Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Velodrome riding basics?

Hi,

I'm a road cyclist interested in trying out the local velodrome. I've checked out their website and they say they have open nights for new people to come out. They say that a suitable track bike is required. Does this mean my road bike is not suitable? I know very little about track bikes, and the sport. If I did need a track bike, I would have no idea of where to get one just to try it out.

many velodromes rent bikes for a nominal fee, yours might as well.
you will likely not be allowed to ride your roadbike on the track. they probably want you on something with no brakes and no freewheel.

This would be appropriate for the Track Forum, methinks.

dolface is right, 10-1 odds in favor of your local drome having rentals available for you, usually plenty so it's likely they'll have a fit for you. they usually offer cheap lessons too if you don't want to just show up and depend on the kindness of strangers. If you've ridden the road quite a bit you really don't need the lessons but it's good to learn some etiquette from more experienced riders before just jumping on the track. usually tracks are fairly well controlled places too so there will be someone there to clue you in to anything you need to know.

Go for it, you'll have a blast/

Most tracks have beginner sessions and I would take them even if you feel you're a good rider. Drafting, track etiquette, pacing, sprinting, mock racing etc are covered and the lessons are great fun.

Most tracks have rentals as noted above. Its worth renting a bike the first time so you have something to base your experiences on and have a frame of reference for next time.

If you have questions etc most tracks have a contact point and are generally pretty responsive.

I say go for it.

Theres also a specific track sub-forum attached to this one which is a great place to get questions like this answered.

BTW Which track are you going to ride?

Juan de Fuca rec center here on Vancouver Island is home to a velodrome and a bmx track!