There are a lot of bike riders out there that are wondering what all the fuss about the velodrome is and I’m guessing that the vast majority of them are wondering why? So I’ll try and explain the reasons why I think this facility is going to be the biggest thing that will happen in Scottish Cycling ever. Yes EVER because I’ve absolutely no doubt in my mind that it will revolutionise (pardon the pun) the development of all the cyclists that ride it on a regular basis.I never really considered the track much as a kid, growing up as I did in deepest darkest Norfolk about two hours from the nearest facility. I did however make the occasional trip to the now defunct Harlow track, I also rode the boards at Leicester and Calshot on a BCF training weekend (more about that some other time). So basically I stuck to what was available to me, the pretty standard fair of youth and junior road races, time trials and the criterium circuits which seemed to be far more plentiful than are available to kids these days. So it was back then in the days of black and white.
It seems ridiculous to me now that I only really got to know the fun that could be had on the banking until the day about three years ago when Mr Bark organised our former club’s track day at Meadowbank, suddenly it all came flooding back I’d forgotten loads but with some expert guidance I was soon up and down the boards as if I’d never been away from them. Don’t get me wrong I’m no six day rider but the experience totally re-invigorated me and planted a seed that has grown over the past couple of years through regular attendances at the Meadowbank track league.I had never really considered the track as a possibility partly for the reasons outlined before but coming back to the sport after far too long away, the opportunity to ride on a proper velodrome was too good to be missed and after a few trips through to the capital I found it more and more satisfying and once into the groove found myself becoming more competitive. The benefit of riding the track also helped enormously with my road racing. To me there is no co-incidence that I had one of my best seasons on the road having spent time on the boards.
You only have to look at the line up of the guys on the British team in Copenhagen who took Mark Cavendish to the Rainbow jersey the majority of them came through British Cycling's track programme at Manchester and are endurance track riders. The facility in Glasgow is going to be better than Manchester, it has been designed with riders in mind by riders who have spent the vast majority of their cycling lives in velodromes. I haven't even mentioned that the British Track Squad will no doubt use this facility on a regular basis which will no doubt rub off on the youngsters coming through for the future. It is a fact that you will become a better all around bike rider from getting onto a track. I know I have and it can be done in a relatively short time with the right guidance. I urge you to get yourself and/or your kids onto the Sir Chris Hoy at the earliest opportunity and discover the purest form of bike racing there is.
Because, if a 40+ bloke in less than two years can go from virtual novice to medalling in a British Masters Championship there is hope for us all!
