Kol.klink

Just go ride one they really are not that big of deal, To be competitive is another story, but you gotta ride in them to get practice to be competitive, so just ride them as often as you can. Get some!

NYCJAZIE

I like this quote alot. ; )

filtersweep

apparently no one is addressing the "velo" racing, maybe because it is a little vague--- you mean at the track? Take a class.

dogpound

agreed.
I did a clinic this year and it was awesome.

shapelike

Meh, I've showed up to one alleycat (small local one) and everyone but one guy was totally cool. I'd say show up w/a friend who's about the same riding ability as you and ride together if you don't know anyone else. It'll give you someone to laugh with about ****ing up the checkpoints and whatever bizarre crap the race organizers throw at you (plus the combined effort of two non-messengers will help make of for the lack of street knowledge). Failing that, call one of the members of N.W.A. - they're pretty good w/ that street knowledge jazz I keep hearin' the kids go on about.

[904]

I was going to run checkpoints at my local, but got sick as I rode up and wound up sprinting to the nearest 7-eleven...

Anyway, it's good to have every street, alleyway, and two-sided driveway burned in the back of your mind. It's also important to know how to get out of a sticky situation. I've been racing for fun with some friends and wound up getting boxed in. going around 30 so you don't get squished is enough, but keeping one hand in the wheel well of the bus? Not as easy as it seems.

Don't expect to win the first few times.

pittmatj

Be prepared to chug cold spinach.

Idioteque

or you could sell your beloved fixie, get a road bike, and participate in real sanctioned races that don't involve giving cyclist a bad name and putting yourself at high levels of brain damage. Sure it takes skill, more skill than a road race or a crit, but that kind of crap should probably stay in grand theft auto games.

crissfyah

LOOK!!! PENGUINS! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

macka_fat

Revolution Smmr

haha, the language filter doesn't speak HARBL

Idioteque

dayumn, no one ever dedicated a jpg in my honor, <3

goldenskeletons

idioteque, i HIGHLY recommend you meet up with the boston crew and ride their halloween alleycat this year.

seriously. it beats sitting at home playing grand theft auto.

[904]

Or you can keep the fixie, get a roadie (no spandex, please), AND race BMX every saturday, AND ride between counties on sunday to go do (sugar sand) trails, or ride 16 miles to the beach. Don't forget learning trials, either. Or, to top that off, run for cross-country.

More than one form of the sport can coexist whether or not it has rules.

Idioteque

Nay, i'm terrible at being aggressive when it deals with haphazard city traffic bull****.

Looking forward to some road races this spring though!

and what's wrong with spandex

TRaffic Jammer

Git outside.... ride hard, have fun, drink in a fish like manner, rinse and repeat.
Rode my first two alleycats @ 41 .. almost 20 years after retiring from messing, both top ten finishes. But damn it, just have fun with it.
I too need to get mine to a velodrome.

[904]

From comfort to sperm count.

Actually, I see little difference from those and tight (not girl, see above) pants other than having to change when I get anywhere.

I have no problem riding with a 54.7 gear ratio 70 miles a week in baggy pants. I just roll them up.


Unless someone can show me they are any different, I would actually race in them but otherwise, I am contempt passing roadies in a bmx with baggy shorts, wide handlebars, and an overweight backpack. I am also 6'4".

TRaffic Jammer

Spandex sure slides over road much nicer than say cotton or denim.
I gots no issues with spandex.

[904]

the only problem I have with velo and road is that it gets boring to me. For as long as my adrenaline is flowing, I haul but doing laps on a track, or riding some predetermined track (bmx excluded; things can get real messy real fast in mid-air)? Just not as appealing.

Maybe if I actually use speed instead of guts, I would be different.

I am always open to try new things, though.

[904]

I was just thinking that. Maybe on rides longer than ten miles it would be okay for me.

TRaffic Jammer

I'd think the speed and proximity of the other riders on the track would give you the adrenaline rush. Things can get wicked messy on a track reeeaally quickly too. Road I could see getting boring possibly in a looong race. Do some fast crits somewhere, that'l keep your attention.
If you really need the rush though... go rip up downtown city traffic for fun ..that'll get your juices going. Then for more.... race in traffic. woohooo! I hear ya though I haul when the adrenaline IV is drip drip drippin' when I bend traffic, but I do slow down once the road opens up it's vast expanse.

[904]

every friday!
I try to get as tech as possible, but geez. Why must people slam on their brakes when I skitch?

But I couldn't agree with you more. The main reason I prefer riding is that you can actually get a buzz from it that doesn't cost as much as drugs, and won't get you arrested (only fined).

And those meat pylons from your signature? I like to try to nail them with my bag

JeanCoutu

Otherwise you can't hang out with the cool kids.

[904]

My new wallpaper. For this week anyway. ^