First track experience and at DLV
 

So, I took the weekend beginner's course at Dick Lane Velodrome in East Point, GA this past weekend. A big huge THANKS to Brian and Tim for putting this on. For those of you debating about the track...STOP! This is greatest thing ever!!! I've raced cars, motorcycles, and every other form of cycling and NOTHING compares to the track.

My wife and I drove down from Huntersville, NC Saturday morning. Class was from 2-5 Sat and Sun. At the start of class we had the "classroom" portion going over track markings, rules, etiquette, and such. My guess is that lasted approx. 1/2 an hour. Then we headed down to the track. After warming up we made a few laps to get used to riding on the track. In between on-track exercises we'd stop and go over what we did and what was next. Day one consisted of learning how ride the track and banking, working on pacelines, riding side by side, passing, starting off the boards, and such. After class we headed back to the hotel. It was time to eat! One thing I did notice, having not ridden much at all over the last year or so, my legs were sore. Haha!

Couldn't wait for day 2 to start. Got to the track and got ready. Got to finally meet Carleton. Great guy with a ton of knowledge. He also hung out during the class and taught my wife a ton about track cycling. :thumb: Thanks again man! So, day 2 was going to be more involved. Straight on the track. We started by warming up. First drill was more pacelining in groups of 4. Then we did a drill bumping elbows and shoulders to build some comfort on the bike. Next up...the Flying 200. Following that, we did some race simulations: 3 person match sprints, and then a couple scratch races: one we were told how many laps the race was and the other we were told how many laps to go at a random time. The weekend was incredible and I was definitely spent on the drive home.

I can't recommend enough to try and go down for the weekend class if you can. Believe me, it's well worth the drive and experience and I can guarantee I'll be going back to DLV soon enough to jump into some of the Saturday races. Today is day one of three of my on-track clinics at the Giordana Velodrome here in Rock Hill, SC. Can't wait!!!

Congratulations Pantani98! :thumb:

Glad you had a great time! Come back and race with us!

That's a given! I'll definitely be driving down for some Saturday racing and plan to show up for a few of the weeknight races.

Oh snap, you met THE Carleton.

He told me to shut up and go to the track, and the only thing I regret was waiting so long to do so. I need to start racing soon. I'm worried that I'm just way too slow.

Carleton speaks the truth. There always has to be someone at the track who is the slowest. But the sooner you start racing, the sooner you won't be that person. :thumb:

sounds like fun. I live only a few miles from it and have never been...

Where to start...? Yes, I met THE Carleton. Haha!!! At this point I'm so in love with track cycling I'm blamed my addiction on him. Seriously, he's a super nice guy who has answered every one of my million questions without giving me crap. Also, don't let his avatar fool you. The man is a beast!

Jaytron, even though we don't race on the same coast, don't be afraid to be the slowest guy. I know I'm just learning and was off the bike for a year and just starting to work on fitness. As competitive as I am and as badly as I always want to win, just being on the track is a great thing. I can't wait for my first race, regardless of where I finish. I've definitely started pushing myself more and more, getting back in the gym and getting back on the bike. I can't explain how much I love being on the track. I only wish I started earlier, but at least I'm doing it now (at 43).

Viaam4ever, you need to get over there. I will say this. That was my first time on the track and don't live in the area, but there isn't any territorial issues with anyone at DLV. Everyone I met will stop what they're doing to help and answer questions. My wife went with me for the weekend and stuck it out through both days at the track and loved it. She ended up hanging out with Carleton and Jon (can't remember his last name) on Sunday. They explained things to her, pointed things out, and were just genuinely nice. Jon even made jokes about being the peanut gallery. I'm already looking forward to going to back to DLV to race and even more to meet and talk with everyone. I can only hope that as Giordana gets rollin' they have the same atmosphere as DLV.

And no, I'm not a spokesman for DLV, I just had a great experience there. I was even sporting my new DLV t-shirt at my daughter's softball tournament today. Everyone kept asking, what's a velodrome. LOL!!!

DLV is a pretty friendly place. That seems to be the #1 comment that guys from other tracks say.

I thought it wouldn't be sold out and it was... next time I'll PRE-register. I'm a fool. I also live up the road in Duluth.