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05-09.-2003, 11:04 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,806
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Beginner with track bike - needs help
Hi
I've just scored myself a track bike and wondered if anyone has any tips for learning to ride it? It doesn't have brakes so I think road riding with it is out of the question (for now  ).My club (Blackburn) has a velodrome but I'm not sure about the conditions of use - I've still got to ask about that. So, any other places that are good for practicing in/on? Anything I should work on right away before getting onto the track? Trackstands are way harder on the fixie compared to my other bikes.. I hope this situation will improve quickly though. What tips would you give to a newbie like myself? Thanks! |
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06-09.-2003, 01:33 AM
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#2 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 20
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Re: Beginner with track bike - needs help
Ride it wherever you can! I know it might be scary, but, just take it slow, give yourself tons of stopping room, look far ahead, wear your helmet, and start gaining confidence.
It was tough for me at first, but after a few hours, I got used to it. I ride all city too, with tons of cabbies, potholes, dogs, pedestrians, busses. . . if i can do it, you can too! check out www.63xc.com for riding tips and be safe... randy |
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08-09.-2003, 10:14 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: On the couch at this time of year.
Posts: 616
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Don't worry too much about trackstands, you don't use them in club racing, as we rarely do match sprints (mostly scratch, points, motoraces etc). Just ride lots, practice sitting on wheels, getting in and out of the sadddle and learning to stop yourself. Plus learn to ride up and down the banks.
Blackburn's track is free until training starts, after which it's booked most nights by the club, which you can attend if you're a member.
__________________
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23-09.-2003, 12:38 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Metung, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 57
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Re: Beginner with track bike - needs help
Shabby said it all pretty well. As an elite coach I can't emphasize the need to learn the basics highly enough. Too often newcomers are thrown onto a track bike and straight away try to do all the tricks. Track stands are really only of use to you if you wish to speciallise in track sprinting at championships and are therefore the last thing you need to worry about. Just ride the bike where ever you dare being aware that it is illegal to ride on the ROAD without brakes. Get used to your legs always turning with the motion of the bike and become (for want of a better term) one with the bike. After you have become COMPLETELY confident with normal foreward motion of the bike, this includes diving up and down the banks as shabby stated, then you can progress to learning to handle the bike out of the saddle. Please understand that track bikes do handle differently to road bikes (generally) and jumping out of the saddle can be a whole new experience compared to your road bike. I could go on all night, but the coaches at Blackburn are good dedicated people who could help you heaps.
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