The thing about track cycling – like most things – is you never know if you like it until you try it. Calshot is a long way to travel for a taster, but once you’ve sampled what it’s like cycling on the steep banks of this iconic velodrome, there’s no turning back…
Calshot first-timer, Fin Dyer (U14) tells us about his afternoon
Fin in action!
“My Dad drove me down to Calshot last Sunday and I was really excited because I had never been to a velodrome before, let alone ride the track. Once we arrived and got into the velodrome, my dad suggested we go up to the spectators area to look down on the track. Seeing the banks for the first time was such a shock we both said “OMG” at the same time! As we went back down, I then said to Dave the track looks really scary, and asked how would I be able to ride the banks without falling off! He then explained to me that the emails say that you should view the track for the first time at ground level. I hadn’t seen the emails!
Born for the Track!
Once we got into the velodrome itself and had found a bike and some shoes, Dave started teaching me how to get on the bike and how to start and stop. About 20 minutes after this, Dave then got me onto the track and got me to move from line to line eventually getting me to ride by the fence after about 5 minutes. The way Dave taught made me able to get around the banking and up by the fence without feeling being scared.
As much as I love my road cycling, I now feel like taking the track seriously and focusing on it when the next track season begins in September. Over the 4 hours we were there, I went from not knowing how to ride a track bike to putting in a flying lap of 13.75, which I was quite happy with.
I would like to say a massive thank you to Dave for teaching me how to ride the track really easily. And I thoroughly recommend anyone who hasn’t tried the track to have a go in September.”
Thank you for your fantastic report Fin – we’re so pleased you enjoyed yourself!
To read more brilliant rider reports from our fabulous young writers, visit the Slipstreamers in Action section on the News Hub.