"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - anyone else suffering at the Cats Hill Crit this sat?

man i wasnt planning on doing this race...just got back from my employers Sales Conference (aka booze fest) and missed the last 1.5 weeks of training, combined with all you can eat and drink :D Oh dear...i ended up caving to some peer pressure (they lured me in with the promised of post race beers) from my team mates so IM heading out tomorrow to give this crit a go.

23% grade :eek: OH MY @#$#@


anyone else?? any pre-race advice other then shoot myself now to end the suffering??
baw

Do something dumb....like forget your bike or shoes or something....

Not riding it, but I'll be there cheering on my team...Go Green!

Not much to say. The race is pain epitomized. Did it last year, but not this year.

Watch out for people on the climb, and REALLY work to be at the front. People have problems getting up the hill, either because of fitness or bike malfunction. It's not uncommon to see people drop their chain and run the bike up the hill. I actually saw juniors who were pushed up the hill. The sounds that bikes make when people hit the wall is pretty amazing.

Shift into your little ring before the climb, and spin spin spin. I think my race whittled down to about 20 people by the end.

Also, unless they changed it this year, you are staged off course and then are allowed to roll to the starting line. This makes getting a good starting position tricker.

Right after the steep part of the hill is about a block of gentle uphill. The gentle uphill section is a good place to move up.

I'm not racing since there is no W4 field this year. :(
However I will be there to cheer on my teammates and to watch some of the guys race.

I'm not racing since there is no W4 field this year. :(
However I will be there to cheer on my teammates and to watch some of the guys race.

i think its awesome you guys\gals are showing up to cheer on your team mates...kinda wish I were doing the same.

please say hi if you see me out there, I will be hanging out under the "Champion Nutrition" tent (one of our sponsors) :D also if the race doesnt destroy my legs I am hoping to ride up 9 to skyline and back if anyone wants to join.

cheers!
baw

I'll be there in the 4s, trying to get the last of my upgrade points. Damn I had to pick a hard one.

I'll be there dukin' it out amongst the other juniors... wish myself and the twenty pounds I'm carrying over the other kids some good luck.