Background: I raced for three years at Encino and a little at the old Dominguez Hills track in the early-mid 90s. I haven't been back on a track since probably 1995 (unless watching the six days in Copenhagen counts!). I was off all bikes for several years but have spent the last three or four months riding regularly on the road again. I'm nowhere near race shape, just in decent riding shape, but I'm going to get back on the track. I've been cleared to take the advanced class since I used to race and I have some base fitness. The bike has been refreshed and I've mounted new Conti Sprinters, since that seems to be the sew-up of choice.
Anyone have any last minute tips or hints, things to bring, etc, so that I can be prepared for the class and following weekly sessions? I'd hate to show up and realize I forgot something really rudimentary.
I'll probably ride a 50x16, unless someone says otherwise.
Thanks all!
bitingduck
09-22-06, 02:28 AM
Bring a lot of water-- it's pretty dry in there. I can go through 3 liters in a 2 hour interval session pretty easily, sometimes more.
Conti sprinters are fine- I just tried clinchers on the track for the first time and they work (Vittoria Rubinos) but they definitely don't feel like good tubulars. I found a mail order place in ireland that sells the Vittoria Pista Evos for $50 apiece, and shipping isn't that expensive. They're great tires-- I like them better than the contis I've used.
And stop by and say hi-- I ride a beat up white steel Pinarello and wear PAA/Merrill Lynch colors. I'm there a lot (most tue/thu evenings, pretty much all races, and some sundays).
50x16 is also fine, but if you do the interval sessions/motorgame on tues/thu you'll probably want a bigger gear if you want to stay in longer, especially this time of year when a lot of people are peaking.
Ceya
09-22-06, 08:59 AM
First post here, about my first visit to ADT.
Background: I raced for three years at Encino and a little at the old Dominguez Hills track in the early-mid 90s. I haven't been back on a track since probably 1995 (unless watching the six days in Copenhagen counts!). I was off all bikes for several years but have spent the last three or four months riding regularly on the road again. I'm nowhere near race shape, just in decent riding shape, but I'm going to get back on the track. I've been cleared to take the advanced class since I used to race and I have some base fitness. The bike has been refreshed and I've mounted new Conti Sprinters, since that seems to be the sew-up of choice.
Anyone have any last minute tips or hints, things to bring, etc, so that I can be prepared for the class and following weekly sessions? I'd hate to show up and realize I forgot something really rudimentary.
I'll probably ride a 50x16, unless someone says otherwise.
Thanks all!
You must have been there when Rick Denman ran Encino.
S/F,
CEYA!
pieter
09-22-06, 09:01 AM
Thanks! Exactly the kind of stuff I was curious about.
I'm using sewups since that's the set of wheels I still have and they're in perfect shape, and reading the board and asking Roger Young yielded the Conti tip. I'll rub them down with a fine grit sandpaper before the first ride just to get the slipperiness off them.
I don't know how much interval training and the like I'll be doing, at least in the beginning. I have to find my legs first. First session should be the advanced class tomorrow, then maybe I'll be aiming at Wednesday nights after that. When I make it to Tuesdays and Thursdays, I'll say hi definitely. I'm riding a nice old blue Basso, toeclips/straps and all, and will probably have an old LaGrange jersey on.
I've also got plenty of other cogs and rings so if/when I get more fit, I can easily change my gearing. I just figured the 16 is good to re-start with.
Thanks again; great stuff!
bitingduck
09-22-06, 09:39 AM
The intervals are geared towards all levels of rider, from complete noob to people competing at nats-- you separate by ability/speed on the track. They're being run a little different from usual for the next couple weeks with nats coming up (there are a lot of local riders getting ready for nats) but they're still pretty smooth.
pieter
09-22-06, 01:52 PM
You must have been there when Rick Denman ran Encino.
S/F,
CEYA!
Yep. I enjoyed it thoroughly, from Tuesday training, Wednesday motorpacing to Friday racing. I had so much fun there. Over the years, I've gotten the impression that some people found Rick to be a little cranky, but I really liked him and his dry sense of humor. I was cat 4, but he used to let me ride in the cat 1/2 races sometimes on Fridays. I wasn't a factor at all, but I managed to hang in there--barely.
ADT is closer to me now though and I've always desperately wanted to ride a wood track, so now I can!
pieter
09-22-06, 01:53 PM
The intervals are geared towards all levels of rider, from complete noob to people competing at nats-- you separate by ability/speed on the track. They're being run a little different from usual for the next couple weeks with nats coming up (there are a lot of local riders getting ready for nats) but they're still pretty smooth.
Again, great info; thank you!
Your site calendar's a great thing BTW.
Dubbayoo
09-22-06, 02:19 PM
I used to ride East Point 10 yrs ago but I haven't set foot on ADT yet. I plan to this winter for sure.
urbanknight
09-24-06, 01:15 AM
I used to race Encino and stopped around 1996 to focus on school. I do remember I was racing on a 50x15 back then as a junior, and I imagine the ADT should be smoother. I watched the Encino race tonight because I live 2 blocks away now, ran into some old names like Ken Avchen, Alan Bean, Scott (used to ride for UCLA), and Butch Stinton. I worry that I caught the bug again, and the wife is going to roll her eyes.
bitingduck
09-24-06, 07:04 AM
Wait til you try ADT--that's what hooked me again.
sivat
09-24-06, 02:04 PM
I used to race Encino and stopped around 1996 to focus on school. I do remember I was racing on a 50x15 back then as a junior, and I imagine the ADT should be smoother. I watched the Encino race tonight because I live 2 blocks away now, ran into some old names like Ken Avchen, Alan Bean, Scott (used to ride for UCLA), and Butch Stinton. I worry that I caught the bug again, and the wife is going to roll her eyes.
I was there watching as well. There are some quick guys out there. I'm excited to go watch the races at ADT in a few weeks.
pieter
09-26-06, 06:50 AM
Bitingduck -- you're right. That track is incredible.
Everything went smoothly, and it was a thrill, although sitting in for the training races with mostly a bunch of elite riders was REALLY humbling. I thought I was at least a little more fit than that. Oh well. Tuesday/Thursday sessions beckon!
I can't make it tonight but will on Thursday.
I met Dan too and chatted a bit about your site. I'll email shortly.
Thanks guys; what a fantastic track, and how beautiful it was to finally ride on any track at all again, let alone such a gem.
bitingduck
09-26-06, 11:22 AM
Everything went smoothly, and it was a thrill, although sitting in for the training races with mostly a bunch of elite riders was REALLY humbling. I thought I was at least a little more fit than that. Oh well. Tuesday/Thursday sessions beckon!
The fast guys are all peaking right now for nats-- in 3 weeks they'll probably all be in little gears riding reasonable speeds again.
Cleave
09-28-06, 10:39 PM
Bitingduck -- you're right. That track is incredible. Tuesday/Thursday sessions beckon!
I can't make it tonight but will on Thursday.
Thanks guys; what a fantastic track, and how beautiful it was to finally ride on any track at all again, let alone such a gem.
Hi pieter,
I've never ridden Encino but I rode the old 7-11 velodrome a fair amount in the '80s and early '90s. That was a very nice track but can't hold a candle to the ADT Event Center.
I don't race on the track but I do the Thursday night training sessions as often as possible. Been off of the bike for 5 weeks due to an auto accident but I hope to be at the track next Thursday. Will be riding with Roger's group for sure.
Hopefully we can keep this track going for many, many years to come.