Fixed-gear racing isn’t dead. Just ask the members of LA-based riding crew Grupetto, who recently helped support Trinity of Track, three days of non-freewheeling fun hosted by Los Angeles Underground World of Cycling and Trash Panda Cycling. Consisting of a trio of races spanning different disciplines, each united by a locked rear cog, the event welcomed cyclists from across Southern California and beyond, bringing track bikes back to the center of cycling’s spotlight and sparking a movement that once up to speed, as any fixed-gear rider can tell you, can be difficult to stop. Read all about Trinity of Track below.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The tiniest of all sparks has the potential to start a blaze, a concept that we are all familiar with in Southern California. A drought for many years has starved the West Coast and has set the stage for something big to ignite in Los Angeles. Beneath the concrete, the roots of fixed gear culture reach deep, stubbornly searching for a way to quench their thirst in seemingly dry times.
The life of fixed gear racing began with unsanctioned street races in Brooklyn, New York in 2008 and erupted into the international series which many of us know as Red Hook Crit. A scene full of life and prestige emerged and riders around the world traveled, sponsors slapped on their backs, to perform on this world stage. Other races around the world emerged and the fixed gear scene was booming. However, as quickly as the fire burned, the blaze dimmed and in its place were smoldering embers; remnants of something great. But those that say “fixed gear is dead” have overlooked the roots that remain and spread their reach far and wide….underground.
PRESENT DAY
Los Angeles Underground World of Cycling (LAUWC) alongside Trash Panda Cycling hosted fixed gear athletes for 3 days of racing from May 26th – 28th on Memorial Day Weekend. The race series dubbed, The Trinity of Track, would test riders’ skills through a gamut of physical feats which included a hill smash, criterium, and tracklocross race. In the weeks leading up to the series, Gruppetto provided community support by hosting skills clinics for both new and experienced rides.
Race 1: Hill Smash
Montecito Heights, California
The first race took place in Montecito Heights, featuring a 1.8km climb with grades averaging around 4%. This particular hill smash is a tradition, led by Raff Adrian of Trash Panda Cycling, who normally hosts a race at this very location two times a year. The route was scenic, through a quiet hillside neighborhood to the top of the climb which features a view of Mt. Washington and the Griffith Observatory. Residents from the area even came to the roadside to watch the event. Riders started in heats with the top four advancing to the next round. It was a sprint from the bottom to the top, each race lasting not longer than 5 minutes. Gruppetto rider Alfredo Bueno was able to secure top podium spot for the men to kick off the first race of the series. Li King of San Francisco took the top spot for the FTWNB (Femme Trans Women Nonbinary) category.
Race 2: Criterium
Torrance, California
This race required technical skills as riders had to maneuver through a tight chicane and a double hairpin course. Athletes crowded at the sign in table beneath the powerlines, some adjusting their gear ratios while others previewed the course. To make things even more interesting, this race eliminated riders off of the back in an elimination style race.
Approaching the start of the race, in the true spirit of fixed gear racing, LAUWC organizer Victor Marquez stood atop of the podium steps with megaphone in hand, to announce the heats of the race.
Athletes took to the line as the racers started with one neutral lap, then the fire was on. The gravel and dirt on the course could be heard as riders cut through the chicane with their front wheels. The crowd screamed and it was a party at start finish as riders were picked off the back. In the men’s final there was a crash in the last turn making Noah Shaw the victor for the night. Li King won the FTWNB category with ease.
Race 3: Tracklocross
Long Beach, California
The location of the next race was along the Los Angeles River, which begins in Canoga Park and flows approximately 77.1km south, cutting through Los Angeles before letting out in an estuary in Long Beach. To get to this race, one could ride 8km up the Los Angeles River Bike Path from downtown Long Beach, a ride that would only take about 20-30 minutes. Alongside the river path there is a patch of land, blooming with wildflowers from this season’s rain, and the best motocross dirt circuit that is the perfect backdrop for a tracklocross race. The course featured 3 embanked turns and one 5m drop-in. Year after year riders come to this circuit to test their brakeless off roading skills at this very track and each year. Spectators huddle near start finish and of course by the drop in which is the best place to view all of the crashes. As riders skidded and smashed through the dirt, the crowd jumped in to offer a beer and a push for any crashed out riders so that they could finish their lap. David Frias would take first place for the men and Avery Masri would take the win for the FTWNB.
At the end of the series, the overall winner from each category would be awarded based on the points they accrued throughout the three races. Each rider would be crowned the winners of the Trinity of Track and would receive swords fabricated from spare bicycle parts. The men’s winner was Noah Shaw and the FTWNB winner was Li King.
This past Memorial Weekend the fixed gear community united, not only in remembrance of nostalgic events like Red Hook Crit, but to ignite the scene once more in Los Angeles and bear witness to the resurrection of fixed gear racing. With race series like Trinity of Track emerging and a new younger generation of athletes coming out, there is a buzz through the streets that is getting fixed gear athletes anxious with excitement. Because we all know, that it only takes a spark to start a fire, and fixed gear will be here to fan the flames.
