London Velodrome Riding
So I had talk with Adam a few weeks back about the velodrome in London, it sparked my interest in trying it out. Looks like a lot of fun and is something new to try!
I'm curious if anyone would be interested in going down as a group to try it out and maybe doing a car pool thing. They have track bikes there to rent for the session (free rentals if you do their two month trial). If it works out, could become a weekly routine for off season training perhaps? Just some thoughts...curious to see if anyone is interested?
Here is their website for those who are curious: http://www.forestcityvelodrome.ca/index.php
They have a nice little video on there too.
That is a good looking track. The one I used to ride in Fonthill was steep and beat to hell, but it was outside...
I've been wanting to try that for the past 5 years !
Wednesdays is probably best.
This sounds like so much fun :)
Total aside, but anybody read the book / seen the movie The Flying Scotsman? :)
No, but I just read Michael Barry's brand new Photographic essay on a year in the life of a Professional Cyclist called, "Le Metier". http://tiny.cc/yobi9
He has a site with many of the pictures and behind the scenes of making the book
http://michaelbarry.ca/
Short of Steve Bauer, he's the most-storied, most-accomplished Canadian professional cyclist.
I want to pick up Mark Cavendish's book, it looks to be pretty interesting and worth a read. It's something to put on my kindle and read while on the stationary bike :)
http://www.amazon.ca/Boy-Racer-Journey-France-Record-Breaker/dp/19340306...
I've just purchased, on-line, a used Garneau track bike with the intention of giving the FC a try. Being a very 'mature' rider the Wednesday Huff-n-Puff group is probably my limit. However, I have considerable track experience from my youth in the UK some 60 years ago and a one time session on the Olympic velodrome in Montreal back in the 70's.
I plan to participate in the Saturday "Introduction to ride" sessions early in October. It would be great to get a group of WCC riders together for one of these sessions. There are several spots open for the October sessions.
Roy
bikemaster@sympatico.ca
I too, was just on-line...looking at used track bikes. ;)
Roy,
Where/how did you find your track bike? I'm not even sure what brands make track bikes?
There can't be much to them? What did you look for?
Alain
When you are looking for a track bike a couple things to look for are:
Track specific geometry, there are a lot of Fixeis out there now that are closer to road bike geometry than track. A Track bike should have a shorter wheelbase, a higher bottom bracket for pedal clearance, steeper headtube and seattube angles and a fork with less offset. The standover height will aslo be less do to the higher bottom bracket and usually a horizontal top-tube.
Track specific components, Once again the fixie problem. Look for a bike with a 144 mm BCD crank set. This is the standard for track chainrings and will make it much easier to get other rings. Dura-ace, Campy Record pista, Miche primato advanced, and Truvativ Omnium are all great track cranksets. Remember that this is a track bike and strength is more important then weight so don't worry to much the weight.
If your looking for a built production track bike the ones that come with brakes are typically better suited for the street than the banks. At the entry level the frames are usually made from chromoly tubes with a matching chromoly fork. the Fuji Track and KHS flite 100 s make up the majority of the rental fleet there and are good bikes but if you want to go further than rec riding you should look at something a bit better. There are lots of bikes in this category - Fuji Track Comp, Fuji Track Pro, Jamis sonic, trek T1, Ridley Oval, Felt Tk2, Felt TK3, Argon 18 Electron, Marioni Pista's, Dolan's, and Cervelo's new almuninum track frame just to name a few. These are all race worthy, especially with a wheel upgrade. Above these are the carbon bikes and cost a lot more. I am sure True North would also be happy to come up with something for you.
It doesn't hurt to start looking but its probably worthwhile to wait until you go to the track before you buy something. They have a post-it board there that usually has a couple of bikes available and lots of good advice. Also you can try out a couple of sizes of rental bike to get a better idea of what sizing works for you on the high banks.
Happy Bike Shopping, Adam
This is the bike.......... http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/708033/
It meets most of the criteria in Adam's spiel below, although the wheels are a bit clunky. If I get hooked on the track, wheels will be a priority upgrade. If the boards aren't for me then I'll sell it or use it as a road "fixie"
Roy
Hey, nice purchase. You can't really go wrong for $350.
Adam
hey tom
You need to get in contact with Alex Sanna at SRS as he usually offers up rides down to the track through the winter months - look up
soigneurraceservices.com and you should get some deets there.
Joel
Not as simple as I thought. A lot to consider.
That said, I was hoping to find a super end of year deal similar to Roy. Heck I think I spent $350 on 2 GP 4000's, 4 tubes and a pump last month??? I figure you can dial in the fit so that you don't have to fool around everytime. And perhaps practice a bit on rollers to get used to the geometry?
But yes, I will determine if I can make it a regular thing over the winter before considering buying. It is over an hour drive to London. How do you get there in time after work on Mon and Wed?
I work in Tavistock so I head straight out from there, about 45 mins. I also live outside of New Dundee so its around 50 minutes home. Fortunatly the track is right off the 401 by the McDonalds so you don't have to drive through London at all.
Sorry, accidentily double clicked and posted this black page. And no way to delete it? Scott?
Google says the Velodrome is 117km from were I work in North Waterloo. Over 90 min in good traffic...which won't be the case after work at 5:30. So, 3-4hrs of driving to get there and back. Plus 2 hours of riding. That's a long day.
Let's try it once during the week. Saturday should be easier.
I don't typically go down on weekends but in the past they have had a fast pace rec type of session that might work better for you. Keep an eye on the schedule on their site as there will probably be more sessions added as the weather gets crappier outside.
Hi Adam.
The bike arrived today, it looks like new. The guy hadn't even removed the plastic protective film from the decals or cranks!
A couple of questions..............
What gear do the guys ride on the FCV? My bike has a 48 x 16
Also, i plan to use a pair of Maxis, Xenith Hors Categorie (700 x 20 - 120 psi max) tires........ OK?
I'm waiting for pedals from eBay so I haven't ridden the bike yet :-)
Roy
Good Morning Roy,
Even if all you got was that frame and fork you got a really good deal. I think your gearing should be fine to start out with. I run 50 x 16 (82.1 gear inches) which is what I was recommended at the track. Your 48 x 16 (78.8 Gear inches) isn't to far off from that and 48 x 15 (84.1 Gear inches) is just on the other side. I guess it all depends on how much spinning you like to do.
the Maxxis tires will be fine, just make sure if they are new to sand them down a bit as you don't want any mold release agent making them slick on you.
Adam
Hi all,
SRS will start its nightly travels to the Forest City Velodrome later in November when cyclocross tapers off. So far there is interest for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Let me know if there are any other days that are of interest. Return trips to London from Waterloo will be $15.
Best,
Alex
Alex Sanna
Soigneur Race Services
info(at)soigneurraceservices.com
This is what I'm expecting in London...
For those interested, I'm planning on taking the Track 1 training course for the Velodrome this Saturday, 12-2pm. It's the pre-req for doing any riding on the track.
Anyone who is planning on going this day as well is welcome to score a free car ride. I don't have room for bikes though, I'm renting one.
This should be a good way to burn a few calories before we stuff our faces with turkey!
Cheers,
Tom
Tom,
Have you already signed up? There seem to be a limited number of spots/bikes. Hate to drive all that way just to watch. :)
Are you estimating a total time commitment from 10:00 to 4:30 ?
i.e. leave at around 10:00-10:30am? In order to arrive around 11:30 (I'll be driving from North Waterloo). 20-30 min's to register and set up bike (pedals, pump, fitting). Session is from 12-2. There is also a skills session from 2-3. Then drive home by 4:00-4:30?
Cost is $20.00 per person for the session plus a $10.00 bike rental fee, Cash Only.
Anything I am missing?
I'm also taking the course on Sat, 9 Oct. I have my own track bike and will probably be leaving early to visit friends first. See you there.
Roy
I signed up a couple of weeks ago.
Your time commitment is about right. Should be a fun time.
Hey Al,
I'm all signed up and ready to roll. And your schedule is bang on. =)
Al, are you coming out on Saturday too?
So the experience was great, I really enjoyed myself today.
The day began with filling out some waivers, sizing up a bike, and putting on your pedals etc..
We started out just riding the fixed gear bike around the infield to get used to our bikes and get comfortable with the fixed gear situation. There were a few cones put out to navigate through and also some 2L half filled bottles that were placed on the ground. The point of the bottles was to try and pick them up while you rode by; when you came back around you try and put it back down without it tipping over. It was actually pretty challenging to put it back down.
Next up came breaking practice. We would do a quick sprint and then apply back pedal pressure to slow to a stop. Did this for a few infield laps to get used to slowing up before a corner. All the drills we did as a group.
We did some laps on the côte d'azur (blue band at the base of the track) at a decent pace to get used to the corners and moved up to the black (the next line up). The focus was on maintaining an even pace, keeping the spacing even between riders and looking ahead. (Same ideas as road cycling, don't stare at the wheel in front of you) You also want to look ahead to where you want to go, it really helps on the corners in keeping your line. Once we were comfortable enough, we moved up to the next line (red) and increased our pace a bit while getting tighter to the rider in front of us. We also did random lane changes through the laps while practicing shoulder checks each time. Entering and exiting the loop was next to ensure we could safely get on and off the track without smacking someone else. That about covers the Track 1 session as far as I can remember.
The skills session afterwards was full of 10 minute drills. We worked our way up to the blue lane (not the same as the côte d'azur), did various number of laps while standing the whole time, did laps while constantly changing our hands from the top of the bars to the drops and back again, and laps with only one hand on the bars and one behind your back. It was a lot of fun. There was a quick break between drills, so water and snacks are a good thing to bring.
I found the instructors to be very good at explaining things and were very helpful in identifying quickly what you're doing wrong if anything. We had a small enough group (7 or so), they picked up everyone's name and made it that much more personal when shouting commands. They don't hesitate to pull you off the track if they spot you're getting tired, safety first all the way. We had a couple spills at low speeds, nothing major, a few bruises if anything. Thankfully I never went down :)
So I've apparently committed to this track riding ordeal. Scored a nice little deal at the fall bike show in Toronto :)
2009 Argon 18 Electron - Aluminum frame with carbon fork.
I just got my track bike all polished up and ready for the season. Looking at their new winter schedule I am planning on riding there Monday and Wednesday nights from about 6 ish to close.
I definitely recommend Mondays skills and Drills session to anyone new as it will increase your skill level as well as push your physical ability. It also breaks up the time a little better than just riding Rec sessions.