The Velo Chronicles, volume 2: gaining momentum

Remember falling in love for the first time? Hoping that special someone will call, anticipating your next opportunity to see him or her, daydreaming about what that encounter will be like ...

While I don't expect a phone call from a track bike anytime soon, I feel something like lust and the start of a deep and meaningful relationship. My fingers keep typing track cycling terms into "the Google," which feels like the modern-day equivalent of scribbling "I heart [insert your dreamboat's name]" on a notebook.

Anxiety consumed me all day Tuesday. As track time neared, my need to urinate increased to an impossible frequency. And that's when I know something's really "got me good"; my bladder goes rogue.

Once I'd gone to the shed to claim my trusty "13 blue," I practically skipped into centerfield to prep her for the night's ride. The sleek racer guys already zipping about failed to intimidate me as I approached the track. I felt safe?

Despite the 40+ mph winds that night, I relished every second speeding around the track. (Sort of like holding your date's hair while she ralphs, but feeling happy just to be in her presence anyway.)

Okay. I admit the first few laps shook me a little. Heading into the first banked turn while fighting the air just to stay upright unnerved me, but my confidence swiftly rebounded.

We split into groups and followed the leader up and down the track, getting to know every inch of her body. Then it came time to do what I'd dreaded, hiking to the top and swooping down to the bottom (think of an owl diving down to nab its prey). As I charged upward I came off the saddle--then realized I was off the saddle. Rather than panic I kept moving, performed my shoulder check and went sailing down. I forgot to say "whee." But I screamed it from the inside.

Keeping up with the boys proved possible. I passed. I sprinted to catch the pack. I finally stopped viewing myself as a quivering coward. Our instructor informed us that he'd had some "sketchier groups" and applauded our performance.

After a crash-free lesson in drafting and just before we began our first pace lines, the rain clouds came rolling in. The night concluded prematurely, leaving me unsatisfied and longing for our next encounter.