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2012-07-26 10:14 AM

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Subject: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
I picked up track racing last season as a means to increase my bike speed and force myself to do intervals and speed work on the bike. I'd say if you have the chance to try track racing out, do it. It will teach you just how much harder you can push yourself, bumps your threshold way up, improves your spin too.

Got back into it this season and mounted camera under my saddle facing backwards to see what it looks like post race. Figured I'd share a few of the videos, these are from last night.

8 Lap scratch race: Easy math on this race, the bell lap is the final lap and first place wins. Points roll down from there. https://vimeo.com/46412288

Unknown distance scratch race: This is a tough one to figure out some times. The racers don't know the distance (number of laps they are racing). The lap board counts up instead of down. At some point the pack gets twitchy and picks the pace up and racers start to position for the final lap. As the leaders come around on the final lap the bell rings and at the end of that lap first place wins and points roll down. https://vimeo.com/46415080

5x4 points race: This is 20 laps (5x4) and every 5th lap is a bell lap, or points lap. Points are progressive. That means on the first bell lap there is only 1 point for 1st place, then on the second bell lap there is 2 points for 1st and 1 point for second, on the thrid lap there are 3 points for 1st, 2 for second and 1 for thrid... So you can chill on the first couple of bell laps and still win the overall race if you take the last couple bell laps. Three of use ended up going off the front and stayed out there, we gobbled up all the points. https://vimeo.com/46428801

Here is a pic of the track bike, you can see the camera mounting straps hanging loose under the saddle.





(trackPro.jpg)



Attachments
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trackPro.jpg (35KB - 8 downloads)


2012-07-26 10:59 AM
in reply to: #4331543

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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
Cool videos. I had never seen a race before.
2012-07-26 11:38 AM
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2012-07-26 11:50 AM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
Why so much concern about the "wheel sucker"? Seems like decent race strategy to me, except he couldn't close the deal.
2012-07-26 12:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
mrbbrad - 2012-07-26 9:50 AM

Why so much concern about the "wheel sucker"? Seems like decent race strategy to me, except he couldn't close the deal.


No actual concern, more tounge n cheek ribbing. I've been running my camera all season and its just funny to see the same racer race after race night after night right behind me. I got upgraded last night and will be racing with the "big boys" going forward. I've got a team mate to work with, but will need to find some friendly wheels to suck off.

For sure picking the right wheel to draft is top race strategy. You need to figure out who's the fastest out there that night. You need to sort out what the various teams are doing, which of their racers they are working for. Some of the guys out there with loads of experience are fantastic to ride behind and go to school on. I did that earlier in the season as my legs and fitness came around. Learned a lot for sure.
2012-07-26 12:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam

mrbbrad - 2012-07-26 12:50 PM Why so much concern about the "wheel sucker"? Seems like decent race strategy to me, except he couldn't close the deal.

I'm guessing because the OP was trying to be funny, which I thought he was.

 



2012-07-26 12:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam

magic - 2012-07-26 1:01 PM
mrbbrad - 2012-07-26 9:50 AM Why so much concern about the "wheel sucker"? Seems like decent race strategy to me, except he couldn't close the deal.
No actual concern, more tounge n cheek ribbing. I've been running my camera all season and its just funny to see the same racer race after race night after night right behind me. I got upgraded last night and will be racing with the "big boys" going forward. I've got a team mate to work with, but will need to find some friendly wheels to suck off. For sure picking the right wheel to draft is top race strategy. You need to figure out who's the fastest out there that night. You need to sort out what the various teams are doing, which of their racers they are working for. Some of the guys out there with loads of experience are fantastic to ride behind and go to school on. I did that earlier in the season as my legs and fitness came around. Learned a lot for sure.

I figured you were just having some fun with the comments, but some people get really touchy about wheel suckers. The racing looks like fun!

2012-07-26 12:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
Just curious how much down time is in between each race?
2012-07-26 12:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
mrbbrad - 2012-07-26 10:13 AM

magic - 2012-07-26 1:01 PM
mrbbrad - 2012-07-26 9:50 AM Why so much concern about the "wheel sucker"? Seems like decent race strategy to me, except he couldn't close the deal.
No actual concern, more tounge n cheek ribbing. I've been running my camera all season and its just funny to see the same racer race after race night after night right behind me. I got upgraded last night and will be racing with the "big boys" going forward. I've got a team mate to work with, but will need to find some friendly wheels to suck off. For sure picking the right wheel to draft is top race strategy. You need to figure out who's the fastest out there that night. You need to sort out what the various teams are doing, which of their racers they are working for. Some of the guys out there with loads of experience are fantastic to ride behind and go to school on. I did that earlier in the season as my legs and fitness came around. Learned a lot for sure.

I figured you were just having some fun with the comments, but some people get really touchy about wheel suckers. The racing looks like fun!



Holding onto the right wheel on the track can be key to getting points. Pre race impromptu pace lines form and folks practice holding wheels, taking turns pulling, and sliding back into line safely. All key skills during a race.

At our local track you need to take and pass learning class before you can race. Then you race Cat5 where winning is not that important. The local officials watch the race super close and provide feedback and coaching post each race. They also upgrade racers after 4 or 5 nights as you demonstrate good track safety, good understanding of basic race strategies, and smooth riding.

Track is pretty cool. All the great parts of racing in tidy package and you get several races a night.
2012-07-26 12:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
crowny2 - 2012-07-26 10:23 AM

Just curious how much down time is in between each race?


Depends on how many races and heats that night. Last night there where three categories racing. So you had a break of 2 races in between yours. Say 20 mins total. Some nights there are more categories and more heats so you get more down time in between. Its really important to manage your effort in the early races because the final of the night is weighted the most. Last night I burned my legs a bit early in the first two races. In the final race I was not able to pull as fast as the other two guys in our break away. You can see this in the video as I take the lead. Worked out though, we stayed away, I took 2nd in the final race and kept 1st overall.
2012-07-26 12:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam

magic - 2012-07-26 12:34 PM
crowny2 - 2012-07-26 10:23 AM Just curious how much down time is in between each race?
Depends on how many races and heats that night. Last night there where three categories racing. So you had a break of 2 races in between yours. Say 20 mins total. Some nights there are more categories and more heats so you get more down time in between. Its really important to manage your effort in the early races because the final of the night is weighted the most. Last night I burned my legs a bit early in the first two races. In the final race I was not able to pull as fast as the other two guys in our break away. You can see this in the video as I take the lead. Worked out though, we stayed away, I took 2nd in the final race and kept 1st overall.

Cool.  Thanks for the insite and for the vids.  Very cool.



2012-07-26 1:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
BTW, I ran the same camera under my aero bars a couple of weekends ago at the Lk Stevens 70.3. Captured T1, then about 6 mins or so down course, then a few minute leading back into T2.

Put a link to the video at: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
2012-07-26 1:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam

Sweet!

We've got a Velodrome here, and one Saturday I took the class, passed. Since then, haven't done much in the way of training, so I haven't entered any races.

It's awesome, though, our 'drome is sunk into the ground and there's an amphitheater kinda natural stadium seating on the one side - families and fans just come out and lounge on the lawn and watch the races. On the other side, a local band sets up and plays cali groove and plays funk during the races (weird combo, but it works). It's tremendous, inexpensive fun.  

2012-07-26 1:56 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
rkreuser - 2012-07-26 11:40 AM

Sweet!

We've got a Velodrome here, and one Saturday I took the class, passed. Since then, haven't done much in the way of training, so I haven't entered any races.

It's awesome, though, our 'drome is sunk into the ground and there's an amphitheater kinda natural stadium seating on the one side - families and fans just come out and lounge on the lawn and watch the races. On the other side, a local band sets up and plays cali groove and plays funk during the races (weird combo, but it works). It's tremendous, inexpensive fun.  



racing is training! get out there!
2012-07-27 10:30 AM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
Put a couple more videos up

tempo race: https://vimeo.com/46470868

scratch race: https://vimeo.com/46471517

4x5 points race: https://vimeo.com/46471516 There is a Junior racing with us, very cool to see him push that hard.

I go upgraded this week, so tonight is racing Friday night racing racing with the big boys. I'll be preparing my self all day to be pack fodder
2012-07-27 10:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam

magic - 2012-07-26 10:01 AM For sure picking the right wheel to draft is top race strategy. You need to figure out who's the fastest out there that night. You need to sort out what the various teams are doing, which of their racers they are working for. Some of the guys out there with loads of experience are fantastic to ride behind and go to school on. I did that earlier in the season as my legs and fitness came around. Learned a lot for sure.

Actually, it's a matter of who has the best sustainable speed, but no top-end snap, so you can sprint around them in the final straight... Assuming you have that snap.

It's been YEARS since I've been on Marymoor... In some ways I miss it. In others, not so much.



2012-07-28 11:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
What kinda speed are you going in these races?
2012-07-29 12:53 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
briderdt - 2012-07-27 8:45 AM

magic - 2012-07-26 10:01 AM For sure picking the right wheel to draft is top race strategy. You need to figure out who's the fastest out there that night. You need to sort out what the various teams are doing, which of their racers they are working for. Some of the guys out there with loads of experience are fantastic to ride behind and go to school on. I did that earlier in the season as my legs and fitness came around. Learned a lot for sure.

Actually, it's a matter of who has the best sustainable speed, but no top-end snap, so you can sprint around them in the final straight... Assuming you have that snap.

It's been YEARS since I've been on Marymoor... In some ways I miss it. In others, not so much.



In Cat 3 there are so many fast guys out there, its a different game figuring out who's got what in the legs over Cat 4 races. I did Cat 3 Friday for the first time, bit of an eye opener. Any little mistakes where gobbled up quickly.
2012-07-29 1:06 PM
in reply to: #4335832

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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
nbo10 - 2012-07-28 9:59 PM

What kinda speed are you going in these races?


I've not run a computer or GPS out there, hearing from other racers we've in the low 30's during the sprints. During the faster laps 26 to 28mph

Here's Cat3 6x5 (30 laps with sprints for points every 6 laps) from Friday https://vimeo.com/46556921
You can see the overall pack is faster, there are more speed changes happening, more guys able to really pick up their speed and attack/close gaps. Its also 10 laps longer than the same race in Cat4, so endurance comes more into play. Think I'll try racing in the Masters group this coming week to see what that is like. From watching them there are lots of experienced fast guys out there. Will be good to go to school on and get better at racing tactics.
2012-07-29 10:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
Thanks for posting the videos. It has me interested. I'm going to try to check out a semi-local track some time in the next few weeks.

2012-07-30 12:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Velodrome racing videos, under the saddle cam
nbo10 - 2012-07-29 8:26 PM

Thanks for posting the videos. It has me interested. I'm going to try to check out a semi-local track some time in the next few weeks.



Right on!


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