Les Croupiers Running Club

This post is aimed at all members, particularly those who also cycle in some way - Judging by recent posts on the forum, that should include quite a few of you.

For those of you that don't already know, I am an accredited coach at the Newport Indoor Velodrome. I am currently throwing some ideas around on how I could deliver a session, or series of sessions at the Velodrome, aimed at those riders / athletes who would be having their first go at riding the boards.

This would likely take place in January or February.

For anyone already involved in duathlon or triathlon, this would be a great way of improving bike handling skills and of course speed endurance. There would also be fitness benefits to those of you who concentrate more on running based activities. Aside from the obvious training benefits, this would be a lot of fun and and a good, positive group activity.

Could those of you that might be interested in such an activity please register an interest, either on the forum, or by speaking with me at the club ?

Dominic, you are welcome to circulate this information to San Dom members also. The more the merrier !

Thanks Andrew, will do. Before the 2007 London Marathon I used to do spin at the Newport Velodrome as an ex-colleague is a spin instructor there.

I would love to join in. Have always fancied a go on the track. Great idea.

Are bikes provided? And what about wierd pointy hats? Skin suits? Leg shaving?

me me me me me!!!
(gareth lynch)

To answer Richard's question. Track bikes are available for hire at the Velodrome.

Pointy hats, skinsuits and leg shaving can be addressed at a later date !

Yes please let us know when.

Thanks Andrew. In the olden days (about 40 years ago), I used to ride on the concrete velodrome at Saffron Lane in Leicester. It's gone now of course, no doubt replaced by a shopping centre. Anyway, I'm certainly up for and trying to get back in cycling as the running has gone pear shaped these days. Provided I can shave my legs of course!

Yip, count me in. Have waxed my entire body ready, but I was going to do that anyway.

Yes please, after seeing the speeds that Sir Hoy & co achieve, can I bring my Honda?

Count me in for this too please

Good stuff Andrew. Subject to date and time, I'll try and swap the mud for the wood. Thanks for organising.

Great idea, count me in please.

Thanks to everyone who has posted back so far - I am pleased to see such a positive response to this idea.

Given the high cost of booking the track, I could probably do with a group of 20 riders to keep the individual cost down. It would seem we are about half way there already, which is encouraging. If you can all spread the word, we stand an excellent chance of making this happen.

I hope to be able to give you some more information soon.

I'm also up for the idea - anything on a singlespeed sounds good to me.....

Bit of an update for you all.

The Velodrome is booked up, for evenings and weekends, until the other side of Easter.

Can I please have a show of hands from those who would be able to make a daytime session ?

Duration would likely be 2-3 hours so those of you that might need to take time off work need only book a half day.

I appreciate that this is not ideal and hope that we can still go ahead with these plans.

Yes please, anything to get out of work.
One day back and it's shit.

As long as I get 6 weeks notice - yes please.

Could you arrange it on a wet day. It seems a shame to cycle inside when it's sunny outside.

No problem daytime. Any chance of a list of available dates?

Depends on the date, but in principle count me in. Please choose a day when I don't have lots of meetings scheduled. Thanks.

Daytime should be fine for me, however I will be away for a couple of weeks over the next month or so, so hopefully will be around for it.

I have checked availability with the Velodrome and would suggest one of the following dates :

Tuesday 9th Feb - 0800-1200

Wednesday 10th Feb - 1000-1500

Tuesday 23rd Feb - 0800-1200

Wednesday 24th Feb - 1500-1800

The times shown are those that the council has told me are available, I am not for a moment suggesting we ned a 4-5 hour session, the cost of hring the track would be far to prohibitive. My thought is to hire the track for a 2 hour slot with briefing time either side of that.

I will need to get a slot booked up pretty quickly so if you could all start letting me know as soon as possible what your preference might be, I would be grateful. I will keep you updated as I gather more information.

Everything except the 24th, though at a push fine too.

I'm fine for all of those dates. Would prefer the Tuesdays though.

I am interested but could only do the tuesdays. Thanks for organising this. Love my bike but the idea of a velodrome - thanks to Simons accountsof being yelled at to MOVE, or whatever it is that happens when you dont keep up with the group - put me off the Cardiff sessions entirely. Then again - its not much different from cycling along the Taff trail is it?

ah...I don't get yelled at ;), it's just track etiquette really and only applies to big groups. The last thing you want at 30mph is someone popping up in front of you!

I think Andrew's session will totally different. The Velodrome and Maindy are two different poropositions. The Velodrome is really, REALLY, good fun.

I recommend.