Trip to Geraint Thomas National Velodrome Sunday 22nd January 15:00 – 17:00

[Paul Nicholas]

Thanks for replying Andy. Good idea to get there for 2:30 as it will take a bit of time to sort out the bikes. If you can make a note of your bike frame size that will speed up choosing the right size bike. List of what you will need, like Andy said summer cycling kit:

Helmet
Short Sleeve Jersey (must Cover Arms)
Bib Shorts
Cycling Gloves
Socks
Cycling Shoes with Look Keo cleats
Drink and a snack that you would take out with you on a club run in case you get a bit peckish
Towel
Cycling glasses if you wear them.

We will be sitting in the centre of the track in between sessions, I used to take a small rucksack or sports bag that would fit underneath my seat with all my bits and bobs in.


Big thank you to everyone for showing an interest and look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Great to hear from you Tim it would be fantastic to see you on Sunday, you are more than welcome to have a ride around on the Côte d'Azur.

[traine]

Hi Andy. I suspect the coach will have me riding on thecote D'azure. Below the blue line. Thats what happened when I went al9ng for a vets sesdion about 5 years ago with Kyleigh Manners of 42⁰ Coaching. Rightly he did not wany me mixing with the 40 year old youngsters. I hope this time I will get a chance, later in the session, to get above the blue line but only if I last that long. The legs are pretty shaky now after so long off the road.
I shall be wearing a skin suit and taking a very warm jacket for between stints on the track. Also energy drinks. I suspect the temperature might be 8 - 10⁰c if we are lucky. No 22⁰c as in the Olympics.
I shall be there at 2.30pm to get changed and in the centre for 3.00pm. Cannot wait ! Tim

[Norris1981]

I'm leaving from Cowbridge if anyone needs a lift

[RichardB]

I’m car sharing with Scott and Tammy on Sunday from Bridgend. Meeting at Physique and will leave at 1:45 to get to the Velodrome for 2:30. Room for one or two more in the car if anyone else needs a lift.

[Norris1981]

That was a great experience,  thanks for organising 

[Andy H]

Yes, thanks for all the organising, Paul.

Great afternoon, enjoyed by all and great to see everybody progressing to riding above the black line! 

…and especially good to see Tim, ‘turning back the clock’!

[RichardB]

Great afternoon and thanks to Paul for organising for us.

[traine]

Thank you Paul for organising and fellow Oggies for the warm welcome and the fun.
I actually feel OK today so I must have died after the exertion and gone to heaven (some hope).
Roll on the next one. I cannot promise to be any better but I will be there if invited. Timt

[Paul Nicholas]

Thanks for supporting the trip everyone, it was great to see so many of you out on Sunday, I hope you all enjoyed it. Rob has been looking into going back up to attend some of the Beginners Accreditation Sessions, as a result, Jason who was our coach on Sunday has been in touch: "...we would be happy to say all riders on the club session have passed Stage 1. They will each still need to pay Newport for the accreditation certification for that stage."

So if you were thinking of going up again you could attend any of the sessions that are suitable for beginners as long as you pay for your intro to track certificate. Here's a link to the timetable:

www.newportlive.co.uk/application/files/7616/6782/4918/408_Track_Cycling_Timetable_2023_Amended_A4_Part1.pdf

It can be a bit confusing to get into but if you have any questions give me a shout and I will be happy to help. I will post some pictures later in the week, feel free to post any pictures or videos you have from Sunday.

[RobC]

I've managed to book back in for a beginners session on Monday 30 Jan. Reception have definitely been on their British Cycling admin / red tape course. In the end I emailed them conformation from PDQ I'd been on the session last week. They need to add introductory accreditation to your account (need to register on the velodrome site to get an account), and then you need to pay for that (£25) before you can ride as a beginner. Or you can just ride an intro session, seem to be every other Monday at 5pm. Hopefully the wider message will have got to them before anyone else tries to go straight to Beginner.

Beginner sessions (£15 including bike and shoe hire) every Monday at 7pm until you get good enough for Intermiediate sessions - every Monday at 8:30pm, which I believe is the middle of the night.