session on Monday and it hadn't occurred to me to be frightened. Until now.

Sorry. Fear and enthusiasm are often contagious!

Don't listen to me though, I am an idiot as many on here will testify.

 

[boydj]

I'm doing the taster session on Monday and it hadn't occurred to me to be frightened. Until now.

Don't be. Even if you've never ridden fixed, you get over that very quickly and soon build up the confidence as you gradually go higher on the banking. You only need to go as high as you want to and very few don't end up going well up there.

 

[buggi]

It doesn't feel like you're up high, it just feels like you're going round a corner. It looks way worse than it actually is. When you look at it, it looked like a wall. When your riding it, it feels flat.

 

[TheJDog]

I'm just back from mine, and it was great fun. Going up onto the banking the first time felt a little odd, but as long as you're riding reasonably fast there's no chance of falling off. @buggi is wrong, though, when you pass someone high on the banking and look down on them as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water it really does seem high. But by then you'll be pretty confident in the ability of the tyres/speed to keep you up high and upright.

 

[Markymark]

Quick update. Took me a year to get around to it but just did it and it was awesome!

Quite hairy at first as was acutely aware of getting higher and such a sharp angle. But 10 laps in was happily storming around. Didn't realise how much free riding there was going to be so should have paced myself a bit better as I stormed off full whack once confidence was gained.

I can thoroughly recommend it.

 

[fossyant]

Well done !!

 

[T4tomo]

WTF - did they both stay upright? And is it on YouTube?

Edit indeed it is
View: https://youtu.be/X_h8e6W0_Zg

 

[Dave 123]

Oh @Markymark , you big southern softie you!

You'll be fine. When I went the other week we watched the taster 2 hours before ours. It's all done incrementally. Just before our taster started we got to watch the session before us from track side. Just watch what the better riders are up to in their free for all.

Lap1- get used to the bike and it's fixed wheel
Lap 2/3- a bit of controlled speeding up and slowing down
Lap 4/6- a bit more of the same
Lap7/8- riding on the cote d azur (the blue bit)
Lap 9/12- following the sprinters line
Lap13/15- riding between the sprinters line and the stayers line

This leaves about 25 minutes in the hour for the free session.

I was well up for it, after the first bend I was up at the top rail for 3 laps. It was amazing. If you don't slide down on laps 13/15 then you WON'T do it now. Your coach will tell you to keep pushing down on your left leg and keep the power on.

If you're scared of heights don't do what I did- in the curve look down at the people at the bottom of the slope as you go around. I did, and you just ask yourself how you're staying up there....?!?!

I guarantee that you'll have a fantastic time, no matter how high up you get.
You'll have a brilliant time, don't worry.

Make sure you give us a report afterwards.

 

[vickster]

Quick update. Took me a year to get around to it but just did it and it was awesome!

Quite hairy at first as was acutely aware of getting higher and such a sharp angle. But 10 laps in was happily storming around. Didn't realise how much free riding there was going to be so should have paced myself a bit better as I stormed off full whack once confidence was gained.

I can thoroughly recommend it.

@Dave 123 see @Markymark update above...post #26 bet you're glad you wrote your long post telling him how to do it

 

[Dave 123]

@Dave 123 see @Markymark update above...post #26 bet you're glad you wrote your long post telling him how to do it

Yes, just seen that!!!
Last time I try to be nice to the cockney winker! Did he fall to his doom?