Track Basic Skills Written Test
Passing this test with an 85% grade is a
prerequisite for the Track Basic Skills class required for racing on the track.
You can find all the answers by reading the Velodrome
Glossary of Terms and
Etiquette for riding at
Marymoor and these references
if common sense doesn't prevail. I think you will also find it informative and
entertaining. Email
Coach
Mike with your answers in the body of the email, one letter (answer) per
line with an extra line break after 5, 10, and 15 (sample
at end). Rubber side down!
1. The most important tenant(s) of track riding
is/are:
A. "Hold your line" by moving parallel to the black, red, and blue lines unless
you look and it is clear to move up or down track.
B. Look before making any movement up or down track.
C. Always ride in a safe and predictable manner.
D. All of the above.
E. Take your hands off the bars, stop pedaling, and move up track without
looking each time you cross the Start/Finish.
2. The direction of travel on the track is:
A. Dependent on which hemisphere the track lies (just go whichever direction
the toilet flushes).
B. Counter-clockwise on odd calendar days, clockwise on even days.
C. Always counter-clockwise.
D. Whatever direction you feel like going that day.
3. Before riding a fixed gear bike on the track
you should:
A. Make sure you have approximately 1" of play in your chain.
B. Make sure the wheels, handlebars, and seat are properly adjusted and secure.
C. Make sure your tires are inflated and there is no glass, thorns, or other
objects embedded in them.
D. All of the above.
E. Remove your helmet and shirt to get a tan because you can only ride the track
when it's dry.
4. The "black line" is also known as the:
A. "sprinter's line"; you must stay in it in the last 200M of a race or sprint.
B. "measurement line" or "pole line" because its inside edge is where the
distance of the track is measured.
C. "stayer's line" because you should stay on that line while warming up and not
doing an effort.
D. "pursuit lines" because this is where pursuit races finish (and also start at
Marymoor).
5. The "blue line" is also known as the:
A. "sprinter's line"; you must stay in it in the last 200M of a race or sprint.
B. "measurement line" or "pole line" because its inside edge is where the
distance of the track is measured.
C. "stayer's line" because you should stay on that line while warming up and not
doing an effort.
D. "pursuit lines" because this is where pursuit races finish (and also start at
Marymoor).
6. A helmet:
A. Is required to dangle from the handlebars because that is the important thing
to be protected.
B. Is hot and creates wind drag so it's optional if it's hot or windy.
C. that is ANSI and/or Snell approved is required at all times while riding on
the track.
D. Will just break anyway so why all the fuss?
7. To determine the size gear you're riding:
A. Gears, schmears. A real fixed gear rider can ride any gear.
B. Count the number of links on the chain.
C. Divide the wheelbase by the track's bank angle and multiply by tire diameter.
D. Divide the number of chainring teeth by the number of cog teeth and multiply
by tire diameter.
8. When riding in a paceline in the pole lane
at the front it is customary to:
A. Pull up to the red line smoothly at the end of the straight, look to see if
anyone is behind, and then smoothly pull up to the blue line and fall back in at
the back of the paceline.
B. Increase and decrease speed erratically.
C. Move up track swiftly without looking.
D. Just stay at the front until you're going less than 10MPH.
9. If you hear the command "stick" or "stay"
you should:
A. Just stay where you are and wait for your Scooby Snack.
B. Hold your line, look behind, and move up or down track only when you are sure
no one is sprinting past you.
C. Move to the apron and encourage people to throw sticks for their dogs to
chase on the infield.
D. All of the above.
10. If you get a flat or your chain falls off
while riding, you should:
A. Go up track to scrub your speed and roll the tire off the rim or get the
chain caught in the spokes so you fall or come to an abrupt stop in front of
other riders causing a pile-up.
B. Wave your hand for the team mechanic to drive the car on the track and fix
your bike on the go.
C. Get off the track as soon as possible without regard for other riders.
D. Yell "flat" or "lost my chain", look below, and take a smooth lane to the
apron and then the grass infield until you've stopped.
11. When entering the track you should:
A. Start on the apron when no one is exiting on the apron, accelerate to warm up
speed, and then move to the blue line in the back or home straight when you're
sure no one doing an effort is going to overtake you.
B. Ride around the exterior of the apron on the blue band until you have enough
speed to enter the track, regardless of whether riders in the pole lane need to
dodge you.
C. Enter whenever and however you please with no regard to others because you
are immortal and made of money.
D. All of the above.
12. If you are in a paceline or pack of riders
you should:
A. Train your eyes on the wheel in front of you so you can't anticipate movement
up the track or changes in speed.
B. Accelerate and decelerate violently and move up and down your lane
erratically to keep others on their toes.
C. Pick up the pace rapidly when you're at the front so others have to jump to
stay on your wheel and then slow way down at the end of the effort so they
overlap wheels.
D. Train your eyes at least 3 bike lengths up track, be predictable, and
maintain a constant speed so others can anticipate your moves and make exchanges
smoothly.
13. The winner of a Scratch Race:
A. Is the person who can scratch his/her private parts for the designated
distance of the race.
B. Is the person who gains the most laps on the field over the course of the
race.
C. Is the person who gains the most sprint points during the course of the race.
D. Is the first person in the field to cover the designated distance.
14. The winner of a Points Race:
A. Is the person who has the most cool points for stylish outfit and snazzy
bike.
B. Is the person who gains the most laps on the field over the course of the
race.
C. Is the person who gains the most sprint points during the course of the race.
D. Is the person who gains the most laps on the field and has the most sprint
points.
15. In the final 200M of a race or points
sprint the person in the sprinter's lane:
A. May come out of the lane only if she/he will not impede any other riders, but
there is seldom reason to do such.
B. Can not expect any other riders to enter the sprinter's lane in front unless
it is clear his/her progress will not be impeded.
C. Can not expect anyone to pass underneath as they will be relegated in the
sprint.
D. All of the above.
16. The winner of a Win & Out race:
A. Is the first person to come off the back of the pack.
B. Is the first person to the Finish line after the designated distance is
covered.
C. Is the first person to the Finish line after the first designated sprint.
D. Any of the above.
17. The winner of a "Kilo" is:
A. The person with the fastest time in his/her category in a 1,000M time trial.
B. Probably has a good start, high top end, and good anaerobic endurance.
C. Is sometimes considered masochistic.
D. All of the above.
18. In a Miss & Out race,
A. The person whose front wheel is the last to cross the line each lap is pulled
from the race.
B. The person whose back wheel is the last to cross the line each lap is pulled
from the race.
C. The person whose hand is the last to cross the line each lap is pulled from
the race.
D. None of the Above.
19. The Madison race is:
A. A race where 2 or 3 team members throw each other in and out of a race
tactically to win sprint points or gain a lap on other teams.
B. Also known as the Keirin where riders motorpace behind a motorcycle at nearly
30MPH in a 2K race until the last 600M where they then sprint for the finish at
a high rate of speed.
C. A Scratch Race where only the referee knows the distance of the race. Also
known as Unknown Distance.
D. A race in which 2 riders or teams of riders start at opposite sides of the
track and pursue each other in a timed event until one catches the other or the
distance of the race is covered.
20. Track racing:
A. Is good for developing bike handling skills.
B. Is good for developing a good spin and pedaling mechanics.
C. Is only done when the track is completely dry.
D. Has something for all age, gender, and ability of riders.
E. Is a good spectator sport due to the shortness of the races and the tactics
and sprint finishes.
F. Is a good diversion from other types of riding and complements other types of
riding.
G. Can be done at the local, national, and world class level.
H. Is a mechanically simple sport compared to road and mountain bike riding.
I. Is a fun way for family and friends to spend a Friday night.
J. Is fun.
K. All of the above.
Sample Answer Sheet Format
(one letter per line, grouped in
fives) that makes it easy
for me to grade. Email
Coach
Mike with your answers.
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