Lee Valley VeloPark - taster sessions!

Popping in to drop some kit off today, anyone around for bespoked Fri-Sat give me a holla.

Taster session completed. Ended up spending the first three-quarters of an hour amusing myself above the stayer's line with another Rapha-clad track veteran. All jolly good fun, although I can't honestly say I learned anything. Still, I do have a very nice certificate now.

I had a very agreeable hour on the track this morning, after a really difficult journey which included getting completely lost between Stratford Station and the velopark. Great coach, other riders were competent and friendly, the whole place stank of toilets but it was a great experience.

Thanks to the Luddlets who gave me this treat for my birthday.

Did my taster session and booked stage 2 for tomorrow.
Had a bit of a problem removing a spare cog, but lads in cycle surgery next door helped me out, also I bought a price matched new chain there. Great day, bring on tomorrow.

the whole place stank of toilets

this. Thought to myself - it can't be, it must be something else...

I'm also booked in for session 2 at 7pm on Thursday. See you there.

Booked for stage 1 on Thursday, might try and get in on the stage 2 after I'm done of there's still room!

Had a club session here on Saturday. My tips from the day would be:

• Getting there is a bit confusing on bike. There are no signs!
  
• Leave lots of time for faffing. Toilets, lockers and changing room are all a while from the track
  
• It got progressively hotter as the day went on. Ended up short sleeves, legs.
  
• 48:15 was fine for drills, training. It'd be fine for race situations if you're young/aspinner. 49:15 or even 50:15 was being used in our scratch race but the latter is quite high ATMO.
  
  

So much fun though.

Not really difficult to find by bike as the Olympic park is quite easy to cycle around. Lift your head up and look for the pringle-shaped building. Then aim your bike towards the direction of said building.

Also, did you expect to get cooler when you're exercising indoors?

I want to book a taster session for 10 people in June. the online booking thing doesnt appear to have dates that far in advance and you need to call them up if its more than 8 people.

ive called them on the number provided and there is no option to speak to anyone, only for directions etc.

ive emailed them twice and havent had a response.

in summary, they are shit.

Not really difficult to find by bike as the Olympic park is quite easy to cycle around. Lift your head up and look for the pringle-shaped building. Then aim your bike towards the direction of said building.

Also, did you expect to get cooler when you're exercising indoors?

The entrance isn't particularly obvious but yes, finding the building is not hard!

I want to book a taster session for 10 people in June. the online booking thing doesnt appear to have dates that far in advance and you need to call them up if its more than 8 people.

ive called them on the number provided and there is no option to speak to anyone, only for directions etc.

ive emailed them twice and havent had a response.

in summary, they are shit.

Call them up and wait through the menu system and the queue to get through to a real person. I waited for quite a while when I rang them, but they were really helpful when I did get through. Alternatively, if it isn't too much hassle, you could visit them in person to make the booking.

tried every single menu option and couldnt find a way to speak to a real person

phone bit is the first test.

I can't remember if I selected any options, just waited until it rang through.

You could try the usual phone system "let me talk to a person NOW" cheat - just hammer 0 until you get a person

Or use an old phone with pulse (as opposed to tone) dialling. You never get options, always straight to a person.

Long shot, but does anyone have any 10.5-11 Keo cleated shoes I can borrow for a beer? The shoe hire charge is a bit steep

Or use an old phone with pulse (as opposed to tone) dialling. You never get options, always straight to a person.

is there an app for that ?

Taster was fun! Booked in for stage 2 at 6pm, the 7 was full, so I'll say hi in the way past! Then probably collapse in the stands and watch for the next hour. I'll be the knackered guy in the UEA kit

Well that was pretty grand. Nice to meet some folks too, however briefly

.

Was one of the first group to stage 3 on Sat.

Includes the whole group riding in pairs and moving in pairs
And also 'stacking' across the whole track.
They also want you to follow the wheel in front by less than 0.5metre

Not everyone in our group got through so the more track time that you have the better.

Also some chap turned up with michelin tyres and slid down.
If anyone in your own group has their own bike; it is in your own interest to check to see that they know which compounds to use, and if someone turns up with brand new tyres ask them if they have 'rubbed' or 'sanded' them to ensure there is none of the new-tyre film.

Recommended list here:
http://www2.nationalcyclingcentre.com/documents/Track%20bike%20specification.pdf

Don't the coaches running the session check peoples bikes?!

Michelin tyres or any duo compound are pretty much band from all indoor velodrome, I'm surprised no one pick that up as Dan said.

^^ Just out of curiosity arvy how many people at level 3 are riding their own bikes vs hire bikes? (I did first level on friday and used hire bikes, as I think everyone in the group did).