anyone go to Kissena velodrome?
i'm sure this gets posted all the time, but out of the blue i want to try track cycling. i was shopping for a a fixed gear, and came across a good deal on a '09 Jamis Sonik. (i get the impression that it's not a "beginner" bike, but my first bike purchase last year was a "beginner" bike and i regretted it immediately).
So i'd like to try out Kissena. how does it work? when is a good time to go? is there a time i can get on there and do some laps to get a feel for it? |
The website doesn't seem to have any info on Intro classes.
Check out this blog: http://kissenatrackracing.blogspot.com/ Scroll down and there is an email address on the right. Inquire there. |
Originally Posted by carleton
(Post 10491028)
The website doesn't seem to have any info on Intro classes.
Check out this blog: http://kissenatrackracing.blogspot.com/ Scroll down and there is an email address on the right. Inquire there. |
i just showed up one sat. afternoon last summer and started riding around. There was one other guy there, but its nice to get a feel for things without risking running into other poeple
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Learning track etiquette is very important. It's not too hard. The key is to be predictable and understand when and how to move about...in training as well as in races.
Most tracks have a beginners class that covers: - The lines on the track - Entering/exiting the track - The warmup area(s) - Race formats - Mock races - Verbal calls, "stick", "stay", "rail", "boards", "chain!" - What to do when an accident happens before you - and a few other things These things are important because the way the track works, the faster riders come from behind you and no one has brakes. I'll see if I can find some documentation from other tracks and I'll add links... |
Dick Lane Velodrome's beginner info: http://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/pag...erprogram.html
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Some great info from the Superdrome in Frisco, TX: http://www.superdrome.com/development_classes.php. Click the PDFs at the bottom of the page. The "Superdrome Devo Class Materials" PDF is just about everything you need to know to get started. Just bear in mind that tracks vary in length and angle. The Superdrome is 250M and has a max angle of 44 degrees. Kissena is not nearly as steep.
Not just racers, but ANY rider of the track is expected to know the info contained in these docs for obvious safety reasons. Don't let me scare you. Crashes are rare and when they happen are mostly uneventful. You can memorize these docs verbatim but nothing beats time on the track. |
Last spring/summer Kissena held training clinics every Saturday. These classes were set up in two different sessions, a beginner/intermediate class and an advances class. It was a ton of fun and we learned a lot! Now that it looks like the snow is finally out of here, I'm going to be heading out to the track Saturday mornings to get some works outs in (opening weekend is May1). So far only women's clinics are listed on Kissena's website, hopefully they do men's clinics too!
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I live nearby and when I am just riding around I stop in and do some laps. The gate is always open. It was snow covered the last times I checked but it should be gone now. The track regulars are usually cool but of course I am mindful to stay out of there way. Every now and again there are some bratty kids. I checkout out a few races last year and it looks like a blast.
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Originally Posted by mywifeni
(Post 10501788)
I live nearby and when I am just riding around I stop in and do some laps. The gate is always open. It was snow covered the last times I checked but it should be gone now. The track regulars are usually cool but of course I am mindful to stay out of there way. Every now and again there are some bratty kids. I checkout out a few races last year and it looks like a blast.
i might drive by on the way home tonight to check it out. |
Home depot center track: http://lavelodrome.org/Training/AccelClassSummary.htm
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Originally Posted by Inertianinja
(Post 10501813)
so you can just go in and ride? or do you have to have a membership?
i might drive by on the way home tonight to check it out. |
Officially the Kissena closes at dusk. It is a public park and is open to anyone, unless there is an official race or a private training session going on that day.
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you can just walk in and ride when you please. andrew lacorte from affinity will be doing clinics again this season.
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Any idea when these will be? According to the Kissena events calender there are no men's clinics this year prior to opening weekend. Gonna try and get out there this weekend if the weather ever gets better.
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I got this from the blog: http://kissenatrackracing.blogspot.c...events-at.html
2010 Schedule for Major Events at Kissena Sunday, April 11, 2010 Kissena Velodrome Women's Beginner Clinic When: Sunday, April 11 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Saturday, May 1, 2010 2010 Kissena Velodrome Opening Weekend When: Saturday, May 1 at 1:00 pm until Sunday, May 2 at 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 5, 2010 2010 Kissena Twilight Series When: Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 pm until Wednesday, August 25 at 6:30 pm Sunday, May 9, 2010 Kissena Velodrome Women's Beginner Clinic When: Sunday, May 9 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Sunday, June 6, 2010 Kissena Velodrome Women's Beginner Clinic When: Sunday, June 6 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Sunday, June 27, 2010 Kissena International Track Omnium When: Sunday, June 27 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Friday, August 20, 2010 2010 Masters New York State Championships When: Friday, August 20 at 6:00 pm until Sunday, August 22 at 5:00 pm Friday, August 27, 2010 2010 Elite New York State Track Championships When: Friday, August 27 at 6:00 pm until Sunday, August 29 at 5:00 pm |
affinity hasn't decided the dates of clinics yet, they'll be up when it's figured out, they will be happening though. the money from the clinics they teach help send the team to nationals.
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Good to hear!
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I definitely want to get in on some classes too. I've been wanting to ride the track for awhile, but I want to learn the basics before I just go and do it. I emailed someone at Kissena who said there aren't any training classes this year. The affinity thing sounds like a plan. Hopefully its on a day I have off!
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So are you allowed to ride on your regular road bike? I'd like to try riding track before investing in a track bike.
Also, what are these "affinity" prospective track lessons/sessions I am hearing about? |
The park is open to anyone (as long as there is no event being held that day) I've seen kids on MTBs, razor scooters, rollerblades etc. ride on Kissena.
Just go on a weekend or a day after work and try it out, 9 times out of 10 you'll have the track to yourself. |
Opening Day at Kissena Velodrome this past Saturday, May 1st. Anyone get the number of the truck that hit the dude from behind on turn 4 as he was warming up? It was not a pretty sight. What team was he on anyway?
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Originally Posted by Yue Tao
(Post 10758227)
Opening Day at Kissena Velodrome this past Saturday, May 1st. Anyone get the number of the truck that hit the dude from behind on turn 4 as he was warming up? It was not a pretty sight. What team was he on anyway?
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Man, that's terrible. I hope he's OK and recovers soon.
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Originally Posted by Yue Tao
(Post 10758227)
Opening Day at Kissena Velodrome this past Saturday, May 1st. Anyone get the number of the truck that hit the dude from behind on turn 4 as he was warming up? It was not a pretty sight. What team was he on anyway?
Brutal fall, heard it from across the track. Hope he has a speedy and FULL recovery. |
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