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Just getting started? Here's some helpful information: the velodrome is located in a public park, which means that you can use it whenever you want to, however you want to, unless a permitted activity (like a race) is taking place. Racing will happen through the end of the summer, on Wednesday and Thursday nights. If you plan to be regular, you should go to USACycling and buy an annual license. USAC is like a league, your racing license is a membership in that league. If you don't buy a license, you'll have to buy a $10 "one-day" license for each day you race.
Beginners start out as Category 5 racers. After a minimum of 4 track race days, one can upgrade to Category 4. Once a Cat 4 racer, racers earn upgrade points by placing well not in individual races, but in day-long omniums. Each day of racing is an omnium - 3 races for each category. Points are awarded to top finishers in each race, and the winner of the omnium is the person with the most points.
Bike Reg is where you can go to register on-line for races. For Kissena races, you must pre-register, as officials cannot collect money in a public park.
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Some links below should be helpful for people just getting in to things. If you get to a Velodrome and are confused about the rules of a certain race that's being run, just ask around - by and large, people are friendly and willing to help explain things to beginners. Additionally, definitely read up on velodrome etiquette (in "Kissena Track Rules," below) - it's important to ride predictably and safely, and understanding the lines on the track and the ways that other riders will react will help ensure this. Many people at Kissena are very friendly, though occasionally some people might deliver stern words if they feel that another rider has made dangerous moves. If you find yourself receiving these, take them in stride - it's all part of learning how to compete at high speeds and close quarters.
See you at the track.
Additional resources
Wikipedia - Track Cycling.
Kissena Track Rules.
Kissena Saturday Coaching (pdf file).
Useful information from the Marymoor Velodrome, particularly: Safety Etiquette and Cycling Terms and Slang.
Lines on a Track.
USACycling - Track.
USAC Upgrade Guidelines.
1996 Track Cycling Olympic Trials on Youtube - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Hey, nice photos!
ReplyDeleteThat first one was on the cover of worldcycling.com once, and there is an invisible hipster in there riding a white schwinn madison track bike.
^I wanted to buy that from you when I saw it for sale lo these many years ago.
ReplyDelete