Photo by Luke Seemann

It’s track time
May 13
2008
Filed in: Race news


Comments (18)

I don’t monitor track racing here, but I’m still a big fan and head up to the Ed Rudolph Velodrome in Northbrook every chance I get. The 2008 season starts Thursday, and this year Northbrook offers a two-for-one admission coupon. Opening night usually draws strong fields of riders. This week the action starts at 6:45.

Metra is the best way for spectators to go, especially with the Edens construction. Here’s the train schedule. The velodrome is a short walk from the station, and the 5:58 p.m. train from Union Station will get you there just in time to watch racing.

Track racing is exciting stuff. Here’s a video from the inside. But in addition to enjoying yourself and supporting your friends and teammates, you will be able to observe tactics as they unfold at 30 mph. The velodrome is a veritable laboratory for tactics, and you can see all the moves and counter moves from your vantage point in the stands.

Comments

1.

May 13
2008

9:26 am

(Turin)

Word up on the track dig! BTW, track is probably the best compliment to road racing there is.

2.

May 13
2008

9:27 am

(xXx Racing - Athletico)

Thanks for the shout out to the track.  And thanks for posting these videos that highlight my best side.

3.

May 13
2008

9:49 am

(Get a Grip)

“Word up on the track dig! BTW, track is probably the best compliment to road racing there is.”

I think you meant:
“Word up on the track dig! BTW, track is probably the best there is.”

There is no registration fee opening night, but still bring money for a number ($30 for adults).

By the way, time to get excited for the Chicago Track Racing site that is in the works, covering the local, national and world track scenes ...

4.

May 13
2008

9:53 am

(Get a Grip)

Actually we’ll be covering mostly the local/regional scene, with highlights from the big national races.

5.

May 13
2008

10:21 am

Hey the track video is pretty cool..... Thanks for sharing.  Now can anyone go to the track and race?  I have just started riding a fixed gear bike, I cannot imagine racing on that thing.  In the pack at what ever speed.  How does one slow down if they need?

6.

May 13
2008

11:27 am

Luke Seemann's avatar

Luke Seemann (XXX Racing-AthletiCo)

Fixed gear is on a track is surprisingly safe. In fact, the lack of brakes is precisely what makes it so.

I’m sure our trackie friends can amplify, but in order to race Thursday nights you need to be a track Cat 4 or better. For that, you need to attend at least five Monday/Tuesday clinics and at least five nights of Friday night Cat 5 races. Check out the Northbrook calendar for more info.

7.

May 13
2008

3:31 pm

super rookie's avatar

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

If you all want some world class action head on up here to Blaine for the Fixed Gear Classic on June 7th and 8th.

Multi-time World Champion and LA World Cup winner Roberto Chiappa (ITL) will be in attendance as will a ton of top notch women.

I expect Val to be here.

250m 44degree banking.

Best. Thing. Ever.

8.

May 13
2008

4:59 pm

(Get a Grip)

Of course I’m going!  I can’t wait!  I’ll even be there early for Thursday night racing.  I got the 45 degree banking jitters out of my system at ADT.  Racing at Northbrook is fun and all, but racing on a track like ADT and Blaine is just awesome. 

Super Wookie is indeed right, there will be some big names there.  If you’re thinking about going, go.  Racing with people of that caliber is amazing and so is just watching them.

9.

May 13
2008

8:16 pm

super rookie's avatar

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

I was thinking of racing, but with the likes of Chiappa, Fox, Kacala, Tainter, Barzcheski (all national champs in their own right) and quite a few others...I might just have to sit this one out and enjoy watching the big boys duke it out!

The women’s field is already stacking up to be one of the most competitive fields on the national track racing calendar.

P.S. This entire event will be webcast live over the internet. I will have more info soon, but rumor has it that the color commentator is really awesome.

10.

May 13
2008

9:47 pm

(Connecticut Coast Cycling)

wow - i only get front page status after i’ve left the state!

go race the track!!

haven’t made it to my new hometown track yet - kissena - but looking forward to 2 nights a week plus the occasional weekend trip to t-town.

have fun and ride safe.

11.

May 14
2008

9:44 am

usrnull (Chicago Cuttin' Crew)

Technically, the NCC 2008 Cat 4 Upgrade form states:

“To upgrade from Category 5 to Category 4, a rider must satisfactorily complete five Category 5 track races plus any combination of five Velodrome Training Sessions or Category 5 track races for a total of ten ‘outings’ on the track in 2008.”

The form itself (where you collect signatures) indeed says “Racing” on five lines and “Training or Racing” on five lines. Of course, there are only 9 Friday races on the calendar, assuming no rainouts, so you still need to get to a clinic or two.

12.

May 14
2008

12:03 pm

Chris Clary's avatar

(Turin)

New rule for this year: since Kenosha is ABR, it doesn’t count towards an upgrade.  Bummer.

13.

May 14
2008

8:39 pm

super rookie's avatar

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

Chris-

There are some work arounds on this. Dave Fowkes might be by the book to much, but I would go to the next level. This rule was inserted as a form of secondary pressure on tracks to comply with USAC, but it has had little impact at other tracks that are non-usac…

At least that is my experience.

14.

May 27
2008

3:33 pm

(Get a Grip)

I don’t know if anyone is still checking these comments, but I sent an email to the organizer of the MN Fixed Gear Classic asking for clarification regarding the Men’s fields.  On the NSC site if you click on the link to the FGC from the calendar you get a schedule that includes Men’s 3s and 4s.  However on the flyer that showed up recently there is only a pro/1/2 field. 

The flyer is correct, there will not be racing for the Cat 3/4 men.  I’m sorry I told some people otherwise.

15.

May 27
2008

3:36 pm

candles (Chicago Cuttin Crew)

booo!

16.

May 28
2008

11:46 am

(N/A)

Message received.

17.

May 28
2008

3:34 pm

super rookie's avatar

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

come on up any other Thursday night :)

The MN FGC is going to be awesome...we got people coming from Argentina and Australia!

18.

May 28
2008

5:11 pm

(N/A)

Let’s see… Awsome event, Fabulous track, Fantastic competition. Sounds like a great time. But money has a way of ruining hopes faster than a high speed blowout going into turn 4.

Speaking for those I know from the area that want to go to ADT in August, we are looking for an opportunity to get up there.

 

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