The 2018 Wolfpack Hustle: Forsyth Cup, September Finale
As good as the racing action was during Saturday night's Wolfpack Hustle: Forsyth Cup, the revelation may have been the crowd that filled the velodrome to capacity. The grandstand was brimming so full that mothers with babies were giving up their seats so that old folks with tired legs could sit down, the railing was lined and, much like a Disneyland ride where attendants have to remind guests to "keep your hands and feet in the cars at all times," the announcers had to remind spectators to keep their hands and arms off the track at all times. Forget about trying to find a parking spot, both drivers of cars and riders of bikes were directed to the overflow parking on the old, defunct baseball fields. Track racing is back, and better than ever. Well, we can dream, can't we?
As usual the Flying 200s got the evening rolling with a few riders establishing their benchmark time at the track, or taking the opportunity to try and better their best time. The following Scratch Races were a blur, mostly I suppose, because I was dwelling on the whole "burger incident," but by the time the Miss and Out's started up I was back in the game. Whether it was Marc, Gama, Yoshi, or Christian, the attacks were furious and the sprints fierce. No masks were worn as disguise, the race-face, every time it was shown, was very real. As for the women, well what can you say - Chloe Patrick (remember that name, it you don't already know it. Big things are a very real possibility in her future) is such a dominating racer, and at such a young age, that it is hard to make any kind of headway against her. Her pedaling is so smooth that her power would be deceptive if not for the fact that you watch her pull away from everyone else seemingly at will.
A single scary moment marred an, otherwise, smooth-running evening. While my momentary inability to decide whether to add ketchup to the tomato and lettuce garnish on my free burger, was the cause of a short-lived traffic jam at the Forsyth Grill, things quickly got back to normal without much grumbling. In all seriousness though, Cindy took a hard fall late in the women's Points Race; there was concern all around for a while but, ultimately, she was able to get up and walk away - yay (yeah)! Naturally the race was immediately neutralized and, after some quick calculations on the part of the judges determined that ending the race would not affect the pairings for the Match Races, the finish was called off.
As usual the Flying 200s got the evening rolling with a few riders establishing their benchmark time at the track, or taking the opportunity to try and better their best time. The following Scratch Races were a blur, mostly I suppose, because I was dwelling on the whole "burger incident," but by the time the Miss and Out's started up I was back in the game. Whether it was Marc, Gama, Yoshi, or Christian, the attacks were furious and the sprints fierce. No masks were worn as disguise, the race-face, every time it was shown, was very real. As for the women, well what can you say - Chloe Patrick (remember that name, it you don't already know it. Big things are a very real possibility in her future) is such a dominating racer, and at such a young age, that it is hard to make any kind of headway against her. Her pedaling is so smooth that her power would be deceptive if not for the fact that you watch her pull away from everyone else seemingly at will.
A single scary moment marred an, otherwise, smooth-running evening. While my momentary inability to decide whether to add ketchup to the tomato and lettuce garnish on my free burger, was the cause of a short-lived traffic jam at the Forsyth Grill, things quickly got back to normal without much grumbling. In all seriousness though, Cindy took a hard fall late in the women's Points Race; there was concern all around for a while but, ultimately, she was able to get up and walk away - yay (yeah)! Naturally the race was immediately neutralized and, after some quick calculations on the part of the judges determined that ending the race would not affect the pairings for the Match Races, the finish was called off.
I think the racers may very well have saved the best for last; the attacks and sprints were about as exciting as they get. If the crowds of cheering spectators were lacking, the racing action certainly was not - from start to finish of this years' Forsyth Cup, it was well in evidence at most every turn.
On the way home I began to question the idea of not having these once-a-month Saturday races at the Encino Velodrome to get to in the near future. What would I do? I could picture sitting on the couch and the mrs. would walk into the room. With a slightly accusatory tone she would ask, "what are you doing here?" I'd sit there for a moment kind of dumb-like, with a glaze over my eyes, before responding with a lame "I don't know. There's no more racing."
There is that certification class though - and next year the other side of the camera?
Thanks to everyone involved with putting the series on - from the Encino Velodrome, to the Wolfpack Hustle, to Thomas Forsyth, the grill-meister, the racers who came out, and even the sparse scattering of spectators.
Finally, the selection of photos from the races can be found by following this link.
On the way home I began to question the idea of not having these once-a-month Saturday races at the Encino Velodrome to get to in the near future. What would I do? I could picture sitting on the couch and the mrs. would walk into the room. With a slightly accusatory tone she would ask, "what are you doing here?" I'd sit there for a moment kind of dumb-like, with a glaze over my eyes, before responding with a lame "I don't know. There's no more racing."
There is that certification class though - and next year the other side of the camera?
Thanks to everyone involved with putting the series on - from the Encino Velodrome, to the Wolfpack Hustle, to Thomas Forsyth, the grill-meister, the racers who came out, and even the sparse scattering of spectators.
Finally, the selection of photos from the races can be found by following this link.
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