Garcia
Alpenrose Velodrome Track Development Class (TDC) - 2009
OBRA,
The
bad news is, fees went up, the good news is, not for those riders
renting a bike. If you rent a bike it's $5 and then your class fee is only $5. However, if you have your own bike, the class fee is $10, and
as always bring exact change or make checks out to "Portland Velodrome
Committee".
By
the way, please come out to the Alpenrose Velodrome on April 19, 2009
and help us cleanup and setup the track for the 2009 season. It's lots
of fun, we need your help, and lunch is provided.
Steve Garcia
cell 503-709-7500
email address: velodromeracing@yahoo.com
Alpenrose Velodrome:
Track Development Class Coordinator / Instructor
Here's the scoop,
There's
no advanced sign up, only day of. This means, it's first come first
serve for the rental bikes and class. It rarely happens, but the
classes may be limited to about 30 riders, so come early and get your
name on the sign-up/waiver sheet to be one of the 30, or so. If you rent a bike it's $5, and then your class fee is only $5. However, if you have your own bike, the class fee is $10. Classes
are almost every Wed 4/29/09 through 8/26/09. There is no class on
7/1/09 do to the Six-day event. The class starts at 6pm, and lasts
about 2-3 hours, or till dusk. I'm there around 5pm. Bring your own
helmet, pedals, shoes and water. If you only have sneakers, pedals
with toe clips are available. Track riding also requires a lot of
standing around so if it's going to be cold bring warm clothes. Also,
bring exact change since we don't have a 'bank', or we take personal
checks. Checks are to be made out to "Portland Velodrome Committee".
Riders
are grouped in the class by ability and skill level. However, please
keep in mind the Track Development Classes (TDC) are primarily designed
for beginners and is not intended as training sessions.
The
rental bikes are only available for the classes and races, and are $5.
The rental bikes come in even number centimeter seat tube sizes, with
the smallest size being 48cm, all with 700c wheels. We also have a
small fleet of 43cm seat tube rentals with 650c wheels. For us to
efficiently pick a rental bike for you it helps if you can tell us what your
road bike seat tube height is. Please remember, these are rental
bikes, they're not suppose to fit you perfectly! You may not change
out parts or modify anything on the rental bikes without permission,
with exception of the seat height.
The
track is open during daylight hours, when it's not raining, and if
there isn't a race or session scheduled. If there's a training session
you can ride if you check in with the lead person and you follow their
direction.
For
the classes you may also use your own track bike (fixed gear) if it
passes OBRAs track bike requirements for mass starts. Basically, that
states the bike must be a fixed gear, have drop bars with plugs, and no
brakes or levers.
Alpenrose Velodrome websites of interest:
Alpenrose Velodrome home page
http://app.obra.org/track
Velodrome track schedulehttp://app.obra.org/track/schedule
Velodrome Track Development Classes (TDC)
http://www.obra.org/track/flyers/2009/wednesdays.html
Velodrome general information
http://www.obra.org/track/information/index.html
If you need any bike gear and/or bikes, especially for the track here's Portland best resource: http://www.bike-central.com/shop.php
This shop also sponsors and puts on the racing Friday nights, which has
specific events for beginning track racers. See fly-er at, http://www.obra.org/track/flyers/2009/fast_twitch_fridays.html
By
the way, please come out to the Alpenrose Velodrome on April 19, 2009
and help us cleanup and setup the track for the 2009 season. It's lots
of fun, we need your help, and lunch is provided.
Steve Garcia
cell 503-709-7500
email address: velodromeracing@yahoo.com
Alpenrose Velodrome:
Track Development Class Coordinator / Instructor
Track Steward
Alpenrose Velodrome:
6149 SW Shattuck, Portland, Oregon
503-246-0330