Originally Posted by BlackTie
This is my first season racing, and on my first race, I noticed that many riders (Cat5) slow down to almost a halt on the corners (due to lack of confidence/cornering skill?). Knowing that slowing down too much on corners is NOT the best thing to do in a crit, would it be wise avoid this by taking the corner wide enough to maintain my speed?
When its bunched up, like at the beginning of the race with a huge field, then if you are on the inside, you can almost come to a stop. Is this what you are talking about? In that case then the outermost line is definitely the place to be because that is the fastest line, but watch out and make sure you don't get pushed off the road.
If people are hitting the brakes and almost coming to a stop when the pack is strung out (which I haven't heard of even 5s doing) then just go around them on the outside, but be sure to show them a wheel near the apex so they don't try to run you off the outside of the corner on the exit.