More to life than…

I had my wipers on going to the track.  Just about turned around and went home to watch the basketball game.  I was half way there, so I continued on.  I’m glad I did.

I just picked up my new bike, and it’s a beauty.  I was able to get out to the velodrome today, tried out a couple of gear combinations, and settled on the 49-15.  I believe that’s close to the bike gearing I have been riding that was graciously made available by the San Diego Velodrome Association (www.sdvelodrome.com).

Brought it home, gave it a wipe down, cleaned and lubed the chain, and it’s ready to go again.  Tomorrow is my first track class on my new steed.

Well… I didn’t think the class I signed up for (Level I) would present any opportunities to go fast on the track, but it did.  Which would explain why I was a little disappointed last week, I sat out due to a lower back injury, and the everyone got to do a timed Flying 200m sprint at the end of class.  The sprint race gave the instructors a way to seed everyone for future drills (everyone, but me).  Track Class became Track Racing Class!  Sort of… and I missed it.

My back was feeling pretty good this week, and I promised to not let that happen again… again.  We practiced pace lines, how to overtake a slower pace line, and general track familiarization exercises.  And yes, my back felt good.  I was hoping they would give me a few minutes at the end of class to do my 200m sprint that I missed last week, they said they would.  To my surprise, the class ended with another race, an Australian Pursuit.  This is where five riders are scattered around the track starting simultaneously.  The object is to catch the bike in front of you, and not get caught by the bike behind you.  If the rider behind you gets their front wheel even with yours, you’re out.  My named was called for the second heat, I don’t know how they ranked me against everyone else, so I didn’t know what to expect.  I caught the bike in front of me in pretty short order, and one of the other riders caught the two in front of him, leaving just the two of us on the track.  At that point, you get five laps to make something happen.  Otherwise, whoever gets to their original starting position on the track after the five laps, wins.  I took the number two spot, and I feel pretty good about that.  But not good enough to still want to still do my 200m sprint that I wanted to make up.  I was pretty pumped with 10-12 all out laps from the pursuit race.

The racing drills are also a way for you to put the skills you learn to the test.  And I am glad they do that, because I’m really looking forward to the next class.  Afterall, it is a “race” track (aka velodrome).  I’m also looking forward to testing out a bike that I will most likely purchase.  One thing about riding the loaner bikes offered by the track is, you have to use the regular pedals with the toe clips.  A lot of energy transfer is lost in sneakers and toe clips.  So next week, I’ll be clipping into my own pedals.

Well… I had my first class.  I really enjoy learning new things, and riding a track bike is a new thing.  Track bikes (fixed gear) are a little different.  No, they’re a lot different.  The biggest difference came to life when I tried coasting for the first time, it just wasn’t gonna happen.  Stopping was another bit of a surprise.  It didn’t matter how many times I heard it, and tried to get my arms around the idea.  Until you do it, you don’t really know what it’s like.

The idea of riding a bike with no derailleurs, shifters, or brakes might seem a little daunting for some people.  But remember, when your riding in a velodrome, there are no pedestrians, cars, lights or stop signs.  Your only concern is other bikes.  Since most of the students are riding loaner track bikes, they all relatively run about the same gearing.  Which equates to all the bikes, individual rider ability and fitness aside, rolling around the track at relatively the same speed.

However, I did find myself closing in quickly on the bike in front of me from time to time.  The only thing you can do is go around, slowing down is like trying to stop a sail boat.  You don’t just chop the throttle to slow down like you would on a power boat.  You certainly gain speed a lot faster than you lose it, stopping requires forethought.  If you want to do it gracefully, that is.

Along with learning the peculiarities of a track bike, we were taught track etiquette and safety.  What the different color lines on the track are for, and why.  I look forward to the next 5 weeks with eyes wide open. 

Next week we get to ride a 200m timed event.  Since this is a class, and racing is not encouraged, this may be the only opportunity to go all out on the velodrome.  And I can’t wait.

I must say that it is more than a little frustrating to watch this squabble between Amaury Sports Organization (ASO) and International Cycling Union (UCI) drag on like it has.  I understand the importance of what is going on, but it’s almost like watching two kids in a sand box fighting over a shovel.

On one side, ASO seems like it wants to run a clean race and send a message to everyone that doping will not be tolerated.  On the other side, UCI seems like it wants to run a clean race and send a message to everyone that doping will not be tolerated.  Therein lies my frustration, are these to organizations even talking to each other?  I have to assume that they are, but what the heck are they saying?

Am I going to watch the race this weekend?  Yes.  Am I going to enjoy it?  I don’t know.  Am I going to stop riding my bike if I don’t?  Hell no, I’ll go out and ride my own Paris-Nice.

The great thing about living and cycling along the CA coast is… you get to see cool things.  Things like whales spouting about a mile offshore in the Pacific Ocean, rock art, sidewalk cafes and of course, other cyclists enjoying some of the best views Southern CA has to offer. 

And, some of the best riding weather can be found during the “winter” months.  Track stands and rollers are really just novelty items around here.  I may use mine a couple times a year during the winter because the sun sets just as early here, as it does everywhere else.  But daylight savings starts tomorrow (3/09), bring on the evening rides!

The American Diabetes Association needs your help to meet their goal of 800 riders for the Tour de Cure On April 19, 2008.  There are currently only 230 riders registered.  With the addition of an 11 mile route, anyone can join.

Diabetes is America’s fastest growing disease, and we need more riders to raise awareness in San Diego.  If you, or someone you know, is able and willing to help, please join now and help make life a little better for someone else.

http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage

I signed up for track classes at the San Diego Velodrome in Balboa Park (http://www.sdvelodrome.com/training.htm).  A little while back I attended the velodrome with my friend Mark, who was an ex-racer (I’ll explain “was” later).  I went  to watch the action and see what it was all about.  I knew it was there, but just not exactly sure where “there” was.  I mean I knew San Diego had a velodrome, and that it was in Balboa Park.  However, I have never been to it, nor have I ever seen it.

One thing that surprised me was that there is a Junior’s class.  The Junior classes are open to boys and girls, ages 12-18.  And it’s FREE.  Track bikes are provided, you just have to be tall enough to fit them.  By attending these classes you will to learn pacelines, sprints, pack riding, race tactics, leg speed, jumps, positioning and more!  And that is exactly what I am going to do, except I’m not a Junior any more.

I signed up for the Level I class.  The Level I and Level II classes are Monday nights for six weeks, beginning March 10 from 7:00-9:00 pm and are designed for riders who have never been on a track before.  Although, everyone is welcome and experienced track racers may be in attendance.  When the Level I class is on the track, Level II is resting, and vice versa.  Bikes, and helmets are provided if you don’t have them.

Mark is now back into track racing and training for the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships September 2-7, 2008 In San Jose, CA (http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=97).  At the time I first went to the velodrome, Mark “was” an ex-racer, now that he’s racing again, he’s not.  Even though I am nowhere near Mark’s riding level, and don’t have as lofty goals as he does, I do share his enthusiasm for cycling, and all things related to cycling.  That includes riding with him on weekends, training for the centuries we have on our calendars (http://www.teamclimbon.org/ride).

Solvang is a great venue for a time trial, and driving through the central coast’s wine country from San Luis Obispo was a very special treat.  The hills, which are typically brown most of the year, were a splendid shade of green that only the winter rains can bring.  And to think of how fleeting that is, you have to enjoy the moment when you can, and we did.

Just before entering Solvang, we noticed a few cars parked along the main street.  We kept driving into town and found a parking spot just off the main road that was pretty close to the action.  In a town with a population of just over 5,000, it would be hard to park too far away.  The 2008 Amgen Tour of California utilized every bit of real estate Solvang had to offer.  From the vendor’s booths to the live band in the park.

The start and finish lines were only a block from each other.  As soon as the entire field was on course, we simply strolled over to the finish line to watch the riders come in.  It was the first time my family and I have ever been to a pro cycling event, and it amazed me how close you get to the riders. 

We were no more than 10 feet away from them as they staged themselves for the start, and we had to back up about 100′ from the start line to watch them launch from the gate.  Any closer and the loudspeakers from the announcer were deafening.

As they begin to build speed, they pass by so closely you can almost reach out and touch them.

Dominique Rollin cruised right by us after his stint on the course.  He was enjoying the atmosphere as much as we were while the rest of the field was still coming in.  My wife even walked over to him, shook his hand and congratulated him for his stage win the previous day.

I would have liked to seen all the stages from the prologue in Palo Alto to the finish in Pasadena.  Guess what we’re doing next year.

Do ever feel like motorists don’t see you, don’t care, or are possibly gunning for you?  Do you ever see cyclists casually chatting away on a narrow road, while riding two abreast, like they are the only people on the road?  I ride a bike, and I drive a car, and both scenarios annoy me.

Dave Zebriski is a world-class cyclist and founder of an organization called Yield to Life (Y2L) http://www.yieldtolife.org/.  Y2L is Dave’s effort to raise awareness of motorists about cycling on public roads, and encourages cooperation between cyclists and motorists.  There a numerous reasons that this disparity between the two exists.  Responsibility and fault has to be placed on both side of the equation.  We are each responsible for knowing the laws regarding driving a motor vehicle, and riding a bicycle.

Each state has their own laws regarding bicycles, so take the time to learn your state’s laws.  And if you don’t, you have to accept fault the next time someone honks their horn, yelling obscenities at you while racing past.  Chances are, you were the problem.  And if not, don’t get upset.  Be glad knowing that you are out doing something you love, enjoying your time on the bike while the other person is… well, just having a crappy day.