Tonight was the first Tuesday since I sent out the invite last week for people to come and join the track attack. I’m pleased to let everyone know that we had a great turnout tonight with nine SPR crew getting out on the boards.
Tuesday nights is great for beginners. Murray Hall introduced himself to the newbies and within a very short amount of time had them all equipped with their machines for the night. Murray, myself and Robbie (?) the young mechanic in attendance quickly had everyone’s pedals on and seat adjusted.
I took the boys for a roll around the infield while the juniors finished off their training session. We had quick chat and everyone seemed pretty nervous about getting up on the banks. The quickest solution I could think of to put everyone’s nerves at ease was to get them straight up there! So as soon as the track was open I lead the line of nervous newbies up onto the blue duckboard. After a few laps we moved up onto the track and I was really happy to see everyone following me up.
Once you’re up – you’re hooked.
Chris took to the track like a duck to water – straight into it and up high and fast on the Dome. Barely saw him for the rest of the night – gone! Mark H also looked pretty comfortable out there.
There are clearly some naturals among the group. Young Jamie is deadly keen and looks like he’s got the right stuff to me. It’s also going to be very difficult for him to drop his chain on a fixed wheel – a big plus!
Jason took a bit longer to get the feel for the boards – but by the time we finished the night he was smashing around the place like a pro.
From memory the rouleurs in attendance where: Chris A, Jason, Mark H, Jamie, Dan B, Mike the Mountain Goat, Zak, Daryl, Oliver, Dave S and myself. Good group – but I think I forgot someone…
After the introductory laps I handed the newbies over the Murray and Bobby who took them through the rest of the night which included plenty of laps around the top of the track and a few pretty quickly ones too!
I will let the guys comment below about how they found the evening – by the smiles I saw I think everyone loved it.
Again let me extend the invitation to anyone else out there who would like to give track a go. Get in touch and I’ll see you all on Tuesday again.
Cheers,
Toby
0404 545 729
The first time you contemplate getting on the boards is pretty memorable.
I almost didn’t and then loved it.
It’s great training when the weather is crap.
Big thanks to toby for getting us out there is was a great experience that everyone should give a go.
Even though most of us were a tiny bit intimidated by the slope of the track once you give it a go your completely hooked.
Definately the most fun I have had indoors with a bunch of men in lycra in a long time!!
Awesome!
Thanks to Toby, Murray and Bob for their support on the night. It was great to see people looking to share their passion and experience so gladly. It certainly provided another aspect to this sport we love.
Would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to try something different and have a blast at the same time.
Just one warning…this could be addictive and you know what this means don’t you? More bike stuff to buy!
Maybe a few likeminded people (you know who you are!) could look at a group buy somewhere for a track bike. Certainly cheaper that the TT purchase route some people have been going down lately!
how fun was that! Legs were screaming by the end of the session! But worth it
That was a great evening yesterday. I think I went through a whole range of emotions – intimidation (at the sight of the track), nervousness (moving onto the banking for the first time), then gaining confidence and finally exhilaration (swooping down from the top of the bank and gunning it on the straight). The guys were great at getting us up to speed and giving us tips and confidence. A big thank you to Toby for organising the night and for taking us up on the boards for the first time.
I’ll certainly be there again each Tuesday and would encourage anyone to give it a go. What a great way to get some training in on a cold, wet winter’s evening. I’m hooked!
p.s. I see a track bike making its way into my life at some point in the not too distant future! Ainsy, maybe a group buy on those Giant Omnium’s we saw last night? I’ll have a troll around t’interweb to see what’s out there.
Awesome- I had a great night as I am sure all of us that where first timers felt the same way…
Thanks heaps to Toby unfortunately you may have me hooked. A big thanks to the guys that run the track- I believe they are all volunteers, so its great that they have the time for us.
Group buy sounds good on track bikes- but I’m off to Europe next month so will have to wait till I get back- unless of course I see one when I’m over there… 😉 Yes Chris- much cheaper than a TT bike and just as much fun.
I’ll get one more track night in before heading off to work and for $15 including a rental bike you cant go wrong.
I started off the night with coke spilt all through my bag (no not the powder version either) so I thought it was going to start off on a bad foot. By the time I got up onto the track the boys where already wizzing around following Toby. I must admit I was a little shakey the first couple of time around. But after a while it felt great getting up on the boards. By the end of it I was racing around with Toby and another SPR guy ( sorry dont know who you are- but you must be a regualr there) taking turns on the front, I felt like a pro, maybe a little bit to go yet. But it was a great night….
I recommend this to anyone and everyone- $15 is nothing to see if you like something.
SPR track team?? we could smash those girls that were beating us if we had a few more sessions 😉
Good call Mark. The giant Omnium looked the biz.
We know someone has got 25% off the RRP of this so a group buy should get us under this.
I reckon its time to get el prez onto TBE for a deal!
Mark H, here is that Giant Omnium track frameset you are talking about on Wiggle:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Giant_Omnium_Track_Frameset_2010/5360046495/
With my platium prices it’s approx $1120AUD delivered + duty. However buy it when wiggle have a promotion on and you could just scrap under the magic $1k mark. Local retail is $1999
Mino
RRP is 2K for the whole bike. Someone at the track got it local for 1.5
I was hoping we could get a deal locally for the whole thing not just the frame close to the wiggle price
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au is worth a look. there’s a couple of omnium’s and argon electrons on there, at what seem reasonable prices. approx $2k for complete bikes (no brakes though).
Might be interested in giving this a go next week.
Perhaps not quite as good as the Giant but comes in white with a bit of green at $1250:
http://www.principiaaustralia.com.au/p/460216/principia-australia-track-bike.html
Mark we all know that you are going to get one of these
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/frame/2010-cervelo-t3-4114.html
track bike matching your road bike, has to be euro
Go see the guys at Cyclebuzz, Giant Omnium $1250
http://www.cyclebuzz.com.au/d6347-28/omnium-track-2010
Wow – $1250 is a really good price!
Zak – I don’t think I could stretch to getting something like a Cervelo T3 as my wife has just spent all our money on flights to France! Once she heads off I might just nip down to the LBS and get myself one of those Omniums hahaha.
I think someone has already bought a Track bike…. Now who could that be….???? 1 time out there and he is hooked- nice one… 😉
already brought one, geez thats pretty keen. I am just hoping I can set up a bit better next week on the hire bike 🙂
Mark-I think most people could settle for one of the Omniums, I know if I could afford one I would be ride it home from the bike shop as we speak
Sorry boys (and girls)…out of the group buy thing.
Thanks for the tip Hughesy. Couldn’t help myself at that price. Better get some use out of it now I suppose.
Can’t wait to see what euro cool Jason is bringing back from his trip over there!
Ainsy thats awesome! You’re helping to economy no end!
Wow! That was quick!!! What size frame did you get (and were there more there?)
if you go to cyclebuzz, tell simon that you are part of spr. he used to run the group rides way back when they left from that other shop. he still comes out on sundays with us a lot of the time and has his own spr jersey. he will look after you.
Got a small. Took it for a quick spin and the difference over the loaner last night was night and day (it actually fit).
They said they may have had another small at Cyclerama in Cannington but when they checked it was gone. No more track bikes in stock but they may be open to an approach.
The guys in the shop said the problem with the bike was that is was in my size…. they were right.
NIce one mate- and no you cant bring it out with you on the thursday morning ride 😉
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=H0116 😉
please dont show up at the track with that lid unless you are planning on racing Perko Perkins! Brutal bit of kit.
Great looking bike Ainsy… I am jealous..
Why jealous flyingfynn? Is it because you’ll be spending that sort of dough on a pram soon? 😉
If anyone is interested in a Large SPR jersey (Zak?) I have a new one for sale – $95. This is from the latest batch so it has a full zipper, note it has been washed once – txt or call me 0420982695
SOLD