I had hoped to be able to write my first race results posting today after racing at the NSC Velodrome here in Blaine, MN. Unfortunately I just checked the radar and I don't think I will be racing tonight since races are always cancelled when it rains on our beautiful outdoor wooden track.
For those of you who have never been to a bicycle track race before, it's quite the experience and one that I think everyone should have at least once in life. And if you have any inclination to try riding on one of these amazing structures take any chance you get. As a rider and racer, I don't think any other experience has better honed my bike handling skills or challenged me more to give an all out effort on two wheels. Unfortunately, velodromes are a bit far a few between here in the US, but the Twin Cities metro area is lucky to have not only an avid cycling community, but a track too to keep us entertained when the road, mountain biking and cyclocross scenes aren't enough to satiate our appetites.
The NSC velodrome is a 250 m cigar shaped track with 43 degree banking in the turns (and you thought riding a track bike on level ground was challenging enough). It's a wild ride and the races are fast paced for both riders and spectators. No only that, but the races are short 5-20 minutes, so generally on a night there are at least 3 races per category. Which means that as a rider if you miss your chance to perform on one race you have a chance to pull something off in the next one and as a spectator there is always something new and exciting. The NSC also has a fun spectating environment with prizes on offer for choosing the winning cyclists of three or four different races each night and plenty of enthusiastic fans.
While I may be missing tonight's racing, there will be plenty more Thursdays to choose from since the track has a "Thursday Night Lights" series that starts at 7:00 PM every Thursday. Even better, the Nature Valley Grand Prix is coming soon and the velodrome with be hosting the NVGP Fixed Gear Classic with more than your average joes out to burn rubber on the boards.
If you ever find yourself nearby, stop over and take in a few races. You won't be disappointed.
