Tiptree Velo’s Day at the QE2 Olympic Velodrome, April 2014

On Thursday 17th April, 12 intrepid members of Tiptree Velo, along with family, friends and anyone else who wanted a day out, travelled down to London for a ‘Taster Session’ at the QE2 Olympic Velodrome in Stratford.

There were a few nervous moments for those who had never ridden a track bike before, let alone on a 250 metre wooden track with 45 degree angled banking at either end (it looks so easy on TV!!).

The British Cycling Coach gave us a brief chat on the bikes and the different areas and colours of the bands around the track and in no time we were riding around the safety area with ease, the bikes have a fixed wheel (if the bike moves, you have no choice but to pedal!!) and no brakes and so control over speed was purely down to our legs, the slower you pedal, the slower you go (and vice versa!).

Progress was fast as the session only lasted 1 hour (this being the 1st of a 4 Part Induction Course to ride the track without a Coach present) and soon we had been given instructions on moving up onto the track, looking behind before moving out and overtaking and how to come to a halt without keeling over!!

With 15 minutes of the session left, we were given permission to give it some welly, some sticking to the black line, some venturing up and beyond the blue line in true track fashion. To be honest, I think that most of us thought 15 minutes was enough as we were shattered by the time we returned to the safety area and came to halt.

We returned to the centre of the track to return the bikes (although I did see someone trying to put he’s under his coat) and grab our kit bags, everyone with the biggest smiles on their faces you’ve ever seen!

A quick shower (or not for the smelly ones) and back upstairs to the Café for a drink and cake (nothing changes!!) and discussions on who was the fastest, slowest, wobbliest, stylish and noisiest.

A great way to spend a couple of hours, everyone enjoyed themselves and all asking when the 2nd Session will be taking place, watch this space…………….