Do you do track?

[alimey]

Hi there

I have done some track - including at Calshot in the UK - it's basically so short & steep that it's like riding inside a wooden salad bowl. Here is the best thing about track - it's not as difficult as it looks. The track doesn't get any steeper, so as long as you are going fast enough (if the tyres are good quality & pumped fairly hard, 12mph is plenty to stay upright), then it's just as easy to ride at the top as the bottom. Just harder on the mind (& of course further to fall downwards). Most people who fall just slide down the track & rarely hurt themselves. I think it's one of the safest cycling disciplines. I also found I got hot & thirsty - chewing gum helped w/ the dry mouth (fear & thirst). Just make sure it stays in your mouth - losing it on the track won't make you popular!

Another thing - track bikes are really cool - not very expensive & lovely & light. Plus you can convert it into a fixie if you want to ride it on the road . . .

[Gowest]

Love riding track. I think the most important thing to learn is track etiquite - how to enter and exit and the track terminology - stick, stay etc. Because you have no brakes this is essential for safety. We also did drills on the track when training - it is like playing games on a bike - island hopping, pyramids, miss n out etc. Lots of great advice in earlier posts - we need more tracks and riders in the US! Riding track also teaches you to be comfortable riding close to others and how to relax on a bike. Have fun!