I am going to the velodrome for the first time ever. Can you give me some advice?

I am a little bit scared, but more importantly, what is the appropriate attire and do you have some general advice? THANKS!I am going to the velodrome for the first time ever. Can you give me some advice?
If you're going to be at the track with some one who is experienced, listen and ask lots of questions. Riding a fixed gear bike on the velodrome is a lot different from riding a road bike--the difference is much greater than the difference between a road bike and a mountain bike or BMX.





It's a good idea to wear cycling shorts and a jersey or some comfortable shirt. Because of the banked surface and the fixed gear, it will feel very different than a normal bike (unless you've ridden a fixed gear before) so you probably won't stand up on the bike as much. As a result, wearing comfortable cycling shorts will help a lot after you've been sitting down for a while on the bike.





Before you even get on the bike, pay attention to how others get on and off the track, and where they ride when on the infield. Because there aren't brakes on a track bike, you need to be aware of where to expect riders so you don't end up standing right where people roll on/off the track and get hit.





If you're not familiar with riding a fixed gear bike, first practice speeding up and slowing down on the bike before getting on the track. This way you'll get familiar with what it's like to ride a fixed gear and control your speed just using the pedals. Do a few short, hard accelerations followed by a quick deceleration until you start to get the feel of it.





If the banking on the velodrome is steep, you will have to make sure that you going quickly and pedaling hard through the turns every lap. It is better to go a little faster than needed than to go too slow on a steep track and slide off the track (it happens--usually someone hits their pedal, then falls and slides down). Just keep pedaling hard in the corners and you'll be fine.





A few details to know. Usually riders stay in the middle of the track when just riding steady--this is the blue line. The bottom of the track (sprinters lane--black line to red line) is for riding fast, so stay out this area unless you're sprinting or riding with a group. Similarly, the very top of the track is usually for riders winding up before a sprint, so stay clear of this area usually.





Once you've got the accelerating and decelerating down, and you can keep the speed up through the corners you'll be able to ride some laps. Hopefully you'll have other experienced riders who can give you tips and let you follow them around so you can learn more.





A couple things you may hear while on the track is ';stick'; or ';stay.'; Those both mean you should keep your current line and not drift up or come down--stay right where you are. By telling you to ';stick'; or ';stay'; riders approaching you from behind can safely go around you without you moving into their path. Sometimes riders try to get out of the way and end up moving the wrong direction, so these commands are helpful to keep everyone safe.





Last tip, look far ahead and not right in front of you. Generally, as you enter a straight away, be looking at the end of the straight. In the middle of the straight away, you should be looking into the turn already. As you enter a turn be looking at the exit of the turn. It takes practice. You will also learn how to pay attention to the riders in front of you using your peripheral vision rather than looking directly at them, and this is a good skill to practice for track or road riding. If you are following a group of riders and you are the 6th or 7th rider in line, look past the first rider so you can anticipate the turns. If you're riding alone or are closer to the front of a group of riders, then use the suggestions above as a starting point.





Have fun!I am going to the velodrome for the first time ever. Can you give me some advice?
i've been to the velodrome in regular everyday attire before haha.. good luck





what gear ratio?