Hello All,
The velodrome trip is almost here so I thought I should send some consolidated information to you.
The £20 deposit you have paid or have promised to pay cash on the night covers the fixed cost for the booking and depending upon numbers I anticipate between £3.50 and £6 of your deposit will be offset against the bike/helmet hire (helmet hire is included with the bike so no need to bring your own unless you want to). If you have your own road shoes with Look Keo cleats you can use them and save the shoe hire fee. I recommend you bring your own mitts/gloves if you have them. Equipment hire charges are:
- Bike/helmet hire = £10
- Shoe hire (Look Keo cleats) = £6
- Mitts hire = £3
Therefore if £5 of your deposit is used towards the bike and you need to hire shoes but have your own gloves your additional payment on the night will be £11.
I will assume that everyone needs to hire a bike, please let me know if you want to hire shoes too. Toe clip pedals are available in which case you can wear flat soled shoes/trainers and not have to hire clipless shoes, however I recommend that riding clipless is more comfortable and safer in case of losing a pedal and trying to pick it up again on fixed gear. If you do choose to ride with toe clips make sure they are tight!!
From the VeloPark - Helmets and clothing for track sessions:
- Helmets must not have peaks
- Helmets must be correctly fitted, in good condition and display CE markings
- Close fitting clothing appropriate for physical activity must be worn
- Mitts/gloves must be worn
- Wear two layers on upper body
- Shoulders must be covered
- Do not carry anything in pockets
- Remove watches and bulky jewellery
- Cycling skinsuits or padded bib shorts worn with cycling jerseys are recommended
More details about the VeloPark are available at this link:
https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/…/…/london2012/velo-park/…
Travel to Lee Valley VeloPark at your own cost, please note that we need to be there by 19:00 for safety briefing, bike fitting etc before the start of the 2 hour session at 20:00. This link will take you to a walking map from Stratford mainline train station to the VeloPark:
https://goo.gl/maps/vD6WbtzSmU22, head towards Westfields shopping centre first . Note that Google measures this distance as 1.1 miles and 22 minutes of walking time. I suggest the 17:46 or 18:00 departure trains from Witham are the best options, I will aim to get the 17:46 as I want to be at the Velodrome a little early to register at reception.
As I don’t know you all personally and you have not all met me you may not know what I look like. I will most likely be wearing an alpe d’huez black with white strip cycling jersey and holding a small clip board trying to look all important. If you have any trouble identifying me if you call my mobile you’ll probably see me answer it.
If you have not already completed a Witham Cycling Led Rides Registration form at some point in the past you will need to do so, it’s free to join WC!
Please also remember the 3rd Party rider insurance requirement so you are covered in case of any incident in the Velodrome. If you are a member of another cycling club you may already have cover with British Cycling or CTC, we are affiliated with CTC and members of Witham Cycling can take up discounted individual associate membership here
https://www.ctc.org.uk/join-membership/setup/AFMI using our club number 90063203 which provides 12 months of insurance.
At the time of writing I have two unreserved and 2 reserved and as yet unpaid for spaces, if anyone knows a friend who would like to join us please pass on this email and let me know as soon as possible.
I think that’s about it for now, I’ll try to answer any questions you have in email or call my mobile phone. Looking forward to what should be a great experience