Joakley,
To address your concerns:
- Yes, pedal strike is an issue. It is not horrible, but you will definitely have to stay on top of it with that bike. It will bite you on a 45 track if you get lazy. Stay aware and you are OK.
- I don’t find it twitchy at all. On the contrary it is rather a bit slow and needs more manhandling than something that is more directly a track bike.
It's a great bike for a year or two. If you decide you don’t want it any more you can get much of your $$$ back on the used market – that bike has an appeal much beyond the velodrome.
Glad you back in the saddle. Have fun learning the track, I think you’ll have a blast!