December might have been unseasonably warm thus far, but you can rest assured, winter is coming and cycling is only going to become more painful in the coming months.
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You can opt to take your two-wheeled training indoors to avoid the cold, or, if the boredom of stationary cycling drives you mad, you can head to a velodrome and really pick up the pace.
Team GB’s success on the track means there are now more options than ever and Ribble Cycles have created a handy guide to the best velodromes in the country.
There are 28 to choose from, including the scene of some of London 2012’s greatest moments – Lee Valley VeloPark in the Olympic Park – and the oldest track in the country – Brighton’s Preston Park. Here are Ribble’s top five tracks.
1. Manchester Velodrome
Home turf for British Cycling, and perhaps the centre where you’re most likely to spot a famous face whizzing around the track, with super-couple Laura and Jason Kenny training there. The National Cycling Centre is also open to the public, with novice taster sessions available. nationalcyclingcentre.com
2. Lee Valley VeloPark
Rekindle happy memories of cycling glory at the London 2012 Olympics by taking to the track where Team GB claimed seven golds. The velodrome is open to the public for taster sessions and there are also more advanced track skills classes on offer. visitleevalley.org.uk
3. The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
Named for Great Britain’s most successful Olympian ever (tied with Jason Kenny), this track in Glasgow is the home of Scottish Cycling. Both first-timers and more experienced riders looking for track accreditation are welcome. emiratesarena.co.uk
4. Herne Hill Velodrome
This iconic outdoor track has been open since 1891 and is one of the most accessible velodromes for the general public. There are sessions for all ages, and Herne Hill Velodrome also hosts more open races than any other track in the country. hernehillvelodrome.com
5. Newport Velodrome
Top-class Welsh cyclists like Becky James, Nicole Cooke and Geraint Thomas have benefitted from using the Welsh National Velodrome since it opened in 2003, while Team GB have headed to Wales to use the track in the build up to the last three Olympics. Taster session for all abilities are available. newportlive.co.uk
Are none of the above convenient for you? Ribble’s created a map, below, of all of the UK’s velodromes. Click the image to get more details on them all on Ribble’s website.
