Hop on that bike, it's easier than you think and more fun than you could ever imagine
If riding a track bike seems a little intimidating, the thought of racing one can seem even more daunting. When I purchased my track bike from a friend who said I had to race it, all I could think was, "Yeah, right!" Who would be crazy enough to race a bike without brakes, let alone at full speed and in a pack of racers? Now, several years later, I can tell you as an experienced track racer and instructor to track racers of all abilities that track racing is not only great fun, it's exhilarating and something you, too, should try.

What's so special about track bike racing? Well for one thing, the bikes have no brakes. It may seem weird, but without brakes, track riding is smoother and, as a result, safer. Track bikes also have no free-wheel, which means you can't coast. Just like a tricycle, if the wheels are spinning, the pedals are going around, even if you're just rolling downhill. Lastly, track bikes are raced on banked tracks to help the riders resist the natural forces that push them to the outside of the turns, so the riders can safely pedal through the corners, especially at higher speeds. Here in the Chicago area, we're lucky to have three great tracks to ride--the gently banked Ed Rudolph Northbrook Velodrome (an ideal place to get your feet wet), the more steeply banked Washington Velodrome in Kenosha, Wis., and finally the Indianapolis Velodrome, which is the steepest (and fastest) of the three.

Another thing that keeps track racing interesting is that there are many different types of races, each favoring different skills, abilities and tactics. In the extremely short and strategic Chariot Race, riders race only one lap from a standing start, and the first one across the finish line wins. In the Miss and Out, the last rider to cross the line each lap is removed from the race until eventually the last rider left is the winner. Points Races emphasize a combination of speed and endurance as riders sprint on various race laps in an attempt to win more points than any other rider.

Although the races are different every week and mastering various racing strategies can take time, at Northbrook there are plenty of friendly people willing to help new riders understand the differences between races. And if you're worried about being on the track with experienced athletes, don't fret; To make things fair, racers are separated into categories by experience and ability, which gives even new riders a chance to succeed as they learn the sport.

Still, maybe when you think of track racing, or bike racing in general, you think of it as something mainly for men (Lance Armstrong, anyone?) but what about women? Well, the velodromes in the Midwest have a long history of both male and female racers that continues to grow--one that I hope you'll help to continue. In 2005, there was a surge of new women riders at Northbrook. Thanks to the efforts of many outstanding individuals, we were able to not only continue holding women's only races, but to also increase the distances of many of those events to more closely match those of the men. On the featured Women's Night, we set a national record with over 25 women participating in one race!

Track racing offers a friendly, safe and healthy environment with lots of great competition. This year, Northbrook will even offer several categories of women's racing to give the beginners a chance to get their feet wet without having to jump right in with the stronger and more experienced riders right from the beginning. If you're interested - even just a little, come out and give it a try. Friday nights offer races for beginners on track or road bikes while Thursday nights offer a more competitive venue for track bikes only. Throughout the summer there are practice sessions where beginners can go to learn the basics before jumping into competition. For more information, go to www.northbrookvelodrome.org See you there!