Track Recap

Yesterday was the third track clinic and my second day on the track. Last week we practiced drills and riding in a pace line. So it was exciting that we got to run some races with a faster group A and a slower group B. I, being a newbie, was in the slower group. There was a 6 lap scratch race. Pretty much the jist of this race is first person across the finish line after six laps is the winner, not too complicated. The second race was super fun. The guy running the clinic called it a Miss-and-Out but I prefer the name Devil Take the Hindmost. The last person across the line at each lap gets taken out of the race until the top three places are determined. I tried to play some strategy but it didn’t help me much. The last race was called a Win-and-Out, no neat alternative name comes to mind. First, there are three laps then the first person across the finish line on the forth lap is the winner of the race and can pull out. The first person across the next lap is second and can pull out. Whatever your position is in the next lap is your placing for the race. Fun but not as fun as the previous race. My husband won this race in the A group, it was pretty spectacular seeing him in action. I got fourth place, not do spectacular. I actually think I took 4th in all the races…. So there is lots of room for improvement. Riding on Mr. Bumpy Face is easier said than done. I did learn something last night, though, I need to go up on my gearing and raise my saddle. The whole spinning my legs super fast into my chest was not the most comfortable experience I have had on a bike. Speaking of gearing up, my husband picked up our three new chain rings (51t, 49t, 47t) and a new cog from our shop today.

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Just 41 days till track season starts

There is going to be lots of playing on the track with all this gear in the ensuing weeks. Kinda excited. Just in case you were wondering, yes that is chocolate cake. Keep riding!

Penrose Velodrome Solidarity

So, my beautiful Dolan Pre Cursa bike frame came in the mail on Friday (with unfortunately a few scratches) and is sitting in a box in the kitchen when I hear that track season at the Velodrome may not be happening…. at least in it’s current form sanctioned by USA Cycling.

The current track director Steven Wilkes will be stepping down and I don’t know what/who is going to fill the void.  There is going to be a meeting tomorrow night at 7 pm at Northwest Coffee in Clayton to try to answer that question. If you are interested in track cycling or the velodrome AT ALL please attend this meeting.

If you want to learn more about the velodrome visit the website.

If you want to help continue the track season in Saint Louis for the entire region, come to Northwest Coffee in Clayton tomorrow night at 7 pm.

Help keep this going!

Penrose Park Velodrome competition