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Mash: D’Horta Velodrome

Radar

Mash: D’Horta Velodrome

Just about everyone is over in Barcelona for the Red Hook Crit, including the Mash team. Mike shot some incredible photos at the D’Horta Velodrome during a warm up session and you should really check them out.

That said, I’m more stoked on his detail photos of the track, which you can see here. I wish the best of luck to everyone who’s racing tomorrow. Ride safe fellas!

Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story

Radar

Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story

Nelson Vails has been receiving a good amount of media coverage over the past few months and now, this Indigogo Campaign has launched to fund a documentary about the track racer. Here’s the trailer for Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story.

“Nelson Vails’ story is a triumph over almost insurmountable odds. Nelson was the youngest of 10 children growing up in the Harlem projects and worked as a New York City bicycle messenger to support his family. Nicknamed “The Cheetah” because he was the fastest cat in the jungle, Nelson rode furiously while working, trained in Central Park after work and raced locally on weekends.

He was thrust on to the world stage, represented the USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won the silver medal in the individual 1000-meter Match Sprints, behind countryman Mark Gorski. Becoming a pioneer for the African-American cycling community, this documentary explores the beginnings of his life in Harlem and his impact on the future generation of cyclists worldwide.

It follows the triumph of Nelson’s achievements with the sobering reality of what becomes of athletes after retirement. We see Nelson’s resurgence today as an advocate for recreational cycling and as a role model for the African-American community, culminating in a reunion with teammate and opponent Mark Gorski, as they revisit the site of their historical race.

In the end, Nelson’s story is simply about a kid whose love for the bicycle led him to transcend racial and economic barriers to becoming a legacy.”

See more here.

The Athletic: Portland Design Works Omnium

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The Athletic: Portland Design Works Omnium

Photos by Jeremy Dunn

Clint Culpepper organizes plenty of races (top photo) and Jeremy’s write up of the Portland Design Works Omnium at The Athletic documents this successful event through the eyes, the lens and the words of someone who hasn’t been to a track race in years. There were hot dogs, rad track bikes, root beer kegs and cash payouts! Check out more at The Athletic!