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Friday Night Track

This friday will be the first track night down at the washington blvd oval. Tell your friends come on down. We are going to have some fun and put that fixed gear bike to use.


When:


June 11

June 25

July 9

July 23


Registration Starts at 6:00 Racing at 6:30


Where:

Washington Blvd Oval -->


Join Iron City Bikes Racing and Pittsburgh Masters Velo Club for an exciting summer of fixed gear track events. We will be holding a number of different events every week including Keirins, Sprints, Pursuits and more. Track racing is fast and entertaining and we aim to keep it that way! Anyone who has a track bike, or has thought about purchasing one, should come out and join in the fun, it's only $10 to race and no licenses or previous experience is needed. Prizes and Cash awarded to points leaders at the end of the night from Magic Hat Brewing, Mad Mex, Iron City Bikes and more.


For beginners we'll be holding educational seminars throughout the evening to help acclimate riders to the racing environment. These seminars will be focused around first time racers and will include things such as: Riding in a pack, pacelining, sprinting and bumping drills. Our hope is that this will encourage new riders to give track racing a try.


For more information please check out www.fridaynighttrack.com .


Equipment:

The proper equipment in required to participate in the Track events. If you have any questions about equipment, please contact us.


Fixed Cog and Lockring

Drop Handlebars

Bars MUST be plugged

No Brakes OR Brake Parts

No Quick Releases (front/rear)

No Platform Pedals (Toe Clips/Cages or Platform Pedals)

Appropriate Clothing is required (Nothing baggy and closed toe shoes)


unicyclemike
2010-06-07 16:31:21

Hopefully I'll make it down the 25th.


What kind of gearing do most run?


ndromb
2010-06-07 16:40:01

I have been wanting to come down just to watch. I am going to really have to try and make it.


dbacklover
2010-06-07 16:50:54

I don't understand this line:


No Platform Pedals (Toe Clips/Cages or Platform Pedals)


Are traditional clips and straps now banned, requiring clipless pedals?


bradq
2010-06-07 17:03:31

Anyone want to meet up from Oakland/Shadyside area and ride down?


raphael
2010-06-07 17:20:51

Raphael, I'll ride down the 25th, but I won't be going this week because of the MS150


ndromb
2010-06-07 17:54:00

Re: Brad


CLIPS AND STRAPS ARE OK!


This is a typo! It was meant to say that you have to have some form of pedal retention system. Clipless and clips/straps are both acceptable.


Sorry for the mix up.


justin_time
2010-06-07 18:01:14

Sorry the toe clip part was a big typo. Sorry for the panic there.


It should read " No Platform Pedals ( Toe Cages/Straps and Clipless pedals are OK )


I am having trouble editing the original post, as soon as I figure it out I will.


--

Mike


unicyclemike
2010-06-07 18:36:48

You only have a limited amount of time after you post to edit it (30 min, IIRC). Let Erok know and he can edit it.


ndromb
2010-06-07 18:41:58

I figured it was a typo, just wanted to get it clear for the first timers.


bradq
2010-06-07 19:35:34

Brad, are you some kind of freaking editor or something?


steevo
2010-06-07 19:38:37

I'd be interested in giving this a go on the 25th, but my "track" bike is a hipster special rusty old steelie with track wheels on it. Is this geared more for actual track cyclists, or do people ride junk like mine at it too?


rick
2010-06-08 01:25:43

I will be attending the "beginner's course" (because somehow watching Youtube doesn't actually make you an expert). However, my track bike is currently geared for hilly streets in Pittsburgh, not the oval. Until I get my new cog, I'll be running 46tX18t, so I'll be redlining right there along with you...


raphael
2010-06-08 02:22:20

My only fixed gear at the moment is the "bike!" bike. It's 49x17, but I think I may throw a 16t or 15t cog on.


ndromb
2010-06-08 03:12:29

I'd recommend about 75-85 gear inches (say, 48-16) to start, but if you can spin you can go lower. I can bring a spare 16t cog if anyone wants to swap out for racing.


The event isn't really "geared" toward anyone. There aren't many "real" track racers in Pgh because there isn't a velodrome here. Ride hard and have fun. :)


johnwheffner
2010-06-08 04:57:14

Tomorrow morning look for a tentative schedule to be posted.


local fast dudes interested in coming, pm me or email me at skurpiewski at gmail.


steve-k
2010-06-08 14:42:04

I might be down for this, depending on my plans for Saturday and Sunday, which may involve the polar opposite of a track bike.


eric
2010-06-08 19:38:20

Anyone (besides ndromb)coming from Oakland and want to ride down?


raphael
2010-06-09 16:56:31

I lack a track bike, but if I don't have anything else going on I'll bike up from Oakland to snap some photos.


dwillen
2010-06-09 17:00:44

We have a nice menu of events set up for the first night! A combination of speed and endurance, individual and team events. Our goals are to make cyclists confident with the sport of track cycling regardless of experience.


thelivingted
2010-06-09 19:50:20

Am I going to be behind if I miss the first one?


ndromb
2010-06-10 15:14:35

Hey Nick, even though the program is cumulative, you should still be able to slot into later races and figure out what's going on. I'd give yourself extra time to practice pacelining with other riders and get caught up on the previous itinerary.


thelivingted
2010-06-11 13:40:26

Speaking of itineraries, racing registration starts at 6pm tonight.


Please arrive promptly (if not early), to warm up and participate in pace-lining practice. Here's a tentative schedule of races for tonight:


First event will be a two lap time trial, followed by a multi-lap scratch race (first over the line wins). A team pursuit race where riders will form teams of at least three riders and try to beat the clock and finishing it off with a multi-lap points race. (points awarded for intermediate sprints).


Should be a long night so eat your wheaties and bring lots of water.


Its 10 dollars, no USA Cycling License necessary. Cash prizes for winners of the omnium (overall top point scorers for the night), determined by attendance. Additional swag and prizes to be awarded by our discretion.


http://www.fridaynighttrack.com/


thelivingted
2010-06-11 13:52:59

top of the pops.


thelivingted
2010-06-11 18:31:39

Thanks to everyone who totally smoked me, I actually had a great time, and will be back next time! -Matt Keeny (raphael)


raphael
2010-06-12 17:32:15

Thanks to everyone who came out on friday for the first track night of the season. We had a great time racing and look forward to many more as the summer goes on.


Also don't forget this Friday is the 10 Mile TT


unicyclemike
2010-06-15 16:42:42

Yo! Tonight. 10 miles.


Also, anyone interested in bikepooling back to the city? I have to ride back to the T downtown and would like some company.


mayhew
2010-06-18 18:17:05

Chris, what time? I'll be heading back home through town after FOC and all that.


reddan
2010-06-18 18:20:49

7:30ish? Kinda hard to say. 30 people, one minute start intervals beginning at 6:30p, I'm usually one of the last ones to go.


If you're around I'd love company though.


mayhew
2010-06-18 20:06:09

Just a reminder that this week is a fixed gear track racing night. Ted and I have planned a bunch of events that should be fun to both participate in and to spectate.


Including:

The 2 Lap 1 Mile Time Trial! See how much you can shave off your previous time! If you didn't vomit in your mouth a little bit afterwards, you didn't ride hard enough!!!


The Match Sprint Tournament! Many will enter, 2 from each race will proceed to the next round! Stick around for the end of the night as these races will be interspersed throughout the evening. My legs are crying in pain just thinking about it! Do you know I say to that? SHUT UP LEGS!!!


The Win 'n' Out! The first sprint determines the winner! After that, everyone's racing for second place!!! Is it smarter to give it your all in the first sprint or to save it for the subsequent sprints? It's up to YOU to DECIDE!!!


The Unknown Distance! A randomly determined number of laps will be raced and you won't know how many until you hear the bell. At that time, it's GAME ON!!!


Like before, each event will be scored 5 deep into the night's omnium. We'll have some giveaways as well during the course of the evening for the racers. So don your lycra, put on your hero gear, go as balls to the wall as jens and tell your legs to SHUT UP!!!




steve-k
2010-06-24 02:43:01

Steve, who is your bigger man-crush, Jens or Dave Z?


johnwheffner
2010-06-24 03:46:36

Jens Voigt, "shuddup legs, I can barely hear my bottom bracket motor."


thelivingted
2010-06-24 03:55:06

I am pumped for this!


ndromb
2010-06-24 03:55:53

tell your friends tell your family, Any women want to race? you'll be first in your class and probably in it for some prizes!


thelivingted
2010-06-24 04:20:05

If I actually had a bike for it, maybe I'd come out...but I definitely don't.


kgavala
2010-06-24 11:43:54

so be it.


thelivingted
2010-06-24 22:10:48

I'll be there tomorrow night for the first time. Any recommendations on gear ratios?


rick
2010-06-25 00:19:16

after reading a few posts earlier, my question is answered.


rick
2010-06-25 03:02:50

Top!


There will also be some spare loner cogs available for use!


steve-k
2010-06-25 14:44:19

Hey just wanted to let everyone know that i had a heluva good time racing tonight, even though just about everybody blew my proverbial doors off. I'll definitely be back in 2 weeks to have another go at it.


rick
2010-06-26 02:46:25

Cheers!, it was a night of great and safe races. All our beginner racers put excellent efforts and rode well.


thelivingted
2010-06-27 00:08:25

I'd like to think Ted for giving me the shirt off his back.


I wore a sleeveless jersey, unaware that sleeves are mandatory.


ndromb
2010-06-27 15:19:34

@bstephens: Your photos keep improving each set! They definitely make my Flickr contact list interesting. If I weren't so afraid of killing my Rebel, I'd take it to the track sometime. Keep up the sweet work!


swellxelle
2010-06-28 02:22:20

i would love to do this but 1)afraid to ride in a race/group like this 2)afraid to ride with no brakes


stefb
2010-06-28 20:18:43

You should do it! I was nervous about it at first too but it turned out to be great. We did some slower paced practice laps before racing to help get used to riding in a group, and everyone there was super cool and werent really hard on new racers.


rick
2010-06-28 23:18:47

Tomorrow!


BACK ON TRACK...

BACK ON TRACK!


thelivingted
2010-07-08 13:39:33

Is it canceled if it rains?


ndromb
2010-07-08 15:37:32

Lightning or steady rain cancel. Light or intermittent rain usually does not cancel, but it's up to the official to decide if conditions are safe.


johnwheffner
2010-07-08 17:45:26

The events are finalized!


2 lap tt!!

Miss n Out aka DEVIL TAKES THE HINDMOST!

Olympic Pursuit!

and the SNOWBALL!


Time permitting we may run a scratch race! Also, do this before the party at Free Ride! Get your legs all limbered up!


steve-k
2010-07-09 01:58:15

Steve and I have many years experience with this. Track race before drink dance debauchery= proper pgh good times. Even without CiCI'S Or the Duke's ruins.....


thelivingted
2010-07-09 04:12:50

It is threatening rain tonight, but if its clear race time we're still going on.


thelivingted
2010-07-09 11:05:58

Hey everyone, looks like we're RAINED OUT tonight! Next week is the time trials. Next track race will be Friday 7/23. We'll see about adding another track night in august.


thelivingted
2010-07-09 21:10:58

sweet. hope the august date happens. super bummed about tonight though.


raphael
2010-07-09 21:35:15

Too bad we got rained out, but at least this will give me some time to find more ladies to compete with. I was looking forward to my first racing experience--I will be anxiously awaiting Friday the 23rd!


skipdip
2010-07-09 21:52:36



thelivingted
2010-07-09 22:45:56