Ten Questions With Rick Adams

The Get Ready for Summer Series is almost upon us! So time to meet race promoter Rick Adams.

1. Get Ready for Summer. Wednesday Night Racing. AVC (now known as Testarossa Velodrome Challenge). NCVA Board Member and Treasurer. You're the uber-volunteer! Why do you do it?

I began by helping to promote Wednesday nights in 2005. Then in 2007, Kevin Worley and I wanted to bring an event similar to Portland's AVC to Hellyer. In 2008 the GRFS series was born to provide riders more opportunity to race AVC-like events, give me more opportunities to promote sponsors and raise more funds to help cover the cost of the AVC. Actually, I am an accomplishment addict. I absolutely love to look back at see what team was assembled and what we got accomplished.

2. How did you get started in cycling in general and at the track specifically?

 I grew up in Portland. As a sophomore in high school, 1972, I was growing tired of playing football and a friend had started going for 50 mile bike rides. I spent a giant amount of money ($250) and got a road bike also and rode 2-3 times a week during the summer with him. The next summer (1973) I began racing and won my first race a Hill Climb TT. In that first year, I went from Cat 5 to Cat 4 to Cat 3 (although categories did not have those names until 1976) Also, my friend and I would ride to the velodrome and race each other on the track. By 1974 I was enthralled with the track and began racing real races.

3. Speaking of volunteers, the velodrome can always use more, especially in the areas of officiating or volunteering at an event. What should someone do to get involved? (Though our readers shouldn't think these are the only areas where they can get involved; there are many other needs!)

Track races are parties with endorphins cocktails being served and an occasional glass of Testarossa wine. You race hard and get off your bike and talk to everyone else there. If you go to enough parties you need to consider hosting a party officiating, promoting, or helping in other ways. Help to host a party is a bit more work but is still extremely gratifying.

4. The first Get Ready for Summer day is coming soon, who should come out and race and what should they expect? (Note: GRFS dates are March 27, April 17, May 15 with all dates having A, B, and C divisions), May 29 women 3/4 races and B and C).

Come to the GRFS series to party with those endorphins. I mean seriously, Keirin, Miss-n-Out, Points and Scratch, and talk to other like-minded cycling addicts in-between, what a treat! The last GRFS will have separate Women 3 and Women 4 races with at least 8 in each group. These two women races are a part of the Bay Area Womens series in 2010.

5. Wednesday Night Races begin April 21st and run weekly until September 1st. Say I'm new to Wednesday nights. Tell me what to expect. Is it the same as Larry's Tuesday nights?

Both regular weeknight race series are excellent. Tuesday nights are longer Points and Scratch races and this year Larry has added a Madison. I hope to attend several Tuesday nights myself. Wednesday nights have a larger variety of shorter races and the night is scored as on omnium. Races you might ride on Wednesday are Miss-n-Out, Chariot, Scratch, Win-n-Out, Tempo, Keirin, and Points.

6. Testarossa Velodrome Challenge is June 11-12 and the elite entries are a bit different this year. How does it work and why the change? And is it true that the Masters Keirin World Championships will be contested?

First, the registration process was way too much stress for me last year, so something had to change. The objective of the Testarossa Velodrome Challenge is to pit the best of our local riders against the best riders we can attract. This early season GRFS races simply decide who are our best local riders. The GRFS series are qualifiers for the TVC this year. The Master World Championship is Andreas Vogel's idea. We are letting him run with it. 

7. You and Kevin Worley put on a big party last year for AVC. There was a DJ, a keg, wine, food, a VIP area and all kinds of hot action, both on and off the track. Volunteers get a front row or trackside view. What kind of jobs are available and who should people contact to volunteer?

Kevin and I are a great team because we take on different areas of promoting the Testarossa Velodrome Challenge. Kevin is exceptional at getting the volunteers required for this big event. So look for his announcements and remember that helping to host the party by volunteering is really fun and gratifying.

8. Enough about your race directing. Any race plans for you this year? Track? Road?

The Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge and the Davis Crit. Portland because it homecoming. I always get to talk to friends I raced with and against, and Davis because I love the course and the weather.

9. Your household is gluten free. A two-part question for you. First, as someone trying to clean up my diet, cutting starchy white carbs and limiting wheat is one of my goals. When everyone else is eating their PB&J sandwiches between races, what is a good gluten free snack that is easily portable and will work between races? And second question is, how easy is it to eat gluten free in the real world of business lunches and restaurant eating?

The simple answer is: we cook nearly everything in our home. In the real word of eating in restaurants, remember that beans, rice, veggies, meat and fish have no gluten, so stick to very simple dishes. Eating gluten free does raise your awareness of how prolific wheat is in our diet, but not that hard to totally eliminate either.

10. Finally, where is the most beautiful place you've ridden your bike?

On the southern west coast of Italy between Salermo and the island of Sicilia.

Bonus question with the interviewer having a personal interest: Why no keirin for the women at the May 29th GRFS?????
The mentors persuaded me.