Track bike was black and white and not red all over

Tim, Richard, Mark and David and some of the youngsters had fun on the Narrogin velodrome last night - no races, but a bit of checking out strengths and weaknesses, and then a flying 500 m time trial.

Tim brought his shiny new bike, but the shop had slipped him a black and white version instead of the red one (see post below from Tim). As we all know, red is faster, and as a result Tim's flying 500 m time was a fraction slower than Dave's time - because Dave had a red seat!

Track riding is great for developing skills that are also useful on the road. Drafting without surging, cornering at speed, and knowing how to sprint when it counts are all learnt best on the track.  There is something about not having brakes and a freewheel that really focuses your mind. Probably the fear of dying. Also, track riding is a great spectator sport (bring the family) because they can see the whole event as it whips past them.

Track riding is on Friday next week, so book in your diary and get there by 7.00 am. Stay on for a cool drink and some food if you have time.

It's a red one

I've just put down a deposit on a track bike, my sign of commitment to having a go on the track. Its an Apollo Record 2010 model, through Glen Parker cycles in Nedlands. I like to think they cut me a deal. They would do the 2011 model at the same price, which has a new frame with an aero cutaway on the down tube and a set of deep rim wheels, but they reckon the components aren't as good and convinced me to go for the old model. Pick it up next week.

Heading for Lancelin this weekend for the Coastal Clash which will include a bit of running, swimming, paddling and a 37km time trial on Sunday arvo on the bike. So I'll miss the weekends track session and long ride but should be back on deck the following weekend.

See you on the track, with new bike. Its a red one so it should be fast.....

Saturday night track ride

A few hardy souls turned up at the velodrome on Saturday night - just enough for a 15 lap race later in the evening, after a lot of warming up and a few sprints. Narrogin turned on a classic track racing night after a warm day - cold and windy! Even the bats had to work hard to catch the few moths strong enough to fight the wind under the lights (outdoor velodrome).

The youngsters (down to six years old) have a lot of fun on this track, and there were a few riders on the night that borrowed a bike and joined in, and a few that had just fixed their track bikes and were getting to know them again.

So remember to check the track calendar, and bring along the family to watch or have a go.

Track cycling calendar 2011

The 'Narrogin Amateur Cycling Club' has published its track calendar, for any of you or your friends that are interested. The track opens at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start (you do warm-up laps in that period).

Note: The track has not had lines marked till now, but there should be lines next Sat (19 Mar) and that means that races can be held!

Road bikes can ride on the track, but not race, and not with track bikes. Quite a few 'spare' track bikes have been brought along by track regulars, and you may be lucky enough to try one. Bring your own shoes and pedals.

Tea, coffee and cool drinks are available to buy from the track club room kitchen, and light food is available most nights.

Date	Day	Comments
19 Mar	Sat	.
26 Mar	Sat	.
2 Apr	Sat	.
8 Apr	Fri	.
16 Apr	Sat	.
21 Apr	Thu	Easter weekend
29 Apr	Fri	.
7 May	Sat	Last night of the track season

Old dog, new tricks

Two firsts in a weekend. Haven't been able to claim that since I was a young fella. My first blog post and first stint at the velodrome.

A gentle circuit on the road bike, with Craig and I slowly increasing speed on the corners, getting a feel for the track, then onto a loaner fixed gear bike. Call me slow, but while I knew there was to be no brakes and no gears, I swear no one had really drummed in the no free wheeling bit. I got bumped by the pedals a few times, but less frequently as the night went on. I have some endurance, but not the power that some of the veterans have for a flat out sprint. The velodrome riding should be good to develop some power out of turns on the road, say for a dumbleyoung round the streets course or similar.

Really good fun.

Already searching the quokka for an old track bike, but there are very servicable bikes to borrow to have a go. Next time I will take a pair of safety glasses to keep some bugs out of the eyes.

Have a go!

Velodrome now open!

Last Friday, a few of the old-time track riders and a few new to the game turned up at the Narrogin outdoor velodrome to ride under lights.

What a buzz - insects around the lights and bats eating those insects provided some distraction from the adrenaline pumping when new riders forgot to pedal, and realised they had no brakes! No accidents and lots of grins at the end.

Road riders from a casual group borrowed bikes for their first ever ride on 'fixies'. Craig was a bit wobbly to start with, and gradually got the hang of cornering with speed. He only got bumped by the pedals a few times! Tim was straight at home, and showed his usual power and speed in circuits of the 310 m track.

The track was recently resurfaced with hotmix, and is as smooth as it has been for many years. Lines are still to be added, so there was only one group pursuit on the night. More competition will be organised when the lines are added, and new riders get to know the etiquette and skills in track riding.

The next rides will be on Fri 11 March, then Saturday 19, 26 March and 2 April.