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What Richard saw:
Category: A
Result: Mid-pack
There was a great turnout by FFBC this evening. We had myself, Pritpal,
Tim O. and Scott racing. Lula (in VSRT colours) and Charlie were down
doing the 4pm Larry Nolan session and Tim and Gaelan M. were there to
spectate when the racing started.
For the A's, the racing got off to a start with chariot race heats.
Neither Pritpal nor I progressed to the final, so we had a long wait
till our next race. However, we got plenty of quick laps in in the 30
lap lotto race. It was plenty quick, but we were both there at the end.
Third for us was a snowball which was fairly quick, though not as quick
as the one two weeks ago. We were only scheduled to have three events,
but there was time to add a fourth in the shape of a de'il. After being
first out last week, I decided that this would not happen today, so I
made a big effort to get to the front and pulled the bunch round for 4
laps before slowing up. I appreciated the shouts of encouragement I got
whilst I was on the front.
I'll let Scott and Tim describe their racing. I think they had fun - I
certainly did - it was great to be there with team-mates to encourage
whilst racing and chat with during the breaks.
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What Tim saw:
Category: C
Result: Mid-pack
Yes I had fun, although it ended on a depressing note for me, I enjoyed
watching Scott, Pritpal, Richard and my co-worker Mike tear up the track.
Since Robin couldn't make the Pizza ride I opted for the track. I had set
my sites pretty low as I had only been there twice in the last eight years,
and that was for Larry Nolan/ FFBC training days at that.
Warming up with Richard, Pritpal, Scott and my co-worker Mike was quite fun.
The races themselves were OK, I'll save the details for Scott as his version
will be much more interesting. In general I cautiously hung back while I
tried to get my track legs and then poured it on in the end. In general I
hung back too much, but that OK.
I made like one point in each event except
for the last one I did, which was a 1/2 lap handicap between the people who
had points and the people who didn't. When the people with points started, I wasn't clipped it on one side and I found out the hard way how hard it is
to get it in on a fixed gear bike. By the time I was in, my pack was long
gone. Dummy! On the bright side I didn't crash and I never stopped
pedaling. Going forward, if I do it again, I'll at least have to get a 52
up front as I was only running 86 gear inches, which was EZ on my legs, but
killed my lungs. Charlie had offered me a 15 rear, but I think that would've
been too much. I suppose a better bike wouldn't hurt, as the 165mm cranks on
mine are really short for me, but really a little practice would help the
most. Much thanks to Richard and Pritpal for cheering me on as without them I wouldn't have passed two for a point in the Win and Out.
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What Scott saw:
Category: C
Result: 1st
I had A LOT of fun racing last night. I have been itching to get on the
track for a couple of years now, having done about a dozen Saturday morning
sessions (which don't require any experience, and you can rent a bike).
It's great to get in five races in one night, as opposed to having one or
two races a month, such as crits.
Group C - 12 lap scratch
First race was a 12-lap scratch. I felt really strong and was wondering,
since it was my first official track race ever, if I should be riding more
conservatively. I was on the front at about the half-way up the track point
just watching everyone, some on my sides, most behind. We had 15 riders in
the race. The pace slowly picked up over the laps starting at the 4 lap
point. The last 4 laps were pretty quick, and I wasn't sure when I should
start my sprint. Thanks to Richard "whip-cracker" Brockie yelling, "Scott,
sprint now! NOW! right before the start/finish line on the last lap, I
kicked it and dropped most of the group. One guy who was tailing me tried
to come around on the last 75 meters, but with Richard's "Kick it! Kick it!
Kick it!" I realized that I shouldn't be staring at the ground in front of
me and should be more aware of what's going on, and I kicked it up for the
win.
Group C - 9 lap points (sprints every 3)
This race was interesting. Points every 3 laps for the first person across
the line, and points for the win. I traded sprints with one other guy,
staying on his wheel in 2nd without contesting the sprint to save myself on
one lap (he was pissed that I didn't pull through, but hey, this is track,
right? and, we weren't in a break-away.... I'll take thoughts on this if
you have them). Then I took the final sprint.
Group C - 6 laps to win and out
I originally thought this was a 6-lap race, so I was ready to jam right off
the gun. But, once I heard the rules I realized that we were to do 6 laps,
and then start the win and out. I broke away at the 5 lap point with one
guy on my tail (that I remember) and kept it up for two laps taking the
first win, and I was out.
Group C - 7 lap handicap
This one hurt much more than the others. All those who scored Omnium points
so far in the evening started at the start/finish. All those who hadn't
scored yet started at the half-way point. My group agreed to half-lap pulls
at full speed working as a team until we caught the other group. We didn't
make it. Tim wasn't clipped in, and my thought was that this race was
perfect for him since it was fast and high-speed without sprints until we
caught the lead group. So, I think that would have made the difference in
catching the lead group, especially since our group slowly fell apart over
the laps. One more strong guy in our group would have done it. Well, I
wasn't paying attention to the number of laps, I was so focused on the TTT
we were doing. Then the bell rang and we were about 75 meters behind the
front group (meaning that they were rounding turn 2 as we were crossing the
s/f line). I broke from my group and tried to at least get into a scoring
position, but couldn't make it. The only saving grace was that all of those
in front of me were at 0 Omnium points so far, so there wasn't a threat from
the guys who were closer to me.
So, I thought that was it. 4 races and I was baked. I packed up my bag,
threw my sneaks on (actually Charlie's), finished off the rest of my water,
and was ready to head home. Then I hear we are doing another race. I think
it took me 30 seconds to get on the track ready to go, though I forgot my
glasses and gloves. At least I had my bike shoes on.
Group C - 12 lap tempo
This was a hard one because you get 2 points for 1st, and 1 point for 2nd on
each lap. I took 1st, 1st, 2nd on each of the first three laps. Then I sat
in on the guy I thought was the strongest. As long as I finished 2nd behind
him when he took points, I would be fine... as long as I took the final
sprint, which I was confident I could. But, I miscounted and he took more
points than I thought... and even though I took the final sprint, he won.
Can't wait until next Wednesday. May even race the Grand Prix on Sunday.
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