Who wants to race?
12-29-10 | 09:54 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Elitist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 94
From: Atlanta, GA
Who wants to race?
Is anyone interested in racing at the velodrome with TejanoTrackie, Dannihilator, myself, and a few others on here that race? If any of you guys have done the beginner class or have started racing, let us know who you are.
If you are curious about it I hope this thread will help you find out more.
Many people are very reluctant to show up at a track and say, "I wanna race." It can be intimidating if you don't have a friend to go with you and help. I am that friend
Local racing is NOT a big deal. Ever play a game of pickup basketball at the rec center? It's pretty much just like that. Basically many people think local track racing is like this:
But it's more like this:
Alleycats are more complicated than track races. If you can do an alleycat, you can race on a velodrome.
Every track has a "Rookie" or "Beginners" program that is designed to teach people track etiquette. Basically the "dos" and "don'ts" so that you know what to do and won't be nervous.
Racing is for ALL ages. There are kid from 8-17 and adults from 18-70+. There were 60 year old guys in my beginner program. All body types. You can start at anytime. Everyone gets up to speed very quickly (literally and figuratively).
Racing is based on skill and speed. You will be grouped with people of similar skill and speed. This keeps it fun. This is like the "A" and "B" basketball courts where the fast skillful players are on one court and the less fast and less skillful guys on another.
Don't worry about the kits. All uniforms feel weird when you first start using them. You get used to it. Oh and you don't wear underwear under your cycling shorts. You put what's called Chamois Cream (pronounced "shammy") to keep the friction down.
I have seen some STRONG and FAST racers come from the FG scene and kick butt on the race scene. TwoTone from Atlanta (Twotoneatl.com) is one of them. John Prolly raced for a minute. He is really fast. Not sure why he stopped.
Any well maintained FG bike is probably just fine. You don't need a space-aged bike to race. Just like you don't need Jordans to play basketball.
You don't have to race. You can just train on the track. There are LOTS of people that go through the beginner classes just so they can train on the track and have no interest in racing.
To get an idea of the atmosphere, here are some photos from the Dick Lane Velodrome in ATL: https://www.flickr.com/groups/dlv/pool/
Any questions? Fellow track racers/trainers please feel free to chime in.
Put those track bikes on the track!
If you are curious about it I hope this thread will help you find out more.
Many people are very reluctant to show up at a track and say, "I wanna race." It can be intimidating if you don't have a friend to go with you and help. I am that friend
Local racing is NOT a big deal. Ever play a game of pickup basketball at the rec center? It's pretty much just like that. Basically many people think local track racing is like this:
But it's more like this:
Alleycats are more complicated than track races. If you can do an alleycat, you can race on a velodrome.
Every track has a "Rookie" or "Beginners" program that is designed to teach people track etiquette. Basically the "dos" and "don'ts" so that you know what to do and won't be nervous.
Racing is for ALL ages. There are kid from 8-17 and adults from 18-70+. There were 60 year old guys in my beginner program. All body types. You can start at anytime. Everyone gets up to speed very quickly (literally and figuratively).
Racing is based on skill and speed. You will be grouped with people of similar skill and speed. This keeps it fun. This is like the "A" and "B" basketball courts where the fast skillful players are on one court and the less fast and less skillful guys on another.
Don't worry about the kits. All uniforms feel weird when you first start using them. You get used to it. Oh and you don't wear underwear under your cycling shorts. You put what's called Chamois Cream (pronounced "shammy") to keep the friction down.
I have seen some STRONG and FAST racers come from the FG scene and kick butt on the race scene. TwoTone from Atlanta (Twotoneatl.com) is one of them. John Prolly raced for a minute. He is really fast. Not sure why he stopped.
Any well maintained FG bike is probably just fine. You don't need a space-aged bike to race. Just like you don't need Jordans to play basketball.
You don't have to race. You can just train on the track. There are LOTS of people that go through the beginner classes just so they can train on the track and have no interest in racing.
To get an idea of the atmosphere, here are some photos from the Dick Lane Velodrome in ATL: https://www.flickr.com/groups/dlv/pool/
Any questions? Fellow track racers/trainers please feel free to chime in.
Put those track bikes on the track!
Last edited by carleton; 07-19-12 at 03:36 PM.
12-29-10 | 10:32 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, IN
Bikes: 80s Univega
I live an hour away from this:
Major Taylor Velodrome
Wish I knew peeps to go to the track with. Carleton makes a great point about having someone to make the experience less intimidating.
Major Taylor Velodrome
Wish I knew peeps to go to the track with. Carleton makes a great point about having someone to make the experience less intimidating.
12-29-10 | 10:37 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Elitist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 94
From: Atlanta, GA
I live an hour away from this:
Major Taylor Velodrome
Man, Major Taylor is one of the nicest velodromes in the country. They hosted Collegiate Track Nationals this past summer. Will do the same next summer.
Wish I knew peeps to go to the track with. Carleton makes a great point about having someone to make the experience less intimidating.
Major Taylor Velodrome
Man, Major Taylor is one of the nicest velodromes in the country. They hosted Collegiate Track Nationals this past summer. Will do the same next summer.
Wish I knew peeps to go to the track with. Carleton makes a great point about having someone to make the experience less intimidating.
In those classes you will find other people who are just as new as you. It's just like Freshman Orientation.
12-29-10 | 11:27 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, IN
Bikes: 80s Univega
Email that lady listed in the contact info and mention that you are a "new racer looking for information about a beginner certification class". The classes usually last a few hours and they cover everything you need to know. They probably won't happen till spring when the weather gets better.
In those classes you will find other people who are just as new as you. It's just like Freshman Orientation.
In those classes you will find other people who are just as new as you. It's just like Freshman Orientation.
12-29-10 | 11:27 AM
#7
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
Ah, racing (or just training on a velodrome) would be so sweet. I need to get out there! There is one about an hour and a half from my home, and one about an hour away from campus.
12-29-10 | 12:12 PM
#10
packing shed cassanova
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: can be found with the traffic in the streets of fresno ca.
Bikes: 07 bianchi pista, 09 mercier kilo tt, 09 masi speciale fixed LTD, late 80s masi nuova strada, full campy gruppo, 89 centurion accordo, 88 peugeot versallies, 93 faggin 14 speed full shimano 105
man i really really would love to ride in a velodrome! i wish there was one closer to me!!!!!
12-29-10 | 01:19 PM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,116
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
It's been on my bike to-do list for awhile but I just haven't been able to clear the time necessary to drive down to Hellyer. It sure looks like fun.
12-29-10 | 01:35 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Elitist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 94
From: Atlanta, GA
Many people travel to train and race. People from AL, TN, and NC drive to Atlanta every week.
There are also lots of ladies, ladies.
Don't worry if you can't ride really long distances. Track races range from 1 lap (333M or .2 miles) to 20 - 60 laps. There is something for everyone!
There are also lots of ladies, ladies.
Don't worry if you can't ride really long distances. Track races range from 1 lap (333M or .2 miles) to 20 - 60 laps. There is something for everyone!
12-29-10 | 01:42 PM
#17
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,866
Likes: 923
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 82 wheels
12-29-10 | 04:39 PM
#18
GONE~
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Actually, I am planning to go to the velodrome tonight to watch the Burnaby 4, so it'll be fun.
As for racing, I've always been interested in taking the Learn To Ride classes there, but I have been really lazy to sign up. It's only like 9ish miles away too.
As for racing, I've always been interested in taking the Learn To Ride classes there, but I have been really lazy to sign up. It's only like 9ish miles away too.
12-29-10 | 08:09 PM
#19
Hiphopopotamus
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 90s GT Outpost, Windsor Clockwork
Same here. I know the Hellyer track isn't that far away, but still. I know there have been rumors of a Sacramento velodrome some day. If that does happen, I'll have no more excuse!
12-29-10 | 08:23 PM
#20
Still kicking.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 47
From: Annandale, New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.
This year I am focusing on the hour solely. Going to be balancing between this and teaching technique at the local pumptrack.
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Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
12-29-10 | 08:50 PM
#21
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
Likes: 5,350
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
I wouldn't mind it, but the nearest track is 150 miles from here and buried in snow. That, and I haven't ridden on a track for over 25 years now.
12-29-10 | 08:55 PM
#22
Constant tinkerer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 156
From: Madison, WI
12-29-10 | 09:06 PM
#23
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,866
Likes: 923
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 82 wheels
Also, a further 50 miles south you've got Northbrook in North Chicago, which is a nearly flat 1/4 mile (about 400m) concrete track.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
Last edited by TejanoTrackie; 12-29-10 at 09:12 PM.
12-29-10 | 10:19 PM
#25
Thread Starter
Elitist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 94
From: Atlanta, GA
Dick Lane Velodrome is in East Point, GA (about 15 minutes south of downtown). Keep an eye out here for class info: https://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/. The website/blog is updated several times weekly (last update was 2 days ago).
If you are on Twitter, follow @DickLaneVelo
The calendar is up to date with relevant info. The 2011 season schedule hasn't been set yet, but when it is, it will be posted there. That should happen in January.
https://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/calendar