Slipstreamer member Orla Devlin took a time out from the classroom and books, to enjoy a fantastic day out at Lee Valley Velodrome with her school’s PE department.
Orla shares her experience…
Orla in action at Lee Valley Velo
“On Monday 16th March I travelled to the Olympic velodrome in Stratford with my school, Douay Martyrs. I was lucky enough to be chosen by the P.E department, as only thirty pupils from year 8 and 9 were selected. We were booked for a one hour coaching session on the velodrome and an additional hour mountain biking outside. Unfortunately, we were late to arrive due to traffic. My fellow students wore their P.E kit, as required, but were surprised to see me in my cycling kit because they didn’t know I cycled. I asked if I could help with the session to achieve my young volunteer award, however the coaches said that to assist I had to be over sixteen.
Orla & Classmates in action…
I was the only one that had ridden a velodrome before, or even ridden a fixed wheel bike. To start, the lady explained how the velodrome worked and how to ride it. Everyone seemed very nervous so I tried to reassure them. Then she asked us to get on our hired bikes, ride one lap of the safe zone to get a feel of the bike and told everyone how to stop and start.
There were quite a few people who fell off their bikes just starting, because they were not used to having their feet strapped onto the bike and having a fixed wheel. Yet after just one lap of the safe zone, I could hear my friends shouting about how amazing it felt to ride around on the bikes. After a few more laps of the safe zone, the coach said that she wanted us all to ride the banking. I led the way, confidently easing onto the cote then the black line.
As I am experienced on the track I was allowed to go as high as I wanted. The other fifteen pupils on the track were not allowed above the blue line. My friends were amazed at how high I could go. There were two crashes, fortunately nothing major. My friend Chloe was riding on the banking, just bellow me, her pedal flew off causing her to lose balance and fall off. She was shaken up and didn’t want to ride again. I think then everyone realised how dangerous cycling can be and that you need to be vigilant and focused at all times.
We weren’t able to do Mountain Biking because we ran overtime but it was a very enjoyable experience. Everyone seemed much more interested in the sport afterwards and wanted to do it again!”
Thank you for such a fantastic report Orla!
Do visit the Slipstreamers in Action section of our News Hub for more fantastic reports from our wonderful young writers and cycling adventurers!