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#1
03-03-2015, 09:01 AM
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Hellyer Velodrome circa Aug or Sep 1981
From the Hellyer news group:
------------- Someone ("simple31 J") apparently recently posted this 3-part film (by "The Sports Channel" [1]) of a Breaking Away Friday Night track race at Hellyer (apparently circa Aug- or Sep-1981 [2]).. San Jose Track Race Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZsRiAasIU San Jose Track Race Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uevF1mQvm_E San Jose Track Race Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rp-7oNi1gA [1] sponsored by Hamms Beer and Toyota  [2] towards the end of part 1, the announcers mention the Tour de France, which finished about a month ago". Also, the announcers mention in part 2, "..that new Tarzan movie with Bo Derek.." which was from 1981 (<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarzan,_the_Ape_Man_%281981_film%29>).
__________________
What about my dynamite? 
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#3
03-03-2015, 10:25 PM
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I rode on the Hellyer track in '88, not in races but on Sat morning for some simple adult learning/training sessions. They allowed geared road bikes if you 'promised' to ride in only 1 gear and not use your brakes. Quite honestly, I didn't like the track environment and all the regulations. And since I lived in Santa Cruz it was a fair drive to get there.
I took my son for a couple of lessons for junior riders in '99. The Junior training sessions required that riders use fixed gear bikes (a few were available for the kids' use) and he really was uncomfortable on a fixie.
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#4
03-03-2015, 11:20 PM
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I road and briefly raced at the velodrome in the early 80s and witnessed the most spectacular crash I have ever seen. It was a junior race, if I recall, and a teen was going full out and took the turn too wide and hooked his handlebars on the fence going into the final straightaway. He was launched, flew way up in the air, tumbled and let out the most horrific scream I have heard to date (this includes when my wife sees a spider). I decided then I would take my chances with cars.
GG
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#5
03-03-2015, 11:48 PM
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Quote:
(It's "Crouching Spider" by Louise Bourgeois) 
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#6
03-04-2015, 12:34 AM
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Quote:
Neat to hear some familiar names- Robert Ford, "Fast Freddie" Markham ( he was Fast Freddie before the other notable Bay Area Fast Freddie Rodrigues). Also Terry Shaw, owner of Shaws Lightweight Cycles and sponsor of San Jose Bike Racing Club. This footage is before I joined SJBRC in 87' and had a lot of team mates race track at Hellyer. I was too chicken to do so choosing to instead roll the and race crits - figured I could strategically draft easier in a larger pack  Great memories!
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#8
03-04-2015, 10:44 AM
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At the time only pros were allowed to use hand slings. Track shorts came with an inside pocket on the left hip to hold a jamming tool. The tool most often was a rolled up sock.
Most of the guys in these videos were accomplished roadies. Some were noted sprinters and criterium specialists. It was pretty much expected that a roadie would have a track bike and be reasonably adept at track events. The San Jose Bicycle Club was pretty cool. Show up on Tuesday and ride an industrial park criterium. Show up on Saturday with a track bike and ride miss-and-out, scratch, and point races. Show up on Sunday and ride a road race. You would be seeded with riders of similar ability, great place to learn.
__________________
You always have a plan on the bus...
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#11
03-04-2015, 06:15 PM
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Cool videos. I dig the SkidLids.
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