Richardson’s CC Track Session – Sunday 5^th December 2010

We have managed to secure another 2 hour track session at the Manchester Velodrome on Sunday the 5^th of December from 1pm to 3pm.  This is our third trip to the velodrome and it is always a fantastic experience as those members that have been before will acknowledge.  If you haven’t been before I urge you to come along and have a go.  It is quite a daunting prospect to ride a bike that has no brakes, no freewheel and ride on a wooden track with very steep banking, but it is extremely exhilarating and will give you an insight into what our Olympic Cycling Champions put themselves through.  Don’t be put off though, my 9 year old niece has ridden the track with her Dad (my brother, who will be coaching us) and she is now addicted!

The cost of the trip will depend on how many people attend.  The hire fee for the track is £176 and this will be split between the number of riders on the day.  Unless you have your own track bike you will need to hire a bike at a cost of £9.80, or £7.80 if you are under 16, for the duration of the session.  This fee includes the hire of a helmet if required (according to the Velodrome website).  The track bikes have ‘Look Delta’ pedals so if you have shoes with Look Delta cleats you can bring your own shoes, otherwise you are advised to hire shoes at the velodrome.  The cost of shoe hire is £4.00.  Pedal adaptors are available for younger riders so that they can ride in ‘clean’ trainers.  The only other costs involved will be a collection for the coach as he is giving his time for free and the transport to and from the velodrome.  This will be arranged nearer the time and will involve car sharing to keep the cost to a minimum.

This session is open to all club members, and we hope to get a good representation from the Youth Academy.  The only restrictions are that the smallest hire bikes have a frame size of 15.5 (39) and the Velodrome website advises that riders should be aged between 9 and 80 years old!  If we get a lot of younger riders we may need to use an additional coach which may increase the cost slightly.

If you would like to book a place on the trip we will need a £10 deposit.  To book your place please contact me directly – tmboyes@btinternet.com and I will tell you where to send your deposit cheques.  Track sessions are very hard to secure and we have been very lucky to get another so please come along and support your club.  The more we use it, the better our chances of getting future track time.

Toby Boyes

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I'd like to go but what's going to be happening about geting to Manchester because I obviously can't drive?

Ok I will do, no he's too scared