Manc Velo New Rules

General Manchester Velodrome Safety
• Do not eat within 2 hrs of a training session.

• Riders must not spit or clear their nose onto any surface within the Velodrome.

• Riders must not chew gum whilst on the track.

• Riders should wear two layers of clothing to reduce injury risk during crashes.

• If a helmet has a peak fitted, it must be removed. No other fixings to helmets are allowed, including light(s) and mascots.

• Track mitts must be worn. Cleats should be unworn and in good clean condition.

• When not on the track riders should wear warm clothing.

• Riders must not ride up or down the ramp.

• No drinks are to be consumed or taken onto the blue safety zone, keep them on the ramp or in the riders "D".

• Do not walk from the riders "D" to the changing rooms in cycling shoes.

• Do not ride outside the Velodrome and then bring the bike back in as this brings more dirt onto the track surface.

Specification of a Manchester Velodrome Bike
• Track bikes must have a fixed wheel, 165mm cranks, and 280mm (11") bottom bracket height (measured from floor to centre of bottom bracket), no braze-ons, and must have track ends.

• Tires must have a black tread and be 23mm wide. Tubulars are preferred. If using clinchers use Schwalbe or Continental. Do not use Michelin tyres.

• Do not use brand new tyres on the track; rub the surface with alcohol or white vinegar or other degreaser before use. Ride the first three laps on the Cote d'Azure or bottom of track.

• No spare sprocket on double rear hub, handlebars must have end plugs.

• Wheel spindles should not extend beyond the track nuts, front and rear, and should be sawn off flush with the nut, and filed smooth.

• Recommended gears for novices - 84" gear adults, 74" for 9 -12 year olds.

• The gearing on hire bikes range from 72.6" (44 x 15) to 83.9" (50 x 16)

• Gearing for all endurance SQT's shall be restricted to 88". The only exception is the "A" SQT, where it is unlikely that there are any Velodrome bikes (84" gears) used. It does not apply to sprint SQT's.

Is that just for the SQTs then? I'd like he see the "no spitting" rule enforced in a serious race.

Remind me to unwear my cleats too.

I think that's for all.

there was a bit of jibba-jabba about the "conti or schwalbe only" rule because the GB lot use vittorias! so I think that's amended now

Interesting the gearing is limited.

Also, if I could find a way to make it affordable (travelling, hotels etc), I'd love to do some of the SQT training next winter. I did a training session there a few months back and it is a super fast track, and you can use the banking so much more than at HH.

Am going to Revolution on Feb 21 ... but it's costing something like 200 quid for the weekend ...

those gearings are whack.

I don't know what calc they used to get 72.6 for 44/15

Crazy rules some of those. Most make sense though. I'm looking forward to the Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow opening. Rules go something like this:

1. Pre- and post-race drinks must be based on Buckfast tonic wine.
   
2. Berghaus jackets must be worn between races to keep warm.
   
3. Three pairs of socks should be worn to protect ankles.
   
4. In devil takes the hindmost races, after each lap a group of neds will beat the shit out of whoever was last over the line.
   

I happened to be reading the rules at Newport last night and, as far as I can make out, helmet mascots still aren't banned there - phew - Snoopy can stay.