View Full Version : Florida racing scene thread
Anybody on this board race in FL?
We've got 9 weekends in a row of Sat/Sun racing right off the bat (with 3 already in the books).
I am racing P12 stuff right now. Doing okay with a few results to speak of, but no podium yet.
This weekend looks to be our first hotter day with temps in the 80's, but then I guess any real Sunshine-Stater ought to know how to handle those conditions.
www.floridacycling.com
merlinextraligh
02-28-06, 09:20 AM
I did the Masters 45 in Gainesville sunday, and am going to do the Crit at the VA in Orlando this Sunday.
thatguy
02-28-06, 05:35 PM
After watching the state cyclocross championships here in Largo last weekend, I'm itching to try racing. (road, not 'cross) Are there any events on the floridacycling.com calender that are beginner (cat. 5) friendly?
After watching the state cyclocross championships here in Largo last weekend, I'm itching to try racing. (road, not 'cross) Are there any events on the floridacycling.com calender that are beginner (cat. 5) friendly?
Every race on the calendar has cat5's. Just go to the website and see what's coming up. The next six weeks are Sat/Sun races in Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando, Daytona, Jax
We just had 3 weeks of Sat/Sun racing in Orlando, Dade City and Gainesville. The cat 5 fields are never too big, so your first races aren't so intimidating. 20-40 riders typically.
www.floridacycling.com
teetopkram
02-28-06, 08:50 PM
I used to race when I attended college in East Tennessee some 14 years ago. I have just gotten back into racing (Cat 5) and am finding Florida racing awesome. Back in Tennessee we'd have to drive to North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, in order to race on a consistent basis. In Florida, I don't have to leave the state and can satisfy my needs for racing usually within a 2-3 hour drive. We had Dade City two weekends ago (with an awesome and relatively hilly road race), Gainesville last weekend, three races in Tampa in two weeks (all of 10 minutes from my house), two races in Orlando at the end of March, etc. I sorely miss the 3+ mile climbs I could do in Tennessee, but do not miss the long travels for racing.
Plus the year round sunny weather makes an off-season optional.
mark
teetopkram
02-28-06, 08:52 PM
Oh, the Cat 5 field for the road races I am finding are usually larger (we must have had 50+ in the San Antonio road race). In the Dade City crit we only had 17, and that was quickly reduced to about 11-12 competitive people once we dropped the guys in t-shirts and mirrors on their helmets who were just trying this racing thing out for the first time.
Mark
Smoothie104
03-01-06, 12:55 AM
We had a guy like that in Athens several years ago, khaki shorts, with a braided belt.
thatguy
03-01-06, 06:50 AM
Great, thanks. I knew Florida would probably have more races than most states. Hopefully you'll see me out there giving it a shot pretty soon.
merlinextraligh
03-01-06, 08:01 AM
After watching the state cyclocross championships here in Largo last weekend, I'm itching to try racing. (road, not 'cross) Are there any events on the floridacycling.com calender that are beginner (cat. 5) friendly?
The Crit this sunday at the VA hospital in Orlando is a nice course. Flat, wide, no real tough corners. Would be a good place to do your first Crit.
thatguy
03-01-06, 08:07 AM
Thanks. The bad news is I have to work this Sunday because of the Oscars. (I'm in media) I do have my eye on the Festival of Speed/Spin City Classic next month though.
Bobby Lex
03-01-06, 02:53 PM
After watching the state cyclocross championships here in Largo last weekend, I'm itching to try racing. (road, not 'cross) Are there any events on the floridacycling.com calender that are beginner (cat. 5) friendly?
Suggest you try a road race (vs. a crit) for your first race or two, just because crits are crazy-frantic and have a lot more crashes. If you're going to do a crit, look for one with a 3 or 4 turn course, rather than a 6-turn course because newbies usually do better with less turns.
As far as the comment someone made about smaller fields, in every race I've done this year here in Florida the Cat.5 fields were capped at 50, and all of them hit their max. (And 50 rank amateur cyclists bearing full speed down a straightaway, heading toward a 90 degree turn where two lanes narrow down to one, will make you crap your shorts!).
Bob
thatguy
03-01-06, 04:26 PM
Yeah, I'm reluctant to try a crit race right away. I'm hoping to get my feet wet a little first. That's why I'm looking at the circuit race at the Spin City Classic. These races spread the field out a bit more, correct?
Okay guys. Who told you crits were safer than RR's? In fact, the more technical the crit, the less chance you have of getting hurt!
Wide open roads and long crit straights are by far the worst offenders of broken bones. One touch of wheels and ten cat5's are on the ground. A cat5 loses it in a corner and he takes himself out, that's it.
Now, get out to the crits this weekend and dive in.
merlinextraligh
03-02-06, 06:53 AM
Okay guys. Who told you crits were safer than RR's? In fact, the more technical the crit, the less chance you have of getting hurt!
Wide open roads and long crit straights are by far the worst offenders of broken bones. One touch of wheels and ten cat5's are on the ground. A cat5 loses it in a corner and he takes himself out, that's it.
Now, get out to the crits this weekend and dive in.
There also seems to be a self selection effect. Particularly in lower categories, because the perception that RR's are safer, some people without much experience or bike handling skills will do a RR, but not a Crit, and then not be as vigilant because they're just doing a RR.
Mar4-5 had small fields in Orlando for a couple of reasons, but overall it was beautiful weather and deep pay for those that showed up. Up next is Tampa area racing, with a TT and 2 road races on different 7 mile loops. See you there.
www.floridacycling.com
merlinextraligh
03-06-06, 07:54 AM
Mar4-5 had small fields in Orlando for a couple of reasons, but overall it was beautiful weather and deep pay for those that showed up. Up next is Tampa area racing, with a TT and 2 road races on different 7 mile loops. See you there.
www.floridacycling.com
It was too bad, that the fields were small. I raced sunday at the VA, which I think is a very nice venue, and the weather was great. I guess people tend to concentrate on the Florida Point Series races.
It was too bad, that the fields were small. I raced sunday at the VA, which I think is a very nice venue, and the weather was great. I guess people tend to concentrate on the Florida Point Series races.
Yes, the lack of FPS points didn't help, but the main reason for the low turnout was that the promoter has gotten a bad rap the past few years and we are trying to correct that as we speak. He'll bounce back as long as he has more weekends like he just had. It was a nice weekend and a well run event.
teetopkram
03-06-06, 09:41 AM
Mar4-5 had small fields in Orlando for a couple of reasons, but overall it was beautiful weather and deep pay for those that showed up. Up next is Tampa area racing, with a TT and 2 road races on different 7 mile loops. See you there.
www.floridacycling.com
YMCA and Merlin, I'll be racing Cat 5 in all of the Tampa races this weekend, assuming my patellar tendinitis calms down...live about 5 minutes from the Flatwoods location. Would like to stop by, meet, and say hi...any way to identify you guys? I'll be riding the blue LeMond Zurich, getting dropped in the circuit race.
Mark
merlinextraligh
03-06-06, 10:12 AM
Mark, good luck and have fun. I'm skipping Tampa, and going to race next in Oralndo March 25-26. As for identifying me, I'm the old fat guy in the Cat 5 race.
Bobby Lex
03-06-06, 11:04 AM
YMCA and Merlin, I'll be racing Cat 5 in all of the Tampa races this weekend, assuming my patellar tendinitis calms down...live about 5 minutes from the Flatwoods location. Would like to stop by, meet, and say hi...any way to identify you guys? I'll be riding the blue LeMond Zurich, getting dropped in the circuit race.
Mark
My team (Gearlink) is running the circuit race. I'll be working the circuit race Saturday, and doing the road race Sunday.
Bob
teetopkram,
You'll find me in the P12's both days.
My jersey says True Blue Cycling and I have a red/white helmet.
Ride a dark Bianchi.
Driving a White truck with my super supportive wife.
Just ask for Mike Starr and someone will point me out.
All the best!
-YMCA
thatguy
03-10-06, 02:23 PM
I've decided to go for it and at least try to get into saturday's circuit race in Tampa. I want to get my first race over and done with. I know registration is closed but is the field full? I'll bring my bike and if I can't run, at least I'll have a great time watching.
The park has two entrances, am I right? Which one should I park at?
Bobby Lex
03-10-06, 02:41 PM
I've decided to go for it and at least try to get into saturday's circuit race in Tampa. I want to get my first race over and done with. I know registration is closed but is the field full? I'll bring my bike and if I can't run, at least I'll have a great time watching.
The park has two entrances, am I right? Which one should I park at?
Pre-registration is closed, but get there early in the a.m. and you'll likely be able to get in. $5.00 late fee for registering the day-of-the-event.
There's also Sunday's race.
Good luck. Get in a good warmup. Pay attention. Be smooth and predictable in the group. Racing is scary-thrilling, kinda like a Freddy Krueger movie. Scares the $hit out of you, but you find yourself coming back for more!
Bob
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