Monday, September 17, 2007

sorry for the silence - Track FUN!

So, I've been pretty much mired in masters' thesis work and wrapping up things for my last week at my current job. But, I did get 4 out of 14 sections signed off by my adviser on Friday. So, I was able to join in the fun at the track on Saturday!

We joined Olaf and Velo Bella, PAB, xbun, panda, & merkeleybike for the festivities. PAB headed off for a road ride to Morgan Hill. Olaf took pics and gave out tactical advice. We had a great session this time. In the warm up, the pacelines were tight and smooth. We followed with bumping drills and 2x and 3x pursuits. The day ended with a 5 lap scratch race. It was a happy day because I finally got a bike that fit me reasonably well and didn't have me longing for a shot of demarol in my sciatic nerve after the first 5 minutes! Cyclistrick had a bummer day because his chain broke (again) and he blew out a tire in the scratch race. But, he still had fun!

This photo is of me after attacking from the rails on lap 2, turn 2 of the scratch race. I would have had a nice gap and someone to work with....


If this guy behind me would have bridged instead of bringing the whole, darn pack up with him. But, the girl in green on his wheel appeared to be his lady friend, so he probably didn't want to ditch her to work with me....


I didn't really expect that this was a winning move, but wanted to see what it would take to get a gap on the track. It is a great deal harder than on the flat, open road.

9 comments:

Itinerant Rick said...

I would have joined you to help on the attack, but I was on the sidelines snapping photos. I was ready to roll up to the rail to race with your group .... but there was mass exodus and I knew there were many more than the stipulated 10 so decided to use it as photo-op time. Course, given what happened in my scratch heat, probably just as well I did not try to do mischief in your heat.

Good job! Olaf and I were over cheering for you when we saw you start the attack. Mix it up!

EB said...

That was an awesome move. Joel is notorious on the road for being unable to bridge clean & has written on his blog about the times people yell at him about it. I realized after the race that while I was spinning out of control I didn't have the wherewithal to think about whether I was dragging anyone around -- all I could think was "go! go!". So many things to learn, so little time...

chatterbox said...

panda - Thanks! Hey, it's all a good learning experience, right? I need to learn how to make a move without blowing afterward! But, it was all a lot of fun!

I think you were doing like 170rpm when I went past you :) I couldn't even make out your legs. It was just a blur.

~ lauren said...

good shot of you in front!

sounds hard and looks like it hurts a lot.

Allison Krasnow said...

yippppeeeee

beth bikes! said...

yay! 3 done. does this mean you are coming thursday for the points race?

Kim Ladd said...

Look at you go chatty! I love seeing you up there driving the front. I can't believe The Hubby broke yet another chain!

chatterbox said...

lauren - thanks!

alicat - :)

beth - probably not. I am hoping to make the 'low key' races this Saturday as an intro to track racing. But, Thurs. is my yoga night!

kim - you'll have to come out and join the fun some time soon!

Chris said...

You look good out front