Tri-Geek Turns Roadie

Cyclists, talk about a maligned and misunderstood group of individuals?  Your skin better be thicker than the polyester shorts and jersey clinging to it.  Between  motorists with a total lack of regard for safety, home-owners who feel their dogs have a right to roam free, and the in-cognoscenti who think cycling is for sissies,  it's a wonder any of us get on our bikes at all. 

So where is this leading me?  I took the opportunity to introduce myself to criterium racing in the Big Shark Tuesday Night Crit Series at Gateway International Raceway.  What they have created there is nothing short of magnificent.  Imagine, if you will, a training / racing environment free of the aforementioned distractions with perfect pavement and gentle turns.  I'm not referring to that 2 pm daydream at the office yesterday.

As a triathlete-in-roadie-training, this venue and series provide a wonderful opportunity to give my multi-sport, time-trial background new life without course marshals citing me for drafting.  Sure, there is the initial intimidation factor of pack-riding elbow to elbow, but that fades with time.  There's no shame in just  hanging on the back, if that's where your comfort level lies, and blasting around the banked, 1.25 mile oval.

With three races accommodating all levels of riders (even my lowly Cat 5, 50+ masters ranking) there is challenge for all.  No cycling club affiliation is required, though team jerseys abound.  Of course no aero-bars are allowed per USCF regs.  STI shifters are a must for both practicality and safety.  Leave your solid disc rear wheel at home.  A tri-geek like me had to shift my thinking, but if it's good enough for personal hero Lance, count me in.

Nothing in life is free except unsolicited advice.  The Tuesday night club isn't gratis, but in the face of escalating race fees, six bucks is a steal.  I recommend a USCF license if it's more than a one-time shot, and it will be once you give it a go.  Additionally, you are expected to volunteer a bit of your time at the track for their motorized races in exchange for track use.  I can live with that.

The raceway is located just a few minutes over the Big Muddy in Illinois which makes this weeknight event feasible from a time perspective.  I suggest you leave plenty early the first time to get a sense for traffic in order to arrive by 6 pm or so. My drive from west county felt much like I was swimming downstream with a school of steel salmon coming the other way.  Your mileage may vary.

For complete information, log on to the Big Shark web or give them a call.  Lest I blather on any further about how cool this is, let me just sum it up by saying that this concept was a "pedal stroke of genius.