Manchester Velodrome

oliread · Post by **oliread** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:15 pm

Ive been going over to the velodrome quite a bit recently and was wondering if theres anyone in the club who races there at all? id quite like to give the monday night league a try, has anybody had any experience with it or know the best way to get into it- particularly pursuits and team pursuits- im just doing my accreditation at the moment so its not something ill be doing for a month or so id guess. I think i need a BC m/ship as well dont i?

if anyone is interested me and my friend often go together but we are renting bikes at the moment so may have space for some extra bodies...

John Banks · Post by **John Banks** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 6:50 am

Please see PM as I would be interested

RICHARDIIII · Post by **RICHARDIIII** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:56 pm

I've always wanted to try riding on a track, does it matter that I've never riden on a track before?

willhub · Post by **willhub** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:29 pm

From what I hear, you can go on the track at first in taster sessions, but to actually go riding on the track properly you have to get these cirtificates and do some training before they let you on it properly.

John Banks · Post by **John Banks** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:58 pm

What Will says is correct and the best way is through taster sessions which are for an hour and really good value. Then by progression through training (e.g. track skills) you can get accredited and then start racing and attend the more advanced sessions.

See link for more information

http://www.manchestervelodrome.com/stat ... aining.htm

Quite often there are people at the Taster Sessions that want to practice things like team riding and you can join in. In any case there is a trainer present and he / she finds out your standard and advises you accordingly.

It is great fun and fine to go on your own but if you want company there is usually someone who wants to go….. like me!

oliread · Post by **oliread** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:48 pm

ya ive just do the first part of my accreditation and would recommend it to anyone! think im off on a friday session for my next part (improver) then you have your final accreditation test and get your accreditation slip thingy. Would be ace if we could get a regular group of people over to the SQT's or the monday league im hoping to race in (would help with petrol too

). Does the club ever do a day trip to the velodrome or anything like that?

John Banks · Post by **John Banks** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:20 pm

I see you are going to the improver session on Friday. I will be in the area and thinking perhaps I would join you if the session is not full. I have only done 2 taster sessions which were a while apart (perhaps 6 months) and the last time I went was about April. How many taster sessions did you have before you went to improvers? I feel fairly happy with riding on the track so perhaps I am also ready.
Would welcome your comments
As you say it would be great if a few of us did some SQTs and the Monday league or MRTL on Fridays. I see the latter starts at 19.45 so perhaps could see this after the improver session.

photoBen · Post by **photoBen** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:19 am

Usually to attend the Improver sessions you have to attain your 'blue slip' which tells the coach you are ready to move on from the Tasters. At the Improver stage you work towards your 'pink slip', from where you can go to accrediation. It all has the feeling of being back in school but is done for good reasons, having witnessed multiple crashes caused by inexperience, it really is a case of safety first.

oliread · Post by **oliread** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:27 am

ben is right ive just done my blue slip in the tasters and you cant book for improvers without having already done this you need to be able to ride the blue line for 20mins, do blue line changes safely ride at the very top for 5 safety laps and follow the coach all over the track without loosing their wheel. Like ben said it seems a pain but ive seen a few nasty crashes already and people arn't even racing!!

John Banks · Post by **John Banks** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:14 pm

Thanks to you both for the information and I remember now about the blue and pink slips. As you say safety first as even with my limited time on the track I saw people not looking before changing position.
I will go to some more taster sessions and hopefully get the required slips.

like my bike · Post by **like my bike** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:29 pm

The North East are conducting a feasibility study into a velodrome! Have your say

http://www.strategicleisure.co.uk/rcindividual.htm

Closes 23rd Oct

John Banks · Post by **John Banks** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:20 pm

Thanks I have completed the survey and will take the link to the gym with me tonight. Perhaps others could do the same. I also made the comment in the survey that a track in the Leeds / York area (especially with York’s cycling status) would attract a lot of attention. The track wherever it is built also has to be of Olympic standard so that accreditation is transferable e.g. I understand that only those accredited at Manchester can race at that facility and if accreditation is at another track such as in South Wales it does not count.

Clifton CC