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Velodrome training

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UK and Europe
Published
8 June 2008
Last activity
10 June 2008
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Peter Scandrett
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  1. Hiya

    Last Tuesday I was doing a gig[1] in the Manchester Velodrome; we were
    doing the event in the middle, putting up a stage/PA/lighting etc during
    the day for the event in the evening. However, during the day the
    Velodrome was being used by various people for practice, experience,
    training etc. It was strangely hypnotic watching everyone go round and
    round whilst rigging!

    It's the first time I've been in the Velodrome and I'm not /that/ much
    into track cycling (just as a casual/recreational cyclist myself) but it
    was interesting watching a bit. I think the UK team were training from
    mid-morning; not being into it I wouldn't recognise anyone if they
    walked into me, to be honest, though I'd recognise some names I expect.
    Nevertheless these people were in UK colours, so I presume it was them.

    Anyway, I just have a bit of a minor question; it was fascinating
    watching teams of the guys warming up and the leader dropping back every
    lap or two, and things like that I understand. However (and bearing in
    mind I wasn't avidly watching as I was working!), when individuals were
    training doing laps their coach was often shouting out numbers in the
    range 70-90; I remember clearly that 82 was called once, for example.
    Does anyone know waht the significance of this number is please? I'm
    guessing it's not mph, nor kmph; neither is it lap time I don't think.
    The only thing I can think of is wheel or pedal-rotation rate (is this
    called cadence)? And if it's that, why is that helpful to know every lap?

    As a pootling cyclist rather than a racing cyclist I must admit that I
    don't really see the appeal of cycling round and round in circles - but
    then again I don't 'get' motor-racing or similar sports either. Anyway,
    it was all a bit different and I suspect if I went to a, er, race day
    with someone who knew what was going on I'd probably quite enjoy it. I
    think we've got another event there in September so I'll go a bit more
    clued-up then!

    Regards

    Peter

    [1] A prayer event, rather bizarrely - I do stage lighting/gig techie
    stuff...

    --
    http://www.scandrett.net/lx/
    http://www.scandrett.net/bike/
    Email: Remove the suffix to reply

  2. Peter Scandrett writtificated

    Quoted message said:

    As a pootling cyclist rather than a racing cyclist I must admit that I
    don't really see the appeal of cycling round and round in circles -

    It's not about the circles, it's about the thrill of the chase. There's
    also a certain satisfaction to be had from pushing yourself as far as you
    can.

  3. Peter Scandrett wrote:
    .....

    Quoted message said:

    Anyway, I just have a bit of a minor question; it was fascinating
    watching teams of the guys warming up and the leader dropping back
    every lap or two, and things like that I understand. However (and
    bearing in mind I wasn't avidly watching as I was working!), when
    individuals were training doing laps their coach was often shouting
    out numbers in the range 70-90; I remember clearly that 82 was called
    once, for example. Does anyone know waht the significance of this
    number is please? I'm guessing it's not mph, nor kmph; neither is it
    lap time I don't think. The only thing I can think of is wheel or
    pedal-rotation rate (is this called cadence)? And if it's that, why
    is that helpful to know every lap?

    While you wait for an answer from someone who knows what they're talking
    about.....

    Although track cyclists often turn the pedals faster than that, those
    numbers do sound like crank revolutions per minute, aka cadence. The rider
    might want to maintain a certain cadence for optimum efficiency.

    Quoted message said:

    As a pootling cyclist rather than a racing cyclist I must admit that I
    don't really see the appeal of cycling round and round in circles -
    but then again I don't 'get' motor-racing or similar sports either.
    Anyway, it was all a bit different and I suspect if I went to a, er,
    race day with someone who knew what was going on I'd probably quite
    enjoy it. I think we've got another event there in September so I'll
    go a bit more clued-up then!

    I don't do it either, but I can imagine the appeal of a smooth windless
    track.

    ~PB

  4. Pete Biggs wrote on 09/06/2008 12:34:

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    when
    individuals were training doing laps their coach was often shouting
    out numbers in the range 70-90; I remember clearly that 82 was called
    once, for example. Does anyone know waht the significance of this
    number is please?

    Quoted message said:

    Although track cyclists often turn the pedals faster than that, those
    numbers do sound like crank revolutions per minute, aka cadence. The rider
    might want to maintain a certain cadence for optimum efficiency.

    Thanks, fair enough.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    As a pootling cyclist rather than a racing cyclist I must admit that I
    don't really see the appeal of cycling round and round in circles -

    I don't do it either, but I can imagine the appeal of a smooth windless
    track.

    I see what you mean, but doesn't the scenery get boring? :-)

    Peter

    --
    http://www.scandrett.net/lx/
    http://www.scandrett.net/bike/
    Email: Remove the suffix to reply

  5. In news:[email hidden],
    Peter Scandrett <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
    tell us:

    Quoted message said:

    Pete Biggs wrote on 09/06/2008 12:34:

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I don't do it either, but I can imagine the appeal of a smooth
    windless track.

    I see what you mean, but doesn't the scenery get boring? :-)

    I find that sheer terror helps overcome the boredom...

    --
    Dave Larrington
    <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
    Beware of the opion.

  6. "Peter Scandrett" <[email hidden]> a écrit:

    Quoted message said:

    when individuals were training doing laps their coach was often
    shouting out numbers in the range 70-90; I remember clearly that
    82 was called once, for example.

    Quoted message said:

    Does anyone know waht the significance of this number is please?
    I'm guessing it's not mph, nor kmph; neither is it lap time I don't think.

    Time per km in seconds would make some sense for a training session. It
    seems rather slow to be cadence. The track's 250m round: was he calling
    every four laps?

    James Thomson

  7. "Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    message news:[email hidden]...

    | I don't do it either, but I can imagine the appeal of a smooth windless
    | track.

    Windless? Luxury - our (edinburgh) Velodrome is open air (until it gets
    demolished to make way for yuppy rabbit hutches - and in this financial
    climate, the decision seems progressively more stupid 🙁 )

    pOB

  8. On Jun 10, 2:31 am, "Dave Larrington" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    Innews:[email hidden],
    Peter Scandrett <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
    tell us:

    Quoted message said:

    Pete Biggs wrote on 09/06/2008 12:34:

    Quoted message said:

    I don't do it either, but I can imagine the appeal of a smooth
    windless track.

    Quoted message said:

    I see what you mean, but doesn't the scenery get boring? :-)

    I find that sheer terror helps overcome the boredom...

    That's the truth. Traveling at 30mph, half an inch from the tyre in
    front, with no brakes and you can't stop pedaling otherwise the bike
    will slam you into the ground. It is a blast and a lot of fun and
    after a few sessions on the track, riding in fast traffic on an A road
    is a walk in the park.

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