Hogarth trip down to Calshot Velodrome!
On 3rd Feb 2013, a group from The Hogarth headed down to Calshot to learn the art of track cycling!
We entered the disused army barracks and were welcomed by our instructors who were very patient and understanding of our nervous dispositions. Considering their own accolades of impressive record holders and Olympic participation we were very grateful!
We arrived at the briefing to discover the other non-Hogarth participants all had their own track bikes. We did not⦠(Except for Berj - aka Hogarth tennis coach!). The feeling of dread spread amongst the Hogarth ranks and accelerated when we saw what we were going to be cycling aroundâ¦
The steepest track in the world!
Total fear set in!
After getting settled in our âsea Viewâ dormitories we changed into our cycling paraphernalia. Oli Smallman & Tim Lyes both won awards for their interpretation of appropriate attire! We entered the velodrome to be fitted ONTO our bikes⦠Erm⦠bikes that incidentally had no gears or brakes!
WHAT AN ADRENALINE RUSH!!!!
By the end of the first day we were all riding round the top of the track in group formation. Not quite as fast as Sir Chris Hoy but it certainly felt pretty close!
Check out Tim Wilcockson's pics!
After a deserved dinner in a quaint little pub we went to our warm beds for a good nights sleep. The following morning we enjoyed a full English breakfast (which Chris Juster was later to regret!) and we were all raring to go back to what we had lovingly named 'the igloo'. Whilst off track we were huddling around like little penguins as the velodrome seemed to preserve the cold like a Smeg Fridge.
We became so accomplished that we each had a go at 'The Flying lap' which Chris won. That little extra effort at the end really paid off. Or maybe not!
As the second day came to an end and we had mastered more new skills we agreed we'd had an absolute ball and no one wanted to leave.
Next stop⦠Newport Velodrome!
Please contact Jo or Berj if you would like to join us on our next school trip!