Velodrome | NE Cycling Academy

Middlesbrough Sports Village is home to the North East's only outdoor velodrome! Our 250m long state of the art outdoor Velodrome provides an exhilarating riding experience with its 30 degree banking at each end. The velodrome offers regular, affordable opportunities for people to enjoy cycling, thanks to its fleet of Hoy track bikes which are available to hire.

Checkout our timetable to see what sessions you can access. The velodrome can also be accessed during non-timetabled sessions by accredited riders. For more information, contact reception by calling 01642 300777.

Regular Riders

An unstructured One Hour session for regular riders of the Velodrome, or those practicing the skills learned at Accreditation Stage 1 or Stage 2. You’ll be able to either ride solo or form a line of riders on the datum or stayers line.

This session can accommodate Accredited and Non-Accredited riders aged 12+, and is an opportunity to ride steadily and take breaks as required.

We require that you have at least passed Stage 1 of our accreditation process in order to attend this session.

Please note: This isn’t a session for sprint or pursuit efforts, riders should still attend SQT’s if seeking to do these.

Pay & Pedal

If you already hold accreditation then you can ride on the Velodrome during a Pay & Pedal session. You will need to provide proof of your Accreditation to the reception team on arrival at the Sport Village. You can book a Pay & Pedal session at reception or by phoning the Sport Village Reception Team on 01642 300777. They will take payment over the phone for your session. It is advised you call the reception team before setting off for your booked session to make sure the velodrome is dry.

S.Q.T

Structured Quality Training Sessions (SQTs) are for accredited riders aged 12 years or older. They are training sessions that will test your fitness and some sessions can prepare you for various types of racing. For riders looking to structure their training, alongside others. Session offering a workout through structured activities focusing on specific skills, techniques and components of fitness, led by session Coach.

Taster Sessions

If you have never ridden on the Velodrome before, then this is your starting point. On our 1 hour Taster Sessions, Novices riders will be coached in stages on how to access the track safely and ride the track amongst other solo riders. You’ll be given a set of skills to learn by the coach and each rider will have access to a track bike and helmet for the session. Once you are riding confidently and competently solo on all parts of the track, you may want to progress your riding further. The track programme provides a structured pathway to enhance your track skills and fitness.

Accreditation
stage 1

Riders who are able to demonstrate the following skills during the session will be awarded their Stage 1 Accreditation:

• Start and stop safely around the run off area of the track

• Enter and leave the track safely

• Look before moving and demonstrate awareness of others

• Ride in a relaxed and comfortable manner

• Listen and respond to coaches instructions

• Safely maintain speed appropriate to their age category

• Ride on the datum line • Ride on the stayers line • Ride the top of the track solo

• Confidently use of the whole track

On certification of passing Stage 1 Riders will be able to attend the following sessions at Middlesbrough Sports Village:

Stage 2 Accreditation - Regular Riders Sessions

Accreditation
stage 2

Once you have passed Stage 1 and you are riding confidently and competently solo on all parts of the track, you may want to progress your riding further to Stage 2 which begins to incorporate group riding. Riders who are able to demonstrate the following skills during this session will be awarded their Stage 2 Accreditation:

• Enter and leave the track safely as a group

• Follow closely the wheel in front with no under lapping

• Ride safely in a line of riders on the datum line, changing every half lap

• Ride safely in a line of riders on the stayers line, changing every half lap

• Changing in pairs every lap / every half lap on the stayers line

• Perform through and off on the stayers line

• Perform lumps and bumps activity

• Perform stacking exercises in groups of 4 or more

• Weaving / Threading the Needle

• Competent riding clipless pedals and cleats.

On certification of passing Stage 2 Riders will be able to attend the following sessions at Middlesbrough Sports Village; - Stage 3 Accreditation - Regular Riders Sessions

Accreditation
stage 3

Riders who are able to demonstrate the following skills during this session will be awarded their Stage 3 Accreditation:

Hide and Seek Observation in Pairs
Ride within a chaingang on stayers line (Min 15mins)
Maintaining half lap gaps in groups
Take half laps, from a steady paced line, on the stayers line
Perform a controlled 12 lap mock scratch race with steadily increasing pace until four laps to go when group is free to race.