Thursday nite racing at Northbrook Velodrome!
It has been a few years since I suited up for a track race, especially with any intent on being competitive. The 1/4 mile is the same as i remember it, just smoother now. Having 20+ years of going in circles there, i had no issues adjusting to the fixed gear, and i felt back at home in just a few laps.
Event 1 was a Danish, or win and out. there are 3 laps of racing, then the bell rings and the next rider is 1st place, ring the bell again, next lap 2nd place, etc.
Rarely do i PLAN on contesting the V, but as the bell rang and the acceleration went, i was actually pretty surprised how well i handled it. Ended up boxed to take the win, but i had a good feeling about second. Down the backside, again I was able to match the acceleration, move around the first guy moving backwards, and going through turn 3, i was sitting 2nd wheel. A rider was coming over the top of me to leave me boxed, but 20 years of the oval was on my side. A quick flip of the bars opened a substantial whole, i was shocked at how much the guy freaked out. I gassed it, and boom, 2nd place. I was happy to go sit down and not have to keep burning matches.
Event 2 - 30 lap points race. 1st sprint, sat in, no points. 2ns sprint, I took 1 point. 2 lapps later they rang up a Prime, and all I needed to hear was cash, so I lit the rocket on the backside from the front, and a quick glance over my shoulder between 3 and 4 - I WAS CLEAN! no response. $10 bucks in pocket and now - Crap, 2 laps to go for points, and I am still clean. Settle in, get smooth, SUFFER. SUFFER.
Made it to take 1st place points. Field comes through and I am OTB almost immediately as there is a counter attack to my catch. I get caught by another straggler, whom I immediately hang onto and milk for what its worth. I had resigned to finish OTB. but wait, i can take a turn, then the other guys is motoring again. I think we are closing. Another turn for me, and other guy makes a BIG effort to close.. wait, yes.. we will get there. I'm thinking no way, we are gonna get there at the bell. Through 2 to go the kid is HAULING, I am HURTING! I know I have to follow him no matter what. We catch the back just out of turn 4 with the bell ringing. The other guy was dumb enough to work 80% of the time we were together, but smart enough to go immediately over the top when we catch. He lights it going into turn 2, I'm in tow. I punch his ticket going into 3, we are clean, win another points sprint on the final. Haas has to catch me, because i have been cross eyed and drooling for several laps. ended up in 2nd place for the event. I don't think I have placed in a points race in at least 5 years, and was very happy to sack up and put on a decent display of suffering.
Love the Oval.
