There is something incredibly depressing about going to Meadowbank Stadium It is tatty, dilapidated and clearly run down. The only thing fresh is the grass in the centre. Apart from the people who ride there who are fantastic.
Having craftily arranged a meeting at Edinburgh Uni for the friday I went on afterwards to the stadium to the track novice session. One other novice there (He had done no track riding before, I have raced track at Caird Park but never somewhere as steep as Meadowbank)
Got sorted out with a bike, pedals fitted, changed, pre-ride briefing. And being an outdoor track it began to rain. Bugger. All I managed to do was to ride around the concrete inside the cote d'azur (not on the cote d'azur, it was far too slippery, even on a slightly damp day.)
For the statisticians, the banking is 44 degrees (which is scarily steep). The minimum safe speed is about 12-13 mph, or you will hit pedals and fall. If a crash appears in front of you, go up the banking or you will join it. (counterintuitive)
Two more weeks till the end of the season - can I get to another session but in the dry this time?
..d
