also, they are alot more seethru

thanks this was all very helpful

Went to the track today, holy guacamole!

I dont think I ever said it in this thread so, any one in the St Louis area want to come out and try the track here with some one that races it, let me know.

I'm looking at a late season return if everything works out.

Anyone know if the Brian Piccolo velodrome offers a beginners class? I haven't been able to find anything on Facebook or the Florida Velodrome Association, I just figured I'd ask here before I set about emailing them. Thanks.

Did my first race at DLV yesterday since my beginners class, never had so much fun losing before. I almost got clipped from someone coming down before he passed me and managed to acquire one point good times.

Awesome. I'm glad you had a great time.

Taking out some guy's front wheel is a common mistake that rookies make because some don't judge very well how fast (or not fast) they are overtaking someone. Protect your front wheel at all costs. If you see it coming, bark (don't shout or scream...this will freak people out) a firm "NO!" and that should stop the guy in his tracks till he's past you enough, then say, "OK, come on". Sometimes you'll have to go on to the apron to save your wheel. Just go down then announce that you are "Coming back in" and people will make room for you. Try not to be on the apron going into the turns at speed.

As you can see, there is (or should be) a lot of chatter in the pack sometimes. It keeps things running smoothly.

Don't worry about losing or winning. The "D" racing is all about getting comfortable with the track, race formats, and riding in a pack...and having fun which it seems like you did.

You are now a track racer! Welcome!

Been to the track twice now. Gotten lots of helpful info both times from everyone there. Taking an intro class next Saturday, then looking forward to racing!

Time to put my 16 years of competitive swimming to a more fun use.

That time training and swimming will come in handy. You probably know more about pacing and threshold than most. Plus you undoubtedly know what training is all about. I would assume that you've trained your aerobic capacity much more than others.

95% sure that velodromes have been banned by Tennessee after somebody thought it sounded like a club drug and nobody else cared to google it.

I'd love to find one and go to it though! I'd love to pick a few brains about the track scene around here.

EDIT: Yep, looks like the closest velodrome is 4 hours away in Atlanta. ROADDDDDDD TRIPPPPPPPPPPP

Hey Carleton nice meeting you, im still racing and still having a blast. Hopefully everyone else that started track racing is enjoying it.

It was cool meeting you, too. You did a great job racing tonight!

Still enjoying it over here. I had my first Cat 4 races tonight. I managed to be first out on my first Miss-in-Out, haha total rookie misjudgment on my part. Also did a tempo and a 5x4 points race. Didn't score anything but I road with the fast group the whole way. I have no problems keeping up with the general pace of the race, but Im getting outdone once the sprint starts.

Gives me something to work on for next season. One night of racing left for the season.

The good thing about being first out for the miss-in-out is that it keeps you fresh for the later races. ;-)

Lots of stragegy in that one, and lots of variations. I see some newer people just riding off of the front, figuring that will be good for an above average finnish, while some of the experienced people just sit on the back and pick people off one by one.

Just remember that the end of each sprint is one of the most dangerous times on the track, so hold your line and speed. The people in the back are riding a lot harder and faster across the line than those in the front, and that is when problems can happen...

Time to bump this thread.

Some tracks will be opening soon for winter training (like DLV in Atlanta) and some are open year-round. If you want to race this summer, I'd advise you to plan on making one of the early Introduction to the Track classes at your local track.

Also, now you have a few months to get your equipment together. This means you must have drop bars. Any basic road bars will do. Track sprint bars are only useful to track sprint specialists. Everyone else uses regular road bars.

Now is a good time to buy a new bike! When the weather is cold, bike shops really, really appreciate your business and sometimes offer discounts on bikes and accessories.

Rock Hill, SC has a new world class track that will open soon!!


Do you guys have any questions about track training or racing? No question is too small.

Other track guys, feel free to respond with your experiences.

25 bucks for the track racing class in Boulder. I'll be there soon!

Still holding out for the proposed track in cleveland, and the "talks" about one in Columbus.

Indy is just too far for me to make it regularly at this point.

But I do have a few questions..

1. Do tracks usually want you to run different tires, clean ones, that haven't been ridden on the street?

2. Do you need to be clipless?

There is a year round track here in Chicago. I haven't been, but I've heard it's awesome.

No to both questions, however, clipless is a far better system and you'll get a lot more out of the bike with it.

Either clipless or proper toe clips and straps with the proper slotted cleats. No BMX pedals with straps and sneakers.

This is a safety issue. If you come unclipped at high speed, you will probably be fine, but there is a chance that you may hurt yourself or others. This is a risk than can be avoided with proper equipment and the proper maintenance of that equipment.

You should go! At least go watch.

My wife and I are going to Colorado in May. I'm hoping to check out the track there and get a first-person view of racing. We're moving to Golden next year - so I'll be able to get into their beginner program and learn. Until then, I'll just live vicariously through your greatness Carleton.

I've raced in Colorado Springs. That track is nice!

They don't start racing till around May because it's still cold and snowy until about that time. So check the website for info: https://www.csvelodrome.org/

PS: I'm not great. I'm mildly average.

could you list the requirements for your bike? Im pretty sure mine is good I just want to make sure im not missing anything

Basically this:


All accessories (lights, bells, reflectors, bottle cages, etc...) must be removed. Computers are allowed. You must have plugs in your handlebars.

The bike must be relatively clean in and good working order.

Generally speaking, conversions probably won't be allowed. But, that's really up to your track director. It's his job to create a safe environment. Conversions usually have lower bottom brackets than standard track bikes. This isn't a problem for shallow tracks, but can be a problem for steep ones.