I’ve often been heard to make bold statements along the lines of “If I could only ride one cycling discipline for the rest of my life it would be on the track.” While not being strictly true, it’s not far off and riding at the velodrome remains one of my most enjoyable cycling activities.
That might sound strange as it involves riding around and around on a 250-metre loop, on a steeply banked Siberian pine-wood track. Added to that, the bikes have no brakes, only one gear and you cannot stop pedalling, but there is something about riding on the boards that for me anyway is addictive – there is certainly an adrenaline rush when you first venture up high on the 45-degree slope of the track.
Built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome had its first taster of rubber on wood with the 2012 Track World Cup. Since then the venue regularly hosts top-notch international competition as well as offering amateurs the opportunity to ride and race the boards.
The track is open to everyone to have a go, but to do so you need to go through a four-stage accreditation process first. Each step of the process introduces you first to the basics of riding a fixed-gear bike, through riding the banking and eventually to racing.
The accreditation sessions run daily at the velodrome, with bike hire included in the price, and always seem to have an endless stream of new faces coming along to have a go. For younger riders, there is also youth specific accreditation process. Once you have passed your accreditation, you can turn up one of the velodromes many “open sessions” and ride and train, or if you are feeling more adventurous, sign up for the track league that takes place during the winter season.
I clearly remember the day I walked into the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome (SCHV) for the first time. I was assisting with the coaching of a group of youth riders who were all part of a Scottish Cycling development squad and I had been excited about seeing our new velodrome in Glasgow.
I had been to the Manchester velodrome, the outdoor track at Meadowbank, raced at Caird Park in Dundee and spent a few seasons racing grass track events at Highland Games around the country, but the grandeur and significance of the SCHV in Glasgow was a landmark achievement for Scottish cycling.
Previously, Scottish riders such as Chris Hoy and Craig Maclean would have to train in Manchester, but getting a world-class facility on our doorstep was a game-changing moment and seeing so many young Scottish riders flock to train on the track was inspiring.
Many of the UK’s greatest ever cyclists have all plied their trade and also refined their skill on the track and it is for that reason you should have a go too. You will learn a lot about group riding, pace judgement and pedalling dynamics from a few sessions on the boards, but above all, it is just great fun.
Join the Blazing Saddles Strava Club at: www.strava.com/clubs/BlazingSaddlesWeekendCourier
Where to Ride? The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – GlasgowEmirates Arena
1000 London Road Glasgow G40 3HG – 0141 2877000
Description: To ride at the velodrome you must first undergo an training and accreditation process.
The Emirates Arena has a handy video telling you how to do this at:
https://goo.gl/9A1uQP
