Rodent track rpt
From: Sara Brokaw
Date: Jul 13, 2007 9:36 AM
We had a full 10 women at the track last night, so upgrade points were
available. Amy & I mixed it up with Alan, Grumpys, U of M sprinter,
Dahlman Sisters, Bike club, Peace Coffee, and “guest rider at the NSC
velodrome” from TargetTraining. Felt a bit flat after the big block
of racing and 6 hrs of sleep the last 3 nights, but still looking
forward to a fun experience. We had spectators, as Ted, Kathy, &
Cheryl showed up, as did a 5 people from work. Amy (my co-worker
also) is leaving to move to Australia, so they wanted to come see her
race before her grand departure. They were excellent track spectators
and made a sign which said “Amy TURN LEFT.”
First race 15 lap scratch. Hadn’t raced against the Dahlman sisters
for awhile, so I’d forgotten about the speed. TargetTraining, being
the guest rider, went to the front to shake things up immediately
(shed folks off the back), but we weren’t going to allow that to
happen. I had bad position stuck rolling around the outside about 4-5
riders back, but didn’t want to drop to the back to miss any action
with such a short race. I would pay for this later. Target Training
jumped mid-race, and not wanting the out-of-towner to put the
smackdown on our local field, I yell at those in front of me to move
up & allow me to chase a bit. They oblige & I close the gap a bit,
but Dalmans U of M move by & I’m unable to hang onto those wheels.
Additional riders move by for the finish, with I think Bike Club
looking back at me like something was “wrong” with this picture.
Empty, I hear a familiar voice in my head, laugh! ing, “You wore a
longsleaved skinsuit for that!” Yup!! Rolled across the line in 7th
or 8th.
Second race Bavarian Win & Out, first sprint after 4 laps for 4th,
second sprint after 4 more laps for 3rd, etc. I decided perhaps the
LS skinsuit wasn’t enough, so I threw on the fanstastic gopher
shoecovers to see if that would provide additional motivation! I was
going for the first sprint to get my head back in the track game.
Alan accelerates post-neutral lap immediatey and is covered by
Grumpys, whom I cover. I look back & notice we have a gap just as
Alan sits up, so I yell that we have a gap, but its too late the field
is back. Grumpys rolls around for a lap, then 2 laps from the first
sprint go I’m in the front in the sprinters lane. I have a good 500m,
so I use it, taking 4th collecting an omnium point. Watch the rest of
the race. Amy did some chasing of Alan later in this race.
Third race, 30 lap points race, sprints every 5 laps. Fast start,
just following wheels. I don’t remember alot about this race, other
than holding position in the sprinters lane & having wavering Dahlman
sisters encroaching on my space repeatedly (and me repeatedly
yelling). Won one of the intermediate points sprints which felt good,
but outsprinted in another for 3-4 or 4-5. Finished 5th in the pack,
which was somewhat satisfying.
Due for a bit of R&R&TDF watching this weekend, hoping to go into next
thurs rested/refreshed as a tuneup for 6 days of crit-riding at
Superweek the following week!
Some nice riding by Dan Schueller in the Cat3s also!
Sara
PS-Amy’s last track race (until next summer if she’s back) is next
Thurs, so put it on your sked if you’re free!