A day out at the Velodrome ride report by Paul H

A day out at the Velodrome

With a compliment of twenty riders, and their own official photographer for the day (Jill Fournaise … big thanks Jill) North Essex Velo set off to the location of the 2012 Olympics. There were two groups of riders, the first being those that had visited previously, and the second exploring ‘Virgin Territory’.

For some of the first timers there were some nerves and trepidation, especially when they saw 42 degree banking at either end of the track in the flesh. It looks so much steeper than the pictures on the little screen, when watching events broadcast from the live from the venue. However, once they had collected their bikes, donned their shoes, and helmets, as well as completing a short familiarisation of the equipment they made their way to the track for their inaugural coaching session.

After two or three laps of the 250 meter track all of the riders could be seen confidently making their way around the track at all elevations.

As the group had been split in two each group had a 15 minute coached session before swapping over. There was literally time for a snack, quick drink and then the riders were being briefed for their next session.

One of the key points of riding on the track is to remember that, the bikes are fixed wheel, so it is not possible to just stop pedalling. That said even seasoned visitors to the track and forget that they can’t freewheel, just ask Simon Ferguson, who nearly enjoyed a horizontal, close encounter with the track, but displaying skills only reserved for a pink bike with a basket on the front around the car park at Legends Sports Club, Simon managed to remain upright. Unfortunately, The same cannot be said for Christina who managed to become detached from her bike as we set up for the penultimate track session. While Christina was busy falling off her bike grandad of the group Tony Wood who is cycling round and round the Côte d’Azur with little interest in interest in the rest of his team waiting at the barrier at the top of the bank. This resulted in the rather dashing Jason, grabbing hold of Tony’s saddle and pushing him up the banking Where he met up with the rest of his team. Significant protests could be heard from Christina about why Tony was pushed up the banking by his saddle, and that she was left to fend for herself. None of the onlookers were quite sure whether Christina’s disappointment was to do with the fact That Tony was pushed up the bank, or that she didn’t get the individual attention from the dashing Jason that Tony received.

The scene was now set for the Italian Style Team Sprint event, with the weaker team on paper being supported by Dan Palmer who had recently returned from the World Championships in Italy. At the end of the first effort the bench mark was set with a time of 2 mins 6 seconds to beat. Team two set off and unfortunately they were a little disorganised on the first lap, but they quickly settled into a slick format, as each lap was completed the times were tight. Nick Latchford had the unenviable task of completing the final lap, and he put up a magnificent fight managing to come in with a final time of 2 minutes 8 seconds.

The second group took to the track for their final session, and they were taking on the Australian Style Individual Pursuit knockout event. As the laps ticked down the riders were eliminated one by one until the only riders left on the track were Darren Bull being chased down by Marc Whent, and Claire Hall closing him down. For a lap there was a 100 metre stale mate before Darren started to fatigue and Marc saw his moment to pounce. However, this was Claire’s opportunity to take the event for Women Cyclists. As Marc drew level with with Darren, Claire saw her time had come, she rose the the blue line and took both of the last male riders in half a bend, this was accompanied by a huge squeal of success from Claire, which echoed around the track.

There was one last race, but everyone was too busy congratulating Claire to see the events unfold. Marc left the arena with Cheryl under instruction to remind him regularly about his defeat.

The session finished with everyone wanting more and keen to return in the New Year for the next session at the Velodrome, oh and the obligatory Team Photo. Thanks to Ian Dougal for organising yet again.

Thanks for that Paul , a very detailed write up indeed !! Hope Christina was ok and who knew pink bike handling skills would have come into play so soon !!

Well done all I will upload the pics to gallery