Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - First Certification Class for Rock Hill, SC

PDF flyer: http://t.co/Jngzqbvn

Text from the flyer:

Get Ready to Ride!
Track Certification Class
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Registration: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Class begins promptly at 2:00 p.m.
Manchester Meadows Soccer Pavilion Meeting Room 337 E. Mt. Gallant Road Rock Hill, SC 29730

This class introduces riders to the Velodrome, educates cyclists on track riding rules, track etiquette and safety considerations.

Attending this session is the first required step in the certification process. For your safety and the safety of others, every cyclist, regardless of cycling ability, must be certified to ride on the track.

This class is limited to 100 people. To reserve your spot, email info.velodrome@gmail.com. Please include your name, address, cell number, and if you have any track experience. Certification fee is $20 (includes this class and required “on track” clinics for certification). Payable at registration. *Cash or check only please*

For more information on “on track” clinics, track opening, and future classes, go to www.rockhillrocks.com.

A Special Thanks To
Gita Sporting Goods, Ltd., Giordana Velodrome Sponsor

Founding Partners
Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates Carolinas HealthCare Systems

Hell to the yeah. Applied last night. Ready to get down! Haha.

You'll be up and running in a week!

Let us know how it goes, will ya?

The class is capped at 100 riders. 100? That's a lot for a beginner class.

They should video tape this class.

Then just play it back for new riders that want to register as needed.

The class is capped at 100 riders. 100? That's a lot for a beginner class.

Yeah, I think the most I've ever done with true beginners is a half dozen or so. For the accelerated classes on race day we sometimes had 10 or so, and occasionally a bunch of juniors before junior nats, but they all had track experience.

For the club sessions that Roger was running, one of the local clubs once showed up with 70 people. They had to ride in shifts and swap rental bikes. I think it's the only time I heard of him saying he couldn't certify the riders at a club session, because there were just too many people to get them enough time and watch them, so he offered them all a free accelerated class if they wanted to show up on a saturday and get certified.

They must have multiple instructors, and probably not a lot of track time...

They should video tape this class.

Then just play it back for new riders that want to register as needed.

That was something that was always on the list of things that fell through the cracks around here. The idea was to have a video and a short test to verify that people had actually watched it. I think there's some video of me doing the class for a club kicking around online. The basic text for a typical accelerated class at HDC is online, but there was never a written test for the race-day version. Just a 10-15 minute ride on an otherwise empty track so everybody got to see you ride a straight line in various parts of the track and decide how close they'd want to get racing...

Awesome!!!! I just sent Gita an e-mail this morning with the very question about classes and clinics. Want to sign up and I've been shopping for a bike all morning. Really don't want to miss this! Looked at the website and not sure when the next class is. Please hold while I go into panic mode... Haha!!! Let the excitement begin!

Pantani98 sent you a PM

Thanks and replying. I needed to hit post #50 first. haha!

I know this has come up elsewhere, but if someone can chime in fairly quickly... I'm looking to order the Mercier Kilo TT Pro. On the road, I usually ride a 54cm frame with 54-55 tt. My inseam in stocks is 32". Mercier recommends having approx 1-1.5" standover clearance, which puts me on a 50 (53tt, 30.4so) and not the 53 (56tt, 31.5so). Does that sound about right? Thanks!

After reading what I wrote, it sounds like the toptube length on the 53 is going to be a bit long... Just want to be sure I'm ordering the proper size so I can get it ordered asap.

I know this has come up elsewhere, but if someone can chime in fairly quickly... I'm looking to order the Mercier Kilo TT Pro. On the road, I usually ride a 54cm frame with 54-55 tt. My inseam in stocks is 32". Mercier recommends having approx 1-1.5" standover clearance, which puts me on a 50 (53tt, 30.4so) and not the 53 (56tt, 31.5so). Does that sound about right? Thanks!

Please disregard standover height when sizing a bike. TT length is the most important metric.

Please disregard standover height when sizing a bike. TT length is the most important metric.

Will do. The tell tale was the long toptube. Went with the 50cm frame w/ 53cm tt.

Will do. The tell tale was the long toptube. Went with the 50cm frame w/ 53cm tt.

How tall are you?

5'9"

I just found out that the class this weekend is only a lecture (hence the 100 participants). On-track classes will come at a later date.

Guess thats the way it has to be--but it's still a bummer. requiring 3 track sessions which have yet to be scheduled. No racing til early summer.Hope this all comes together in a positive way.

Cert class today... I know it was all classroom stuff but was definitely worth going to. Being a noob to the track I learned a lot and I thought everything was well put on. Gary Moore and Guy Worth did a great job discussing/explaining the material. Can't wait to learn how to ride the track. Signed up for my on-track clinics and ready to learn!

Jon, I was tempted to just say "hey Jon" and see if you stood up. We'll have to catch up at the track.

Hey man glad you made it. I had a spot reserved but called last night and cancelled. I work for the postal service and at the last minute they mandated me to work. They assured me that future classes will be scheduled during the week so us working stiffs can make it. Hope your class went well. When is your on the track class scheduled? I hope I can get there and get it all done as soon as possible so I can get started. I have waited long enough. Let me know what you accomplished and what to expect. Cheers

If they've got 100+ people itching to get certified and they are requiring 3 classes each, then they'd better get crackin'! Otherwise, us Atlanta folks are gonna come up and ride your track for you!

Just kidding :)




Not really, I'm gonna ride the heck out of Rock Hill :p

That bites you couldn't make it. I know they want to get things rollin'. My classes are on March 28th, April 4th, and April 11th at 6:30. I'll keep you posted on everything. I will say it's amazing how much the focus is on safety - riding parallel, 'signaling' when changing lanes, getting on and off the track, what the line markings mean, etc... Oh yeah: don't stop pedaling! ;)

Carleton, get your arse up here! Seriously! My understanding is everyone has to take the on-track certification but how many times may be dependent on experience. Beginners will have to take 3 on-track clinics (or more if necessary). There were quite a few experienced guys at the class. There was a clinic signup for the Experienced guys. They may only have to take one clinic, depending upon actual experience and knowledge.

The grand opening is the 17th and the track will be open to the public on the 18th but you have to be certified to ride. So load up the car and come to Rock Hill! While watching youtube vids is great, I want to see some people putting it down on the track so I can watch and learn. And don't worry, I'll be visiting DLV in due time.

That bites you couldn't make it. I know they want to get things rollin'. My classes are on March 28th, April 4th, and April 11th at 6:30. I'll keep you posted on everything. I will say it's amazing how much the focus is on safety - riding parallel, 'signaling' when changing lanes, getting on and off the track, what the line markings mean, etc... Oh yeah: don't stop pedaling! ;)

Carleton, get your arse up here! Seriously! My understanding is everyone has to take the on-track certification but how many times may be dependent on experience. Beginners will have to take 3 on-track clinics (or more if necessary). There were quite a few experienced guys at the class. There was a clinic signup for the Experienced guys. They may only have to take one clinic, depending upon actual experience and knowledge.

The grand opening is the 17th and the track will be open to the public on the 18th but you have to be certified to ride. So load up the car and come to Rock Hill! While watching youtube vids is great, I want to see some people putting it down on the track so I can watch and learn. And don't worry, I'll be visiting DLV in due time.

That's great news.

I've already been cleared to ride Rock Hil :) I've got a good bit of training and race experience from riding ADT and Superdrome 250M tracks and my USA Cycling track category is sufficiently high, too.

I can't wait. I just got back from the track (DLV) and we were talking about your track. We are all waiting for a race schedule to be posted. Weekly racing and your big races (not just Omnium Nationals). Driving 4 hours each way just to train is really tough. Race: Yes. Train: Probably not. Not since we have a track right here.

Good point about the prior/current race experience. The proof of that can get you a pass on the clinics from my understanding.

For you Rock Hill guys curious what a local race scene looks like, here are some photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacrepat/ This guy takes some nice shots.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/dlv/pool/ DLV's Flickr Group


You'll get to see what types of equipment that people use (and don't use) on a weekly basis.

I'm also signed up for one of the second set of classroom portions. Mine is this Tuesday evening, the 3rd. I'm excited. Always wanted to try track racing, and now I'll get to. I've been waiting on this velodrome for years, ever since they started talking about it.

I can't believe how cheap it is. I'm not gonna buy a bike until I take the cert classes and maybe do a race or two to see if I like it. For $5/2 hours for a nice Pinarello it's hard to justify another bike until I'm sure I'll actually use it. Also just $5/day for a pass. You'd have to ride there A LOT to make the membership worth it, from what I can tell. Anyone who has been there, it says there are member's only changing rooms, are there public changing rooms too? The membership is $200 for a person/year. You could ride 40 days before paying for that, I doubt I'll be making it down to the track that often, since it's a 45 minute drive, but who knows.

You're gonna love the track. I just did my first class last night. The track is smoooooooooooth. :) Instructors were great. There is a list of skills/drills to work on each week and you'll start riding and get to it. I met Thad and Olga first thing and they couldn't have been nicer. You'll sign in and then get on the elevator to take you to the tunnel which takes you to the center of the track and the beginning of the party. As for the membership, already done. I have no doubt that I'll put in more than 40 days of riding in a year so it'll more than pay for itself. Have a blast!

Is it wood or concrete? The pictures look like concrete, but I read online that most outdoor velodromes are some rare wood. Never having seen one, I have no idea. Smooth sounds nice though. I'm always excited when I see a new patch of asphalt to ride on, I can't imagine what a perfect velodrome surface feels like.

How are the loaner bikes? In the video they looked gorgeous. Were there enough bikes to go around during the on track clinics?

As for the membership, I think I'll just pay daily for now, and if I'm going a lot I'll get a membership. I'll count it as donations to cycling.

The track is concrete. I could be mistaken but my understanding is that the only wood tracks are indoors. Believe me, it's smoooooooooth. You'll definitely like it.

I have my own bike but was looking at the loaners. They have Pinarello Pistas for loaners and they look super nice. You won't be disappointed with a loaner at all. Just be sure to bring your pedals and have a saddle measurement to get the bike adjusted. The guys at the track helped everyone get their bikes dialed in. I can't speak for every class, but we only have 5 total in my class so that wasn't an issue. But I believe they have quite a few. I'm guessing I saw 8-10 loaners last night in the center area.

The track is concrete. I could be mistaken but my understanding is that the only wood tracks are indoors. Believe me, it's smoooooooooth. You'll definitely like it.

I have my own bike but was looking at the loaners. They have Pinarello Pistas for loaners and they look super nice. You won't be disappointed with a loaner at all. Just be sure to bring your pedals and have a saddle measurement to get the bike adjusted. The guys at the track helped everyone get their bikes dialed in. I can't speak for every class, but we only have 5 total in my class so that wasn't an issue. But I believe they have quite a few. I'm guessing I saw 8-10 loaners last night in the center area.

WHY are they taking so long to certify people?! 5 at a time? You guys won't be racing till June at that rate.

Good question. I can't even get in til April 9th to take the classroom portion of the certification process.

It's just from wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt, but here's what it says.


Modern velodromes are constructed by specialised designers. The Schuermann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuermann) architects in Germany have built more than 125 tracks worldwide. Most of Schuermann's outdoor tracks are made of wood trusswork with a surface of strips of the rare rain-forest wood Afzelia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afzelia).

I believe I read that Schuermann designed this one, so I put two and two together and assumed it was Afzelia. Concrete was probably cheaper though, hopefully they'll keep it well maintained and smooth.

Good question. I can't even get in til April 9th to take the classroom portion of the certification process.

The cert class at DLV is around 25-30 people 3 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday. That's it. Done. Go race. 2 of the 3 hours on Sunday are mock races.

The classroom portion can be covered in about an hour on the track while the instructor points to the objects of discussion. This is what is covered: http://www.homedepotcenter.com/contentright.php?section=venues&venue=velodrome&page=velodrome_accelerated

I know management is busy, but there could be an emphasis on getting people certified ASAP.

I agree. All this waiting just takes the wind out of my sails. Even after the class portion I will be required to attend 3 track sessions scheduled weeks apart. Seriously having second thoughts , to much hassle.

carleton, believe me, i was stunned. regardless of the number of students it's still 3 on-track sessions. i let them know i just did the DLV class so it would be nice to get an early sign off so i can start hitting the track. my understanding is wednesday is one of the less picked nights, but i don't know about that for sure. granted, it's a different track so you have to get the feel for it but after everything i learned this past weekend, i'm ready to rock and roll.

as stated, i just did the DLV class the past weekend and wrote about it here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/807498-First-track-experience-and-at-DLV and believe me, i had an incredible time. it was hard to stop smiling. i believe we had 22 people in the class. and as carleton said, the second day was a focus on mock races. and no matter how much it killed there was always something to learn and the thrill of it all just keeps you wanting more.

jon, i know the wait is frustrating but believe me, this is the greatest thing ever! and i'm moving forward with no thought of turning back. having been off the bike for the better part of a year i've been exhausted at the clinics but it's so worth it i just keep pushing forward.

Schuermann cement track...similar to the Argentine track where Pan Am Champs were just held. He's built half a dozen cement 250 tracks and they are all unusually smooth for cement. Pan Am rider told me Mar del Plata was the smoothest cement track he's been on and it's 10 or so years old. Afzelia was declared an endangered species a dozen or more years ago, thus no tracks are built with it anymore.

Mark Tyson

Good to know, thanks.

Better watch out that Wally and his disciples don't move back east and take over your track since San Diego is in such bad shape.

Say "Hey" to Guy Worth for me! We miss him here!

Regarding outdoor wood surface tracks: both Frisco, TX Superdrome and Blaine, MN are wood.

To my knowledge, Blaine was one of the last tracks built with Afzelia. Frisco is a plywood sheet surface, as is Detroit and the new track in Chicago. The track going up in Denver will also be a plywood surface, although built by a different firm.

To my knowledge, Blaine was one of the last tracks built with Afzelia. Frisco is a plywood sheet surface, as is Detroit and the new track in Chicago. The track going up in Denver will also be a plywood surface, although built by a different firm.

That's my understanding, too. When I took the class there ~20 years ago the story was that it was built from wood that the Schuermann's already had, and that you couldn't harvest it anymore. They may have had enough stashed away to build another one or two, but I don't think I know of any afzelia tracks built since then.

The Quebec track is also an outdoor plywood track-- IIRC it's the one that was built for the Atlanta olympics and they bought it and moved it.

Say "Hey" to Guy Worth for me! We miss him here!

Guy actually instructed my classroom time. Nice guy, tons of knowledge.

And, I've been cleared to start putting time in on the track. I'm still going to attend my two remaining on-track clinics (more riding and skills time never hurt) but I'm able to start riding on the track regulary. Thanks to my DLV class!!!

Just thought I would check-in and tell how the velodrome is going from a locals prospective. I was one of the lucky ones who signed up for the first classroom session. Since then, I have had two training sessions and my final session will be next Tuesday. Each on-track class features two instructors and between 12-14 students. I can't begin to tell you what it is like to ride a fixed gear for the first time let alone go around the track on 42 degrees of bank. Total cost for the training class and 3 on track sessions is $20.00 which includes riding their new Pina track bike. I can't wait to get certified just to start doing some laps on my own.

I had my first classroom session Tuesday. A little boring and I already know almost all of it, but whatever. Looking forward to getting on the track. Although, I must say, I'm a bit worried about the on track sessions. 2 hours straight on a track bike sounds rather uncomfortable, but I guess we'll see.

I had my first classroom session Tuesday. A little boring and I already know almost all of it, but whatever. Looking forward to getting on the track. Although, I must say, I'm a bit worried about the on track sessions. 2 hours straight on a track bike sounds rather uncomfortable, but I guess we'll see.

It won't be 2 hours in the saddle. It's more like: Listen to instruction. Ride some. Come off the track. Repeat.

It won't be 2 hours in the saddle. It's more like: Listen to instruction. Ride some. Come off the track. Repeat.

I don't think I've ever spent much more than an hour at a time on a track bike on the track without getting off to stretch. On the road I've spent about 5 hours on a track bike without a break...

the exercises run pretty much back to back. yes, it's been a bit of a workout trying to get my cycling legs and lungs back in shape. at this point i've been on a track bike a total of 5 days. ugh! anyway, usually we stop for a few minutes between to grab a drink and discuss the next exercise. you won't do a constant hour in the saddle and the efforts aren't 100% efforts. remember, this is more instructional and learning so they want you to understand and grasp the concepts and not run you into the ground. it also depends on your classmates. granted, in my group i have a pro cyclist (BMC-Hincapie U-23 racer), a girl who rides for the BMW-Bianchi women's pro team, another guy whom i believe is a high cat racer, and the rest are pretty serious roadies. so i do spend my time working on the bike. also, i've been running a 48-15 while everyone else is on a 48-16. it takes me a bit more push to get up the banking but i carry a bit more speed coming off. i'm running a 48-16 for the last class just to help with my spinning and make things a hair easier.

to top it off, at my class last night i finally got a taste of the Giordana concrete. doh! just a momentary lapse in concentration and... this didn't involve anyone else or anything like that. we were doing sprints from turn 3 & 4 down into and through turn 2. the fast line is a diagonal line from the rail in turn 4 to the black line in turn 1. when not in the sprint we were running a medium pace in the sprinters lane. the lap before we had a pace line coming out of 4 when the guy doing the sprint dropped straight down from 4 to the sprinters lane just as we hit the front straight and at such a drastic angle that he almost ate it on the flat and cleared my front wheel by no more than a foot. the next time around the rider on the rail wasn't accelerating and the lead rider saw this and was slowing up. the problem, he slowed up enough that i clipped a pedal and went for a little slide to the apron.

so that's my story from last night. can't wait to hit the track again! i love this shyte! :)

Had my first track clinic tonight. It was awesome. So excited. There's nothing quite like being up at the rail and looking down 30 feet to the apron. And then rolling down to the sprinters line feeling that immense acceleration. Not to mention that riding a fixed gear is just fun. Exciting. I'm super excited to go back next week. I just wish it wasn't so far away. Nobody crashed tonight. A few clipped pedals, but nobody went down. The long pace line at the end was a bit sloppy, everyone would accelerate when they got to the front, and we were accordianing like crazy. I kept trying to smooth things out, but I'd just end up running up on the guy in front of me and having to go up track to slow down.

My only real complaint is that the gear on the loaner bikes is a little big for the speeds we were rolling. Our pace line was only like 21 mph, and the whole night I was wishing I had a lower gear. I like to spin, on the road I average 95-100, but I felt like I was mashing most of the night. I guess it'll be better for the races on the third night.

So what's the minimum speed for sticking to the track in the corner bankings? Colorado Springs is 33 degrees and it starts getting a little slippy below about 5 mph. LA is 45 and Siberian pine, 16-18 mph depending on tires keeps a rider on the track. San Diego is 27 degrees and one can trackstand in the corners.

The recommendation at Giordana is in the 17-18 mph range. The banking is steep enough you'll know when you're going to slow and clip a pedal. Ask me how I know... DOH!

Anything below 14 you're probably gonna clip your outside pedal and hit the deck. They recommend 17 or above. You can't go slow enough to lose your tires here, only clip a pedal. Quite a few people in my class clipped a pedal (probably 5), but nobody went down. Whether luck or bike handling, I dunno.