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Quinn Hatfield vs. Jack Lindquist
Here’s video of an exciting race between Quinn Hatfield, owner of one of the best restaurants in L.A. — Hatfield’s — and Jack Lindquist, an elite rider and host of my GoPro. They are riding a match sprint at the Encino Velodrome.
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Favorite photos from LAVRA’s time trials
Here are some of my favorite photos from the racing last Saturday at the Velo Sports Center. The full set is at http://www.patbenson.smugmug.com
My first century in more than 20 years
The Run to Camacho’s century last weekend was special to me for a couple of reasons. It was my fourth century, but my first in more than 20 years. And it revisited back roads I cycled on as a teenager with the American Youth Hostels in San Diego.
It was well organized, with nice touches like renowned Julian apple pie and coffee at the start in Santa Ysabel and a taco feast and mariachi band at the finish in El Centro. But the highlight was the 9-mile descent down Banner Grade to the desert floor. Here is video of most of the descent.
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LAVRA Winter Classic
Here are some of my favorite photos from the Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Assn.’s Winter Classic.
First shot of the day.
Looks like some bumping is going on here.
This is World Famous Johnny Walsh, involved in the aforesaid bumping..
Tara McCormick
Kate Wilson
A rider congratulates Kevin Schiller on his win.
Jay Wolkof
Favorite photos from Paralympics Track Cycling World Championshps
The Paralympics Track Cycling World Championships was the first time I’d ever shot an international competition. It was exciting to see top athletes from around the world coming to our local velodrome to compete and set world records.
This first photo is of Damian Alfonso of Cuba, who was severely injured when he tried to retrieve a kite caught in power lines. He simply rests his arms on the handlebars.
This is Craig Griffin, coach of the U.S. Paralympic Team, urging on Aaron Jacob Trent.
The Chinese team was young and enthusiastic. The entire team came to the rail together to cheer on their teammate.
Lisa Turnbull pilots Karissa Whitsell for the United States.
A Chinese time trial silver medalist.
Laura Sobchik gave it everything she had in the 3-kilometer time trial. This was her first international competition.
The amazing Sarah Storey of Great Britain, who won gold in all of her individual events.
No.1
Mike Farrell walks to the start. The expression on his face tells it all.
Italian legend Roberto Chiappa pilots Andrea Palantrini.
Pete Billington and Chester Triplett.
Craig Maclean and Anthony Kappes set a world record.
A Spanish rider is comforted after he crashes in the team sprint.
After a few minutes he gets back to the start line and gets a talk from his coach.
Britain vs. Spain. Britain won the competition.
Team sprint podium
Greta Neimanas in the final sprint for gold in the scratch race.
Greta wins gold.
The Netherlands vs. Britain
Allison Jones muscles her bike around the track.
Allison Jones and Greta Neimanas medal on the first day.
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Keith Ketterer breaks the hour record
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Here are photos of Keith Ketterer’s hour record attempt Sunday. Keith set a new record of 45.0189 kilometers for the 55- to 59-year-old age group. Keith is my age — a huge inspiration. He already held the world record for 50- to 54-year-olds.
This is Madison racing
Madison races involve exchanges between two teammates. Watch Chris Reed and his partner, Mikael Weitze, compete in this exhibition race at the Home Depot Center Velodrome. Among the riders–Kate Wilson, the only woman in the field.
Join the race
There’s nothing like watching a race from the handlebars of someone else’s bike.
I just got a GoPro Hero 2 and mounted it on my teammate Chris Reed’s Tiemeyer for the points and Madison races Sunday at the Home Depot Center Velodrome.
This video puts you in the middle of the pack for the points race, but out of harm’s way. Watch out for the crash in the distance around 8:58.
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The Olympics aren’t the only games in London this summer. The Paralympic Games follow the Olympics in August, featuring disabled athletes from around the world competing in 20 different sports.
Two Southern California cyclists are among those hoping to go the distance. But first, Greta Neimanas of Cardiff and Laura Sobchik of Santa Monica have to do well at the World Track Cycling Championships Feb. 9-12 at the Home Depot Center Velodrome in Carson.
In this video, Neimanas and Sobchik are training with Team USA for Track Worlds. They are riding fixed-gear bikes without brakes–that’s because if you tried braking on the Carson velodrome’s 45-degree banked track, you’d slide off. You’ll side off too if you go to slow. But when you go fast, you can feel the G forces pushing you up track.
Both Neimanas and Sobchik ride time trials–racing against the clock over fixed distances. A 500-meter race is two laps around the track, for example.
For Neimanas, who rides with a prosthetic arm, making it to London would be coming full circle. She won an essay contest and a trip to the Athens games in 2004. The first event she saw was track cycling.
“I thought people were absolutely nuts to race around the velodrome on a bike with no brakes and one gear and super-skinny tires and 35-40 miles an hour,” she said. “And naturally I wanted to try it “
Track Worlds is free to the public. For more information, click here
