An Evening at Calshot

I went to Calshot last night and though some people might want to see the pics. It's in an awesome aircraft hanger with dry ski slope and the largest climbing walls I have ever seen. An active person's mecca!

Anyway, got the chance to go thanks to a British Cycling community coach who had an introduction to velodrome riding trip organised and said I could tag along. First thoughts are, its tiny. The smallest track in England I believe. I've only ever ridden at Preston Park which is the longest in Britain so it was completely different. The straights are tiny and the banking insane.

The less step of the two bends:

The two straights:

A bevy of Dolans:

My borrowed steed (with a lovely early red Moulton in the back ground):

All in all, bloody good fun. The feeling of getting sucked down when you hit the bends on the black line is insane. Try it if you get the chance. Sorry for the crapness of the photos, I don't like flash and couldn't be arsed with the tripod.

+1 to trying it at least once in your lives. It's MENTAL :D

The first time I rode down there, I spent the night getting weird flashback dreams, re-living the sensations of G-force. I'd made a dip in the mattress where I'd been 'holding my line' whilst sleeping.

That looks wonderful.

Now there is a place that is in need of a LFGSS takeover.

I'm told it's only about 35 pound an hour if you have a reasonable number of people so it's easy to organise a trip.

BMMF, the G-force is mental. I was really buzzing. Just so hard to maintain your line through the corners.

that looks fucking excellent!

certainly more impressive than preston park... I would love to have a go at that

i'm sure the boards are weight limited, so the likes of hippy won't be able to attend :(

Yep, it's mental. I would be definitely up for a LFGSS session round there.

I see they've got in new bikes since I went. Saying that, it was in 2001!!!

dogsballs i'm sure the boards are weight limited, so the likes of hippy won't be able to attend :(

Have you seen the size of most track sprinters? They'd crush you puny arse by just turning their heads in your direction.. now off you go to bodyglide your thighs and run around the Heath..

Kelvin certainly more impressive than preston park... I would love to have a go at that

there is apparently a trip to newport brewing, i'll keep you posted.

I went to school in north Hampshire and we were taken to Calshot on an activities trip. Riding the track was great fun and about as close to riding a wall of death as you can get on a bike. It was ace. I'd love to go back.

I went there with a group from ACF it was a right laugh and as BMMF said the G-force feeling is brilliant.

As you come out of the bend on to the straight you get that weightless feeling as you drop down into it.

Ian from Ruxley Cycles told me that Six Day track riders actually suffered pressure sores on their arses from the cornering G-forces.

There were a lot of newbies the first time I went (who didn't even have experience of riding fixed), and they were toppling like dominoes coming out of the bend. I think it was because there was a lot of wood filler stuff in place where chunks had splintered away, and this was a bit slicker than the boards, and riders must have been applying back pressure or something.

My wheel slipped an inch or two either way at the same point a few times, but if you just pedalled through it, things were fine.

But then, I was generally going quite a bit faster than the rest of them ;)

Would you get reprimanded for skidding one of those lend out track bikes on the track? Is this a stupid question? It is a stupid question, isn't it.

if your planning a trip to newport then make sure you sort out some digs. the velodrome is in the arse end of newport. i know as i support newport county and its next to their ground. it would be a decent 20-25min ride from the station as well. public transport is only a couple of buses out to the area as well from the bus station.

asm Would you get reprimanded for skidding one of those lend out track bikes on the track? Is this a stupid question? It is a stupid question, isn't it.

yes....why book a venue designed for speed and racing to skid on? you can do that anywhere.... not to mention the pack of cyclists behind you travelling at 25mph without brakes....

Re: Newport, been there many times beautiful track....never had accomodation, it's 2.5 hours from London by road....easily done in a day.....is a 20 min ride a long ride?....btw do consider using their Pinarello hire bikes....you will need Look-cleated shoes though.

Looks awesome. I'm desperate to try riding in a velodrome.

andyp I went to school in north Hampshire and we were taken to Calshot on an activities trip. Riding the track was great fun and about as close to riding a wall of death as you can get on a bike. It was ace. I'd love to go back.

I went to school in north hants as well... my sister who is a couple years younger went to Calshot but they never did it for my year group :(

When I go back to Basingstoke for the easter holidays I might try and persuade some of my mates to head down there, Calshot's not at all far from my hometown.