New track bike!

My new Tiemeyer track frame arrived yesterday! Hooray! It's red!

Last August, I decided that a new track frame was in order. After exploring all possible options, I determined that the Tiemeyer was the only high end track frame that could fit me well, was durable and serviceable, and also readily available. I began discussing the bike with Dave Tiemeyer back in February.

We determined that a stock-geometry large frame would allow me to use my deep track drops in a mass start position, while also enabling a pursuit position with aero bars and a more forward saddle. The large, with seatpost and chainring removed, just barely fits in my hard travel case.

Hopefully I'll get to race it tonight, if the weather holds!

Support a Velodrome in NYC!

A friend of mine from back home is polling interest for a velodrome in New York City. Someone floats the idea every few years, but it is always tough to generate interest. Show your support by joining the "NYC Velodrome" Facebook group (dreaded Facebook...), and telling everyone you know.

I think it makes sense to make the infrastructure investment for a world-class velodrome in a major population center. I'd love to see the day where there is a permanent indoor velodrome on prime real estate in New York, readily accessible by public transit. With the number of internationals living in the city, and the spectator friendliness of track, I'm amazed this has not yet happened.

Track Nationals: Day One

I've received an unusual number of requests to be prompt with information about Nats. I'm glad that so many people are interested in this race!

I graduated from MIT in August, but I'm here with the MIT team at track nationals. Since I was a summer student (working on my thesis), I am still eligible to participate at Nationals. I'm happy to be here - it's a good chance to see some old friends and have some fun on the bicycle. I had to fly out just for the race, on the velodrome here in Trexlertown, PA.

Today's events were the individual pursuits. In the morning, the men raced the clock over 4km (12 laps), the women over 3km (9 laps). In the afternoon, the men chased the kilometer, and the women, 500 meters.

Our results were strong. I raced a 4k time of 5m10.246s, enough for 19th place (top third) in a strong field, and just enough to earn some team omnium points. I did not race the kilo. My gearing for the 4k - 50/14 - made me faster, but it will take some time for me to really dial my gearing. Of course, I'm not a track specialist, certainly not a sprint specialist, and far from top form. I'm happy to post competitive times.

MIT's results today:

4k (3k) 1k (500m)
Mike Garrett 4:57.222 1:10.975
Jose Soltren 5:10.246 null
Tim Humpton 5:33.604 1:19.940
Nick Loomis 5:44.101 1:16.155
Guo-Liang Chew 5:43.416 1:16.760
Zach LaBry 5:24.666 1:20.814
Matt Blackburn 6:11.296 1:25.957
Martha Buckley 4:27.192
Laura Ralston 4:18.380 42.x
Yuri Matsumoto null 44.x

We're in the Division 2 team omnium lead after the morning's events, with our closest competitors Kutztown performing very well. We're looking forward to tomorrow.

For complete results or more information, please see usacycling.org.