Road Cycling - My first criterium

Am thinking about doing my first criterium this week. Anybody can help and give tips as of things to do and not to do? Maybe a story or 2 could be good but don't scare me too much ok? :-) Kati

Search the forums, theres a bunch and don't look at my "Sketchiest Crit Ever" thread

stay low, watch your line and ride hard is all I can say, it does get crazy and it is very fast...
good luck :)

Just don't crash! When you do about 15 other people will too! Actually it does make for a good show though, but tuck and roll and protect yourself as much as possible when you're down, and don't get up too fast b/c another rider may be coming up fast on you and if you sit bolt upright all the sudden you may take a fork to your face (seen it happen b4 and not nice at all!).

You hear people talk about crashes ALL THE TIME. But there are soo many crash free races out there that people fail to mention (at least that has been my experience).
So I wouldn’t get to freaked out about the crashing aspect.

Am thinking about doing my first criterium this week. Anybody can help and give tips as of things to do and not to do? Maybe a story or 2 could be good but don't scare me too much ok? :-) Kati


First, get to the start line early and line up as close to the front as possible. Second, tuck in closely behind a good solid rider(mark a good rider first). And most likely, you'll slowly start to drop back in the field(good place to be for a beginner is in the middle to 3/4 of the way back in the field so you don't get too many riders mad at you for getting in their way and just get ready to jump hard out of every corner and have a good time. Don't let all the crash talk scare you. What race are you doing? I race in the Washington area and sometimes travel up to BC? Just curious.

Just don't crash! When you do about 15 other people will too! Actually it does make for a good show though, but tuck and roll and protect yourself as much as possible when you're down, and don't get up too fast b/c another rider may be coming up fast on you and if you sit bolt upright all the sudden you may take a fork to your face (seen it happen b4 and not nice at all!).


bad advice!

bad advice!

How is that bad advice? Crashes are a part of racing, especially in crits, and you have to know what to do when it happens.

There is nothing wrong with sitting at the back of a group while you are new to racing, until you get a feel for the pulse of a racing group. When you feel more comfortable with what's happening, you can try riding in the pack or near the front. The safest place in a racing group is near the front or on the outside perimeter away from the curb. The least safe place is in the middle.

Unless you see that you are stronger than the other riders, ride conservatively and learn to start off. If you are stronger, work your way to the front and give 'em hell!

Don't be a dope (like me) and do all the work in the non-prime laps. You want to be near the front, but not actually the front.

There is nothing wrong with sitting at the back of a group while you are new to racing, until you get a feel for the pulse of a racing group. When you feel more comfortable with what's happening, you can try riding in the pack or near the front. The safest place in a racing group is near the front or on the outside perimeter away from the curb. The least safe place is in the middle.

Unless you see that you are stronger than the other riders, ride conservatively and learn to start off. If you are stronger, work your way to the front and give 'em hell!
Beleive it or not, I actually agree with don d. if this is your first crit it wouldnt be a bad idea to sit at the back of the group and work your way up as the comfort and feel gets right for you. I still maintain my first post also about staying low, holding your line and riding fast and hard, but most of all be aware of where you are, who is near and be careful..
Ride safe :)

Am thinking about doing my first criterium this week. Anybody can help and give tips as of things to do and not to do? Maybe a story or 2 could be good but don't scare me too much ok? :-) Kati
Hey I just did my first crit this weekend in Charolette NC. It was a whole lotta fun too. I raced cat 4 and it was a good group. There was a pile up in cat 5 and a pretty bad wreck in masters 35 where one guy went down hard thanks to a pot hole. I raced cyclocross mainly up till this year and I find a similarity in the crits in that there is very little recovery time. That is that you will run 100% almost the whole time. If your fitness level is up to par then it may help to know that everyone else in your race is suffering just as much as you. The first few laps were crazy and you could tell after about the 5th lap everyone sort of found the fields pace. Charge the uphills and relax on the downs. I don't know about up in BC but the womens (I assume your a girl) races had only about 7 or 8 riders so crashing is less likely in that situation. Don't be afraid to communicate. I had lots of guys sneeking in on my left or right and they would announce "On your left" or something so I know to hold the line. In a corner to hold your line just do what the guy in front of you is doing lean at the same rate and stay on the wheel. There is a bit of a trust factor that runs through the whole field, ie follow the line of the rider in front and hope he does'nt enter the corner too fast and end up on the curb and that cascades all the way back. Have fun...

Am thinking about doing my first criterium this week. Anybody can help and give tips as of things to do and not to do? Maybe a story or 2 could be good but don't scare me too much ok? :-) Kati

Good luck...just keep going no matter what. Attitude ---> get a good attitude and keep it!

How is that bad advice? Crashes are a part of racing, especially in crits, and you have to know what to do when it happens.
First, Tuck and roll? I haven't seen any crashes where people had to tuck and roll. You just go down hard and maybe skid. Unless you are thrown in the gutter. Tuck and rolling with your bike is not advised. After a severe crash, you have to look back immediately to see what the situation is and react accordingly. There is no 1 recipe for crashes. And if possible get back on the bike and try to get back in the field. More than likely you have to bolt up immediately and get out of the way, unless you crashed in a field sprint. Best advice is be aware!

First, Tuck and roll? I haven't seen any crashes where people had to tuck and roll. You just go down hard and maybe skid. Unless you are thrown in the gutter. Tuck and rolling with your bike is not advised. After a severe crash, you have to look back immediately to see what the situation is and react accordingly. There is no 1 recipe for crashes. And if possible get back on the bike and try to get back in the field. More than likely you have to bolt up immediately and get out of the way, unless you crashed in a field sprint. Best advice is be aware!

The tuck and roll wasn't meant literally... but when you go down I definately think its best to brace for a second b/c you may not have enough time to react to someone who was right on your wheel smacking into you. That also goes back to why you shouldn't get up the second you hit the ground... assess the situation, then get up. I've seen a lot of crashes at the crits this year alone and some of them got a lot worse just because someone got thrown and got up while the guy behind them was still heading straight at them full tilt.

Tuck and roll is always good to do when you fall. The tendency to throw arms out to catch yourself often results in fractured limbs, etc.... This is why there is some credence to the theory you should hold onto the bars in a crash and pull your head and shoulders in and down. You are already hunched over in a semi-rolled up position.

Judo teaches the techniques for safe landing in a fall and they all involve rolling. Tucking your head and shoulders in creates a rounded surface to land on and helps prevent injuries. Obviously, on a bike, you are limited in the application of this unless you can get your feet unclipped, and things often happen so fast, one is often unable to consciously tuck and roll, but then that is what practise is for-learning to react automatically.

I watched a guy tuck and roll today...of course it was INTO my path, so I promptly rode over him (stayed upright!) then my front wheel got stuck in his frame...and I bit it (did my own tuck and roll). The impressive part was that the crash happened in a 10 man pack on a straight, and the lead man went down due to rider error. How the hell do you crash going straight with nothing in front of you??

Despite what people have said don't sit on the back of the group otherwise it's very likely you'll be blown out the bloody back !!..i know from bitter experience :(..Instead try to sit on someone's wheel in the first half a dozen or so riders and tell yourself you're going to stay on their wheel no matter what !! even if you're legs are screaming at you to stop just dig in..you'll find the drafting effect will help you such a lot..you'll be amazed how much easier it is drafting someone else especially if it's a windy day..Another thing..don't turn too big a gear otherwise your legs may very well tie up and you'll get left behind struggling to get back to the bunch..spin spin spin !!.i'm only a novice but managed to finish with the bunch after my fourth race because i learned very quickly to ride intelligently...getting myself behind a very experienced club mate and basically copying what he did..oh another thing !..concentrate on your breathing too nice deep breaths :).. Bloody hell i love racing..so exciting..invigorating :)

Stop trying to put her off you lot !!..forget all this nonsense about tuck and roll...Unfortunately crashes are an occupational hazard in racing..they're inevitable..My coach told me there's been a crash in every 4th Cat race here in England and the season's only just started...Anyway most of the time there's no time for evasive action of any sort..everyone will be involved in a crash sooner or later..some more than others and it's nothing to do with experience or riding safely either..I know a vet racer who's been involved in two quite serious crashes already and he's a very sensible and experienced bloke ..i'm afraid Sod's law is at work.

The women's crits I've seen rarely include crashes. Women seem a bit more civil at racing than us hairy legged brutes. Uh, formerly hairy legged brutes. Also, as a previous poster mentioned there are fewer women to clog the lane.


Hey I just did my first crit this weekend in Charolette NC. ..

Would this be the Dilworth crit? Whew. Never had the nerve to race that one. It sounds like the road is as rough as ever. Racing in Charlotte's pretty competitive. Congratulations.

Never understood this tuck and roll stuff. People make it sound like crashes happen in slow motion. The reality is that they happen and you're down before you know what happened.

What race are you doing? I race in the Washington area and sometimes travel up to BC? Just curious.
There are 2 weekly crits in Vanacouver area that I know of. On Tuesday nights there is the UBC one, there is a small hill to it. I think I will go watch that one tomorrow and on Thursday there is the Richmond one, flat course and very tame so I have been told for a first Crit. For more info, www.cycling.bc.ca
Kati

rotsa ruck :)

ooops I mean: lotsa luck :D

There are 2 weekly crits in Vanacouver area that I know of. On Tuesday nights there is the UBC one, there is a small hill to it. I think I will go watch that one tomorrow and on Thursday there is the Richmond one, flat course and very tame so I have been told for a first Crit. For more info, www.cycling.bc.ca
Kati

Kati,
I've done the UBC one (can't remember if it was tuesday or thursday...?). It goes downhill and fast right sweeper into another right up the climb...it was a casual, non-official race. "practice crit" with a few different groups.

I think you can jump into the easiest group and just go from there. That's a good one to start with so you can jump in and out of races and not loose $. If you are good on power, that hill will be good.

Don't just sit on the grassy hill and watch people climb. Go to each corner and see how the pack goes around the corners and learn. Pay attention to what gear they are in and what gear to be in for the climb. You will be different but you get the idea.

Good luck!

The women's crits I've seen rarely include crashes. Women seem a bit more civil at racing than us hairy legged brutes. Uh, formerly hairy legged brutes. Also, as a previous poster mentioned there are fewer women to clog the lane.



Would this be the Dilworth crit? Whew. Never had the nerve to race that one. It sounds like the road is as rough as ever. Racing in Charlotte's pretty competitive. Congratulations.
It was Dilworth and it was a lot of fun. The cat 4 group was very good, everyone was careful. There was just that one little pot hole and the rest of the road was good. There is tight 60 deg turn w/ two manhole covers that was a bit tricky.

Just wanted to update you all about my first race which left me full of excitement and endorphins!!! We were 6 racers in Cat 4, the course was beautiful, the race well organized and well maintained. I had a lot of fun, I did more than my share of pull (no one wanted to pull, and I just wanted to push it ) And I should have used the big ring much earlier, and not at the last turn for the final sprint. Oh well, I ended up 3rd, and am quite happy. No pile up of cyclists, for those who wonder!!! It's amazing how imagination runs wild before the race, and how much you shake in your pants (I did !!!) I really enjoyed the supportive amd frioendly athmosphere between the racers,
I am hooked!!! Kati

My first Crit was with like 60 Under19 racers.... was getting spat out the back in no time cause they were doing over 30mph INTO THE WIND! and then got a puncture in like lap 3..... might be diffirent this year.

Haven't had the balls to try one since...but will soon

My first Crit was with like 60 Under19 racers.... was getting spat out the back in no time cause they were doing over 30mph INTO THE WIND! and then got a puncture in like lap 3..... might be diffirent this year.

Haven't had the balls to try one since...but will soon


wow. sounds like they could take a lesson from the italians. i was reading about the giro the other day, and they were barely averaging 30 kilometers per hour over the first few hours of the stage. apparently, they like to take it easy at the beginning.

but 30 mph seems excessive. maybe too much coffee?

dan

Nah these guys are hard core....secondary schools championships

Im gonna try kick some ass this year