Track Racing 101

Hey, Whittie cyclists!

I hope you all are having awesome summers. Mine is filled with bikes & sun.

I moved down to San Diego in June, and I'll be here until early September when I'll be hopping the Atlantic to spend fall semester in Scotland, land of wool sweaters, wellies, and Chris Hoy. Swappin SoCal rays for Scottish rain will be..interesting. It's always above 70+ here, 85+ inland - gorgeous cycling weather. I'm still getting used to the heat, and I've got the sunburns to prove it. I have to make sure there's a water stop on all rides over 25 miles, reapplying sunscreen all the time, etc.

The main reason I'm here is for the track, although there are plenty of other perks, too (i.e. SUN). The San Diego Velodrome has launched such stars as Chris Horner, and actually in Southern California it's difficult to swing a dead cat (sorry for the visual) without hitting a former Olympian or world champion. My track coach is Dave Grylls, a 2-time Olympian, my road coach is Robert Fagnant, who rode for Jelly Belly, my host dad is Jim Rasmussen, cycling badass, and on the track I've met such cyclists as Connie Paraskevin and Tara Whitten. People here are, in general, fantastic cyclists. Maybe it's because they can train year-round, or the terrain is awesome, or their racing season starts in late January, but in any case it makes for great competition.

Track is FUN. First off, it's drastically different from road. Like, drastically. Sure there are similarities, like most of the bike components are the same, you pedal, there's a finish line, etc. But then there are the changes which threw me for a loop - no coasting, no brakes, the banking, the constant constant sprinting. One thing I thought was funny - on the Encino track there's a sign saying, "LEFT TURN ONLY."

But after two months I'm quite comfortable, and I can already feel a big change in my road abilities. Track helps you 1) spin faster and more consistently, 2) sprint like a bad ass, 3) endure more high-intensity efforts without puking, 4) handle your bike well, etc.

Very useful.

I'm not competing on the road much now except for the occasional crit. Because Southern Californians begin their road season in January, it ends mid-July. Then track takes over until late September. Personally, I think the the early-ending road season is a waste of sunshine, but hey, I'm from Eugene. We take full advantage of any and all clear skies and often racing August includes downpours.

*Oh yeah. All us Whitman riders, we're kind of hardcore. I'm not going to say SoCal riders are wusses because they do train like maniacs, but you get my point. Rain & fog send them running for their SAD lamps.*

August is National Qualifier time for the track, and I qualified last Saturday in the match sprint. I beat the reigning national champion and came in second overall. There's another qualifier this weekend, so we'll see how I do.

I'll miss Whitman come September, but I'll be back in the spring to tear up the road with you all!

Much love,

Rachel