There is LOTS to learn about track cycling.

You can spend your time, waste your time, or invest your time. It's your choice.

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Track bikes have no brakes and a single fixed gear. That means no shifting, no coasting and no braking. Although having no brakes might seem dangerous, it is far safer to ride in a group when you eliminate the riders’ ability to brake suddenly at top speed. Imagine driving on the freeway in the fast lane behind someone who keeps tapping their brakes causing the brake lights to illuminate. Generally this causes the drivers behind to reflexively flinch, adjust their speed and possibly change their line even when they don’t want to. Not having brakes allows the group to ride at a more consistent pace over a greater distance.
Track bike geometry is similar to that of a traditional road racing bike but with steeper angles and a shorter wheelbase. These features combine to facilitate speed, power and maneuverability on the track at the expense of comfort. These features also combine for maximum efficiency when riding straight lines through the turns of a velodrome. The bottom bracket of a track bike is positioned slightly higher to accommodate the steep banking of the turns. This additional clearance prevents riders from ‘clipping’ pedals in the turns. Properly fitting a rider on a track bike will bring all these considerations into focus.
Gear selections on a track bike may seem a bit tricky, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Junior athletes are restricted to specific gears for racing based on their racing age as established by each country’s governing organization. The USAC limits America’s youngest junior track racers to gear restrictions that are as low as a 74.5 inch gear (48x17 on most 700c wheeled bikes). However elite and masters level athletes are free to race nearly any gear they choose. Elite Sprinters seeking maximum speed and power over very short race distances will select gears in excess of 100+ inch gears (52x14 and beyond). A good gear for most reasonably fit adults who are new to track cycling (at ADT) is an 86.4-88.2 inch gear (48x15, 49x15 respectively). Athletes seeking to improve their pedaling efficiency may choose to spin a smaller 79.4-81.0 inch gear (50x17, 48x16) in specific training situations. The rental bikes that are available at most tracks will likely be set up in a training gear that is well suited to that particular track’s surface and distance. When setting up your own bike, each athlete will need to determine the gear ratios that are the most beneficial to them based on their physical fitness as well as the track’s physical construction. As your training evolves, your fitness improves and your racing goals become more clear, you will discover additional gear combinations that will benefit you from time to time.
Tires are where the rubber meets the track and where you will find an important piece of equipment that is the subject of much concern. Most athletes regard their tires more highly than their chamois. Each track has different concerns that will determine which tires are the most beneficial. Each tire will have different benefits and drawbacks. On a rough outdoor concrete track with long shallow turns, riders will generally need heavier duty tires made to withstand the wear and tear of the abrasive surface. On the smooth wooden surface of tracks such as the LA Velodrome with short, slick, steeply banked turns, riders will need a smooth sticky tire with sufficient tread on the sidewalls to maintain traction at slower speeds. Smooth track surfaces will promote the life of the tires allowing riders to use the same set of tires for a season or three. In general, road racing tires are not recommended for track use (especially at ADT!) due to the heavier textured tread that runs along the center of the tires with little if any tread on the sidewalls. The slanted surface of the track puts the side of the tires in constant contact with the track surface while road cycling stresses the center ridge of the tire. Experienced athletes on your home track can often help guide you in your tire selection.

Have Fun!!

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Please note: The next two LOTS sessions, Saturday April 12th and Saturday May 10th will NOT be sandwiched in between anything. We expect to have a great time with plenty of room for everyone to ride till you can’t turn the pedals one more time! Please be early so you will have time to sign in and get ready. The session begins at 12noon.

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March 26-30th, 2008 ~ The UCI (Elite) Track World Championships will be held this week in Manchester. USAC is sending several athletes to represent the United States:
For the Men ~ Michael Blatchford (men's sprint), Adam Duvendeck (men's sprint), Michael Friedman (men's scratch race & Madison), Bobby Lea (men's omnium), Colby Pearce (men's points race & Madison) &Taylor Phinney (men's individual pursuit)
For the Women ~ Becky Quinn (women's scratch race & points race), Jennie Reed (women's sprint & keirin) and Sarah Hammer (women's individual pursuit)
Please let these guys ‘n gals know how much we support them and how proud we are of them!! Most of these athletes call ADT their “Home Track”.

You can follow the Home Team while they are racing abroad by checking out the official event website ~ www.worldtrackcycling.com

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Fri-Sat, March 28-30th ~ Southern California Velo presents the 9th Annual San Dimas Stage Race. This 3 day Stage Race begins bright and early on Friday Morning with the grueling Glendora Chevrolet TT up Glendora Mtn Road, followed on Saturday by the San Dimas Hospital Old Town RR. The grand finale will be the Incycle/Cannondale San Dimas Classic criterium. Women will have two races to choose from including the WPro 1-2’s and the WCat 3-4’s. Please see the event flyer for all the details.

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Saturday March 1st (done), April 5th, October 11th, & November 9th ~ The Curt Sutliff Memorial Santiago Canyon Time Trial Series. The 2nd TT in this series will be held on Saturday, April 5th. The Reg Fee is $25. There will be No Pre-Reg ~ Race Day Reg is available from 7:15-8:30AM. There is a mandatory Pre-Race Meeting at 8:45AM in front of Rock N Road Cyclery near the corner of El Toro Rd/Marguerite Pkwy. The first racer will go off at 9:00am. For more info please see the Event Flyer.

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Saturday April 5th @ 4pm ~ Everyone is invited and encouraged to Come race the Season Opener at the Encino Velodrome ~ the Motor Tabs Mechanized Mayhem Omnium. Discounted online registration (save $5) is available. The event includes motor paced races for every category: Juniors 12 & Under, Juniors 13-16, Women (1-4), Masters 40+, Masters 50+/60+, Category 5 Men, Category 3/4, and Pro/1/2 and a Pro 1/2/3 Madison.

For more info, please see the race flyer.
Commemorative T-Shirts and posters can be purchased
All proceeds benefit the racing program at the Encino Velodrome.

Omnium race entry fees will be $15 per racer. Race entry fees include track usage fee at the Encino Velodrome. Juniors race for free at all events in 2008 at the Encino Velodrome courtesy of the SCNCA.
Reigning National and World Champions who notify the race director of their intention to race at the Encino Velodrome at least one week before race day will have their entry fees waived courtesy of the Encino Velodrome Association. Women who register to race against the men in the Pro/1/2 omnium races at the Encino Velodrome in 2008 will have their entry fees waived courtesy of the Encino Velodrome Association.

Alfred Nash
Race Director
Encino Velodrome
http://encinovelodrome.org

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Saturday April 19 ~ The Encino Velodrome presents Part 2 of the “Low Key Time Trials” a USAC Non-Competitive Event Series. March 22 (done), April 19, May 10, June 14 & July 19 2008. The TRACK & REGISTRATION Opens at 8:15am & Closes at 9:15 am. RACING starts at 9:30am. Entry $10, One entry free gets you into as many events as you like. No Pre-Reg; Race day entries only.
All athletes must provide a signed 2008 USAC Athlete Release form (see below). RULES: Must have track experience. All 2008 USCF rules apply. Helmets must be worn at all times while on the bike.

Individual Events Include ~ 500m, 1k, 2k, 3k, & 4k
Team Events Include ~ 3k & 4k, Teams must provide your own holders!
Team Sprints (2 women) & Olympic Sprints (3 men) included.

Please note: Rental bikes ARE available for all races at Encino.

For additional Race information, please email: Trattenero@hotmail.com
LOCATION: Encino Velodrome17301 Oxnard St, .Encino, CA. 91416

Please visit the Encino Velodrome’s website.

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Friday Nights at ADT ~ Attn Ladies the TT’s at ADT and at Encino are fantastic opportunities for beginners to race your first track race and for more experienced Ladies to fine tune their IP and put together a Sprint or Pursuit Team or two! If you are interested in training for these races and more, please plan to join me at ADT each Friday evening for open (ie co-ed) training from 6-9PM. I will be there to help you discover & develop your track racing potential!

Please send me an RSVP email so I know who to expect this week. Normal track fees apply.

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The 2008 USAC Athlete Waiver is available on-line.

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The 2008 SCNCA Racing Calendar is available on line.

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The 2008 USAC Rule book is available on-line.

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If you are still reading…please enjoy this cycling related video … http://www.dothetest.co.uk/

Thank you Scott!
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Have a super week Ladies!!

Julia