The Velodrome track at Palmer Park Leisure centre and stadium is a 460m tarmacadam surface that wraps around our athletics track. The Velodrome is over looked by a 780 seat stand which is great for event days. The Velodrome is enclosed by a British cycling approved gate/fence and can be used by both fixed wheel and road bikes.
Cycling at Palmer Park
Learn to Cycle
Learn to Ride
Also known as "After School Cycling" Club - these sessions take place on Monday and Thursday evenings 4pm-5pm, and are for children aged anywhere between 2yrs - 18 years. These are beginner sessions, aiming to teach the basics of bike safety and technique. Games, drills and races are all used in order to grow confidence and teach this important life skill.
Cycling Skills
An intermediate level coached session that develops the basic skills further, introducing elements of track racing and competition, aimed at those that can ride, but are not yet ready to join a cycling club. These sessions take place on Wednesdays 4pm-5pm and are aimed at anyone between the ages of 6yrs-18yrs.
Inclusive Cycling
Join us on a Wednesday morning at 10am-11am for this inclusive and relaxed session with a qualified cycling coach. With a mixture of specialist accessible bikes, we can accommodate a wide range of abilities and people with different needs. Participants will require to have a carer or their own supervision when attending these session.
Advanced Cycling
Advanced coached cycling sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday 8:15pm - 9.45pm. These sessions are open to all, 14 yrs+ , for proficient cyclists looking to learn how to ride competitively on the outdoor velodrome. Road bikes are used in sessions that take place during the Winter Season (September –March). During the summer season (April –August) fixed wheel bike training takes place. Entry into the summer (fixed wheel) sessions, require riders to pass the SQT accreditation. For more information about accreditation, click here.
Lesson Programme
| Day | Time | Level | Age Range | Instructor | Price |
| Monday | 4pm-5pm | Beginner | 2yrs-18yrs | Gary | £4.20 Per rider |
| Tuesday | 8.15pm-9.45pm | Advanced | 14yrs+ | John | £6 per rider |
| Wednesday | 10am-11am | Inclusive/Accessible | 2yrs-18yrs | Gary | £4.20 |
| Wednesday | 4pm-5pm | Intermediate | 6yrs-18yrs | Paul / Gary | £5 |
| Thursday | 4pm-5pm | Beginner | 2yrs-18yrs | Paul | £4.20 per rider |
| Thursday | 8.15pm-9.45pm | Advanced | 14yrs+ | Leigh | £6 per rider |
Cycling Clubs
Our resident Cycling Club, Palmer Park Velo, are the next step for those that have graduated from the intermediate sessions we run on Wednesday afternoons and want to further their skills and interest in track racing and competition. The club caters for all ages between 8yrs-18yrs and have sessions that run at the below times:
Mondays: 7pm-9pm
Saturdays: 9.30am - 1pm
Casual Cycling Sessions
We offer the opportunity to bring your own bike and have a ride around our floodlit velodrome to practice your cycling, in an unstructured session. There are separate sessions for those that wish to bring track (fixed wheel) bikes, and sessions for bikes that have breaks mounted. Sessions are bookable at various times during the week Monday-Sunday, during the morning afternoons or evenings.
Track Hire
The veledrome is available to hire. This Includes:
- Cycling track
- Grand stand seating
- Officials box
- Tannoy is required
- Marguee
For availability and cost please email us at: palmerpark@gll.org
Guidelines
When using the velodrome, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:
- All bookings can be made in advance via the 'Better UK' app, or online here or with us in centre.
- Use the app to check what times are available. Please note, the csaual cycling sessions will only be bookable at certain times and availability corresponds with that shown on the app.
- Private coaching is not permissable on the velodrome, without permission of the manager.
- Sessions will last 1 hour, with 50 minutes on court and 10 minutes of turnaround time to ensure the safety of those entering and exiting the velodrome.
- Bring your own bikes for the casual cycling sessions - bikes are not currently available for hire.
If you would like to find out more about our cycling programme and offers please email us today or visit us in centre.