Actually - this is serious speedy cycling stuff and not for the wimps and wusses of the "commute 5 miles to work" types
This is "cycle SPEEDWAY!"
where
Quote:
this is the frenetic sport of cycle speedway where body contact is not only allowed but encourage
This is where cyclists learn how to
corner 
Ian Osborne's piece wrote:
As I hit the first turn I stop my frantic pedalling. I have no brakes
, so I drop my outside pedal and push both my bike and my wieght inot the turn. The tyres gnaw into the fine loose gravel and I feel them gripping. As I reach the apex both tyres begin to loose traction. I slide outwards into the rider only inches away. Our bodies touch and I feel their weight lean inot me. I'm working to keep two poeple upright now To conhtrol the slide my inside foot leaves the pedal and my kneew is getting scarily close to my face . I lean further inwards trying desperately not to make a suden turn of the bars which will make the bike go "squirelly"
No body armour to weigh one down.. but they do wear "lids"
Sppedway are tough sorints of 4 laps instead of the endurance test of other cycle races. Most courses are 60-100 metres.
Have I tried this sport?
and definitely a
experience.
As the C+ guy says
Quote:
In all honesty I was scared to death, and that gravel looks like it could tear off my face faster than I can say "NO BRAKES!
Speedway bikes are "special for the sport" - striaght forks for tight steering and handlebars which look like those on a traditional shopper (which could explain why Wildy
and Kriss like their "shoppers"
)
These bikes do not have .. er - brakes. SO
to using these for a commute ...and they don't have gears either. You have to be dead still before the start and whilst you can jostle - aggression is not allowed.
SPort has been around since the 20s .. but took off more after WW2. Its rules are very similar to the motorised version
There are British, European and World Chamionships .. but as it's "nowty speedy stuff" - rarely gets mentioned in the popular cycling rags and the Grauniad no doubt "disapproves
However, for anyone who really wants the ultimate in speedy matters and the buzz of truly "feeling the speed"
www.britishcycling.org.uk
www.britishcyclespeedway.fsnet.co.uk
www.cyclespeedway.co.uk
But well done to C+ for being a bit "daring"
given the impression one gets of their readers .. ahem ..
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