Fifty Plus (50+) - Taking on a New Challenge

No, not buying a new bike. Taking on a new challenge -- racing a crit tomorrow. :eek:

I joined a new racing team last fall, one of 4 women, and about 16 men of different levels and abilities. Of the women I'm the only one who's done any racing at all, and those were time trials (3 tandem, 1 on a half-bike). My idea was to let the youngsters go out and ride the crits and road races, and I (and cgallag) would be the time trial specialists.

The other woman with whom I most often ride, and her hubby (former CAT2, presently CAT3) convinced me to try one of the Early Bird Crits in the south Bay Area, held every Sunday in January. The races are preceded with mentoring sessions designed for the brand-new racer. We'd planned to go next week but tomorrow's as good a time to go as any. The longer I put it off the more intimidating it seems.

So the food is packed, the water bottles filled, the gear ready to go. If I don't post tomorrow assume I've crashed and been run over. My mini-goal is to stay upright. My big goal is to cross the line 1st. :D

Good luck tomorrow. Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.;)

Good luck and I salute your courage and effort!

No, not buying a new bike. Taking on a new challenge -- racing a crit tomorrow. :eek:

I joined a new racing team last fall, one of 4 women, and about 16 men of different levels and abilities. Of the women I'm the only one who's done any racing at all, and those were time trials (3 tandem, 1 on a half-bike). My idea was to let the youngsters go out and ride the crits and road races, and I (and cgallag) would be the time trial specialists.

The other woman with whom I most often ride, and her hubby (former CAT2, presently CAT3) convinced me to try one of the Early Bird Crits in the south Bay Area, held every Sunday in January. The races are preceded with mentoring sessions designed for the brand-new racer. We'd planned to go next week but tomorrow's as good a time to go as any. The longer I put it off the more intimidating it seems.

So the food is packed, the water bottles filled, the gear ready to go. If I don't post tomorrow assume I've crashed and been run over. My mini-goal is to stay upright. My big goal is to cross the line 1st. :D

Why on earth would anyone want to ruin a perfectly good cycling jersey and shorts by wearing them out in a high speed fall on asphalt? Have only been to a couple of Crit's and I could never see the fun in fighting it out with a bunch of hooligans. ;);)

Perhaps it is just me- but if I am going to fall off- I want a softer landing.

Good luck on the race- but do try and stay upright- and if you can't- a B&W pic would be preferable. I can't stand the sight of blood.:eek::eek:

You might see this when you get up.............Have fun..........we're all proud of you................the weight of the 50+ world rests on your shoulders...............:eek: Never mind the last........have fun.

Why on earth would anyone want to ruin a perfectly good cycling jersey and shorts by wearing them out in a high speed fall on asphalt? Have only been to a couple of Crit's and I could never see the fun in fighting it out with a bunch of hooligans. ;);)

Perhaps it is just me- but if I am going to fall off- I want a softer landing.

Good luck on the race- but do try and stay upright- and if you can't- a B&W pic would be preferable. I can't stand the sight of blood.:eek::eek:

Fall? Fighting? Hooligans? Blood?

Oh, I forgot -- you meant the men, didn't you? ;)

The women were polite, letting each other know where they were in relation to someone else. In our race everyone stayed upright and had a good time.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/KandD3.jpg
I'm #605. My teammate is ahead of me, #604.

As a matter of fact, we're going to do it again next week. :D

Good for you RR! Really glad to hear things worked out well for you.

:beer:

:):):) You must have enjoyed it..........cause you going back for more! Good show.

Good luck and I salute your courage and effort!

+1 go get em.:D

Thanks, everyone!

Here's the full story and a couple more pictures. One of the most indelible lessons I've learned from the 50+ers is that a thread is worthless without pics. ;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=6018562&posted=1#post6018562

Congrats on the race. My goal as a returnig cyclist is to make it back to a basic race level and have fun doing it. Thanks for the pictures and the report.

Bill

Great! and good for you. It brings back many memories of past times. Road races are lots of fun too, I don't know if they still have the Tassajara road race but that was the last one I did back when George Mount and Greg Lemond were just getting their start.

Good luck,
knotty

Congratulations RR. From what I can see, you're going to have lots of success.

Here's wishing you the best.:beer:

:beer:

Congratulations! You look like you were having fun in the pictures.

I think if I had a new Orbea I'd be riding a different bike in a rain soaked race.
You be careful out there, both for you and your new beauty. You hear me?

I think if I had a new Orbea I'd be riding a different bike in a rain soaked race.
You be careful out there, both for you and your new beauty. You hear me?

>hangs head, chagrined< "Okay, Dad."

My bike slave may clean it for me, if I cook a tasty meal for him. ;)

Your report is very fun to read! Great job, I'll be waiting for more updates!!

.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/KandD3.jpg
I'm #605. My teammate is ahead of me, #604.

. :D

I think it is time for a new bike- Your current one doesn't match the sponsors colours.

Well done on staying up right. in fact just well done.

I think it is time for a new bike- Your current one doesn't match the sponsors colours.

:eek::eek::eek:

I'll change teams before I change bikes. :D

Congratulations on trying something new! I loved your thread that provided the lowdown and the pictures. Now I have to figure out what a "crit" is!

EDIT: Thanks, Wikipedia! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criterium

>hangs head, chagrined< "Okay, Dad."

My bike slave may clean it for me, if I cook a tasty meal for him. ;)

After cleaning Velodiva's bike from Sunday's club ride, I suggest the "bike slave" hold out for a better deal. I would charge extra for cleanup after races.:D

Don't worry. I may be easy, but I'm not cheap.

I think it is time for a new bike- Your current one doesn't match the sponsors colours.

Well done on staying up right. in fact just well done.

:beer: