From Charles Durrant with thanks!
Track Racing at 2005 Alpenrose Challenge

Welcome to the fun and excitement of track racing at the 2005 Alpenrose Challenge held July 15^th to 17^th.  In years past this event has attracted many of the elite track racers from North America and from over seas.  This year was no exception.  Many of the athletes were national champions with world level racing experience.

The velodrome is situated on the working Alpenrose Dairy in Beaverton on the south side of Portland, Oregon.  This facility is a multipurpose complex with baseball fields and other sporting venues.  The velodrome is a 268 metre track with 43 degree bank.  Essentially a swimming pool with the water drained out.

The first day of racing is composed of timed events, pursuits, 1000m TT’s, and 500m TT’s for elite men, women, and masters.  All these events are a one shot deal.  No qualification rides.  In the morning I placed 3^rd in the master’s 3000m pursuit with a time of 4:02.  Later in the evening, I placed 1^st in the 1000m TT with a time of 1:12:9.  This time was 4^th overall at the competition.

The next day was the 10 mile scratch race and keirin races for the master competitors.  This race was fast and furious as lead riders won cash for every lap of the race.  I won many of the initial laps however fell off the pace of the lead riders.  In the end, I came away with a few green backs in my pocket.  Later in the morning, I competed in the keirin qualification rounds.  I didn’t qualify on the initial ride and had to make the finals through the rep ride.  In the quick paced final I placed 5^th.

On Sunday the master competitors were involved in match sprints and miss and out races.  Due to the track configuration and my inexperience with the velodrome I had my worst match sprint qualification ever.  I qualified 5^th making it through to the 3 up match sprint rounds.  After a few miscues, I was able to make the match sprint finals through a rep round.  In the match sprint finals, I placed 6^th.  The miss and out race (devil take the hindmost) was another fast paced event from the start.  I took control of the race from the start setting a quick pace for the first ten laps or so in an attempt to avoid the devil action at the back of the pack.  After that effort, I drifted to the back and played the devil for a time being, plucking off a few riders.  This eventually caught up with me and the devil got me with 9 riders to go.

Overall, the 2005 Alpenrose Challenge was a most enjoyable and well run event.  If you like competing in or watching bike racing this event is for you.  There are live bands and food vendors on site to satisfy riders and watchers a like.  There product vendors and large clothing suppliers selling their wares.  This event has something for everyone.  The stands were full of up to 200 spectators at a time watching a weekend of fast paced racing. 

Results from 2005 Alpenrose Challenge (American Velodrome Challenge), Portland, OR

Master category:

1^st place – 1000m Time Trial
3^rd place – 3000m Pursuit
5^th place – Keirin
6^th place – Match Sprint
9^th place – Miss and Out