Thanks JP for doing this!! I really got a lot out of it. The bumping drills on the grass were super helpful.  My partner Chaim reminded me to look straight ahead and not look down, when I did this the bike sure enough stayed upright!! I also felt the rotating paceline to be really good practice. Conserving energy in races is not a strong point for me.
One thing you pointed out when the group slowed down in the headwind is to feather your brakes instead of stopping pedaling...which is something I am guilty. Also I felt the difference with not drafting close enough, those micro-accelerations to close gaps killed me. 
The lead out drills also help me pay more attention to the distance I actually can sprint without blowing up.
All in all a great day even though it was cold.
Would love to do this again!!

Oh yeah...I kind of want a track bike now...uh oh!!

JP, didn't have a chance to look on a larger monitor, but there are probably a few that came out OK.  Wish I got there earlier and we had more time to have a "proper" shoot where I could take hero shots of everyone!  Next time, when it's warmer...

Julie you make a great point about drafting and generally conserving energy.  Hiding from the wind and being comfortable being inches, not feet, from a solid wheel makes a huge difference.  These clinics are a great place to practice these skills in a closed environment.

I'll second all that's been said already. Thanks for such a fun session JP. For me it was so awesome to be on a track riding inches behind the person in front. My legs were certainly tired when I got home. @JulieJones You should definitely get a track bike. They're so much fun. Looking forward to the next one when I'm a bit fitter and stronger. Also, if anyone wants to go to the track for a session please let me know.

I mentioned this video to the group yesterday.  We've posted it elsewhere, and it deserves cross-posting in any discussion of bike handling.  You get to see the Giant sprint train in action.  You can see the  pushing and shoving, as well as hear the riders yelling at their teammates in the thick of the scrum.  Handling, communication, coordationation.  doing it all makes a difference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE97iUvSHk0

Awesome video, and to pile on, thanks again JP - the track session was super fun. The skills drills were the hardest I've laughed on a bike. 

No great photos, just the few that I snapped before joining the fun.

https://goo.gl/photos/qahEWskzgujvbDUF7

Bump!

We should find a day in March for this.

Read above.  We work on skills, we work on tactics, we work on leadouts.  

the more the merrier.

Let's do it.

Will it be....an omnium ????

Yes plz

twoyacks said:

Will it be....an omnium ????

Will you come if it is?

we'll make one just for you.

What about Sunday 3/19/17
9am at the Kissena Velodrome

Seems like that's the best spot on the calendar in March.

FYI y'all this is HAPPENING.

Next Sunday we're gonna ride road bikes on the track because we're KCC and rules are for suckers. Kissena Velodrome would be the track in question. Sound familiar?

With the season upon us, it is now time for us to get started. It is time for us to get better together. It is time for us to get better as riders, better as racers, better as teammates, better as people. Together. Is it a coincidence that "together" and "team" both start with the letter "t"? Clearly not.

We'll be drilling pace lining. We'll be drilling attacking. We'll be drilling bridging. Blocking. We'll be drilling full-contact riding (on the grass infield for this one, we're not crazy). We'll be going fast, we'll be having fun, we'll be on the TRACK (F YEAH), and we'll be together as a team.

But ... why the track? Well, because the track is insanely fun. But also it's a safe, controlled environment. The track is ideal because not only is it away from traffic, but with the short lap we have obvious markers to use, especially for leadout practice. Also, we can easily watch all the efforts unfold from anywhere, whether we're participating in a drill or just watching.

Oh, and guess what: Riding bikes on the track is so much freaking fun.

WHAT
Road bikes on the track, skills, drills, teamwork.

WHEN
This Sunday
March 19
10 a.m.
2.5 hours' duration

WHERE
Kissena Velodrome, Flushing, NY 11355

The more members that participate the more fun it is! 

Do they plow the track?

jim_nelson said:

Do they plow the track?

Yeah, with rain.

jim_nelson said:

Do they plow the track?

Jim,
     Gravity, Sun, Warmth, and Rain all work in concert.  It will be above freezing every day between now and Sunday.  Our only concern should be the possibility of some am snow on Sunday.

Looks like we might have company: track riders practicing the Madison.

From Kissena Velodrome Facebook page...

Show up with chains, crowbars, and broken bottles and prepare to brawl for the icy prize that is the Kissena Velodrome.

(BTW I'm sure it is similar in Brooklyn, but eastern Queens is basically one giant pile of ice and any melt then freezes solid...so...yeah, we may have to postpone this.  If one of the track guys don't give a recon report I can pop over and see what the dilly is on Saturday.)

MaxThorn said:

Looks like we might have company: track riders practicing the Madison.

From Kissena Velodrome Facebook page...

Very little to worry about.  

Not only is there the cold, but the fact that we'll mostly be riding low and they'll mostly be riding high.  And few want to hold hands with Mark.  His girlfriend doesn't dig it.

So what's about tomorrow?
@David Yang did you recon the track?

Good timing, I just got here a few minutes ago and it is not looking good.  Half the track is still covered in snow/ice and there's no way it will melt by tomorrow.

Strap on some tire chains and kick it up a notch!

Such a pity.

We'll need to reschedule.  Next Sunday is out.  First L&C Cup in Prospect.

Need to find another day.

Apologies.

Bump.

Dependant on schedule, but I'm in.

With the season upon us, JP will be hosting is legendary , Road bikes at the Track clinic.

Now time for us to get started.It is time for us to get better as riders, better as racers, better as teammates, 

We'll be drilling pace lining. We'll be drilling attacking. We'll be drilling bridging. Blocking. We'll be drilling full-contact riding (on the grass infield for this one, we're not crazy). We'll be going fast, we'll be having fun, we'll be on the TRACK and we'll be together as a team.

 The track is insanely fun. But also it's a safe, controlled environment. The track is ideal because not only is it away from traffic, but with the short lap we have obvious markers to use, especially for leadout practice. Also, we can easily watch all the efforts unfold from anywhere, whether we're participating in a drill or just watching.

WHAT
Road bikes on the track, skills, drills, teamwork.

WHEN
Sunday March 18
10 a.m.
2.5 hours' duration

WHERE
Kissena Velodrome, Flushing, NY 11355

Bump!

While this is nominally geared for newer riders, we all could use the session.  

It's about skills, speed, camaraderie.  

It has been hard to get everyone out on a group ride this winter.  I'd love to see a huge Kissena chain gang come on out.  I can lead a ride from manhattan--maybe meet at Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza?