carleton

Thomas Moore wrote of his Beginner Class experience. Links are at the top of this page: https://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/pag...erprogram.html

peach-picker

carleton do you know how long the classes are at hellyer? also how much does it cost?

TejanoTrackie 

Check here >>> https://www.ridethetrack.com/

TejanoTrackie 

Here's a list of all active velodromes in the USA on the definitive website for track racing fixedgearfever >>> https://www.fixedgearfever.com/module...op=list&cid=us

djpfine

Nice, thanks! I may need to go and check it out one of these days.

Dammit! I'm in Vancouver on vacation but am leaving tomorrow. Wish I had known that the Burnaby 4 was taking place! Hope you had a blast.

Squirrelli

The ride there was brutal, cold, hilly but holy ****, the races were such a thrill!!! It was the best five bucks I've ever spent.

Not too many people rode out there but it was worth it. I might go again but tomorrow's schedule is not as tasty as today's.

hairnet

I trained several times on the Encino Velodrome while I was road racing. That was so much more thrilling than a crit. I liked it, but it´s still a pain in the ass to get to the velodrome and I dont have a track frame. I´d like to at least try out the Home Depot Center track, a real olympic track

carleton

I've ridden Home Depot, it's a great track. 250M and 44 degrees of fun...plus it's indoors. That's a MAJOR plus.

carleton

So, to clarify, when I wrote that local track racing may seem like:


but is more like:


It still feels like this when you are out there:


And that's all that matters!

Everything is relative.

carleton

I wish I could have gone. You got to see some great racers. Especially the women. Tara Whitten, Sara Hammer, and Jennie Reed are World Champions and Olympians.

Here are some nice photos by one of the racers who took some snaps when he wasn't racing: https://www.flickr.com/photos/otbphoto/

Squirrelli

The point race was crazy...Tara gained a lap on the field solo...lots of attacks from Hammer...IT WAS CRAZY I SAY!

I said hi to Sarah too but she didn't noticed.

veganeric

I'm one stem and five months away from this. https://www.nscsports.org/sports/cycl...ntro_class.htm

trvth 

2.5 hours each way for Major Taylor looks like the closest. Maybe when we thaw out I'll make a day trip out of it.

Cglenny

I want to go to there! Looks like there's The Alpenrose Velodrome in PDX, is that the only one? Anyone go there? I'm interested in giving it a go. Carleton you have interested me

Cynikal 

There is also Marymoore (sp?) in Redmond Wa. but Alpenrose is closer.


BTW. Props to Carleton for growing the sport!

Robofunc

I would love to try a beginner course at a velodrome, but the only one in my state is four hours away.

joker8baller

Hellyer is $5 to take a lesson, $5 to rent (Bring your own pedals). Well worth the money, the instructors are fun, very mindful of levels, and it's just a great experience. If it wasn't 3.5 hours away, I'd be going every week.

MuppetMower

I live about 5 miles away from the Velodrome in Baton Rouge. I pass it every day on my commute. They dont offer any classes, but I've been with a friend that knew his stuff when it was pretty dead one day and messed around. It was fun, and a really good workout. I'll probably start going more often. It depends on how busy I get with classes.

illdthedj

ive actually really wanted to try riding @ a velodrome, take beginner classes, etc. but the closest, Hellyer, is more than 1.5 hour drive away.

ill still try to get there somehow at one point. if it was a half hour away i would be going every week. my roommate is into fixed gear bikes too but is more of the hipster/tarck side and im not sure he would be interested. might ask though.

omgmarclol

If any city of Chicago people are interested in racing or need a ride up to Northbrook for Thursday or Friday night racing or for Monday night clinics during the season...as well as the occasional race up in Kenosha feel free to contact me. It's always nice to see new faces.

yummygooey

I'm from the suburbs of Chicago, but I'm away at college for most of the year. I might be interested if I end up in the area for the summer, though it's still about an hour from my house. I don't know if I'm prepared to get into racing, but it'd be fun to ride around/train. Is it free to go when the track is open to the public (no programs are running/in field isn't being used)?

omgmarclol

yes. northbrook is open to the public when there aren't any practices or programs being held

carleton

Baton Rouge just renovated and re-opened. I hear that it's really nice. I think things are a bit unorganized right now, but they are working on getting it together. Maybe you can help

It's a GREAT facility.

There is limited info here: https://web.mac.com/williamcheramie/W...velodrome.html

Here is the calendar of events (it's updated sometimes): https://ical.mac.com/WebObjects/iCal.....velodrome.ics

I would show up when things are on the calender and just say "Hi. I'm ____. I want to learn how to race out here." I'm sure they would love the support. They are trying to grow the scene down there.

AaronH

I'll sign up for Learn To Ride if Vixtor signs up.

Squirrelli

Dude dude dude dude!!! Several of my friends are talking about signing up for LTR too, maybe it just might happen soon.

We'll see...we'll see.

The problem is, none of us drive and it'd be a total drag to go there on a bike during the winter. Maybe we'll just bus...we'll see how things go.