Author Topic: Oi Londoners - tiny velodrome! (Read 8559 times)

andygates · « **on:** 07 January, 2011, 04:37:43 pm »

Come and ride the world's smallest velodrome in London! | road.cc | The website for pedal powered people: Road cycling, commuting, leisure cycling and racing. Voted the UK's number 1 cycling website at the 2010 BikeBiz awards.

Go, race, film the spills. I have envies.

Charlotte · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 January, 2011, 04:51:43 pm »

Holy Fuck, that looks awesome - nice spot, Andy! I'm registered

Have GoPro camera, will ride

The only question remaining: would my penny qualify as "track height bottom bracket"?

Steve Kish · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 January, 2011, 08:39:51 pm »

Smaller than Calshot .... top stuff! Luvvit!! Anyone know the distance around it for one lap?

Canardly · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 January, 2011, 10:36:34 pm »

Charlotte hope to see the vid on here thinks......

Redlight · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 January, 2011, 11:03:47 pm »

Looks f--in scary! And I can't register as I am off the bike until mid-March (which is probably a relief, having seen that video). But if you get a slot, Charlotte, I reckon we should have a YACF outing to cheer you on.

pcolbeck · « **Reply #5 on:** 09 January, 2011, 12:16:04 am »

Maybe you should ride it on mini bikes. Sort of like mini motos but pedal powered. What about a BMX based bike done up to look like a track bike ?

longers · « **Reply #6 on:** 09 January, 2011, 12:21:29 am »

I'm guessing you'll not be supposed to have recording equipment attached but a friend with pointy elbows might be able to get to the front to film it. Looks like fun.

longers · « **Reply #7 on:** 09 January, 2011, 04:25:10 pm »

Some clips here.

There's no sides!

teethgrinder · « **Reply #8 on:** 09 January, 2011, 05:01:19 pm »

You'd get dizzy after a few laps.
Banking looks a bit shallow to me, for doing much over evens. $:-\$

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 January, 2011, 10:16:29 am »

Quote

The track designers claim that speeds of up to 80km/h should be possible

My arse...

Charlotte · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 January, 2011, 06:27:21 pm »

Breaking news; I've got a place!!!

Quote

Congratulations

You have been selected to compete at the 'Red Bull Mini Drome' - The worlds smallest velo-drome.

Please ensure you arrive at 3:00 pm for your qualification slot (If you are late you risk missing out). To ensure you successfully get through the registration process (Bike adjudication etc) please ensure you have the following:
# Printed off the attached documents, read, signed and return to the registration desk on your arrival.
# You comply with the 'Red Bull Mini Drome' track rules highlighted below

(See attached file: Participant Disclaimer.pdf)(See attached file: Appearance Disclaimer.pdf)

'Red Bull Mini Drome' event details:

Address:

York Hall, 5 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PJ

Now, all that's to be decided - what gear should I put on? Spinny as hell?

I think I have a 20T somewhere so I can go to 48x20. I can't imagine that pukka track gearing is a good idea...

teethgrinder · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 January, 2011, 06:39:39 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 11 January, 2011, 06:27:21 pm

Now, all that's to be decided - what gear should I put on? Spinny as hell?

No, big monster gear.
See how many laps you can do by turning the pedal once.

andygates · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 January, 2011, 07:42:12 pm »

Good lord, score.

Has anyone anywhere raced this thing before? I'd take a whole stack of cogs and fettle up after watching the field and having a practice (if poss)...

Steve Kish · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 January, 2011, 08:40:44 pm »

Claps for Charlotte for getting a place.

.... yer mad thing!!

FWIW, a few hundred yards from there, try Nico's Restaurant at the jct of Bethnal Green Road and Cambridge Heath Rd, next to the tube station. I used to eat there regularly when I was working in the area.

Charlotte · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 January, 2011, 09:27:41 am »

Oh Gods. It's today.

*wibble*

Is anybody coming up to Bethnal Green to watch?

HTFB · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 January, 2011, 09:55:17 am »

I've seen tracks like that in the book Edwardian Inventions. Several patents were awarded for variations on the indoor track. One of them was on pullies so once the cyclists were up to speed it could be raised from the ground. Not sure how the H&S assessment would read.

Zipperhead · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 January, 2011, 11:32:43 am »

Quote from: Charlotte on 15 January, 2011, 09:27:41 am

Oh Gods. It's today.

*wibble*

Is anybody coming up to Bethnal Green to watch?

Yes me, but you knew that.

Shall I bring performance enhancing substances?

geraldc · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 January, 2011, 12:04:11 pm »

I'll be there for the mayhem!

Zipperhead · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 January, 2011, 04:11:05 pm »

It is 'kin terrifying!

It's tiny -

You can come to grief really easily

These loons are enjoying themselves!

Perhaps he's been sampling the sponsors wares a bit too much

More Here with updates to come when Charlotte has done her qualifying.

Zipperhead · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 January, 2011, 05:11:34 pm »

She wasn't the only person with unnatural hair colour

jellied · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 January, 2011, 05:25:03 pm »

respect....

Wascally Weasel · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 January, 2011, 12:16:42 am »

These photos look like outtakes from the film 'Whip It' (were the roller derby girls out in force?)

Sorry I couldn't make it, looked like (scary) fun.

Zipperhead · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 January, 2011, 10:22:37 am »

A few more

A bamboo frame

Pride

Fall

As if one person racing round a tiny track wasn't mental enough...

Although the track was being broken down after the event last night, it's going to appear in a few other places, Bristol, Manchester & Glasgow were mentioned.

Domestique · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 January, 2011, 10:32:31 am »

Thanks for the pictures, that looks brilliant

Those skid marks though, does everyone have a tale to tell

andygates · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 January, 2011, 11:01:24 am »

Woo hoo! That's just awesome! And out may tour? Squee!