Your first taster session might feel a bit nerve racking – but it doesn’t need to be. Riding fixed – with no brakes or gears – feels weird for the first few laps, but once you get into a rhythm you’ll find it’s addictive.

What to wear?

Cycling shorts and a jersey are the best option – but some centres are quite chilly, so wear leg and arm warmers, that you can warm up in and then strip off if you get warm. If you’re not into the full lycra experience – that’s absolutely fine – stick with shorts on your bottom half, and wear a t-shirt that know will wick sweat away from your body.

If you’re hiring a bike, there will probably be shoes to hire, too – but check in advance.

What to eat before?

The majority of your time on the track will be technique focused, at a fairly easy pace so you can concentrate, but you might get the chance to put in a couple of higher intensity efforts towards the end. Fuel for this as you would for any other 1 hour ride, with a simple meal a couple of hours beforehand. If you’re worries about lacking energy, take some snacks to keep ‘trackside’ – you’ll return to the centre of the velodrome a few times during the session to listen to the coach so your nibbles will be accessible.

What will happen in a taster session?

Sessions will vary, but if this is your first ride, a coach will probably explain to you how to stop, and how to pedal smoothly. Then, you’ll start with a hand on the barrier, and ride around the flat, blue section of the velodrome. Once you’ve shown you can start, and stop in this way, you’ll be able to ride onto the boards, and be given a chance to try riding higher. When you’re happy with this, you’ll work in a group and try riding in a pace line, and a few other formations.