Retoast?

We've all been there. The toaster pops but the bread is barely warm enough to melt the butter. We pause for a second and then plunge the bread back in the toaster for round 2. We tell ourselves we'll monitor the progress and catch it before it's overdone. Sometimes we actually stop the toaster before the bread is burnt.

Last night I went to Hellyer Velodrome for my first track race. It was the last race of the season but I didn't want to wait for next spring to check out a 'real race'. I carpooled down with BikerBeth and we arrived with enough time to get a decent warm up. As this was my first real race at the track I lined up with the C group. Beth had warned me that the speed in the C race wasn't much different than the B's and the group waiting at the rail looked fast.

Off we went and I wasn't disappointed it was race on. The format was a 60 lap race with sprint points every 5 laps. The first few sprints were manageable and I think I was in the points each time. Then as we surged for the fourth sprint I was bumped onto the blue line. As I came back on the track I heard the rhythmic ping of an unhealthy rear wheel. My first thought was a broken spoke but after I made my way to the infield I found I had a safety pin in my rear tire.

I was bummed. I hadn't brought any spare anything and was bummed to have driven down for a ten minute race...warm bread. Our host, Larry, recommended finding a spare wheel and jumping in the B race. Luckily Maurice, our local pedal dancer, offered his extra rear wheel(thanks Maurice). After a scramble to change rear cogs I had a working bike race right as the B's were lining up.

After we were on the rail the A group decided they were going to join in. The plan was they would trail the pack for our 60 laps and then continue on for 60 more on their own. I wasn't sure how they would impact the race but told myself I would monitor my progress and swing off if things got too heated.

The biggest difference I noticed was in tactics. It took a few laps but I found some kind of rhythm and was able to hang in and participate in most of the race. I think I was in the points for a couple of the sprints. If I drifted to the back I could sit on the wheels of local pros BJM and RK (which in and of itself was pretty fun), who were waiting for their race, catch my breath for a few pedal turns and then get back in the mix. I'm sure I made more mistakes than I realize but I got caught up in the fun and finished the race making it an 80 lap night with 16 sprints and a few bridge attempts.

After we finished we all enjoyed the food and drink Larry provided while watching the A group mix it up (which mostly consisted of BJM toying with the rest of the field.) When I finally crawled in bed with a blood sugar headache and tired legs I realized I'd let the toast burn again!

Can't wait 'til next season!