Interesting finds around the web
#226
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That is a lot. We run a 2hr try the track that is only $30 and includes your rental. I doubt we are making money off it though, its really just to get people in the building.
6 sessions (or I guess 7 if the first one is required) is a lot of time to get certified. Ive coached at 3 tracks now and they are all 2 x 2hr classes to go through everything except racing.
6 sessions (or I guess 7 if the first one is required) is a lot of time to get certified. Ive coached at 3 tracks now and they are all 2 x 2hr classes to go through everything except racing.
#227
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The Boulder Valley Velodrome website has been updated for 2015:
Boulder Valley Velodrome
Boulder Valley Velodrome
I got a chance to ride out at the new Velodrome in Erie, Colorado, the other night! Wonderful! So smooth, and the boards were grippy even at 40F. Awesome to have lights for night-time racing.
It was my first time seeing the facility from the inside, and I was so impressed. Doug, Frank and everyone involved have done a great job. Since i live three miles from the facility, I am beyond stoked for a fine summer of racing.
#228
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I took 5 hour classes once while in a Velodrome in France. I learned so much. I really recommend to everyone to try it at least once. It is a really nice experience.
#229
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#230
Full Member
#231
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Location: Milton Velodrome/Escarpment
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You think that is big, check this one out with 17" diameter and 105 teeth:
Fast fixie: Bicycle with giant chainring aims for 100 mph - CNET
and
Fastest Bike on Planet? Massive chainring, fixed-gear
Now that will take some serious time just getting going...
Fast fixie: Bicycle with giant chainring aims for 100 mph - CNET
and
Fastest Bike on Planet? Massive chainring, fixed-gear
Now that will take some serious time just getting going...
#232
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I'm glad to see it up and running.
So, a local would have to pay $285 in order to train there? That's not even talking about racing. Wow. I hope they don't price people out with this.
DLV has an annual pass that is like $300, but that gets you into every event (year-round training anytime during daylight hrs, clinics, race fees for any event). Plus they have a-la-carte prices for training and racing...which most people do.
So, a local would have to pay $285 in order to train there? That's not even talking about racing. Wow. I hope they don't price people out with this.
DLV has an annual pass that is like $300, but that gets you into every event (year-round training anytime during daylight hrs, clinics, race fees for any event). Plus they have a-la-carte prices for training and racing...which most people do.
Membership & Fees | Burnaby Velodrome Club
The learn-to-ride sessions are a comparative steal though - something like $60 for 6 x 1 hour sessions, including bike rental and insurance.
#233
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$285 up front seems pretty steep, although they do at least have a track community there already. It really seems like learn to ride/certifications just to train on the track should be loss leaders though, I think a high barrier to entry puts you in a bad place.
#234
Senior Member
world class racers, and riders learn how to race the more popular track races. If one joins a track club the training along with 3-hours per week track time are included in the club fees.
If one considers the cost and time involved traveling 90 miles south from Boulder to the Colorado Springs velodrome the Boulder velodrome costs suddenly appears attractive.
Incidentally one nice feature of the Boulder facility is the infield bathrooms.
#235
Elitist
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The certification is possibly misnamed as it is a 9 hour session, coached by USAC coaches and
world class racers, and riders learn how to race the more popular track races. If one joins a track club the training along with 3-hours per week track time are included in the club fees.
world class racers, and riders learn how to race the more popular track races. If one joins a track club the training along with 3-hours per week track time are included in the club fees.
- Enter the track on the back straight. Exit on the front straight.
- "Stick", "Stay", "Rail", "Boards"
- sprinter's lane, stayer's lane
- Pass on the right
- etc...
There's no world-class advice given in a beginner session. It's kinda like Michael Jordan hosting a middle school basketball camp (again, no offense to the instructors). Their wisdom and experience are best applied when the athlete is ready and usually works more on a macro (annual program) level.
But, maybe they are asking those folks to teach to bring in fans...which is cool.
This is a big deal.
If you've ever been to LA (Home Depot Center or ADT or whatever it's called these days) you'll realize how cool this is.
Actually, the only track I can think of that has had a restroom in the infield is TTown which puts 2 (glamorous) port-a-pottys in the infield during the season. Every other track that I know of requires you to leave the infield.
#236
Full Member
No offense to the folks teaching the course, but for rank track newbies, they could have Eddy Merckx, Chris Hoy, and Anna Meares teach the classes but only so much will be covered in the intro sessions:
- Enter the track on the back straight. Exit on the front straight.
- "Stick", "Stay", "Rail", "Boards"
- sprinter's lane, stayer's lane
- Pass on the right
- etc...
- Enter the track on the back straight. Exit on the front straight.
- "Stick", "Stay", "Rail", "Boards"
- sprinter's lane, stayer's lane
- Pass on the right
- etc...
Should I assume DLV does it the way you suggest?
With as little as only ten minutes between races, I found those infield port-a-pottys a necessity.
#237
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What's "boards"? Is that the same as "rail"?
And for that matter, how many people here use "rail" at their track? I've always thought it was the stupidest command and is completely counter to everything else that's learned at the track.
And for that matter, how many people here use "rail" at their track? I've always thought it was the stupidest command and is completely counter to everything else that's learned at the track.
#238
Full Member
I guess it depends on whether your track has boards(Ttown) or rails(Kissena).
#239
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The certification is possibly misnamed as it is a 9 hour session, coached by USAC coaches and
world class racers, and riders learn how to race the more popular track races. If one joins a track club the training along with 3-hours per week track time are included in the club fees.
If one considers the cost and time involved traveling 90 miles south from Boulder to the Colorado Springs velodrome the Boulder velodrome costs suddenly appears attractive.
Incidentally one nice feature of the Boulder facility is the infield bathrooms.
world class racers, and riders learn how to race the more popular track races. If one joins a track club the training along with 3-hours per week track time are included in the club fees.
If one considers the cost and time involved traveling 90 miles south from Boulder to the Colorado Springs velodrome the Boulder velodrome costs suddenly appears attractive.
Incidentally one nice feature of the Boulder facility is the infield bathrooms.
#240
VeloSIRraptor
Add Marymoor to the list, at least one port-a-loo in the infield, sometimes two.
#241
aka mattio
Correspondingly, many hard efforts during warmup take place along the rail - especially since it's a steep track, so there's an uphill/downhill component. So the lateral organization of the track (inside to out) is entrance, effort, empty, paceline, free-for-all, effort. Since people above the stayer's line aren't used to having people pass them on the right at speed, i think "[give me the] rail" makes sense.
#242
aka mattio
Also I'd forgo an infield bathroom in favor of an infield water source!
Many track facilities have an underpass to get to an external bathroom, but too few have a tap. It was something of a revelation when I went to Indianapolis...
Many track facilities have an underpass to get to an external bathroom, but too few have a tap. It was something of a revelation when I went to Indianapolis...
#243
Elitist
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The best thing I've seen in an infield is a portable changing room. LA has these. This way, you don't have to go to the restroom to change in a nasty stall.
Think about it. Most of the bathroom traffic is people changing clothes.
Think about it. Most of the bathroom traffic is people changing clothes.
#245
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I had done the orientation and pre-racing classes at the Boulder indoor velodrome a few years ago. I'm currently going through the BVV classes and open track time.
I'm very pleased with the level of instruction and tutorial I am getting. I get group, small group (4) and individual coaching whenever I go to the track. Skills and comfort are increasing rapidly. BVV doesn't have the violent, tight-radius turns that BIC had. But it is a lot higher from Cote d'Azur to rail. Lots of climbing and dropping.
The BVV has infield water, bathrooms, separate men's and women's changing rooms with storage, and shop, storage, rental all integrated. There's pretty consistent activity and participation very day. I don't think anyone is staying away due to cost. Boulder is a pretty costly environment. $500 a year isn't much compared to the $10K bikes everywhere, the proliferation of golf communities, Teslas everywhere, etc.
I'm very pleased with the level of instruction and tutorial I am getting. I get group, small group (4) and individual coaching whenever I go to the track. Skills and comfort are increasing rapidly. BVV doesn't have the violent, tight-radius turns that BIC had. But it is a lot higher from Cote d'Azur to rail. Lots of climbing and dropping.
The BVV has infield water, bathrooms, separate men's and women's changing rooms with storage, and shop, storage, rental all integrated. There's pretty consistent activity and participation very day. I don't think anyone is staying away due to cost. Boulder is a pretty costly environment. $500 a year isn't much compared to the $10K bikes everywhere, the proliferation of golf communities, Teslas everywhere, etc.
Last edited by bouldergeek; 01-26-15 at 10:33 AM.
#246
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Not to brag, but the facilities are the best part of the new track lol. 2 full size locker rooms, showers, etc. New riders don't appreciate this, I try to tell them "its not normally like this! I have peed outside at a track before!".
#250
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I find it very interesting to see the three latest hour record bikes are all using lightweight rundkurs discs. I wonder if the wind tunnel shows something special about them. Their road wheels certainly are uninspiring aerodynamically. The weight difference between a rear lightweight disc and a comete is only 100g, and I've always been told lightweight has never and will never sponsor riders. So what's the appeal?