Each year, the club arranges a series of track sessions for our members so they can experience the thrill of riding in a velodrome. You will have noticed recent announcements regarding Calshot, with the first session of the 2014 Winter season taking place this Sunday, 7th September. If it’s your first time at Calshot this Sunday, or you are contemplating this for later, aside from it being a wonderful day out and a chance to learn a completely new and different set of cycling skills, what makes the Calshot track such a great ride is the fact that it is actually the steepest banked track velodrome in the South of England! If it’s your first time riding on Sunday, do click here to read a bit more on this.
After you sign-on, you are arranged into groups by the coaches, normally based on experience, age and/or numbers. Each riding group spends approximately 20 minutes or so on the track, rotating with the other groups so everyone gets a turn. You may think “BOO, only 20 minutes?!” – but you will be pedalling like you have never pedalled before (remember, steepest Velo!), and will be grateful when it is time for a break to rest those legs! In between riding, track rollers are normally used to keep warm, so if you have these do bring them along – as the subsequent sessions move towards Winter, this becomes quite important!
The session normally lasts from 1pm – 5pm, with most Slipstreamers arriving from around 12pm to grab a quick bite and have a catch up in the on site cafe, before the session starts. Whilst Slipstreamers are riding, parents observe either from the seating around the track or from the middle, so if you have camping chairs it is worth bringing them along!
A Few Points Worth Noting:
- While cards are accepted for the main transactions, there is no cash point on site – have some handy for the coffee machine!
- Layer up, and bring spares – it gets cold inside
- Don’t forget to bring drinks and healthy snacks to re-fuel – you will get hungry!
- The session will cost £5
- You are able to hire bikes from Calshot directly for £8.20. If you prefer, talk to our mechanics at the Clubhouse on Saturday as they have a small selection of Track bikes which you may be able to hire for £2.
- Shoes are also for hire for £3.90 – although, the smaller bikes tend to have toe-clips so trainers will be fine.
- Parking is free for Calshot users – but make sure you check in at reception and let them know you are there for the Slipstreamers session.