Herne Hill

Hi, I'm coming to London this week for a day and was wandering about riding the velodrome during the day. I'd love go round just to say I've done it (nothing crazy, no racing, just a few slow laps on my no brake fixie), is this possible without breaking rules? Is it like the Brighton velodrome being open during the day for anyone or are the gates locked and patrolled?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks
Jon

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=herne+hill+velodrome

Cool thanks for the effort winter but ive been on the site before posting and it doesn't say if it's a free to ride during the day, ie I just turn up and jump on the track.
I understand to ride with the club you need to have an induction but I'm not sure how many club riders will be there on a wed or thurs day at 11 am?

I'm pretty sure it's not just open during the day but maybe if you phone you can organise something, I dunno.

ive been on the site before posting and it doesn't say if it's a free to ride during the day, ie I just turn up and jump on the track

The schedule is here: http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/sessions_and_training/session_schedule/

...if you haven't done the induction there's no jumping on the track at all. Really, all of the information you're asking is all on the site and readily available.

Cool thanks again for your help winter, I can't seem to find any information on the site that mentions it's closed, locked and patrolled during the daytime, also that I need to learn how to ride with other riders on what I assume will be an empty track just for a few laps on a day trip to London.
I do appreciate the time with your sarcasm laced replies.

I couldn't find the right thread so I thought I'd post here.

I quite enjoy driving and there doesn't seem to be a Grand Prix on for a while, do you think it would be alright to turn up at Silverstone and have a quick blast round in my Seat Ibiza?

Sorry, that was a sarcasm-laced reply.

But frankly, you're expressing your intentions of using without permission a beloved and prized asset run largely by volunteers by a respected cycling club, and acting as if their useful website is The Man trying to keep you down.

In short, most people would probably prefer it if you didn't break in to the velodrome.

^this

That's what I'm trying to get at, the Brighton velodrome (where I am from) is a council owned track open to all when not in use by the club. Just turn up and ride, run, walk the dog, play cricket, whatever. As I've never been before was wandering if this is the case with HH as its not mentioned on the site, or is it, as you've mentioned a private silverstone style track. That's all I needed to know as I didn't intend to break in if so. I dont think it was to unreasonable a question bearing in mind my local well kept track and it's availability.

The track is not open for free riding during the day. There are often school sessions and other things going on and the site needs to be locked when no-one is there to supervise usage. As it is managed entirely by volunteers people aren't able to be on site all the time.

I think you might have put people's nose out of joint by asking if it's "locked and patrolled" implying you'd consider breaking in if you wouldn't get caught. I'm sure you were just misunderstood.

You'd be more than welcome to come and try the track sometime during a proper session. If you're traveling from Brighton you'd probably want to come along on a weekend. Public sessions are on saturdays march-october (if the only track you have ridden is Brighton you'll need to do an induction). Alternatively you can book a group taster session for anytime the track isn't in use. Bring some mates and make a day of it.

Cool thanks folky, that's all the information I am after. Its a shame as there are a fair few people (myself included) that are just enthusiasts and don't want to race, or feel confident going round a track with to many other people on it.
Thanks all the same. Now to get my balaclava and bolt cutters to break in!
Jon
P.s. That was a joke before a certain couple of people get precious about the track.

I meant thanks cooky, auto speller changed it.

Cool thanks folky, that's all the information I am after.

Which is all on the website.

This isn't sarcasm.

I quite enjoy driving and there doesn't seem to be a Grand Prix on for a while, do you think it would be alright to turn up at Silverstone and have a quick blast round in my Seat Ibiza?

Oh Tom, that just made my day! Do you have a new car? ;-)

Out of interest, does anyone know the price of group bookings? I managed to get my lazy arse out of bed on the last Saturday and did my induction, but I'd like to get down there with some mates before it reopens.
Is it outrageously expensive to do a private hire?

email info@hernehillvelodrome.com with some info fora quote (it doesn't cost much more per person than an induction session)

I suppose I could post this in the Depression thread, but why not here:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/14/i-feel-protected-in-the-velodrome-how-track-cycling-helped-ease-my-anxiety

Hi chaps, anyone know when Herne Hill might be opening back up? Open sessions for us to spin around at a safe distance....

Hi
Been open just for road bikes from very recently, distanced (?!) track session start tomorrow. 5 riders per coach max, no drafting / passing closer than 2m...

You have to book via ‘RiderHQ’. Just nabbed my first session in a Very Long Time for thursday morning with the oldie intermediates. Gonna be a struggle.

But open sessions, no.

Oi ... less of the “ oldie “ ... I think we are known as ... “ Silver Fit “ ... !

I’m not silver yet, but I’ve never been fit.

Ok same story, been ages since I got to ride, this morning's Over 40s mens' / womens' Inters was great. God I am sh!t at it.

God I am sh!t at it.

I stole that crown this morning, could barely hold a line and had to apologise several times, was great to get back out tho!