Schedule Disappointments / Too many riders on the track / Sharp increase in cost
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
I also ran into schedule problems. I came in for a scheduled Open Riding period only to find out that it had been changed to an instruction period. I was told that I always have to call-in and reserve my slot in advance. So I started doing that. Well folks, I just learned that, even though I had called in a few days ago to reserve a slot for several sessions for a week in advance, my name had been wiped off of each one of them and I had to re-reserve those slots all over again. I can only hope that it was a simple one time human error and that it won’t happen again. I guess I will find out next time I get there.
In the mean time I have figured out which one of the desk folks I can rely on to record my reservations accurately. So I am simply making a point of talking to them when reserving my Open Riding slots.
It also seems that weekend open riding sessions are allowed with more than 10 riders while during the week the limit has been 10. It appears to be a function of which one of the owners is running the show on a given day. I do think that the track is unsafe with more than 10 riders and at least one of the owners feels the same way. So I can only conclude that on the weekends the extra money is more important than safety.
Did you notice the sharp increase in the price of the punch cards? In fact the prices are getting to the point that I may no longer be able to afford going. If that is the case then I can only hope that some of the planned other tracks in the area open up soon. It appears that the only way the price will stay “reasonable” is to have competition. Until then, maybe I will just have to except the fact that riding the track is now a rich person’s sport and I will just have to dress warm again and brave the elements for my winter training.
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Submitted by David on
I totally agree with your first points. I have also showed up for an open ride only to find out it was not actually an open ride. I have also called in to reserve a space but when i arrived at the Velodrome there was no record of the call. The number of riders on the track is a big deal because it is just not safe. I think right along with the number of riders is the ability of the riders. Things get dangerous really fast when you have 10 riders of wide skill levels.
As far as the cost goes I dont think things have changed since early January. The first couple weeks the prices were much cheaper but those changed and have stayed the same. What they dont mention is that if you buy a punch card (6 rides) for $79 the second punch card is discounted and the third is discounted more etc.
I've been doing more the
Submitted by Red (not verified) on
I've been doing more the Classes. Last 6 weeks did the Intermediate Class and a Coached Class. Good thing about them is that somebody is in control of the riders and everybody is on the same page.
The Open Sessions - Depends on who is there. People need to communicate. Did one where we got together and did the same thing. Much safer then people off doing their own thing. Did some where people are trying to do sprints while people are getting off the track. Wasn't pretty...
Would be good to see an "Organized" Open Riding Session - Say, Thursday Night 7 O'clock is "B" Team Pursuit Training or something like that.
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