Track Cycling - city boy wants to learn track

I curious about acutal track cycling not just riding fixed around the city, however i have a few questions, how hard is it to get started? Is it really insane and can **** yourself up easily? But mainly how do you start getting into it?

Thanks!

You can find the schedule for the closest track and check it out. They usually offer clinics earlier on in the season, but there are also beginner (Cat5) races that you can go to. If you have never been on a track, it might be beneficial to go watch a few races, get out there on days it is open, and then try and pick up tips from other riders/clinics. I have found that most riders at the velo are all about getting new people involved.

Where are you located? What track is closest to you? Track riding/ racing is great you'll love it! Don't worry about getting *****'* up, it's safer than road cycling. Don't wait, get to the track NOW!!!!!

Most of the tracks have bikes you can rent for a reasonable amount.

Since you already ride fixed and know how to handle a bike with no (or one) brakes, you've got a big chunk of the learning curve out of the way. From my recent experience I can tell you that it would be extremely beneficial for you to take a clinic at your local velo or hook up with someone who can explain the safety factors of riding on a track: riding safely in a paceline and side by side, what the lines mean, and general track etiquette. The number one way to eff yourself up - and the people around you - is to take your street smarts to the track and assume you know what to do. Track racers are smooth, fast, and efficient because there is a method to the madness.

Once you get some instruction, you will be so much more confident and this will greatly improve your riding. That said, go down to your local velo as much as possible and play around during open track hours to get used to the banks, sign up for a class, and start the beginner races. Have fun and let us know how it goes! It is a total BLAST like you can't get on the street. And best of all, no cars to worry about. :)

Hey all, I am also interested in getting on the TRACK. It looks really fun and exciting. I live in San Francisco and I have not heard of a bike track anywhere around here....Can anyone give me some info??? Please..Thanks in advance.

Hey all, I am also interested in getting on the TRACK. It looks really fun and exciting. I live in San Francisco and I have not heard of a bike track anywhere around here....Can anyone give me some info??? Please..Thanks in advance.

Alas, the closest to us is Hellyer Velodrome in San Jose

beginners info for Hellyer:
http://www.ridethetrack.com/Beginners.htm

Hey thank you much R-dub...I may go check it out this weekend....

I'll be riding Carson for the first time this weekend....can't wait :)

I have a converted road bike I made into a fixie can I use it or does it have to be a real track bike.Oh and its geared 42 14 is that a good ratio for track? :D

I'd be less worried about riding on the track than riding on the road. The riding surface is better, there's no traffic to deal with, better not be any dogs to avoid, no gravel or debris, no one else has brakes so they won't be slowing down suddenly either... I took a free course at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome about 15 years ago, and it was a lot of fun. They have been fortunate that the Air Products company (blatant sponsor plug) has been sponsoring a program there for at least the last 20 years or so. Hopefully the velodrome closest to you has a similar program.