RR: 05/28/08 Track - Wednesday Night Races

I headed down to the track last night with one of my teammates for the Wednesday night races. There were a lot of very fast guys there last night racing in the A group (including AJM, one of the Bissell pro riders), so watching them was very fun.

Goal for the evening: Work on (1) not getting dropped so soon each race and (2) really work on fear of getting on a wheel. Still spinning the 81 inch training wheels.

Race 1: Snowball (a points race with increasing number of points each lap) (10 laps for Cs, I think)

Roll off from the rail and ride together until turn 4 and the whistle, then racing begins. One lap of no points, then after that, points increase each lap an only the first person across the line gets them. We had somewhere around 10-11 riders (5 gals). Once the points began, the speed ramped way up and it was flat out sprinting for the rest of the time. I got popped off somewhere around the 6th or 7th lap, just dangling behind two gals, but couldn't quite bridge up to them. I'd get closer out of turn 4 and on the finishing straight, but a stiff wind in turns 2-3 and the back side would cause me to lose what I'd gained. Finished upright and last. Had fun.

Race 2: Scratch (crit on the track) (12 laps?)

Roll off from the rail and ride together until turn 4 and the whistle, then racing begins. Racing began and this one was much more civilized--fast but not flat out, with surges like you see on the road. I made myself get on the pole (inside lane) and get surrounded. I was behind a junior gal an she was a little weavy, back and forth, so that made me nervous, but she moved up track with about 3 to go and I shot through and led out the pack for about half a lap. Much more fun riding on the front! Sprint in the last lap and a half and I couldn't go with it so just rode it in. Finished upright and last. Had fun, except for a couple of "ay-yi-yi" moments in the pack.

Race 3: Miss & Out (last one across the line each lap is out; last three sprint for the win) (don’t know how many laps)

About 10 people in the Cs race, including dude who rolled in late that I recognized from some of the Saturday sessions who rides like crap. Great. Rolled off the rail and one neutral lap and it was on. Pace picked up and my legs were a little tired. Sitting at the back of the pack, oh no! Still at the back of the pack out of turn 4 and found another gear to move up and not be last. Goal met (not be the first one out)!!! Next lap on the back side going in to turn 3, late dude rides crazy and about takes me out. F#&@!! Sat up and was out. Finished upright, not so fun.

Race 4: Scratch race--bailed on that since I'm racing Fri/Sat/Sun.

Goal 1: Definitely did better on this. Didn't get dropped on the first couple of laps, but instead, was able to hang in longer.

Goal 2: Improving, I think. I used to be about 5 feet away from people and now it's less. Yes, I know I need to be closer. I'm working on it!

We loaded up the bikes and hit the taco truck, then cruised on home. Very fun night, thanks Ben. Looking forward to racing on Friday night!