cycliques

I took the learn to ride at the BV and really enjoyed it. Was thinking about getting a ride and becoming a member. I know elite riders train at the velodrome, but how is the riding for recreational riders? ie: are people cool about you joining pace lines/riding with them? Also, I'm looking for a 58cm frame, thought maybe somebody could help me out.

mrwhite

There are several grades for all levels of rider ability. Just get out there and ride. Everyone was very friendly when I was racing there.

Say hello from 'Australia.'

Frames here

Cycle-clops

I train there at least 1-2 times a week. The riders there are quite friendly and there is always a good mix of abilities on the track. Check the schedule. I'm planning on signing up for the week training program starting this Friday.

I'm in the same position you are. I justed started track riding and I'm looking for people to train with. Send me a PM and perhaps we can meet up for some drills!

11.4

It's a friendly track. That being said, riders warming up with a pace line or those doing harder efforts are sensitive to other riders understanding track etiquette and rules and knowing how to ride at speed. If you are erratic in a 25 mph paceline, it keeps things friendly if you simply don't try to join it. Similarly, if people are doing jumps off the banking and you are not keeping your line below them, they can get quite short with you. Nothing personal, but everyone works very hard to stay safe on the track -- it's a more positive approach than you usually find on the road because when accidents happen they can be very fast and involve a number of riders. I'd suggest you take a track class and go to one of the introductory racing series just so you learn some of this before you nick the wheel of some Cat 2 and take him down. Riding road does very little for your ability to ride safely on a track. This isn't to be negative -- it's just that a track is an intensive learning experience and reaction times and adherence to rules have to be very good. Everybody is friendly to new riders who understand what they're supposed to do, even if they can't make the speed or are a little erratic at first (everyone is at first), but the most important emotion on the track is having people feel you are safe -- much more important than winning.

CafeRacer

The burnaby velodrome is wicked! I cant wait too call that home....soon enough.

antiguru

Holla!

I think there's a local fixed-gear ride called 'hey fixie'. Might be a good place to network. I'm a loner so i dont go, but it would probably be fun =]

unixd0od

There's an awesome recreational fixed gear rider scene in Vancouver. Come visit the forums at www.FixedVancouver.com and check out the Hey Fixie ride.

tonyzackery

I ride at the BV and must say getting a track bike and taking the Learn to Ride classes has increased my bike handling skills three-fold. I raced the Escape Velocity Spring Series and immediately noticed how much calmer I was riding in the peloton.

The people that ride there are all pretty nice folks and the upper level riders will help if you need a question answered or want some instruction.

Overall, the BV is a super resource us cyclists to have at our disposal and I highly recommend you buying a membership and riding as much as you can! It will do wonders for your spin efficiency when you're on the road.

Roam

At the last 6-day event, the trackies were even more impressed with the handling skills of the HeyFixie! crowd.

There's a 3-day event planned in a couple of weeks. Saturday, May 5th will be the night most worth checking out: DJ's, beer garden, food, no-holds-barred "courier" races, trick/trackstand competitions, etc. Hell, I don't even own a track bike, and I'm still volunteering.

CafeRacer

Watching the fixies race was priceless! I was one of the 2 riders who funded the "Beer Prime" in their scratch race. I also lost $6 in a bet on who the first one to fall would be.

lyledriver

I'm so stoked for the May 4 Fixie Challenge races =D
I'll be on a white Cunningham. Say hi.

Cycle-clops

I'll be racing on Saturday in the New Racer Category. Look for a big guy in a yellow and blue jersey on a red KHS.