Back on Track - But Things Have Changed...

[@bleskiven]

This was fun. I rode on tge track for the first time this Sunday. I had a blast. I could honestly see myself racing other noobs there in the not-too-distant future. Hopefully the velodrome in Asker (Norway) will be able to hold events like this soon

[@mortigard]

My favorite part of the video was seeing your young one ripping it around the middle of the track. I've got a little one about the same age and we have transitioned from the balance bike to a pedal bike too. I'm super proud of my munchkin and can't wait to rip with him this summer!

[@Neilhuny]

I really enjoyed your enthusiasm for track cycling, your attention to detail, the suggestion of a possible disagreement/misunderstanding between you and the UCI chaps and it's resolution, and seeing Chanel & Juliette make an appearance. Loads to enjoy

[@henryschoon7816]

wake up babe new alex dowsett video just dropped

[@merckxy54]

Years ago I used to train on the Calshot track in Hampshire. Great fun on a Friday night!

[@photoben]

Great to watch you race on the day dude 👋

[@TheGinger1]

Now my eldest is old enough to ride, I'm getting back on the track after years away. I'm having to rediscover my sport. It's changed beyond all recognition. Juliet is riding well!

[@StephanieLuff]

As a roadie who races track, I always keep my gearing light. The “normal” gear ratios always feel bad to me, I’d rather spin than mash. Although when I’m in fast fields, I can lose touch with the bunch so I have to weigh the variables. Gearing choice is so hard when you only get one!

[@velobike3367]

Great to see you back on the track! Looking forward to more content like this 🎉

[@kennethward9530]

Many years ago in the days before timing chips I was taught to crumple the numbers before pinning them on and then pin them on flat-helped make the numbers conform better and the wrinkles kept the numbers from making flapping noises. Next time someone gets some free wind tunnel time it would be interesting if the wrinkled numbers added or reduced drag. Maybe another marginal gain the UCI can ban?

[@struancochrane753]

Alex, really interesting to watch you re engage with your roots so to speak is fascinating. Clearly you love bike racing. Keep up the good work.

[@MarcSasso]

Enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing, love the track!

[@allanfoster6965]

Total geeky nerd fest!! Well done Alex. Fascinating to hear how even under shirts/base layers can affect the efficiency of aero.

[@GeekonaBike]

I really miss have a near by track to race on, It just so much fun!

[@leighdickinson8299]

That was good to see Alex & enjoyed. You should get ‘No Pins’ to do an Alex Dowsett cotton tee shirt with that quote of ‘Marginal gains Maximal loses’ for sale, I think that could be a winner.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

Link in the description below for exactly that t shirt 😉

[@nathanhardy7583]

Was great to race with you that day Alex, a super cool experience and nice to see a vlog come from it 😁 PS. I’m the rider on the black line in the thumbnail

[@andrewj3372]

Ban First... Ask questions later!

[@TheDomLouis]

When my son was 2.5 years old I took off his training wheels. 1st time he came to a stop and forgot to put his foot down he fell straight over. I dusted him off, he stopped crying and I reminded him to put his feet down when he stops. He never fell over again.

[@Alan_Hans__]

Great video. Just wondering if you took any notice of what the other riders had on their bikes for rubber. The veloflex is about the fastest road bike tyre but with track bikes often up to 160psi and the veloflex limited to 100psi there may have been some watts left on the rubber.

[@s2pacific]

Thanks Alex. What do you take there to eat and drink? Gr8 stuff

[@leighdickinson8299]

Thanks Alex but it hasn't got you on it? I do like, but I think it needs to be mark as a direct quotation from you & in a couple colours. I've already sent that quiry to Nopinz themselve through their costomer email system. So, here waiting!

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

I like the track bike. I would like to see a more in depth look.

[@simonknowles4267]

Hi Alex. Another great vlog. May I ask what was wrong with your wheels….cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@jakobjas4212]

Those HED wheels are pretty mad looking, shame they couldn't be used. Do we know if there's any benefit to the back wheel over a normal disc wheel? I get the front wheel would presumably be more aero than a tri spoke or regular deep section.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

I operate between aesthetics and performance when my losses (experience in this case) are maximal 😉

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

And I did get to use them in the second and third races ☺️

[@jakobjas4212]

@@AlexDowsettOfficial Haha, looking good is as good a reason as any. Yep, just noticed that, serves me right for commenting before the vid was over! Great vid 👍

[@darthjohn0]

The wheel was created for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. For safety reasons (i.e. crosswinds), Ironman banned disc wheels at this race, so HED created an “almost but not quite” disc wheel. I’ve never seen anyone use a pair for track racing though.

[@buzzman4860]

Now that's a cool video

[@psymanj73]

Cracking video, Alex! 💪 Nice to get your view on how things have changed and where did those wheels come from? 🤔 Feel like you missed an opportunity to get the “Big Gains” guy in at the end there 😂

[@grahambrant6664]

what was the reason for not allowing a(n admittedly very) deep rear when rear discs are fine?

[@francodellamura7471]

Hello Alex, i still cannot get around these huge gears that the riders are turning. In 2006, when I was racing track regularly it was a between 88-92 inch gear. I rode the World Masters that year and lapped field and came sixth in qualifying for final (40 lap race) averaged 51.4km per hour on a 91.8 gear (51 x 15 I think). How times have changed.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

It’s wild, everyone is faster down to aerodynamics in equipment and positions on the bike.

[@gangstermonke1]

Is the hypersonic suit just a non textured fabric? Would it be fast without the base layer?

[@merckxy54]

What was the problem with the wheels? Too deep????

[@matteodiluce9387]

Didn't the UCI guys ban the bike at 18:06 for having a freewheel?!?!? 😉😄

[@davidrae8475]

Hi Alex, I thought the rule of nothing deeper than 90mm had been enforced for several years. Was it different for track ( Wheels look like HED's JET 180)?

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

The rules on wheels are fairly vague to be honest. For example there isn’t anything to stop anyone running a disc wheel as a front wheel on the road for time trials.

[@davidrae8475]

@@AlexDowsettOfficial Thx, I was sure the UCI cracked the shits when HED bought out the 180 and it started to be used as a front wheel at Pro level

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

No, quite the contrary. They’ve ok’d it for tt’ing and track, they haven’t confirmed it for bunch racing on the road as yet.