Taking up track cycling is an excellent way to hone your riding skills - but locating your nearest velodrome and wading through the information around bike hire and accreditation isn't always easy.
Riding at the velodrome can bring your group riding skills on dramatically. You’re very often riding close to the wheel ahead, and sometimes in a close bunch.
Since you’re spinning a fixed gear continuously, pedal stroke and power will be developed with some time on the boards. And with a coach always present, you’ll learn plenty about fitness and race craft.
Book in for a taster session then work your way through the accreditation system
Are track cycling sessions suitable for beginners?
Most velodromes operate using an accreditation system. A velodrome accreditation is much like a driving test – a coach will observe the rider before signing them off. Accredited riders will take part in race training sessions, not suitable for beginners.
In the lead up to becoming an accredited rider, beginners will take part in a number of sessions – the first of which will be a taster class designed for complete novices.
During this session, you’ll learn to stop and start on a fixed gear bike before testing your skills out on the boards.
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Taster or beginner sessions are particularly popular for cycling clubs or groups of friends who want to have a go together – there will always be a coach who will tailor the experience to the needs of those taking part.
At the vast majority of velodromes, you’ll be able to hire a bike, shoes and a helmet.
Address: Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JB
Attracting elite riders and high profile events, Derby Arena also offers training and recreational options for the general public. There are specialist sessions for novices, young riders, juniors, women-only, seniors and veterans.
Track league takes place between September and November, with details about the racing posted on the Facebook page here.
Lee Valley Velopark (London)
The 'Pringle', as it's affectionately named, is surrounded by a road cycling course
Address: Abercrombie road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. E20 3AB
Other facilities: Closed road circuit, BMX, off-road trails
The iconic venue of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Lee Valley Velopark is a shining example of that honourable but difficult aim of ‘legacy’.
Accreditation is a four stage process, after which there are a host of 'Race Ready' sessions available. Those preparing for accreditation can also attend drop-in sessions.
Address: Emirates Arena, 1000 London road, Glasgow. G40 3HG
Other facilities: Sports arena, spa, gym
Built as part of Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games bid the track in Glasgow hosted that competition along with a junior world championships, a track world cup and Revolution meetings.
Designed by German track builder Ralph Schuermann it is the only indoor track in Scotland.
Accreditation is a four stage process, after which it's possible to attend a selection of race focused training sessions. It's also possible to book the velodrome out for group events.
Address: Newport International Sports Village, Velodrome way, Newport, South Wales. NP19 4RA
Other facilities: Speedway track
Newport’s indoor track was built as a training venue to keep the budget down, but it is said to be Ron Webb‘s (the worlds most renowned track builder) favourite track. Although the 500 capacity doesn’t allow for major competitions to take place it is well used and track sessions here are booked up months in advance.
The British team used it as it’s pre-Olympic holding camp ahead of Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Newport is also one of the reasons there is a disproportionate amount of talented young Welsh riders in the British track squad.
There's a selection of sessions for seniors, men over 35, women and juniors. Track league takes place in the winter months from October to March. Track league and SQTs (structured quality training) are for accredited riders only. Track tasters for beginners and corporate sessions are available, too.
Address: The National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ
Other facilities: Olympic standard indoor BMX track. Clayton Vale Mountain bike trails.
When the Manchester velodrome opened in 1994, as part of Manchester’s 2000 Olympic bid, it was branded a white elephant, a soon-to-be underused facility that would waste council money. Over twenty years later it is the beating heart of British Cycling’s ascension to the top of world cycling and the self-styled ‘busiest track in the world’. Multiple world and Olympic champions, a Tour de France winner and world renowned coaching and talent spotting setup can all be traced back to this venue.
It may not look like much, and it may be situated in an unappealing part of Manchester, but the recent building work, that includes an Olympic standard indoor BMX track, bigger cafe and light, spacious entrance has improved it no end. Events are regularly run here from the well established Revolution series to World Cups and World Championships.
Manchester Velodrome hosts Team GB, so there are quite a few 'out of bounds' time slots. But it also runs sessions for beginners and intermediates as well as SQTs (structured quality training) for accredited riders - there are time tables here.
Other facilities: Recreational climbing wall, dry ski slope
Calshot Velodrome is housed inside a old aircraft hanger at Calshot Activities Centre. It’s a wooden velodrome but is famous for being just 142.85 metres long – which means the bankings have a 45 degree angle, and the straights are at 20 degrees.
The air hanger also houses a dry ski slope and indoor climbing and there are more outdoor activities on offer as well as the chance to sail along the coast just outside – so it’s a good place to take the whole family.
The velodrome offers taster sessions as well as group bookings and advanced training. It does have a reputation, however, for being quite cold – so extra layers are recommended.
Address: Slades Farm Open Space in Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, BH10 4HG
Other facilities: Public green space with pitches, skate park
Located in Slades Park Open Space in Ensbury Park, Bourenmouth Velodrome is managed by Active Dorset in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council, British Cycling and local cycling clubs.
Annal membership to the velodrome can be purchased for £60 (adult, £50 under 18s) – this allows use of the track at any time outside of planned sessions and entry to track league, which runs from June to August.
Non members can still take part in the track league events, in 2017 this was charged at £5 per event. There’s a wide range of sessions on offer, with information available here.
Address: 104 Burbage Rd, Herne Hill, London SE24 9HE
Other facilities: Cyclocross circuit
Nestled in the residential roads around Dulwich in East London, Herne Hill Velodrome is a 450 metre track with a banking gradient of 30 degrees.
The track was built in 1891 and hosted the Olympic games in 1948. The track is supported by the Friends of Herme Hill Velodrome and Herne Hill Velodrome Trust, organisations striving to maintain it as a much loved venue for present and future generations.
The velodrome crowdfunded to raise money for a new pavilion, built in 2016. It hosts regular training sessions for juniors and adults or all levels, with women and vet only sessions as well as half-term holiday clubs and corporate events.
Track league runs on a Wednesday night through the summer months, and requires race accreditation which is a two stage process - Training and Race Accreditation - the first of which allows you to attend Intermediate training sessions on Saturday morning. Basic skills sessions on Saturday's are available to those preparing for Training Accreditation.
Address: Palmer Park Sports Stadium/Wokingham Rd, Reading RG6 1LF
Other facilities: Athletics stadium in the centre
An outdoor track measuring 459 metres, Palmer Park Velodrome has hosted national events including the British National Derny Championships.
The velodrome was closed in 2002 due to subsidence and disallowed from holding races in in 2015 when it failed a safety check. Training was permitted however and racing was re-allowed following repairs.
Address: Gosling Sports Park, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6XE
Other facilities: Gym, athletics track, fitness, classes, gold, tennis and dry ski slope all managed by Better Leisure Centre group
Early training ground of Laura Kenny, nee Trott, Welwyn’s velodrome at the Gosling Sports Park sits alongside a raft of other leisure centre offerings.
Training sessions are organised by the Welwyn Wheelers cycling club – with track sessions from March until September and cyclocross and road bike sessions in the winter. Details of sessions can be found here whilst info on the summer track league is here.
Email: Form on SCRL site or Brighton and Hove website
Address: The Ride, Brighton BN1 6LA
Other facilities:
Preston Park Velodrome is thought to be the oldest velodrome in the UK, having been built in 1877 though the surface was replaced with tarmac in 1936. It was closed to cycling in 2015 due to safety concerns, but re-opened in 2016 following refurbishment. The track has four straights, of unequal length, and is 579.03 metres long.
Track league is organsied by the Sussex Cycle Racing League (SCRL) and takes place on Wednesday night from April to mid-August each year. There are also training sessions on Saturday mornings and Friday evenings.
Got updates?
Velodrome accreditation, training sessions and track league timings are likely to change. If you're aware of inaccuracies or know that things have changed since our last update, please let us - and everyone else - know in the comments. We'll update this page regularly.
All velodromes in the UK:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Velodrome
Location
Aldersley Track
Aldersley, Wolverhampton
Bournemouth Cycle Centre
Bournemouth, Dorset
Calshot Velodrome
Calshot (near Southampton)
Derby Arena
Derby
Forest Town Welfare
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Gosling Sports Park
Welwyn Garden City
Herne Hill Velodrome
London
London Velopark
Leyton, east London
Long View Leisure
Huyton Knowsley, Merseyside
Lyme Valley Stadium
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
Manchester Velodrome
Manchester
Middlesbrough Sports Village
Middlesbrough
Halesowen Velodrome
Halesowen, West Midlands
The Mountbatten Centre
Portsmouth
Palmer Park Stadium
Reading
Poole Park Track
Poole, Dorset
Preston Park
Brighton, East Sussex
Quibell Park Stadium
Scunthorpe
Roundhay Park
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Richmondshire Velodrome
Richmond, North Yorkshire
York Sport Velodrome
York, North Yorkshire
Caird Park
Dundee
Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
Glasgow
Meadowbank Velodrome
Edinburgh - now closed
Carmarthen Park
Carmarthen
Maindy Stadium
Cardiff
Newport Velodrome
Newport
Tommy Givan Track
Orangefield, Belfast
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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.
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