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@colinsmith123
So on Wednesday, I rode my first track event in more than 34 years. Signing on and pinning a number on my jersey hasn't changed, but no scrutiny. That might have been a Kirkby CC thing, to make sure you weren't riding with any weapons.
First event was the 15 lap warm up, steady warm up pace for 10 laps, then the gun; all bets are off. And what a buzz to be riding in a bunch again, wheel to wheel, shoulder to shoulder.
Next up the AB sprint handicap, station 60 as opposed to the last man on station 25. Three guys in front. Bang! Caught the first three guys coming out of T2, then two riders come over the top, past me. I wait. 100m to go, rush the gap around the outside and across the line - 1st. I don't think the handicapper will be that generous next time out.
On to the B group 12 lap scratch race. Riders here, there and everywhere. Without the structure of a track training session, this is a little bit more intimidating than the warm up race. Relax, I'm doing ok. Pace is manageable, a few try going off the front, get caught, and another acceleration and another four give it a go. Four laps to go and a big acceleration at the front to pull the break back.. Then the pace dropped off again, a group come over the top, I've moved up towards the front. Two laps to go and it strings out. 9th or 10th. At the bell, a few riders in front of me swing up, I close the gap, chase down the leaders down the back straight. A rider comes up on to my shoulder. Wait, wait, GO! And I go over top and across the line - 1st.
Over 50 and youths 3 lap dash - one rider goes from the gun. We don't chase, we torture him a bit giving him a 50m lead for 2 laps, he keeps looking over his shoulder were not getting any closer, I can see he's trying real hard with a lap to go. We're high on the banking coming in to T1, I form a plan, stay high and go for a flying 200 from the top of T2. Then the rider at the front changes my plan, I'm caught unawares and couldn't get past the first two - 3rd.
Next, Win-Out. Don't remember this one. Basically sprints every two laps, winner of the first sprint is the winner and drops out, 2nd sprint winner gets 2nd place and so on. Sat up after 4 laps. Hard to figure out a strategy for this, other than pick a lap and go for it.
Devil - My old favourite. 20 odd riders, About 8 or 9 of us left, I don't understand why the first four or five were sprinting away o hard, with 7 or 8 riders left in. Chased them down as did not want to get eliminated, and then they sat up as they crossed the finish line. Race over. Sorry, I was enjoying myself too much doing my best Laura Trott impersonation to realise that was the last lap.
And with that I decided to head home happy with the evening's efforts. One rider said, I should ride with the A group of riders, maybe.For now, this 50 year old will take his wins when he can!
More importantly, if you've got this far, and you've never raced before or, are an ex-rider suffering a mid-life crisis like me but are a bit unnerved at the thought of competition come and have a go. Or try the Monday night race training session.
I'd say, f you've ridden with the Saturday intermediates a few times, can ride hard in most of the efforts in the first hour and hold your own pretty much in the second AND have good bike handling skills come and have a go. It's what I did, you can too!