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Tips for velodrome ...
 

[Closed] Tips for velodrome taster

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[#4795446]

Don't ride road bike, never rode a fixie and normally use brakes.

My friend told me not to tank it to exhaustion and then let off as the fixie will bite back.

Any tips or is it all quite simple? :mrgreen:


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:18 pm
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DONT STOP PEDALLING

that and chill out listen and do what your told.

At the end get some space and build up some speed and hit the black line as fast as you can for a lap....


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:20 pm
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Look over your shoulder and signal before you move

And what he ^ said, ever.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:21 pm
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DONT STOP PEDALLING

This.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:24 pm
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The lack of brakes is a bit scary at first but as everyone else lacks them too there isn't any sudden braking you have to watch out for.

Is this in Glasgow btw? You'll likely shite yourself when you go in and collect your bike from the hire desk and see riders up above going round the banking...15 minutes later you'll be doing it too and loving every minute 🙂


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:29 pm
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I had never used a fixie before I went, but to keep pedalling was never a problem for anyone in the group. Dont worry it will be fun. The instructor guy will tell you all you need to know.

Having awareness of those around you is the most important advice.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:31 pm
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Have a couple of litres of water with you, so you can keep topping up with liquid. You'll sweat like a fat lass at a rave


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:34 pm
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If you need to avoid someones back wheel then go up the track and not down.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:34 pm
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Accred 3 at Glasgow tomorrow for me 😀

much as others have said, take it steady, the instinct is to go flat out all the time and you will be knackered.

Also it is very very warm.

I found that getting up the banking early and getting the fear out the way was good.

One guy stopped pedalling on our accred 2 and either bust or badly damaged his collarbone. he was nowhere near any other riders....


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 1:39 pm
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Did a taster in Manchester last year:

1. The instructor will tell you you don't really need to lean or steer to go round the banking. The instructor is right.
2. Don't forget a l/s top (it's the rules)
3. You'll need to hire shoes unless you have look cleats.
4. Like everyone else says, take plenty of water and don't stop pedalling.
5. You'll need a good shower afterwards.
6. Don't worry if you don't get the hang of the banking straight away, it took me a few laps, then I was flying round.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:08 pm
 kilo
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Take water , wear two tops and if possible one long sleeve, lightweight full finger mtb gloves are good, try not to slow down as you enter the banking -push down more on the bankings to go the same speed around them, relax, enjoy


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:17 pm
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Wear summer clothing and take lots of water. Long finger gloves may be a good idea too.
I won't give you any riding tips as no doubt the coach will be better at it than me or any other person posting on forum.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:24 pm
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I asked about the 2 tops thing on here the other week. Seems that the majority at Glasgow wear short sleeves and coaches are fine with it. I can see how it affords a lot of skin protection in a fall but it ain't half warm..


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:26 pm
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Don't stop pedalling.
Do listen to the instructor rather than your instincts.
Do be aware of who/what is around you - look before you move.
Have fun.
Take a bottle of water.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:31 pm
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was at Manchester yesterday for my 2nd taster session

amazing fun, just listen to the coach and you'll be fine. coming from a mtb backround a couple of my mates struggled with riding on the drops but apart from that everyone was riding the top of the banks by the end of the session.

great fun and amazing value considering it cost me £10.50 for track, coach and bike hire !!!


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:44 pm
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Very consistant advice so I shall take it all onboard. It is at Glasgow and was going to wear a lightweight 3/4 sleeve top as I have heard it is hot hot. Will take long sleeve option just in case.

Are the look cleats hard to use?


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 2:58 pm
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At first i found it a bit hard to clip the second foot in - not so much because the cleats are difficult, just i'd never riden fixed wheel before so found it a bit awkward clipping it in while the pedal was going round.

I've noticed that alot of people (not just beginners but experienced riders too) just clip both their feet in while at the side so they can hold onto the barrier while doing so


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:04 pm
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full face and body armour.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:04 pm
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great fun and amazing value considering it cost me £10.50 for track, coach and bike hire !!!

+1. It's the equivalent of being allowed into Wembley for a kickabout!


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:07 pm
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Are the look cleats hard to use?

as you are used to mtb cleats and not road, they are a bit more 'positive'. However as Omar says, the norm is to clip in both feet at the railing while stationary.

I'd suggest you are changed and down at the bike pick up a good 15 mins before your session start time - that way you can spend the time riding round the concrete central area and getting the feel of the fixed, non braked bike. That whole area is open and clear so it gives you a good opportunity to get comfortable and used to starting and stopping


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:25 pm
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Don't go all out too soon. It's a lot more tiring than normal biking, so save some energy (I didn't and it ruined the last hour of the session for me).


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:28 pm
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Don't look at the turns as if they are Berms. clipping out and heading across the centre of the velo is NOT* funny!!

*for the person riding, everyone else will find it hilarious.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:29 pm
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body armour
I fully expect downshep of this very parsh to turn up with his on 😆


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:31 pm
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Don't look at the turns as if they are Berms.

Look THROUGH the turns. As you enter the bend, look at the equivalent spot (same height) on the exit. Do not look at the bend or at your front wheel, that'll induce a downward spiral and you'll sink down the banking. Ideally you want to be looking 40 ish metres ahead of you most of the time.


 
Posted : 25/01/2013 3:35 pm
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Top tips from everyone and had a good laugh today.

the tip regarding clipping in being harder when moving was so true, I looked a right fanny missing it a few times. All good once you are going.

All in all the taster was very enjoyable but I want a working mtb back in my life ASAP!


 
Posted : 27/01/2013 10:39 pm
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Glad you had fun ! You think you will go back ? I did accred 3 yesterday and nearly puked on the Italian Pursuit as the back of 8 riders.

Final accred session tomorrow so fingers crossed 🙂


 
Posted : 27/01/2013 10:58 pm
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Tough call. I think that I get more out of mtb and when I can't do that I want something as easy as possible and the turbo hits that spot in the fastest cheapest way. But....lots of people on track etc would fair spice it up. Great to see it busy with so many groups after our taster.


 
Posted : 27/01/2013 11:58 pm
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Will need to remember this thread. Just signed up for taster/accred 1 at Glasgow for the start of next month. Pretty keen.


 
Posted : 01/02/2013 1:23 pm
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at the start of the session, before you get in the middle and meet your instructor, go the highest point of the banking and look down this will get you in the right frame of mind


 
Posted : 01/02/2013 2:27 pm