My Chicago Velodrome Odyssey, July 23-27, 2012

With St Louis in a multi-week heat wave with unceasing highs above 105F, I decided to take the family to Chicago for a break from the heat.  Unbeknownst to them, my secret agenda was to hit the velodrome circuit around Chicago-Kenosha.  They would be able to sit at the beach and enjoy the cool waters of Lake Michigan, and get some good jet-flown fresh seafood.  The plan was to get a decent hotel in Evanston, home of Northwestern Univ, 10 miles north of downtown, strategically located 10 miles south of the Northbrook Velodrome.  One hour north to the Washington Park Bowl in Kenosha, and even cooler weather, I reasoned.  Then only 30 miles across town to the little 160m Chicago Velocampus in South Chicago.  Perusing all the online schedules, it looked like I could get track time and racing five consecutive nights: Monday night clinic at Northbrook, Tue night racing in Kenosha, Wed night clinic at Chicago Velodrome, Thu back at Northbrook, and possibly the Fri night Cat 4/5 races at Northbrook, hosted by the Garner Bicycle shop. 

Monday: Northbrook clinic: Billy and I headed to the clinic at Northbrook, but I forgot my camera so no pics, doh!  (see http://thebillhpainfullydetailedracereportv2.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-chicago-velodrome-odyssey-july-23-27.html for full writeup)

Tuesday: Kenosha: some great racing ended early by the rain, but left camera in the car and no time to retrieve it! 

Wednesday: Chicago Velodrome Campus (CVC), yes finally remembered the camera . . .

These are pics during my track certification by Joel of CVC, showing me how to ride the red line . . .

It was hot afternoon in the mid-90s with a strong wind blowing off Lake Michigan . . .

Junior racers were also training on the track, friends of Sam Bianchi, 14-year old son of founder Emanuelle Bianchi, and budding track phenom . . .

From the streets of South Chicago, sprouts a . . . velodrome!  (trailer in front houses the CVC bike shop and rental equipment)

The Wed track clinic 6-8pm, featured structured workout and skills for riders of all levels . . .

The clinic was filmed tonight for a local Chicago TV show . . .

Emanuelle is interviewed . . . they had him on camera for a full 30 minutes! 

Thursday: Northbrook Race Night: some awesome racing, but the camera was nowhere to be found.

Friday: Northbrook Garner Cat 4/5/citizen racing.  The races popped off so quickly I only had time to snap a few shots during the warmdown. 

For full writeup see "the billh generic painfully detailed race report blog v2.0" here . . .

http://thebillhpainfullydetailedracereportv2.blogspot.com/