Does anyone care about track events?

[BroDeal]

All this talk about racism and the usual trotting out of Major Taylor, who no one in the general public knows about and is only brought up in threads like the current one in the forum, has made me think that not only do I not care about what someone did on the track a hundred years ago but I don't care about track cycling at all. Am I alone? Track cycling holds absolutely no interest for me.

From a U.S. perpective it looks like a dead sport that only lingers on because it is still in the Olympics, like speed walking and synchronized swimming.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Have you ever ridden or raced track? Or are you speaking strictly from a spectators POV?

I ride the local track, only to putz around a few laps so I can justify owning a track bike. Never took the racing aspect of it as serious as the road though. I'm scared of splinters. Saw a foot long splinter burrow into a riders thigh after crashing. Scary schit.

 

[BroDeal]

Have you ever ridden or raced track? Or are you speaking strictly from a spectators POV?

I am speaking more from a clueless, non-spectators' POV. Just like the sport of curling, I acknowledge that it might be fun to do, but I have no inclination to try it or watch it.

 

[tashimi76]

I like watching it - I think it can be exciting to watch esp. live as it happens right in front of you and is over quickly, unlike a road race which you might be lucky to see 30 seconds of riders racing past without any tactics etc.

And it is a good thing to try as it's a microcosm of the tactics that happen on the road. The skills involved are also on another level and it's a good strength training workout. I haven't got around to getting a track bike to start racing yet but it's on the list.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

BroDeal, how about cyclocross? Or...BIKE POLO!!!! There ya go.

 

[Baggins27]

Living in the UK, I probably should be a track cycling fan at the moment......but I'm not.

I do watch it sometimes and it can be fun for a bit but it just doesn't compare to the road as a spectator sport in my opinion.

 

[Argon Man]

Track racing is great, I race both road and track, and track racing is where you really learn how to handle a bike both physically and mentally.
As for watching, have you ever been to a revolution meet, great show fast and furious action, and you get more than one race to watch.
The track is also a great place to guage future stars for the road, ie O'Grady, Cavendish, Wiggins.....
Keep your eye on a young fella named Leigh Howard.

 

[BroDeal]

BroDeal, how about cyclocross? Or...BIKE POLO!!!! There ya go.

Cyclocross is cool.

I should probably also admit that I don't get BMX either.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Cyclocross is cool.

I should probably also admit that I don't get BMX either.

Nor do I. You've got to be built like Popeye with big forearms. Although, wasn't Frédéric Moncassin a pretty good BMX'er?

 

[davidg]

For those that have never been to a track race, I suggest you get down to the next track meet and watch a madison or points race live.

Might change your mind about it being boring.

 

[unsheath]

Have a deep appreciated for the kilo and team pursuiters but not a huge fan of the madison, points race mumbo jumbo. All just looks like organised confusion.

Track racing is also worth watching for all the bike porn. Those mavic tri/quad spokes make me salivate.

 

[Baggins27]

For those that have never been to a track race, I suggest you get down to the next track meet and watch a madison or points race live.

Might change your mind about it being boring.

I don't think it's boring, far from it. I just prefer road racing and all that goes with it. Probably the tactics, the different routes, the different types of rider, etc etc.

I can see the attraction of track cycling and do sometimes enjoy it. Only have a passing interest in it though which is quite bad considering it's one of the few things Britain has any Olympic success in!

 

[flyor64]

The guy riding the motorped during the moto-paced stuff is pretty fun to watch...

I agree with the OP that I don't follow it and couldn't name a track racer, with exception of those who've transitioned over. But I will watch it if it's on TV. The events get good coverage over here...

I've heard going to a 6-Days is a blast...liked to try that sometime.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Went to the Manchester Rev, a couple of seasons ago......
.....because Gibo and Popovych were riding!

Bro, I think you know I've got a relative who's getting very close to the pinnacle of the track pecking order, but I still find it difficult to raise much enthusiasm.

Maybe I don't like F1 or Superbikes for the same reason.

 

[BroDeal]

Went to the Manchester Rev, a couple of seasons ago......
.....because Gibo and Popovych were riding!

Bro, I think you know I've got a relative who's getting very close to the pinnacle of the track pecking order, but I still find it difficult to raise much enthusiasm.

Maybe I don't like F1 or Superbikes for the same reason.

Funny you mention F1 because I have a similar situation with motor racing as with cycling. I have avidly followed F1 for a long time--well, avidly until all the recent rule changes mucked it up. But I cannot get into NASCAR. Tried. Just cannot do it.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

In UK, Australia and some parts of Asia, track racing is (still) bigger than road racing.
Here in belgium, the 6days are very popular (just like in Germany, i think).

 

[jaylew]

Went to Worlds when it was in LA, and it was a blast to watch in person, but I'm really not that into it.

 

[tifosa]

Track cycling holds absolutely no interest for me.
...
From a U.S. perpective it looks like a dead sport that only lingers on because it is still in the Olympics, like speed walking and synchronized swimming.

Why not throw in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Even if I have a "way with the ribbon", surely this is not an Olympic level sport.

Then again, I hate mountain biking and think it should be tossed out with the trash too.

BTW, Jane Saville (Olympian and Speed Walker for Australia) is coached by none other than her husband, Garmin's Matt White. Still doesn't make me like the sport any better.

Golf, on the other hand...

 

[slowoldman]

Track racing is great to watch, haven't participated but plan to, cyclocross is on the schedule this year too. The points race is incredible, I also like the madison and miss and out events. I raced BMX growing up, nothing better for bike handling and leg speed. It is quite obvious from the bike handling skills in the groups that I ride/train/race in that quite a few people should have ridden BMX or delved into track riding or mountain biking.

 

[Bala Verde]

I really enjoy watching the Keirin and the points race from a strategic/tactical perspective.

 

[Kennf1]

Track racing was very popular in the Northeast U.S. during the 1920's and '30s, then it just died. I got to watch Olympic trials once, when Nothstein was the top US rider, and that was pretty amazing. However, I haven't watched a single event since then.

Maybe Phinney will get people interested, just 'cause the guy is downright scary. Unfortunately, the pursuit is kinda boring to watch.

And I do like watching F1, but will never, ever get the Nascar oval racing thing.

 

[Baggins27]

In UK, Australia and some parts of Asia, track racing is (still) bigger than road racing.
Here in belgium, the 6days are very popular (just like in Germany, i think).

Track racing is much more popular here in the UK, mainly because we're good at it at the moment.

The lack of coverage of road racing is a disgrace. Cavendish's win at Milan-San Remo got no coverage whatsoever in the press or on the Sports News channels.

Perhaps this will change next season with the new "Sky" team which will be a very much British based outfit. I'm not holding my breath though.

 

[LugHugger]

Track racing is definitely not bigger than road racing in the UK. Do not equate media coverage with mass participation. Far more people race on the road and participate in sportives than will ever take part in a track session.

 

[franciep10]

BroDeal, how about cyclocross? Or...BIKE POLO!!!! There ya go.

i can't watch track cycling i mean its just riding in a circle, someone mentioned training to get better handling i can understand that, but I did try bike polo once it's pretty intense it was cool

 

[ElChingon]

Weird, I keep looking in the track section and there's nothing on track, just maybe MAYBE people are looking there for track news/info?

Maybe?

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

I could be wrong though, especially if track racing is now held on the road...