[CR]Vintage Track Racing - Today!

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

From: <FujiFish1@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 20:46:45 EDT
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Vintage Track Racing - Today!

Well, OK, so maybe today wasn't really vintage racing, but it was for me. Many of you have heard about or even seen Detroit's relatively new velodrome in Rochester, MI. It's pretty cool with walls banked at 44deg. in the turn, and a length of 200m. You see, today was my first day of track lessons, given by a local coach, Dave Young. I was lucky enough to be afforded this opportunity, while combining it with really trying out my 73 Paramount track bike. The drop in the bars sure seems drastic with that steel Cinelli stem! As expected, the bike seemed to ride beautifully, judged by my inexperienced self ... I loved it! While feeling the burn of a couple of "Flying 200" runs, the Paramount just seemed to scream into the turns, and I really felt what it is like to get perpendicular to the track. I couldn't have been happier with the performance. Even the straight plastic Unicanitor saddle didn't hurt at all, but that might be because I couldn't feel anything while learning all this new stuff! Now, here is the part that will make some of you smile, and others wince. Newbie Mark here went into a turn going way too fast for his skill level, and had no idea how to handle passing the guy in front of him. The guy kept going up (to let me pass below him I think), and even looked back at me a couple of times, but in the moment of rush, and no skill, I kept riding up above him - Boom, into the barrier surface at the top of the wall, and - Whoosh, down to the apron on my side! I'm writing all this out now, because I don't know if I'll be able to survive the first Yeouchie shower :) What's the point? The point is that although the Paramount suffered both a twisted saddle, and handlebars, she straightened right back up again, and was no worse for the wear! A strong lass I tell ya', ready willing and able. Y'all might think I'm nuts, but I swear I could see the headbadge grinning in a reflection as I passed by something shiny! This bike lives again! Initially, we were both so traumatized by the incident (me and my new fast girlfriend), that we just had to run the very next race! :) Our bonding grew stronger then, and there were no more incidents. I asked my bike if she wanted to go out with me again this Wednesday, and she said YES! So, I understand that some classic bikes might not be ideal for riding anymore, but my white 72 Paramount track bike runs (and bounces back) like a teenager! By the way, I noticed her chatting it up about the old days with a 70s Marinoni, and what I think was an 80s Ed Litton (ridden by Coach Dave). Fast friends from the jump, they were! Actually, the N/S/R era Campy crank was represented on a good handful of the bikes there. Not bad for being out of production since the mid 80s.

Thanks for listening to me go on about my great day, with a great bike, around some great people, at a great place to ride vintage, as well as new ... The Velodrome at Bloomer Park.

Best regards,
Mark Agree
Oak Park MI