Velodrome training

Peter Scandrett

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...

--
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Mark T

Peter Scandrett writtificated

> 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.

Pete Biggs

Peter Scandrett wrote:
.....
> 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.

> 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

Peter Scandrett

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

> 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.

>> 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/
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Dave Larrington

In news:6b5g1bF3ae2g4U1@mid.individual.net,
Peter Scandrett <prgs-usenet@scandrett.net> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
tell us:
> Pete Biggs wrote on 09/06/2008 12:34:

>> 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.

James Thomson

"Peter Scandrett" <prgs-usenet@scandrett.net> a écrit:

> 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.

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

PoB

"Pete Biggs" <p@pomegranateremovehighlyimpracticalfruitbiggs.tc> wrote in
message news:6b4mcnF39se56U1@mid.individual.net...

| 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