Back on Track

Last Tuesday was my first night at the San Diego Velodrome this year. Not only was it my first time on the track bike since Nationals last October, but it was my first time racing at the track in San Diego since I crashed in a race there last August and broke my ribs. I was a little nervous getting out there and racing again at the site of my crash, but I was soon very comfortable and did much better than I expected.

The night started with the customary motor-paced warmup of 30 laps. The first race was a 7-lap then win-&-out, and my final race of the night was a 20-lap scratch race. I was not aiming for any results in the races, but instead was using the racing to get some extra speed training in. However, being able to hang with the field of very fast men (who are highly motivated by the beer primes) and finish the races in the field made me very happy about where I am right now with a full three months to go before Nationals at the beginning of of October. Racing at the track each Tuesday night will now once again be added to my training.

From the first Tuesday in April through the last Tuesday in September, the San Diego Velodrome is the site of Tuesday Night Racing every week. The San Diego Velodrome is no ADT Event Center Velodrome, though. I am so thankful to be only 100 miles from the ADT Velodrome, one of the best tracks in the world -- an indoor, 250 meter track with a wood surface and 45 degree bankings -- and feel very spoiled every time I've ridden there and then come back home to the San Diego track. The San Diego Velodrome is an outdoor, 333 1/3 meter track in Balboa Park's Morley Field with a concrete-ish surface and probably only about 20 degrees of banking in the turns. However, although it's not in the class of ADT, I am priviledged to have a velodrome only a quick two mile drive away that I can race and train on.

Tuesday Night Racing draws a great crowd every week, with the bleachers always full of a great mix of people taking advantage of the opportunity to watch track racing for free. Some bring picnics, others bring beer and margaritas, and others just come and watch, but all the spectators do a lot of cheering for all of the racers. In the past, they've even had a wine tasting night and a live band on another night. Gary, the announcer for Tuesday Night Racing, is hilarious and entertains the crowd with his race commentary and his ability to poke fun at anyone whenever the opportunity presents itself. Joly and Ray, two USCF officials that everyone who races crits and road races is very familiar with, are there each Tuesday to handle registration and officiate. Their efforts every week are greatly appreciated.