youngbeginner

I have recently found out that there is a twilight series at Kissena on Wednesday nights, and because I am completely free wednesday afternoons, I figured that I would try to make the series. One slight issue: I don't own a track bike. I figured not too many people do (although I could be completely wrong), so I was wondering if there was a place where people like me could rent a bike for the night or races. I am 16, so it would be preferable if I could rent from this place with just a parent signature and then bring down the signed waiver to the track, although that is not a necessity.

Also, and on a completely separate note, I have never raced on a track before. How do the races work? Is it easy to pick up? And is there possibly a clinic or lessons of some sort available to learn that?

Thanks for any answers, although the top one is the most important.

queerpunk

Ask around here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/350464568560/

noglider 

Kissena holds clinics. I went to one led by Pink Rhino Racing. It was very informative, and the people were very gracious and generous.

I'm racing most Wednesday nights now. This is my first year at it, and I'm having fun.

You need a USA Cycling license. Buy an annual license, because a one-day license isn't a good value.

Sign up for the race you want to in advance, at bikereg.com. You can not enter your name when you get there. You must do it online.

Racing starts at 6:30 promptly, so arrive early. Racing ends at sunset.

The officiants are Alan and Karl. Very nice guys, but they don't have much time to chat. Thank them and smile and move on if you have to ask a question.

noglider 

As far as I know, they loan bikes, they don't rent them. In other words, there's no extra charge, as far as I know.

youngbeginner

Do you own your own?

Also, I do have a license now, so my parents don't have to be there to sign the waiver, although I lost about $60 dollars this season to one day licenses, but what the hell...

Do you remember what day the pink rhino racing clinic was?

And finally, for travel, I live in mid-Westchester, I know I will take the train down to Grand Central, but which subway or bus should I take from there? Would it be better to just take a cab? Thanks!

Baby Puke

The internet: Kissena Velodrome

youngbeginner

I looked on the website, but did not see anything about renting bikes.

gl98115

https://www.kissenavelodrome.info/inf...ightSeries.pdf

There's an email address for the guy running the event. He would be a good guy to ask questions.

youngbeginner

I emailed him over a week ago and have not received a reply, so I turned to this website, so as to get an answer before this next wednesday, so that I don't sign up and go down there, only to not have a bike to race on.

700wheel

I would be very surprised if you can race without a parent present to sign your waiver. All six velodromes I use require a parent for under 18s (a liability/insurance thing)

youngbeginner

Ok, Thanks, I'll look into that, but I was told by a member that i could do that, and I emailed the race organizer about the possibility, although I am still yet to receive a response.

noglider 

@youngbeginner, what size do you need? I could loan you my bike.

But do take care of that parental waiver. I was there when one rider didn't have one, and the officiants were entirely firm on not letting him ride.

youngbeginner

Does my parent have to be present at the race to sign the waiver, or can I just print one off the website and bring in the signed waiver?

Also, I have absolutely no idea what size I would need. I am 5 11 but have long legs. I can check my road bike frame size if that helps.

youngbeginner

I am either a 52, 54 or 56, not really sure. On my bike it says medium (because Giant is so explicit) and I measured it getting 53.4 cm. That being said, the bike has a slightly downward sloping top tube, so to a parallel mark it is actually 54.8 cm.

Kayce

Thats exactly why Giant goes with things like Medium.

noglider 

Sizing bikes small medium and large is a new trend, and it's not entirely a bad thing. The fact that they can make fewer sizes for all customers saves them and the customer money. Sloping top tubes look weird to traditionalists, but they're fine.

youngbeginner

So in any case, does the sizing work or not?

noglider 

Yes, it works. Seatposts are longer than usual, to compensate for the lower seat lug.

MarkWW

Loaner bikes are available, first come first served. Bring your own pedals. They're usually geared pretty low, so I'm guessing you could get past junior roll-out with them.

As far as I know, bringing a waiver pre-signed is fine.

youngbeginner

Thanks a ton, that was all I needed to hear.
I will hopefully get there on the 14th