AN OLYMPIC HOPEFUL
FROM A "ROAD" CYCLING PERSPECTIVE, and possibly all sports, the Olympics are a funny thing. Ignoring the TT, we opened with the rough n tumble of MTB, to the constraints of an epic paved course, and up next the most defined of all, track racing...
... is this progress or regression?
It's newest to oldest.
But, not the newest newest because that would be gravel racing.
Will the wrongest of all...
- mixed surfaces - paved to single-track
- road bikes with fat tires
- navigation required
... kick off the quadrennial showdown next?
Is it a question of access and therefore interest?
I've only ridden on a banked track once.
When I lived in San Diego, and accidentally found the old asphalt velodrome in Balboa Park.
It was fun,
a new challenge.
I live relatively close to one now,
60-120 minutes away,
depending on traffic.
Which is exactly why I don't race the track.
There are a lot of great group rides around here, but the last legit road race in our county was over a decade ago.
We're fortunate here to have quite a bit of trail access, even some epic climbs and bombing twisty dirt trails...
... within riding distance or a short drive.
The thing about mixed surface riding is...
... it's everywhere.
Every town has a road,
a forgotten park or dilapidated area,
back alleys or dirt roads in the outskirts.
With gravels laze-faire attitude,
no course restrictions...
... I'm not sure the 5 rings of power can accept such raucous non-sense.
I can only be Olympic hopeful.
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164.5
8.5 hrs
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling