Yeah and I left that Ed Clancy OBE in my wake*
So, with CBH on holiday (again) with her "Aged Mum" I took myself off to Manchester to do a velodrome taster session. This would be the first time I have ever ridden on a track and indeed rode a fixed wheel bike. To say I was worried I would not manage, would fall off and that everyone would be considerably quicker than me was a little bit of an understatement! I need not have worried.
As I hate driving in Manchester: their road system is so confusing, I went by train. Now, Cross Country Trains may not be the most comfortable in the UK but their bike spaces are much easier to use than Virgin Trains for most standard bikes. Also, £18 return was reasonable.
Arriving at Piccadilly of course it was raining and of course I didn't have a jacket with me....when will I learn?
Having researched the route using several different mapping systems, I chose to follow the canal which wasn't a bad choice apart from right by the velodrome where there were two sets of cobbles which were so rough that walking was required (after the ride, coming down them was almost impossible: I did it in my socks). Locking my bike up outside the venue, I went to sign in.
Got to say the Reception Lady was very friendly and suggested that it was best if I brought my bike into the velodrome and not leave it outside: I didn't ask why but was more than happy to do so as there are racks right by the changing rooms which are away from the public. At £5.40 I thought the shoe hire was a little bit costly but as I don't use Look, my own shoes were useless.
The session itself was enjoyable with Jeff being our coach for the day. There were six of us which seemed the right number to me (the maximum class size is 15) plus five or six people doing their second or third taster session (you need to do at least 3 before moving on to the next stage). After explaining how to use a fixed wheel bike and explaining that it hurt to fall off so please don't do so, we set off to do a couple of laps in the infield before trying our first stop. Really, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but there were a couple of times where I forgot it was a fixie. Ops.
After a while Jeff moved us first onto the blue section and then up to the red line. Its quite interesting having to cycle faster in the curves than on the straights as your brain tells you it should be the other way around. Got to say, the hour flew by. Not sure how many laps I did but doubt it was more than 15 to 20 although Jeff did say that 1km on the track was like 4 on the road.
If you wish, you can shower after the session and there is a cafe. I decided to smell and to get something from Greggs at the station as I didn't want to miss my train. Next time I will allow myself more time.
So, for around £18 plus travel, its not something I would do every week but I can see myself returning (or trying Derby instead), to get a bit more practice.
*Mr Clancy was walking down the corridor and stopped to read something.... I nipped around him thus am able to claim I overtook him.....what?
