Afternoon (Track) Delight

My track-girl posse and I spent 5 hours in the baking northwest heat today helping the final Marymoor newbie track class of the season. Twenty six newbies showed up to learn the basics of track skills and to, hopefully, find the same addiction to racing around a small oval that we have. John, our fearless leader, showed how to successfully manage such a large group by delegating all the duties to us, his 5 eager assistants. Rental bikes were doled out, sizes exchanged, pedals wrenched on, seats adjusted, readjusted, and eventually everyone was on their way. I don't think the rental bike trailer has ever been so empty - you could see the back of it! If anyone else had shown up, their choices would have been one or two 59 cm, or the custom Davidson kiddie track bikes in a variety of crayola colors.

The group did a fine job getting themselves used to going around on their own for a few laps, and then John reined them in for the first of several skill sessions. Round and round we went watching and assisting the newbies in drills like pacelines, touching eachother's backs, butting elbows, following the leader (a student favorite), standing up for sprints, and then the double paceline. Only one accident to report of unknown cause, but resulting in sprained shoulder, scraped elbow and bent handlebars. All during the day, smiles were ramp-ed and even the revelation of, "Why didn't we do this sooner??!?!" Everyone was encouraged to show up for the Monday night newbie races and Thursday night training sessions for the few remaining weeks of the season. If all goes well, they will not forget the thrills they had today and will continue along the path next May....not so long down the road.

The track-girl posse met afterwards at a local establishment for mass amounts of rehydration and glycogen restoration and 3 hours of girl yapping time. I decided that I'm going to forego my Wednesday night bike apprentiship class (hell I have all winter) in favor of moving up to the Wednesday night races like everyone has been egging me to do, so part of our evening was spent strategizing our plan. Working with a team, and with a team of friends at that, makes the racing experience night and day. Instead of working for yourself and worrying about 12 other girls and exhausting yourself needlessly mentally and physically, you have partners in crime to work with you to capitalize on your strengths and to keep an eye on the other girls. Much less work, much more reward. Wednesday night should be an eye opener. It's fast, a game of chess at 28 mph. With my track-girl posse at my side, we will make for an excellent show.