Road Cycling - Mountian Biking (me) watching a Criterium for the first time... Respect!!

Wow... I thought I was crazy... I've three Criterium races now, and if that is not a global name for the race, basically it was a group of about 40 riders racing in a clump for about an hour...

Now, here are the things that scare me:

40 riders in a pack at speeds of 50+km/h
No armour (Except for helmet)
Skinny Tires.

I have a few photos I took to show what I mean:

http://images6.fotki.com/v77/photos/1/103404/953530/Criterium_05182004_334-vi.jpg

http://images6.fotki.com/v77/photos/1/103404/953530/Criterium_05182004_170-vi.jpg

http://images6.fotki.com/v77/photos/1/103404/953530/Criterium_05182004_185-vi.jpg

http://images6.fotki.com/v74/photos/1/103404/932799/Criterium_05112004_090-vi.jpg

Now... here are my comments, questions..

First, let me say that I totally respect you guys! Wow, I can't imagine racing like that... I guess I always looked at Roadies as a lesser rider before.. not now!

Some questions are: How can you ride so close without hitting? Are there more races like this other than Ottawa? AND ... What are you some of your tips for pack riding?

Thanks!!

Joe

Some questions are: How can you ride so close without hitting?

It takes a lot of trust... that's why nervous crits with day-licensed riders are no fun. Some bumping does happen but as long as everyone remains calm it's safe.

heh... if you think that's badass, you should see richmond sprint club: fixed gear crits, brakes optional...

mtb if you think thats crazy, you should watch some of the Giro D'Italia races on OLN. I dont know if you get it though. There were riding all packed together 5 wide going up to 50 mph

It takes a lot of trust... that's why nervous crits with day-licensed riders are no fun. Some bumping does happen but as long as everyone remains calm it's safe.

Oh man.. yeah, I would suppose that bumping is frowned apon... but then, you get that one person who is overly agressive in the pack and BANG!

The race that I was watching is split A and B classes... A are those who know what their doing, and B is the others (Who still look like they know what their doing!)

Hey Cobra: Any idea when those races are on OLN? I would like to check 'em out... who knows.. maybe even next year I'll add a road bike to my stable!

Nice pics. If you think that looks impressive, you should see a crit when there is a 100 rider field.

Stage 8 at the Giro featured a bunch sprint where everyone, as usual, was pretty desperate to stay on Petta's wheel. It's the last 1000, they're moving along at 35mph and riders are pushing each other in an attempt to gain an advantage.

It was insane.

If you do pass by Montreal, come and see the race called ''Les Mardis cycliste de Lachine'' .. translation(Tuesday Races) .. its Prov & National level .. same type of race and they do get banged up a few times .. idiots stay close to the curve to see them crash, connaisseurs enjoy the strategy ..

Cheers

Any idea when those races are on OLN? I would like to check 'em out... who knows.. maybe even next year I'll add a road bike to my stable!

OLN canada does not show any road racing besides the TDF...oh and now the Lance Chronicals (thursday @ 8:30pm).
definitly try to add a road bike to your collection. i bought one in september and it was probibly my best investment yet. MTBing is fun and all but the road it a whole new experience....oh and just outta curiosity is that actually your lisence plate? if it is thats awsome

i love getting in the mix when the finish comes down to a field sprint. moreso if my legs are feeling good. there's something about bumping shoulders and elbows while going 110% that's just really umm, i dunno, fun.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2003/tour03/stage20/tdf2003-nazon-mcewen-coo-58.jpg

Roadies are bad*ss too. Strange but true. :)

How do they drink when going in like 50 km/h??