BENZ28

So, not sure if this is the right area or not but here goes.

I did my first cat5 race last year and got shelled after 2 laps. It was an experience to say the least and my eyes were opened about how out of shape I was. I trained all winter and started a semi-local crit series last month. My first race of this year I finished with the group and was ecstatic. Wednesday was my second race of the series and I felt incredibly strong, I had taken away some decent insight from the first race and was going to try some new things this race. Well after 6 laps, I still felt great and and as we approached the first long sweeping turn I wasn't in a good position, I was mid pack and on the furthest outside part of the road. the group slowed from 25-26 to 21-22 as if everyone had hit the brakes. I ended up going down as well as two other guys in different parts of the group. After making sure everyone was ok I got up and started chase but they were uncatchable.

My question: When positioning yourself for particular places in the race, (for instance this turn that I wanted to be in the middle or on the inside), do you sacrifice position to stay in that spot or do you suck it up and try and deal with the inopportune place on the road.
-To clairify, on the previous straightaway of the course I had moved from the middle of the road to the outside of the road to pass a group of riders who were dropping back. This left me in poor position on the outside of the upcoming turn.

Thanks
Ben

globecanvas

No particular rules of thumb apply, you just have to balance the pluses and minuses for whatever moves you make. Easy to move up on the outside: good, leaves you on the wrong side of the field for the turn: bad.

carpediemracing 

If I'm not super familiar with a course then I'll try different lines (which really means different lanes in the field or different sides of the field). Even on super familiar courses I'll try different lines simply because wind, riders, etc change.

I'll be publishing a clip probably Sun night or Mon morning where I'm on a course I've raced every year, usually 2x, sometimes as many as 5-6x, since 1983. I still checked out different lines in the important-to-me curve, because wind, fitness, competition are unique to a given race day. I actually make a point of showing some of my experiment laps because my last lap plan/actions were basically decided by my decision to hit this one curve while in a particular side of the field.

This next bit answers your actual question. If I know I want to be on a particular side/lane, I'll sacrifice to stay there. I'll give up wheels, watch others surge, etc, because I know that the crucial part of the race is that curve and I know that I can make up a lot of position or save a ton of reserves by not battling for position, by not trying other lines/lanes.

When I upload the clip it'll be more clear but I'll leave it at that for now.

mike868y

When in doubt, do what cdr would do.

BENZ28

Thanks guys!

canuckbelle

+1

I sacrifice position to be where I want for the critical corners. That usually means making sure I'm on the inside but in a pace line.

shovelhd

I don't sacrifice position. I'll defend my spot. This doesn't always work but it should be your mindset.

Why didn't you take your free lap?

BENZ28

Free lap?

shovelhd

Was this a criterium? Did you crash?

carpediemracing 

The first thing you should do is read the rule book.

My thoughts on some basics a Cat 5 should know before doing their first race. Includes mention of free lap.
2013 Clinic Info*|*Bethel Spring Series

BENZ28

Yes it was a criterium and yes I crashed. Will be reading the entire rule book, now. I wouldn't have ever thought that to be a rule. I looked it up and read it, makes total sense.

shovelhd

One thing to remember. All rules are interpreted by officials. The free lap rule is widely interpreted. If you crashed and hit the ground, you get one. If you get caught behind a crash and are slowed or stopped, you don't. If your skewer is loose and your wheel is rubbing, you don't. If you have a second mishap and come into the pit for a second time, this will be reported to the Chief Judge and you may be put a lap down.

Homebrew01

Officials usually announce the free lap rule at the start. Often you can get a free lap for a crash, but only up to 5 laps to go (varies by race). If you crash after the free lap rule expires, then you are on your own.

shovelhd

Yeah. I got burned by this at Bethel this year. There was a free lap until 5 to go. The cards were showing "5" when I rolled up with a flat. Just bad luck.

shovelhd

That's another thing that's not written in the rule book. Listen to the announcements at the line. There may be changes that you should pay attention to.

carpediemracing 

At the Bethel Spring Series (my race that I promoted for 20 odd years) I usually end up scrambling to make the start so I just rolled up to the line and the race started. I flatted in the last week of the Series one year, probably mid 90s. I knew that the official hadn't allowed a free lap the prior weeks so I rolled up to the pit, put a spare wheel on, and rejoined a lap later. I figured I was a lap down, told everyone so, and went looking for someone to lead out for the sprint. I chose a teammate that seemed super enthusiastic but couldn't quite piece together a solid last lap. I told him to put it in a particular gear, get on my wheel, and do everything I was doing.

Found him just before the bell, moved up to the front just after, and told him step by step when to shift, stay on my wheel, etc.

On the backstretch I told him to just hang on and I drilled it. No out of saddle stuff, just seated acceleration, on the tops so I'd give him a better draft. I shifted up through the gears, went flying into the bottom of the hill, and pulled off.

No one came through.

I looked back, I had a gap, a pretty big one. My teammate was at the front and for whatever reason no one was going around him.

I rolled up the hill, meaning to cheer on my teammate, but I got toward the top of the hill (and the finish line) with plenty of time. I stopped just short of the line (because no use cheering from after the line), put my bike down, and cheered everyone across the line. My teammate hung on for 6th or something, his best place ever. He was absolutely stoked and I was ecstatic for him.

After the race the official (same guy we use now, for those that know) asked me why I didn't cross the line. I told him there was no use because I flatted and was a lap down. He grinned. "You didn't hear me announce a free lap?" "What?!?!" "I always do that for the last race of the Series. Don't want someone to lose the Series because of a flat." He looked at me. "You really need to listen to the pre-race announcements at the line."

hahaha. Joke's on me.

BENZ28

I've been watching some of your videos, for quite a while the commentary really helps. Thanks

carpediemracing 

You're welcome. My goal is to try to spread some knowledge (at least from my point of view, meaning as a racer that has to sit in etc) and hopefully have other riders learn from all the lessons/thoughts that I've worked through.

harolddelaney

dude just keep at it and have fun! greatest sport in the world.

caloso

Sometimes it's worth burning a match and exposing yourself to the wind in order to set yourself up for the next turn or to avoid the accordion effect. Good for you for being willing to try different things.

BENZ28

Thanks guys, weather cancelled this weeks race but hopefully be able to get in next weeks. I used to BMX race so toning down the aggression while racing was a challenge for me. I almost immediately want to push to the front and the. Block people in the turns and that doesn't work in road racing, haha. I'm learning a lot from watching others and from advice.

shovelhd

Oh, but it does, you just do it at a different level. Many successful BMX racers transitioned to road, especially crits. You have a great background. Go get it.

blarnie

For a guy with a lot to say ...

caloso

I have a couple cat 3 teammates who raced bmx as kids. They are great bike handlers, which translates well to crits.

BENZ28

"I think" I have great handling skills as a result of BMX, I would agree that it is a serious advantage to be able to react quickly to situations. I guess what I meant to say was in BMX I was always bigger than everyone else and if there was a gap I could force myself into it and pull out of a tight move faster than most others. I have to be a bit more meticulous and smooth. Maintain aggression but also know I'm not 18 anymore and don't heal as quikily ;-) In most of my BMX racing days I either landed a podium or wrecked out of the main, lol.