riding fixed as a gateway to track?
 

I wasn't real interested in track cycling before I rode fixed, but now, I long for a velodrome (nearest is almost 3 hours away). Mostly, I wish I could just pedal my bike and not have to watch out for traffic, potholes, or stop for lights. has anyone actually started riding track as a result of riding fixed on the street?

I've tried riding the track a few times, and quite frankly, it bores the hell out of me compared to riding fixed in the streets. I've always been alone, but I'm sure it would be more fun to actually race someone on the track. I'm recently more preoccupied with distance, time trialing, and climbing. One of these days I may get back to the track, but I just don't have the time to do it all.

I didn't have the slightest interest in riding on track nor watching it until i started getting into riding fixed.

BUT

just as in the sense of running, I was a soccer player for many many years, for the life of me I could not stand to ever run on a track, so boring, so the same.

I have a feeling if i ever got on a track I would have the same feeling, although in the instance of riding on a track it would be a lot faster :D

Actually I had the opposite motivation. The 1st time I ever tried FG was at Hellyer Velodrome in SJ CA.

They rent Lansters for $5/all day. I like it so much that I converted my vintage Nishiki Pro over to FG. That got me to puchase a real track bike, but customized so that it would be good for long rides on public roads.(A Waterford 1700 with 2 water bottle bosses and a drilled fork and cable stops for a rear brake too.)

I am primarily a roadie but I LOVE my fixies too.

Unfortunately the closest velodrome is 4 1/2 hrs away (T-town PA) but I hear that an indoor track is being built in Valley Forge PA.

Track riding build great skills such as sprinting and pacelining w/o brakes:eek:. The interval training is awesome and team pursuits are big fun. If you like FG you owe it to yourself to try riding on a velodrome.

BTW most tracks require you to get some training (provided by them, usually on Sun mornings) before you can take part in their regular program so there is a culture of safety and no "cowboy antics".

people definitely have and a few of them actually keep doing it.

when that valley forge track opens up i'm gonna try it.

five minute ride from my grandmom's house... so i can get points for visiting her and get to hit the velodrome too!

It was the other way for me. I first rode a fixie at the track in a development class.
I got my own fixies after that so I could practice on the same kind of bike.

I haven't really gotten there yet although I've been riding fixed on the streets since 1995 and I live relatively close to 2 velodromes here in LA. I took beginner track lessons at the Encino Velodrome several years back but I never continued with the program. I may one day give it another shot.

And a few of them have turned into damn good trackies, as well.

I want to do more of it. I did a few races a month ago and am really excited to do more when track season comes again. alot harder than it seems but alot of fun as well

I was a cross-country runner, and hated running on a track. My first high end bike was a Novara Randonee, and I did some touring on it with my dad. I thought that velodrome events were boring because nothing went on on the track. After the Novara, I purchased a Kilo TT, and now I know I have the track bug. Now that I know rules and what actually goes into a race, I want to get into it very badly.

I'm hoping to get to Trexeltown on my annual summer trip to the Pittsburgh inlaws. I've also been meaning to try the the old track on Londonderry NH . It looks like fun.

OT; To get out of traffic I ride an old unpaved rail bed on a fixed psychocross bike. Its 18 miles one way with very few road crossings and ATV's are baned. Its great for grinding out some miles without worrying traffic. Just me and my bike.

:)

yeah track biking and track running are very different things.

I wanna get into riding tracks just for the skid contests.

Skid contests? You're kidding right? Skid on the track and people get very pissed off.

No way man, every time I do the no-hands skid salute at the velodrome I get mad props.

yeah, my shop in San Diego only caters to the urban fixed gear crowd and lately i have been hearing a lot of people talking about taking the classes. because of his i decided to reserve an entire track class (20-25 people) just for our customers. it's starts in a week and will be way cool. having the whole class just for our peeps and going out for burrito's and beer after will just make it that much cooler.

You gonna let them do skids? :p

I think type of attitude is why so many of those that do actually make it to a track don't stay.

As long as the folk actually running the class are the regular track coaches there should be no problems.
Any time cyclist see what track riding is really about and adhere to the rules for the safety and enjoyment of all it's a good thing.:)

I'm still a velodrome newbie and wish that the DC area had it's own track.:(

Yeah I'm just saying that the cliquish "I want to ride bikes with people that listen to the same music I do" mentality I think keeps some people who actually do make it onto a track from continuing. I don't think that having a class of all hipsters is better or worse than a mixed class and probably one or two of the people who take the class will actually start riding on the track on a regular basis.

oh dammit you beat me

Question is, will they all show up in spandex?

skinsuit with sublimated distressed denim, studded belt and lame metal t-shirt graphic

rawk