There I was, cycling through Palmer Park, Reading, on me way home from the offie. As I passed the 'velodrome', I 'eard this strange sort of motorey noise buzzin' round me 'ead, an' fought I'd take a dekko.
Well blow me, (gor blimey guv'nor, strike a light) if I didn't see some sorta Moped fings buzzin' roun' the track wiv bokes on bikes followin'. 'Cripes' I finks; better lay off the Special Brew for a while.
On reflection, and being of sound mind, I'm still sure I saw this. The moped thingy riders were actually pedalling, albeit slower than the bikers. What is happening? If you don't hear from me, it's probably because I've been abducted by aliens. Nothing would surprise me now.
There I was, cycling through Palmer Park, Reading, on me way home from the offie. As I passed the 'velodrome', I 'eard this strange sort of motorey noise buzzin' round me 'ead, an' fought I'd take a dekko.
Well blow me, (gor blimey guv'nor, strike a light) if I didn't see some sorta Moped fings buzzin' roun' the track wiv bokes on bikes followin'. 'Cripes' I finks; better lay off the Special Brew for a while.
On reflection, and being of sound mind, I'm still sure I saw this. The moped thingy riders were actually pedalling, albeit slower than the bikers. What is happening? If you don't hear from me, it's probably because I've been abducted by aliens. Nothing would surprise me now.
Dernys. Usually ridden by fat overweight Belgians.
On reflection, and being of sound mind, I'm still sure I saw this. The moped thingy riders were actually pedalling, albeit slower than the bikers. What is happening?
Derny racing (the moped thingy is a derny).
In fact dernysportuk.comdernysportuk.comOpen ↗ (which I had never seen until a few minutes ago and located via Google just to find a decent link to put in this reply) includes pictures from Reading velodrome. The cyclists draft the derny, allowing them to get some speed up before the derny pulls off and they start racing properly. Dunno how long the race typically lasts after the derny pulls off, but I'm sure someone will soon provide the information.
On reflection, and being of sound mind, I'm still sure I saw this. The moped thingy riders were actually pedalling, albeit slower than the bikers. What is happening?
Derny racing (the moped thingy is a derny).
In fact dernysportuk.comdernysportuk.comOpen ↗ (which I had never seen until a few minutes ago and located via Google just to find a decent link to put in this reply) includes pictures from Reading velodrome. The cyclists draft the derny, allowing them to get some speed up before the derny pulls off and they start racing properly. Dunno how long the race typically lasts after the derny pulls off, but I'm sure someone will soon provide the information.
It would appear that there are races where the riders are paced all the way by these dernies. Excuse me if I sound ignorant but what exactly is the point in that? You might as well tie your bike to the tow-bar of a car and race like that!
On reflection, and being of sound mind, I'm still sure I saw this. The moped thingy riders were actually pedalling, albeit slower than the bikers. What is happening?
Derny racing (the moped thingy is a derny).
In fact dernysportuk.comdernysportuk.comOpen ↗ (which I had never seen until a few minutes ago and located via Google just to find a decent link to put in this reply) includes pictures from Reading velodrome. The cyclists draft the derny, allowing them to get some speed up before the derny pulls off and they start racing properly. Dunno how long the race typically lasts after the derny pulls off, but I'm sure someone will soon provide the information.
It would appear that there are races where the riders are paced all the way by these dernies. Excuse me if I sound ignorant but what exactly is the point in that? You might as well tie your bike to the tow-bar of a car and race like that!
Dani
I believe they're also used in speed trials / record attempts, although after the last major record got nailed that might need some serious work to beat.
Gary
-------------------------------------------------- Reply to gary <at> data <dot> mildenhall <dot> com --------------------------------------------------
The race that you describe is called a Keirin (say kayrin, if you say it how it's spelt, it's a Japanise beer). Huge in Japan because betting is allowed. Some of the revenue generated funds hospitals. The race is for 4 laps of a 400m track (in Japan), and riders compete for position behind the derny. At about 1 1/2 laps to go the deny pulls off and first over the line wins.
Pure derny racing where each rider has a derny and is what has taken over from motor paced racing. Big 500cc motorbikes were used and speeds of close to 60mph were common (still very popular in Germany).
Most track riders use derny's or motorbikes as part of their training as it helps to develop the ability to spin bigger gears fast. A big overweight Belgian is a great benefit (pretty much the bigger the better) cos he makes a bigger slipstream for you to follow.
Paul
"Danny Colyer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Keith Wootten said:
On reflection, and being of sound mind, I'm still sure I saw this. The moped thingy riders were actually pedalling, albeit slower than the bikers. What is happening?
Derny racing (the moped thingy is a derny).
In fact dernysportuk.comdernysportuk.comOpen ↗ (which I had never seen until a few minutes ago and located via Google just to find a decent link to put in this reply) includes pictures from Reading velodrome. The cyclists draft the derny, allowing them to get some speed up before the derny pulls off and they start racing properly. Dunno how long the race typically lasts after the derny pulls off, but I'm sure someone will soon provide the information.
It would appear that there are races where the riders are paced all the way by these dernies. Excuse me if I sound ignorant but what exactly is the point in that? You might as well tie your bike to the tow-bar of a car and race like that!
Dani
I believe they're also used in speed trials / record attempts, although after the last major record got nailed that might need some serious work to beat.
Gary
!!! What the (#^&? How do they justify that?
Aside: Why do they bother with pedals on the dernies?
I believe they're also used in speed trials / record attempts, although after the last major record got nailed that might need some serious work to beat.
Gary
This is a pic of the current cycling land speed record (about 150mph+ IIRC)
Thanks all for the explanation. I'm still not sure why the riders were pedalling, though; do they have to? Are the pedals driven or does the motor only keep up with the rate of pedalling?
When I was younger, the Parky would chase you for riding a bike in Palmer Park. Now it has cycle paths, a road, and mopeds on the 'velodrome'. [I can't write the word without quotes - the Palmer Park track was where local schools held their sports days before it was turned into a 'leisure facility' for people to drive to from outside Reading. Mind you, sixteen of us used to live in t' cardboard box in t' middle of A4. Luxury.]
Thanks all for the explanation. I'm still not sure why the riders were pedalling, though; do they have to? Are the pedals driven or does the motor only keep up with the rate of pedalling?
The motor is so small they need to pedal to get the power down, plus it makes a smoother ride for the cyclists if the pacer has to pedal.
I seem to remember that back in the old days (about 1980)when Dave Wall ran the track at Reading, he had a small motorbike which we all would ride behind.
Comparing my memory of that, and my memory of riding behind a proper derny, the rate of acceleration was a lot smoother with a derny.
This is most important with any motor pacing, if the motor were to accelerate too quickly (especially at higher speeds) then the cyclist would have difficulty holding the wheel.
So your thought that the pedalling makes things smoother certainly holds water (but if a fat Belgian were involved, it would more likely be Leffe)
Paul
"Steve McGinty" <stephenmcginty@ntlworld_DOT_.com> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Keith Wootten said:
Thanks all for the explanation. I'm still not sure why the riders were pedalling, though; do they have to? Are the pedals driven or does the motor only keep up with the rate of pedalling?
The motor is so small they need to pedal to get the power down, plus it makes a smoother ride for the cyclists if the pacer has to pedal.
