Track rodent racing wrap
From: Sara Brokaw
Date: Sep 14, 2007 9:10 AM
Decided to make the trip to Blaine for one last evening of track
racing in ‘07. On tap were the handicap, unknown distance win & out,
& 30 lap points race with sprints every 5 laps but the first person
who got 11 pts won the race and virtually ended the race (my head is
still spinning from this one). Lined up with roadies Silver Cycling &
2 flanders, as well as track regulars bike club & grumpys sprinter for
a field of 6.
For the Handicap I was at 10 m, with grumpys on the s/f & flanders,
bike club, silver, flanders ahead (at least I think that was the
order…mind was a bit numbed by the first experience in cyclocross
weather..windy, cold). My standing start was nonexistant the last
time it was necessary, but it felt better (week off the bike to
recharge the batteries) as I went by flanders #1 thourough the
backstretch & shortly reached silvers wheel. Sitting on silver with
bike club ahead, grumpys came storming by at the line. Satisfied with
this given a week off the bike (vaction) & no hard efforts since the
last time I was at the track (mid aug).
Win & out & went from the gun placing responsibility on others to
chase. Silver started chasing, but gave up at some point so I stayed
out, got the bell & held it. Silver kept her distance from the pack &
held on for 2nd.
Tried the trackstand contest (who can cross the finish last), and did
ok, but found it difficult with the 49×15 to retain control…need to
get better at this. Surprised at how much easier it seems with
brakes…maybe need to make a fixed commuter and learn at those
stoplights.
Last race, whoever got to 11 points first w/o going over won the race
(understood this), & then the race was finished at that point with the
most points winning (figured this out after the race was over). PLan
was to get 1 on the first sprint & then try to pick up 5 & 5, going
early. No points on the first sprint, so plan b..just get some
points. Flanders rider, known for her propensity for this type of
points races, took the win. In the end, I picked up enough points for
second, but dind’t even know the race was over…sort of funny!
Picked up the omnium win, which was a satisfying way to end the
season. Definitely looking forward to more track racing next year!
(I have to mention that I highly recommend take the class if you’re
even the *slightest* bit interested.)
Sara
PS–Dan Schueller hasn’t mentioned this, but he did pick up a Cat3
Omnium win sometime during the past 2-3 wks….we’ll likely have a
Cat2 Track rodent in our midsts soon…something pretty exciting.