ELDORADO PARK RIDE -plagued with crashes on the opening day

[53x11]

Ok, crash fest continues!

pro-1-2-3 crash on the first lap on the corner which leads to fnish straigh- some dude with ultra carbon light wheels cant hold his angle and slides 20 yards into concrete barriers sweeping away 4 other people.

as the pack pedaling away we hear a long bone-chilling scream aaaaa-uuuuuuuu, ride was not neutralized and kept on hammering away..

cat 4/5 had 2 separate crashes with people sitting on the dirt for 30-40 minutes before chugging to the staging area..

damn! just gettting out of these races and training rides in one piece is good enough!

[Haufigga]

Ouch...

I'm glad I missed it :)

Any crashes in 40+?

[Groupetto]

Okay Here is just my 2 cents about crashes and crits...
I am new to BF but I have been racing for a few years. I have also seen a number of posts about unsafe racing.

ELDO is the same year after year except for moving the S/F. Dom-Hills is the same course year after year as well. We all know Chris and CBR and they do their best at every event to make sure they are safe. So if the racing is the same what has changed in the last few years are the racers.


I think there are a couple of issues right now. Have you seen the weather ? Those riders able to keep fitness through the winter are flying right now. Other riders are using the early racing to ride into shape. Those two group of riders combine make a deadly combination early in the season.

Second reason (I dont mean to offend) is the lack of a "pecking order". In the 1-3 fields the 3's would know their role and not mix it up with the 1's and 2's. This has gone away. It seems with 5 laps to go every knucklehead thinks he can win the sprint from the back of the field. At Eldo for example the NetZero team would go to the front and drill it. No overlapping of wheels when you are going head to tail the whole hour.


At the races I have been at this year I have seen a number of crashes but they were the result of someone getting impatient and moving up unsafely.

These are just my observations.

[Groupetto]

Btw ..sorry for the grammer ..

It must be late

[Cleave]

Hi,

Well you know that they offer a world champion's jersey at the finish each week. :rolleyes:

Chris tells the riders to be careful, etc, etc each week, but that's assuming that they know how to be careful, etc, etc. Also, it always amazes me to see people showing up with their lightest, best stuff. I do Eldo on my training bike with my heaviest wheels.

Anyway, I heard about the carnage from a clubmate. I missed the race because I couldn't get out of work early enough. Hopefully, some learned a lesson.

BTW, I haven't crashed there since 1987, so it can be done. (Knock on wood.) :o

[cjbruin]

BTW, I haven't crashed there since 1987, so it can be done. (Knock on wood.) :o

That's impressive! I am also crash free at El Do but that's probably only because my last race there was in 1989. I think I'll stay away and keep my streak in tact. :)

[1265 Lombardi]

Hi,

Well you know that they offer a world champion's jersey at the finish each week. :rolleyes:

I know some people race only at Eldo and call it a racing season. People do take it serious, and also get caught up in the competition. We all do. Eldo rocks.

[Chucklehead]

At the races I have been at this year I have seen a number of crashes but they were the result of someone getting impatient and moving up unsafely.



where have i seen this happen before..?

oh yeah - ouch..bad flashbacks. make them go away!

[Cleave]

I know some people race only at Eldo and call it a racing season. People do take it serious, and also get caught up in the competition. We all do. Eldo rocks.
Hi,

I agree that we all get caught up in the competition. At the same time I have a little voice in the back of my head that says, "You have to go to work tomorrow." Obviously some people don't hear voices. ;)

I also heard second hand that the 1/2/3 pack was already up to 36 MPH on the first lap when the crash occurred. I remember when the first race in March was the first race of the season and most everyone rode for the training effect. Those good old days are long gone. :eek:

[jsigone]

best game plan is to just sit in the back and let everyone crash in front of you for the victory........

[Groupetto]

Usually if you are behind a crash ..you are too far back in the group. I think only at Costa Mesa can I recall a crash in the top 20. Get stronger at ELDO stay up front and let the carnage happen behind.

Now if I could only do this....I wouldnt be pack fodder.

I also agree that the schedule keeps moving up. Next years first Crit will probably be in Dec..

[Haufigga]

I know some people race only at Eldo and call it a racing season. People do take it serious, and also get caught up in the competition. We all do. Eldo rocks.

Although El Do is a training crit, they do give out points and cash at the end of the series.

I agree, El Do rocks. The course is a lot more interesting than your typical 4 corner industrial crit.

[Cleave]

Although El Do is a training crit, they do give out points and cash at the end of the series.
Hi,

The cash you get might cover the cost of a band-aid at the local hospital. :D

[Haufigga]

Hi,

The cash you get might cover the cost of a band-aid at the local hospital. :D

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

It's a lot of cash for them 12K Dreamers! :D :D

[Groupetto]

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

It's a lot of cash for them 12K Dreamers! :D :D

that is funny..you had to be there

:D

[1265 Lombardi]

My first Eldo race of the season yesterday and it went pretty smoothly. No crashes. My legs were not fully recovered from last weekend, but managed to do ok staying up front.

[Groupetto]

How were the fields ? How many in the 1-3 ? what time did it role ?
I will try to make it once i can convince my work that cycling is way more important.

of course that "work" thing does pay the bills...