Robin from UKHO applied for funding to organise a 2 hour track cycling taster session at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales. We were delighted to be able to support this. Roger, one of the participants tells us more :-
"A group of 13 UKHO employees travelled to Newport, South Wales to try track cycling at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales. Disappointingly we didn’t see Geraint whilst there, and later learnt that he’s not been seen there since it was renamed! The trip was run with the support of the CSSC Active Wellbeing Group Fund.
We were a group of very mixed abilities, few of us had cycled on a track before but thankfully all equipment was provided (bikes, helmets and shoes) except clothing where lycra was recommended but not compulsory! The 2 hour session was run by coach Owen, and thankfully we had the entire track to ourselves so there were fewer people to crash into, or watch us!
We started by riding around the inner blue concreted area of the track, known as the apron, which is flat whilst we got used to the absolutely petrifying feeling of having no brakes, or ability to stop pedalling (the bikes have a fixed gear, and a clip holds your shoes to the pedals). After a few minutes we were reluctantly encouraged onto the very inner edge of the wooden track, the “cote d’azur”. The slope is steepest at the corners where the outer edge of the track towers above you, over 4 1/2m above the ground with an alarming slope of up to 42 degrees.
A group of 13 UKHO employees travelled to Newport, South Wales to try track cycling at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales. Disappointingly we didn’t see Geraint whilst there, and later learnt that he’s not been seen there since it was renamed! The trip was run with the support of the CSSC Active Wellbeing Group Fund
We were a group of very mixed abilities, few of us had cycled on a track before but thankfully all equipment was provided (bikes, helmets and shoes) except clothing where lycra was recommended but not compulsory! The 2 hour session was run by coach Owen, and thankfully we had the entire track to ourselves so there were fewer people to crash into, or watch us!
We started by riding around the inner blue concreted area of the track, known as the apron, which is flat whilst we got used to the absolutely petrifying feeling of having no brakes, or ability to stop pedalling (the bikes have a fixed gear, and a clip holds your shoes to the pedals). After a few minutes we were reluctantly encouraged onto the very inner edge of the wooden track, the “cote d’azur”. The slope is steepest at the corners where the outer edge of the track towers above you, over 4 1/2m above the ground with an alarming slope of up to 42 degrees.
Riding on the banking encourages you to ride faster, as you falsely believe the g-force will help stick you to the track. However, at the relatively pedestrian speed most of us were riding, this likely made no difference. Thankfully, the tyres seemed to have sufficient grip and no one slipped/fell throughout the whole session.
After a few laps in what was supposed to be a “tight line” formation, the lead rider was told to move to the back of the line by riding a couple of meters higher up the banking whilst the “tight line” quickly undertook them on the inside of the track. In reality, the front rider often had to ride the higher line for some time before the rest of the “tight line” had passed them, but this gave us all more confidence about the grip higher up the track.
Later in the session we held a time trial, where each of us completed a timed lap after a short rolling start. Despite the breadth of experience amongst us, all of our times were very close. Other activities saw us attempting to ride as high as possible on the track and experience the acceleration from descending to the inner edge of the track. We were disappointed to not get to ride on, or behind a Derny (moto pacing bike) during the session.
Overall, however, it was a great experience for us all which offered a fascinating insight into track cycling. Many of us are keen to return with renewed confidence and slightly less fear!" Roger