Rookie Track Racer, actually Rookie 53 year Old anything Racer who thought track would be safer than Road racing. HAHAHA, the truth is at least the finish line is not that far away.
Moved up to Cat 4 and can now race 4/5’s or Masters which may or may not happen based on attendance.
I race on the famed Kissena Velodrome which is 400m and asphalt with a turn 4 sprinters lane that can pop your knees up into your throat.
I do want to give a shout out to the PINK RHINO racing team who gave the ONLY men’s specific intro clinic in several years. They also paid for our 1 day licenses. Thanks guys and the clinic was well done. FYI, that was the first time I have ever been on a fixed gear bike.
Kissena does hold several women specific clinics but sadly few show up after for track races. I am sure the road race schedule conflicts and it can be a bit of a hassle to get to.
Races are Wednesday nights and I have been to 11 of 13 of them.
I’m a strong looking shy of 6 feet 205 lbs but am learning to kick in my fast twitch muscles. I ride about 8500 plus miles a year between long 100 plus rides and a 45 mile commute.
Race Night 7-25
What can In I say, THE WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL.
Finally Not Hot, Not humid, Just right with pretty calm winds.
I had hoped that this week I would finally join the Masters races as the pack there can be 5-8 riders but due to the Nationals the schedule excluded them (even though 6 were there). Oh well, back to the 4/5’s and about 13 of us this night.
Schedule had us 5th of each group of 3 segments of races with a short break in between each but that did not happen as the weather was great so every one was in good condition from the weather. FYI, there is NO shade in the track and rarely people bring tents or similar.
Schedule for us was
Points with 3 sprints 9 laps
Chariott
Scratch 10 laps
I was ready to do my best and try to start closer to the middle to front of the group except by the time the rail finished lining up I was about 10 of 12, not an issue, but I just could not squeeze through while we were in Neutral.
Whistle blew and off we went and I cranked it on hard to try to get up into the mid group by the time we would come out of turn 4. I was pretty successful from the outside to move up but the front was starting to break away as they were in a pack of 4 and I had to work the track by myself passing people.
Nearing the first sprint finish line I had moved up to about 6th and my chest cold was really burning but I said screw it, I got to get some points. No points in Lap one but 2 more sprints to bring home some bacon.
Going into lap 5 I saw a group of 3 in the front and 1 behind them so my goal was to catch that guy and ride his wheel. I zipped around him at turn 3 and sprinted to the finish line but he nipped me by a wheel. So here I was in 6th and thought I was in 5th.
After the race I learned that there was some young kid ahead of the 3 pack in what I thought was the front pack.
The rear group was way behind me so I figured to just crank away hard and ride this guys wheel for the next 2 laps and then make my move around..
On the Bell lap I planned to hook around with 200m out and sprint my fat butt into the finish. He had other plans as we were about 250 meters out he started to get out of the saddle to accelerate and I knew I would have to start a bit earlier and leave him in the sprinters lane.
Either way I took my opportunity and took it around locking him in the sprinters lane and took the line. As I stated earlier, I thought I got some points for 4[SUP]th[/SUP], but it turned out to be 5[SUP]th[/SUP]…ZIPPO, oh well.
Lessons learned?
a) I have to trust my speed and get into the front half earlier and keep my position there moving ever forward.
b) Trust my endurance and not worry about blowing up early. I believe at this time my endurance races will serve me better.
c) Get some people to work together with in the race and share pulling etc. I was alone the whole time.
d) Maybe upping my gearing to 49/15 on Long races, Now at 48/15 (this is about right for this track).
e) If this was 12-15 laps, I would have had those suckas. Okay maybe not but one can dream.
Charriott sprint: I was at the rail, not a good position but figured I could use the incline in turn 1 and 2 to my advantage.
I sprinted standing through turn 2, maybe should have stayed up longer but the first 3 were out there and I overtook the other guy in turn 2, so I came in 4 of 5.
Not bad, but the top 3 went to the finals.
Lessons learned?
a) Short sprints are not my thing…today. I need to become more explosive. I am getting faster but this train takes some time to crank it up.
b) I think longer sprints may prove workable such as Kilos and TTT 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] position
c) It takes me a bit longer to get up to high speed, but once I do I am a player
Skipped the scratch race as I had to do some errands.
Robert