|| Fixed Gear Blog Norway ||: 08/2015

Keirin!

Speed alone is not the key to winning.

Keirin is a type of bicycle racing. The cyclists ride around a banked track, and the winner is the first across the finish line. But keirin cyclists need more than just speed to win—the strategies they use against each other are an important part of the sport, increasing its subtlety and appeal. Competitors use various strategies to win.
The battle of wills among the cyclists can be complex, often creating dramatic ups and downs during the race. Once you understand the nuances of keirin, trying to predict race outcomes becomes a fascinating exercise

What is Keirin?

The keirin is a bizarre event, which originated in Japan.
It is a popular sport there, and attracts major betting from punters.
It is similar to the individual sprint but features six to eight riders on the track instead of two.
This is the bizarre bit: the riders follow behind a small moped-type bike called a derny.
This derny paces the riders for the first few laps of the eight-lap race.
It steadily increases speed before pulling off into the centre of the arena with two-and-a-half laps to go, leaving the riders to sprint to the finish.
During the lead-up laps to the finishing sprint, the riders jostle with each other for the best position.
But they have to stay behind the back wheel of the derny.
With so many riders taking part in what is really a sprint race, there are often crashes on the final laps.
So the race is fun-filled and action-packed!

A visit to MASH San Francisco!

MASH San Francisco website! Mash open their San Francisco door to their local community of riders and to the global supporters who visit San Francisco everyday. From Cape Town to Osaka, from Berlin to Istanbul, they see the fire in the eyes of the riders worldwide.