Mike ManSpread 2 BW6 Columns

"You can get thrown off your bike if you forget to keep pedaling."

Being Wiggo12

Bike Weekly-Being Wiggo

Team GB's cyclists will inspire a new generation. It is becoming a regular, four-yearly occurrence around the UK: the British cycling team collect a clutch of Olympic medals and suddenly velodromes and bike clubs are inundated with interested newcomers. So, if your 12-year-old son or daughter has decided they want to become the next Bradley Wiggins or Lizzie Armitstead – or, indeed, if you fancy your chances – where to begin?

The road to take to be the next Bradley Wiggins or Lizzie Armitstead

Being Wiggo13

It is eight o'clock on a Monday morning and I am here for my first taste of track cycling. The velodrome – part of the National Cycling Centre - is in constant use by schools, clubs, racing leagues and Team GB, so sessions for beginners are usually squeezed in at the start or end of the day. Limited to 15 riders, they are also usually full weeks in advance. I booked the last place on this morning's session a week ago.

I am one of four track virgins. The others in our group have done at least one track session before, and are working their way towards accredited status by practising specific techniques such as slipstreaming and stacking. Our teacher is British Cycling coach John Daly. He's seen interest in the track soar since the thrilling and occasionally terrifying exploits of Team GB at the Olympics.

After a few circuits either side of the black "datum line" – along which all the intermediate track measurements are taken and where the angle of the banking is at its shallowest – I check behind me and move up the boards, nearer to the red "sprinter's line". After another circuit, I'm feeling confident enough to aim above the blue "stayer's line" the next time I hit the curve.

We are introduced to our Dolan track bikes. They have no brakes and a fixed gear ratio that means the pedals will always be turning whether our legs want them to be or not.

British Cycling, the sport's governing body in this country, has around 1,400 clubs affiliated to it, and a facility on its website to find your local one. It recommends calling the secretary of a local club to discuss what sort of things they do, and whether this suits you.

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Bike Weekly-Being Wiggo

It is eight o'clock on a Monday morning and I am here for my first taste of track cycling. The velodrome – part of the National Cycling Centre - is in constant use by schools, clubs, racing leagues and Team GB, so sessions for beginners are usually squeezed in at the start or end of the day. Limited to 15 riders, they are also usually full weeks in advance. I booked the last place on this morning's session a week ago.

British Cycling, the sport's governing body in this country, has around 1,400 clubs affiliated to it, and a facility on its website to find your local one. It recommends calling the secretary of a local club to discuss what sort of things they do, and whether this suits you.

What sorts of cycling can I do?

Velodrome .

......

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