Glasgow Velodrome

Howdo,

Up in Scotland at the moment, and by complete chance, heard that the Velodrome had opened to the public last week. After a few phone calls and some incredibly helpful people at Glasgow Life, I booked some time this morning.

Turned up, and there was nobody else riding the session. I had an Olympic-standard velodrome entirely to myself for just over an hour, along with a brand new bike, and a brand new pair of rental shoes. Surreal. Blasted around, grinning like an idiot - not every day you get to boost round a facility like that with nobody getting in your way!

Had a great session, and I'd totally recommend getting up there if you can - accreditation carries over from Manchester and Newport (I believe), so if you've got your card there, then you're good to go. No session times are online yet, but just phone up and ask, they're a great, passionate bunch, especially Jake, who's head of cycling development.

Now utterly pissed off that London's not going to have a working indoor track until next year... I can see a lot of money going on train journeys...

Check out the venue here: http://www.emiratesarena.co.uk/velodrome/Pages/default.aspx

Direct link to the info pack here: http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/scottishcycling/Velodrome_6pp_flyer_3Rd_proof.pdf

Direct link to accreditation/taster sign-up here: http://www.123contactform.com/form-390997/Velodrome-Accreditation

London's not going to have a working track until next year
?

Maybe he meant indoor track?

Aye, sorry - typo. Was referring to the Olympic track.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/scottishcycling/Velodrome_6pp_flyer_3Rd_proof.pdf

Interesting that Glasgow will except London accreditation which isn't even open, yet no mention of accepting Newport accreditation.

To be honest, I'd phone them and check what they say about Newport. The paint's barely dry on the place, so I expect there's a few bits and pieces that it's still best to speak to someone who works there to get the right info.

UK accreditation is stupid. If you're accredited on Manchester you're fine to ride anywhere. Accreditation at Newport only covers you for Newport despite he process being identical.

If you look at a lot of the website stuff for the Glasgow drome they say it's the UK's third indoor track so I think Newport has slipped under the radar.

Accreditation at Glasgow is a 4 part process, 2 x 1 hour sessions and 2 x 2 hour sessions. When you register your interest there's an option for how much track experience you have, if you have "considerable experience" you can skip the two 1 hour sessions and jump straight into part 3, the 2 hour "Preparation for Accreditation". There's also people being awarded full accreditation after completing part 3 without doing part 4 (or 1&2).

For the next month or so the only things you'll be able to book will be accreditation sessions anyway because there's been so much demand for accreditation that it's all there is on the timetable for now.

I'm one of the bike techs there by the way so if you're up and see a tall guy wi specs, tats and a 'tache, say hi.

Everyone on the Glasgowfgss forum is asking about riding their own (street) bikes for accreditation so I'll mention that just now, if your bike is very clean and fully track legal you'll (probably) get to use it. We had one guy do the first part of accred on his own bike this week, his bike was pristine and he cleaned his tyres (which had very minimal outdoor use) with wet wipes before going on the track and that was fine but he did have to borrow a rear wheel in the end as his gearing was too low.

If you look at a lot of the website stuff for the Glasgow drome they say it's the UK's third indoor track so I think Newport has slipped under the radar.

They're missing a qualifier, Calshot doesn't count as a Championship-level velodrome because it's short and lacks adequate seating, so the 3 are Manchester, Newport, Glasgow.

And London?

Not active yet.

Accreditation at Newport only covers you for Newport despite he process being identical.

Have you done both?

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Half-decade bump. Did my first accreditation session today and it was a blast. Shame there are no spots for the second one until the end of the month. Anyone here still go? @M_V you working there still?

Yeah still there, just wasn’t working yesterday.

I still use it, yesterday morning I had the track to myself for one hour, not bad for 8 quid.