Dumb Ass Bike Questions

Man. I really can't understand people saying the velodrome's dull, in my opinion that is. I just love bombing around in perfect riding conditions, so smooth, so fast! I can never get my saddle height right tho, need my own tarck bike! :D

^ +1 the sessions I've been on lately have been a nice mix of stuff, fave being 15 lap scratch races which are great fun.

Taster is exactly that, folks've gotta learn the ropes a bit before being let loose properly. Stick with it to get to the fun stuff.

Similar process is in place on the indoor BMX track, reason it's there is to reduce chances of folks hospitalising themselves on first go.

1. I'm riding at the velodrome for the first time - what should I be prepared for?
   
   

Dry eyes.

I'd be up for a session on the BMX track, shall we make a list and try and organise it

i'm well up for a bmx fuck about

Any two wheeled daftness appeals :-p

A blast on t'BMX track might mitigate my fear of leaving the ground for extended periods. Bring it on.

Also up for velodrome if anyone else wants to have a razzle. Or a Reader's Wives for that matter.

You gunna action that, Ste?

compared to polo or mountainbiking, is pretty dull! Indoor BMX looks awesome - that's next on my list of must try's...

That is until you have a few people you can trust and have a few argy bargy sprints. Best way to lean where to lean on someone without coming out worst. Head nudge to the upper ribs works quite well.

Dumb Question -

Why is the drive side always on the right?

Not always. But I think it's to do with threading of components mainly.

Most people's dominant leg is on the right, so the power transfer is closer to the more powerful leg, so the more powerful leg has less of the bike to distort before it reaches the transmission.

It is easier to trackstand with your dominant (right) leg forward, and the front wheel pointing to the right. when trackstanding you have more control with your forward leg close to the drive. We ride round the track anti clockwise, to the camber slopes up to the right, a slope also helps us trackstand. I'm sure someone could put this all more clearly than I can.

actually thats all bollocks. its to do with the water going clockwise down the plug hole and the earth turning and magnets and shit.

^ Which is why cycling in the southern hemisphere is such an arse.

I'd be up for a session on the BMX track, shall we make a list and try and organise it

i'm well up for a bmx fuck about

Any two wheeled daftness appeals :-p

A blast on t'BMX track might mitigate my fear of leaving the ground for extended periods. Bring it on.

http://pcms.s3.amazonaws.com/ncc/file/2684/programmetoapril.pdf details sessions. You'd probably find a "beginner open" a bit noddy. That said, it's the safest place to start if you've any concerns.

If you can handle a bike (hope so!) then you'd be ok via an Accelerated Induction. This then opens up the Accredited Gates Sessions for you.

Final option is a private booking, you'd probably need high numbers as it'd cost more.

ok a mate did the accelerated induction

but you have to POST your membership form before you can call up and book in a session giving them time to put you in the system,
what is this the 90's

anyway i'll do it tomorrow at work, form and timetable at this link and maybe we can book a session end of feb?

http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/p/ride-the-track

turns out there is a email address you can use as well, i'm gonna use that but its not advertised, doing mine tomorrow in work

I will do this soon-ish. Email address pleases?

^ if you guys end up on a Saturday morning Accelerated Induction be sure to say hello.

1. What's the difference between an Il Pompino and a Pompetamine?

2. Ribble or Planet X - who makes the better quality road bike?

3. I'm riding at the velodrome for the first time - what should I be prepared for?

Quality wise, they are both pretty much like for like. Quality aside, I would begrudgingly tend to go with Planet X for bikes if you only have these two options. I often use Ribble for parts but I have read in several places that Ribble dont have a great rep for delivering on time and to spec as far as bikes go.

I dont like PX though, cycled over to sheff for a fitting after phoning ahead and their staff were absolutelly shocking when I wanted to get a fitting and test ride for a TT/Tri bike, he didn't have any conviction whatsoever on what was the better size etc, just kept mumbling about it being my choice, "I f*cking know its my choice, but you are here to advise!" Also wouldnt let me test ride it outdoors only on a piss poor turbo that didnt have enough tension to stop the wheel slipping all over the place, felt like riding on ice (btw I was leaving a bike at least 1.5x the value of the TT bike in their showroom so hardly going to piss off with their bike). I passed, wont consider them ever again, Cannondale, bought from a decent retailer every time from now on.

What are the differences between a speedway bicycle and a typical polo bike re. geometry?

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crazy toe overlap on a speedway bike?

tap up some of these guys for polo

Cycle Speedway - Euro Club Champs Final 2010 - YouTube

I think someone is/has used a speedway bike for polo. They have low top tubes, which could make for interesting stems/bars if used for polo.

I will do this soon-ish. Email address pleases?

didn't want to put it on the net incase it gets out, ermm let me get to work tomorrow and pm it i guess

archie wilkinson do entry level speedway frames. ben punkture rides one, served him well for a long while. some toe overlap though, if I remember correctly.

^ I just thought he had big feet... explains why he keeps crashin' tho... ;-)