Mark, John, Jamie, et al:
Glad to hear that so many of us share the same passion for track iron. I rode the track for many years, retiring three times yet always drawn back into it. I started in 1971 at Encino, rode the Olympic velodrome, San Diego, Alpenrose, and Hellyer in later years. I have to say, though, that tactics ARE important. In the eighties, I rode Encino and Carson Hills back to back. I could consistently place high at Encino (a narrow 250m track, but never seemed to do well at the Olympic track (a wide 333m track). Maybe I was more comfortable on the smaller track... I finally quit riding the track when I moved 350 miles from the nearest track in 1999.
Regarding riding a fixed on the road, I used to ride 12 miles from Cerritos to downtown Long Beach, CA on a fixed, including riding over Signal Hill. Anyone from that area knows the traffic circle at PCH and Lakewood. I used to ride down the hill into the circle daily on a 75" gear and no brakes. These days I ride a Rickert road bike with a fixed to work, but old age has convinced me to add a front brake. I even wear a helmet!
Cheers,
Mark Ritz
In Sunny Arcata, CA