On sunday, the EUCC headed down to the Edinburgh Falcons cycle speedway track for a tryout.

There a few things to get used to in cycle speedway. First the bikes have one gear, no brakes, no rake on the forks, and swept back handlebars much like an old style shopper. For a lap or so you are bewildered by the oddly sharp steering, but then you realise it is exactly what is needed for holding full speed through the turns.

Next up is the track, a 30*15m ash surfaced oval, with almost no banking on the turns. This is actually surprisingly grippy, especially with the cyclo-cross style tyres on the bikes.

Lastly there is the racing format. Four riders, two team of two, race a 4 lap race. Points are given out for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th being 4,3,2,1 respectively. So it’s not just a out-and-out sprint, there are blocking and tactics involved.

Despite all the initial culture shock, it’s marvelously good fun, and the stacks are pretty special too.

We will definitely be going back, thanks to the EF lads for the great afternoon.