"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Portsmouth Crash Fest Report and Question

Anyone do this crit today? The Cat 4 race was a little crazy as we started with 60 and ended with 38 due to crashes; 4 in total and lots more close calls. They actually had to bring the race to a stop after 3 neutral laps to bring out an ambulance on the course. Hopefully, that guy’s okay. I think all the others were alright although I saw one guy in a final lap crash go up over the hay bale and into a road sign post. Another guy clipped a barrier with his shoe, but stayed upright even though his foot was knocked back by his rear wheel.

I was okay besides one turn where I had to lean into a guy and literally push him back up, whereupon he looked over and thanked me. Then 2 laps later, I almost did the same in the same turn myself and had to hop the rear wheel to get back in line. I also had to back off some during the turns because I had a slow leaker that I didn’t change out in the pits until the neutral laps. In retrospect, I should have changed it out much sooner.

My question has to do with snap. I have none even though I can hang with the sprinters in the windup etc. I am right on their wheels until the end, but then have nothing to jump with. Is this because I’m not doing enough intervals (I mostly do hill climbs instead)?

Intervals and group rides with random attacks have both helped me in that regard. I'd suggest the same for you. The group rides are considerably more fun. :)

Yah, I try to do the Wed group rides around here, but it's difficult to get there at 6pm when they leave.

>> The Cat 4 race was a little crazy as we started with 60 and ended with 38 due to crashes<<

This is another sneaky plug for individual TT's, isn't it? You crafty dog.

>> The Cat 4 race was a little crazy as we started with 60 and ended with 38 due to crashes<<

This is another sneaky plug for individual TT's, isn't it? You crafty dog.

Lol, but "rubbin, son, is racin'."

My question has to do with snap. I have none even though I can hang with the sprinters in the windup etc. I am right on their wheels until the end, but then have nothing to jump with. Is this because I’m not doing enough intervals (I mostly do hill climbs instead)?

Intervals will help. Do you have access to a fixed gear bike for the winter? Leg speed is another important part of sprinting. Doing sprint intervals on a fixed gear bike can be both fun and productive.

Also, what gear are you trying to jump in?

Lol, but "rubbin, son, is racin'."

This sounds vaguely obscene. However I would tend to agree. Unfortunately, 'racin' son, is crashin'. But you would appear to be familiar with all of that. My posts are only a test of your ability to focus.

I have a fixed gear that I commute with, but never thought to do sprints on it. Dunno what gear I'm in, but it's usually around the 13 or 14. Is that too big a gear to try to jump with?