The IRO will probably be fine. Some tips:

- No lights
- No accessories (bells, saddle bags, water bottles, bottle cages, etc...basically anything that could fall off.)
- No brakes
- A gear ratio of 48/16 (or similar) is appropriate for the beginner classes. Bigger and you will hurt. Smaller and you will spin like crazy to keep up.
- Must have drop bars with bar end plugs (to keep from taking core samples of flesh if there is a fall).
- Bars must have grips or grip tape at least on the grip area. No bare bars.
- Bullhorns are only acceptable (and encouraged) for time trials.
- Some sort of foot retention (straps or clipless pedals. MTB clipless may not be acceptable at some tracks.)
- No baggy clothes.
- Helmet. Skate/BMX helmets are perfectly fine and are very appropriate for track racing being that the races are so short. There are elite racers that use skate helmets. These are about 1/2 the cost of a regular road helmet.
- Bike must be in 'good working order' (read: Not Janky)


By the way, I forgot to mention that you guys shouldn't be afraid of crashes. "crash" is such a harsh word and doesn't describe what happens. Most of the time people have a mishap, it's just that, a mishap. People simply slide down the track or have a minor fall, laugh, get up, dust off and start over. Even then, these are rare.

EDIT: shouldn't