Track Time

BBC p/b WheelWorx has been ripping up the concrete at the Dick Lane Velodrome. Jan was the sole representative for the Fourth Tuesday Pursuit night. Not having gotten his new cog and chain ring, he was still a little lite in the gear. Despite this he still managed respectable top 5 placings for the night and won his individual pursuit heat.

The next Tuesday, Jan again made the trip solo and unleashed his dominance. Winning both the Snowball (by a substantial margin) and the Win and Out and taking third in the Scratch Race, he easily won the Omnium earning his upgrade to the C's.

Wael tested his metal against some of the best track racers in the southeast at the Pro Race Series. He represented well, placing 3rd in the Scratch Race and Miss and Out, 4th in the Unknown Distance and Snowball, and 5th in the Points Race. These results netted him 4th overall.

Wael and Jan jetted over to partake in last nights Wednesday Night racing. Jan opened up his C racing by placing 3rd in the Scratch race. This was just a warm-up as he went on to win the rest of his races and the omnium. It will not be long before Jan is rubbing elbows in the A's. Not to be out done, Wael represented in the B's with 3rd in the Scratch and Win and Out and 5th in the Points race - netting him 3rd overall.

Weather permitting, we will be making the trip over next Wednesday. I hope to be joining my track mates to give a first hand account of the nights racing.

Track Stars

Several members of the BBC p/b WheelWorx team ventured to the outskirts of Atlanta to take in a little track racing at the Dick Lane Velodrome. This was the opening night of the season for Dick Lane. First Tuesday's are for Beginner's, Master's, and Women. Mike and Jan lined up for the Beginner's group, while Wael and I lined up with the Master's.

We had a few mishaps on the way over. If you haven't driven to Atlanta recently, be warned that the speed limit from Talledega Nation Forest to the Georgia line is now 55 - not 70.

Misfortunes behind us, we arrived a little late were not able to get in on the group warm up. First up, 5 lap Scratch race for Mike and Jan. Both were feeling the effects of cold legs and the car trip over. Jan snuck in for 5th with Mike coming in not too far behind. Next, it was Wael and my turn for the Scratch race. With a little longer to loosen our legs, Wael and I faired a little better. I managed 4th with Wael a couple spots behind.

Unknown Distance was next on the menu. Jan took a chance and went off the front, but the bell ringer was not kind and let him sit there for a little too long. He managed to hold on to 2nd. With the Beginner's race being as long as it was, the Master's race was cut short (had to make up some time). Unfortunately, I was boxed in and had to wait for traffic to start my kick to the line. I was able to come around and take 4th with Wael right beside me for 5th.

Points Race. By this time, Jan was warmed up. He made it look easy while winning ALL 4 sprints in his points race. A little mishap at the start of the Master's race reduced ours from 30 laps down to 20. By the way, pollen on concrete is pretty slick. Luckily, I still had some cross skills as I rode to the infield to avoid some bikes and bodies. Everyone got up and was ok to continue racing. I tried to go on the attack early. I won the first sprint and created a split of 5 in the field, including Wael. We lost 1 during the next sprint, but the rest of us stayed together through the finish. Wael was watching my back as I launched a late race attack. Unfortunately, I ran out of steam and only managed a fourth in the final sprint. I did garner enough points to take 3rd with Wael finishing up 4th.

Last race of the night, Win-and-Out. Win the sprint and your done. Come in second, and you get to do it all over again on the next lap. Mike was able to string out the Beginner's group as they were coming in for the bell. This allowed Jan to finish off the group and take the first sprint. In the Master's race, we had an attack gain a little ground after the bell. I was marking it from behind when Wael comes over the top like a rocket and passes us both coming out of turn four to take the first sprint. I saw the morale balloon of the other rider totally deflate as he got passed and launched an attack of my own. I was able to hold off the field for the second sprint.

Jan finished 2nd overall in the Beginner's group, with Mike gaining some valuable track racing experience. In the Master's group overall, Wael finished up 4th and I took 3rd. Overall, it was a successful outing for the first night of the season. I have a feeling that there will be more results to come.