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The oldest of all the indoor tracks, certainly in terms
of venue, is Calshot, a small village near Southampton (South
England) that hosts a major activities centre complete with indoor
cycle track. Its the only indoor track in the South of the country
and has riders from as far afield as the Midlands travel down
to it.
Because its in a village means that getting to it is usually
quite simple. When I went to it recently, travelling from Warwickshire
to it in around two hours, it was mostly motorway or A roads all
the way to the front door of the velodrome.
The track, probably the least used of the three indoor ones,
is used by a wide range of people from novices to internationals
and anyone wanting to learn to ride the track, this is quite ideal.
Ride Calshot many say, and you will find the rest no problem!
Getting There
The Calshot Track is in the Sunderland Hanger at the Calshot Activities
centre. This centre (near Southampton, Hampshire) is one of the
largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in Britain and is run by Hampshire
County Council. Calshot offers residential and non-residential
courses. Situated in a unique position on the shores of the Solent,
historic hangars accommodate a state of the art climbing complex,
the the Calshot Velodrome and a dry Ski Slope.
By Car
Junction 2 off the M27 (which leads to the M3), travel towards
Calshot on the A326 (Fawley) and after a few miles you will come
to the brown tourist signs for Calshot Activities Centre and Castle.
Car parking fees are not applicable to those attending races.
If you are stopped at the gate, explain you are going to the velodrome.
By Rail
Nearest mainline stations are Southampton Central or Brockenhurst,
both approximately 16 miles away. It may be possible to pick up
groups by prior arrangements with our Bookings Staff. Telephone
0845 7484950 for further information on train times.
By Bus
Up to date information is available from Solent Blue Line, generally
one bus per hour. Pick up may be possible from the bus stop by
prior arrangement with our Bookings Staff. Telephone 023 8061
8233 or 023 8022 6235 for further information on buses.
By Taxi
A to B Taxis 023 8022 3450 Approximate one way cost from Southampton
�20-�25
Calshot Winter Track League
The Track League runs from October to February. Run under British
Cycling regulations and will appeal to riders with experience
of the track who are looking for the opportunity to compete indoors
during the winter months. Sue and Tim are at Calshot from 12.30
onwards every Sunday afternoon between now and Sunday the 1st
of February. The times the schedule differs to this is for Xmas
-- dates as yet have not been announced.
Race meeting starts at 1.30pm and runs until between 3.30 to
4.30pm depending on how many riders they have. The afternoon�s
programme consists of Sprints, Distance Races, Points, unknowns
for the seniors along with handicaps included for the youth riders.
They tend to have a standard programme that gets mixed and matched
depending on how many riders turn up as they can only have a small
amount of riders on the track at any one time. For more information,
call Sue or Tim Knight on 023 9264 2226 email: susanknight@bsca.fsnet.co.uk
or
click here.
CALSHOT FAQ's!
One of the sports hardest working families are the Knights (Sue,
Tim and son Anthony). Without them, there would be a major hole
in the racing program in the South of the country. Sue and Tim
also run the Winter Track League at Calshot and have sent me answers
to a questionaire that I emailed them. My thanks for their help.
Q: Where do I park at the velodrome when I get there?
Sue: There is a Car Park Adjacent to the main hanger, and there
is no charge when taking part in activities at the centre.
Q: Is there a specific door at the velodrome do have to use
to enter when I come to ride the track?
Sue:No, there is only one entrance into the main Schneider Hanger,
and then entrance to the track is gained by using the stairs to
the track centre. If the gate is locked then enquire at reception
for training or the arrival of the organiser (Sue or Tim) for
the racing.
Q: Who do I see when I arrive before going to ride the track?
Sue: For Training, it will be either reception or the Coach/Hirer
of the Session. For racing it will be Sue or Tim in the Track
Centre.
Q: What do I need to bring with me to ride the track? For
example, any special clothing (helmet?), are there rules about
my bike and so on? Length of cranks, tyres, etc.
Sue: Requirements for the track; 165 cranks or 170 with a Manchester
Spec Bottom Bracket (Higher than a normal track frame). Tyres
with a file pattern on are required (no slicks). Maximum gear
for the track is 84, but most find 81 easier.
Q: What sort of clothing will I need on top of my racing
kit?
Sue: A rider will need to ensure that they bring layers of warm
clothing, as it gets cold between events during the racing. A
chair, as seating in the centre is limited and it isn�t advisable
to sit on the floor when it� cold in there.
Q: Can I ride a road bike on it?
Sue: Road Bikes cannot be ridden on this track.
Q: Is there somewhere to shower and change at the velodrome?
Sue: Yes there are showers available in the same hanger
Q: Can I bring food and drink with me into the track centre?
Sue: Yes you can. ALso note that there are machines with cold
drinks and snacks by the bar which serves hot meals and drinks.
Q: Can I bring a partner or friend with me to watch from
the stands?
Sue: Yes.
BEGINNERS/TRAINING
Q: When can I train on the track to get expereince on the velodrome?
Can I book the track for a private session for example (how much
approx.) and if I bring a coach, do they need any special accreditation?
Sue: Calshot Activity Centre run various Taster sessions at the
track, and they have weekly training sessions on a Tuesday ( Novice)
and Thursday (Experienced). Theses can be booked through the Centre.
Other Clubs/groups can book the track out for sessions, but they
must have a qualified coach present, who has been accredited by
Calshot. The Track is also available for hire by a single rider,
but they must have one person with them in the track centre at
all times (Calshot have a special rate for solo rider use).
Q: Does the velodrome have special coaching sessions for
beginners like me with a coach? If yes, how much do they cost
(approx.)?
Sue: Yes, they have taster sessions (normally one per month?)
during the winter �8 � 11 depending on whether you hire a bike.
Then you can progress to their structured coaching on Tuesday
and Thursdays.
Q: How long does it normally take to get used to riding the
track before I can start racing?
Sue: Between 2 � 4 hours
RACING
Q: Can I just turn up and compete in a track league, signing
on on the line, or do I need to have ridden the track before?
Sue: Competitors are always welcome for the track League. Riders
do have to have ridden the track before or show competence that
they can
Q: What's best for warming up, rollers or a turbo?
Sue: This is riders preference, some use a road bike on a turbo
but most use a set of rollers.
Q: How much does doing a winter league cost per meeting?
Sue: The League costs �10 affiliation and �7 per meeting (�5 &
�3 for the U16�s)
THE BIKE
Q: How do I know what sort of gear to ride on a track?
Sue: The builder Ron Webb suggested a maximum gear of 84 (50 x
16) but many riders have found the ideal gear for Calshot to be
about 81 (48 x16) although the actual gear is personal preference
(you have to be able to handle the bike safely with the gear that
you prefer).
COACHING
Q: Coaching -- Who I do I see to get some coaching on riding
the track? Can you give me some names and contact details.
Sue: The Taster sessions. Tuesday and Thursday Sessions are booked
through Calshot Activity Centre 023 8089 2077 or www.calshot.com
There are often Sessions advertised on the British Cycling website
or in Cycling Weekly that are asking for extra riders to make
their numbers up. Tim Knight can also advise.
USING CALSHOT
There are various options for getting onto the track at Calshot.
Here are some (see the Calshot
website for latest details as they are likley to change):
HIRING THE TRACK
Individuals can hire the track for �23 plus VAT per hour (023
809 2077). Note: You will need to be accompanied by a coach appointed
by the management of the velodrome or you can hire some one like
Tim Knight on 023 9264 2226.
Calshot General Enquiries Telephone: 023 8089 2077
GETTING A TASTE OF RIDING ON CALSHOT FOR ONLY �11
Excellent fun for people wanting to try the track out for the
first time. You will progress at a pace suitable to you, allowing
you to learn the basics and get a real sense of achievement from
the session. All equipment is supplied.
Monday evenings, 7.00�8.30pm �11 (Adults only)
Booking
Code Day Date
CTT3 Monday 10 November 2003
CTT4 Monday 15 December 2003
CTT5 Monday 19 January 2004
CTT6 Monday 9 February 2004
CTT7 Monday 29 March 2004
GROUP RIDING
For those cyclists who have had a taster session in the last 12
months and would like to be introduced to riding the track with
others. The aim is to bring riders up to the level required for
the Tuesday 'race training' sessions. The first session will be
learning to ride in close proximity to others and the second will
look at some advanced drills.
Two week course 7�8.30pm �20 (Adults Only)
Code Day Date
CTG1 Monday 3 and 10 November
CTG2 Monday 5 and 12 January
CTG3 Monday 23 February and 1 March
RACE TRAINING
This provides an exciting introduction to track racing and training.
As well as being fun these sessions will increase fitness, build
strength and endurance, increase leg speed, improve bike handling
skills and much more. Ideally for riders with track experience
though fitter cyclists who are new to the track can also be accommodated.
These sessions must be booked in advance.
Once again we are running two sessions a week. Tuesday is aimed
at less experienced (and/or less fit!) cyclists, whilst the Thursday
session will be run as a more demanding session. Cyclists can
attend either or both but need to be aware of the main emphasis
of the particular session.
Sessions will run from 7 � 9pm and commence from October 7th
2003, please ensure you pre book to avoid disappointment. �8 per
session with own bike, �10.50 including bike hire.
CLUB TRAINING
What better way to spend some time in the winter but learning
how to ride the track before next summer comes around. The velodrome
is available for hire for club training sessions on both evenings
and weekends. You may bring a cycle coach or arrange for one of
the centres.
FOR ALL THE FAMILY YOUNG AND OLD
Excellent fun for all the family wanting to try the track out.
They supply bikes, helmets and coaching. You will progress at
a pace suitable to the group, allowing you to learn the basics
and get a real buzz from the session.
Monday evenings 7-8.30pm Adults �11, Children �7 (Minimum age
12)
CTF2 8 December
CTF3 8 March
These sessions must be booked in advance.
WEBSITE: http://www.hants.gov.uk/calshot/cycle.html
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