How do you go for a ride in a howling gale and lashing rain? Cycle indoors of course, but not on a trainer. For a much more fulfilling morning’s ride I went along to Calshot Velodrome, on Calshot spit to join up with some fellow CTC members, a few more from Alton CC and a sprinkling of others. Under the watchful eye of a coach both absolute beginners and seasoned vets were taught the rules and put through their paces on the track.
I’d never really thought about it but the first surprise was that the bikes are ‘fixies’ ie. no free wheeling, so you can’t stop pedalling...unless you want to fall off. I wasn’t the only novice and after a careful start getting used to the bike, we were taught how to take the turns and swap the lead while others warmed up at a lively pace.
No, I haven’t a clue either
The track was built in 1997
Tactics?
Look - no brakes!!!
Plenty of hire bikes at £6.00 each
The ‘slow’ group
The velodrome
The banking is intimidating to start with
The ‘fast’ group
The coach had his hands full
Novice first run on the pale blue strip
The fast group warm up on the blue line
Moving up the the black line...
Which should be the fastest way round
On the blue
We took it in turns once we’d got the hang of it
One rider sprints off the front...
and tries to recatch the group in three laps
Sounds easy?
You have to shift to do it
It’s ok to undertake!
Refuelling
Think I’ll be back for more
