A special report from the Zuidlaren Six Day in Holland:
Daniel “Hollywood” Holloway (left) and I have embarked on our latest adventure, the Zuidlaren 6 Day in (…you guessed it…) Zuidlaren, Holland. So far, we are in 8th overall and are doing our best to survive the race intact.
The 178-ish meter velodrome has been quite challenging to adapt to; the last 6-day race we did in Dortmund was on the bumpiest, gnarliest 200 meter track I have ever ridden. But this track is just plain unusual. For how short it is, the banking does not seem steep enough, which makes it ride very unpredictably for this relatively inexperienced American duo. The odd length is apparently a function of the size warehouse it has been constructed in; the same track was used in Munich recently, but was made to 200 meters in length.
Adapting to the level of this circuit is the biggest challenge. I will blow some sunshine up my own skirt for a moment and say I am really good at the madison. But frankly, these guys are awesome. The difference is that exchange after exchange, time after time, 6 nights in a row, they are shooting about 99/100. And we are at about 91/100 on a good night. The bad nights for us are in the mid to low eighties. The top riders race a madison on a whole other level; the exchanges and technique are second thoughts and come automatically. Their consciousness is occupied with tactics and the subtleties of competition. It’s pretty cool to watch and learn from, as it’s the apogee of elite track cycling.
I have learned a few interesting facts about Holland since I began this trip:
1. It is common for bicycle commuters, who use hybrid bicycles with fenders and upright handlebars, to affix aero bars to their bikes in order to battle headwinds and driving rain. These people ride their bikes everywhere, in every weather condition, just to get to work. It is pretty impressive and makes me feel like I need to harden up.
2. It is quite common for hotels to have bicycle pumps for use by their clients. Everyone needs air in their tires. Can you imagine a Super 8 having a bicycle pump? Me neither.
I have attached a couple of photos for your viewing. Future updates will have photos from a real photographer (I am imaginary…). The first photo (above left) is our soignuer, Garry Beckett, lecturing Daniel on how to take care of himself, and distributing our jerseys (or ‘tricots’, because something made out of 99% lycra and with no pockets is not a jersey). The second (right) is of a racing bicycle someone decided should be orange, which is in the lobby of the track building. The bearings still work in the pedals and hubs, I checked.
