"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Took 3rd place with a flatbar hybrid

I raced in the Scottsdale Grand Prix criterium yesterday in the junior (16-18 yr. old) category. It was my first race, so i was pretty psyched/scared. I raced on my commuter, a trek 7500 hybrid, with pretty skinny urban tires (can't afford a road bike). Let me tell you though, it was a windy day, and I would have killed for drop bars like the people around me. However, I think its pretty ridiculous that kids my age were racing with $3k+ cervelos.

Anyway i placed 3rd out of about 10 and have a nice trophy to show for it. I ride about 150 miles a week, which isn't too bad in my opinion. My goal for this crit was to not get lapped- i think i did pretty well!

I think you did too , 'grats man!!

well done, now save some money and click the link on the right that says "steel is real", or find a team with a sponsor.

Way to go! Yep a lot of money out there in even the Jr races. Lots of pressure from the parents too. I offciated a race earlier in the month. Colder than heck and very windy. Father, "Today is my son's firt race. We'll see if he is as tough as I was when I was 13." Yeah, like the father would have a good recollection of that. Son was on a Pinarello though. :)

Way to go! Yep a lot of money out there in even the Jr races. Lots of pressure from the parents too. I offciated a race earlier in the month. Colder than heck and very windy. Father, "Today is my son's firt race. We'll see if he is as tough as I was when I was 13." Yeah, like the father would have a good recollection of that. Son was on a Pinarello though. :)

i keep on seeing a kid who i'm not even sure has hit puberty yet, motorpacing off of the back of a scooter.

the kicker, dad - on the scooter - looks like he's almost as wide as he is tall.

Way to go! Yep a lot of money out there in even the Jr races. Lots of pressure from the parents too. I offciated a race earlier in the month. Colder than heck and very windy. Father, "Today is my son's firt race. We'll see if he is as tough as I was when I was 13." Yeah, like the father would have a good recollection of that. Son was on a Pinarello though. :)

How long before we hear of dads pummeling other dads at the start/finish b/c one's pre-pubescent kid boxed out the other's pre-pubescent kid in the finishing sprint?

How long before we hear of dads pummeling other dads at the start/finish b/c one's pre-pubescent kid boxed out the other's pre-pubescent kid in the finishing sprint?

I thought that was reserved to little league and hockey?! Regardless, there was a noticeable lack of parental aggression at the race. I've played in lacrosse games where the parents fought more than the players did, and this was a welcome relief. Cycling rocks!

I thought that was reserved to little league and hockey?! Regardless, there was a noticeable lack of parental aggression at the race. I've played in lacrosse games where the parents fought more than the players did, and this was a welcome relief. Cycling rocks!

ahhhh hockey...

when i was in HS we (the kids from the HS who were there to support our team) used to get in fights with the parents of the team we were playing.

what a classy sport. :rolleyes:

I raced in the Scottsdale Grand Prix criterium yesterday in the junior (16-18 yr. old) category. It was my first race, so i was pretty psyched/scared. I raced on my commuter, a trek 7500 hybrid, with pretty skinny urban tires (can't afford a road bike). Let me tell you though, it was a windy day, and I would have killed for drop bars like the people around me. However, I think its pretty ridiculous that kids my age were racing with $3k+ cervelos.

Anyway i placed 3rd out of about 10 and have a nice trophy to show for it. I ride about 150 miles a week, which isn't too bad in my opinion. My goal for this crit was to not get lapped- i think i did pretty well!

Way to go dude.

Get some argyle socks and wear them to your next race.

ahhhh hockey...

when i was in HS we (the kids from the HS who were there to support our team) used to get in fights with the parents of the team we were playing.

what a classy sport. :rolleyes:


what happened to the good old days of hockey when the only pummeling to take place was on the ice....:D

what happened to the good old days of hockey when the only pummeling to take place was on the ice....:D

i don't know. the pummeling described took place in 1985, in suburban New England.

Are you happy now? Because of you, up to 7 new grouches were born who are going to come on BF and tell everyone that nobody needs a bike that costs more than 50 bucks because you beat them. Thanks a bunch. :D

Seriously, though, congratulations! Try looking into clubs that are heavy on juniors in your area--they often can hook you up with great sponsor deals on bikes and stuff. There are people out there who can help with equipment and stuff if you really want to stick with it.

Sweet! Way to go! :)

Congrats Cedric, great work!

I raced in the Scottsdale Grand Prix criterium yesterday in the junior (16-18 yr. old) category. It was my first race, so i was pretty psyched/scared. I raced on my commuter, a trek 7500 hybrid, with pretty skinny urban tires (can't afford a road bike). Let me tell you though, it was a windy day, and I would have killed for drop bars like the people around me. However, I think its pretty ridiculous that kids my age were racing with $3k+ cervelos.

Anyway i placed 3rd out of about 10 and have a nice trophy to show for it. I ride about 150 miles a week, which isn't too bad in my opinion. My goal for this crit was to not get lapped- i think i did pretty well!


Good for you. You've learned and shown the gear weenies and doubting Thomas here on this forum that what matters is the rider and not the gear.

When I started racing I won a couple of 3/4 Superweek races on a cheapo Viscount. People kept asking me "You won on that?"

Keep up the miles. Looks like your a natural!

Get some argyle socks and wear them to your next race.

+1:roflmao:

Seriously, congrats!!!

Congrats, inspiring story! Try to find a junior team in your area. With the talent you have, I'm sure you will find someone to help you get a better bike. Then think of the damage you will do!

Good. Now are you going to get some drop bars at least? Are you enjoying the notoriety of being the fred that can?:)