"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Crashed Last Night

Went down pretty good last night. It was only my third crit (first year racing) but I was set up in the top 4 going into the final right hand turn. I had two guys up front and one guy just to my outside about half a bike length ahead of me. I started the turn and the guy from the outside squeezed me down, he didn't keep his line at all. All I could do was go further inside and try to ride in the grass. I got in the grass and hit a big hole that houses a sprinkler box or something. My front tire popped and l lost control back into the course. Needless to say I got some pretty good road rash going and the bike is going to need some tlc. I also need a new helmet, cracked the foam in two spots. We had enough of a gap on the rest of the field that no one else wrecked. I feel fine considering but my hip has a big ***** bruise from falling. I could taste victory then all I saw was pavement. Damn that really bummed me out. I am not even sure of the exact guy that did it but I consider it pretty bad on his part. Is this just part of racing or did this guy cross the line?

Yeah, you can get squeezed if you're overlapping. Just need to realize that always.

Sorry to hear about the crash, how is the bike?

Sounds like it was just part of racing, even though the rider that squeezed you does need to learn how to hold is line. Maybe next time put your hand on his thigh just to let him know that you are there. If that still does not work learn to lean on other riders, practice with buddies out in a grassy field.

Sorry to hear about the crash, how is the bike?


Need some new bar tape, true the front wheel, and realign the left brifter. Hopefully that is it. I need to look it over real close to make sure I don't have any cracks. Not that bad, more of hassle than anything else.

Yell at people. It usually works.

Half wheeling into a turn is not a good idea.

yell/punch next time....


...actually just yell. Yelling "inside" isn't uncommon, and works rather well in the cat 5 scene. But then you always get that one guy who yells it at the last possible second when it's waaaaay too late.

Sounds like it was just part of racing, even though the rider that squeezed you does need to learn how to hold is line.I often hear about holding your line through a corner but I am curious what the correct 'line' is. If the rider ahead thought he was going into the corner solo he was probably on the correct line for taking the corner fast. So what is the correct line if you are on the outside two abreast going into a corner. Do you leave just enough room on the inside for one rider?

If anything, you messed up by not being on even terms with him, and forcing him further outside.

When you're inside, shoulder to shoulder, you own them.

I often hear about holding your line through a corner but I am curious what the correct 'line' is. If the rider ahead thought he was going into the corner solo he was probably on the correct line for taking the corner fast. So what is the correct line if you are on the outside two abreast going into a corner. Do you leave just enough room on the inside for one rider?

+1 If his handlebars were in front of yours, then whatever line he chooses to take is correct line and he owns it.

Half wheeling into a turn is not a good idea.

/end thread.

Hope you heal fast.

+1 If his handlebars were in front of yours, then whatever line he chooses to take is correct line and he owns it.

-.5 Yeah he owns the line. But 99% of us are out there as a hobby. I always leave room if I know someone is moving up on the inside. I don't have to but I don't want to slam the door on someone just to protect 4th place in an industrial park crit. The 10 guys behind that guy you're slamming the door on will appreciate you leaving some room also.

Well... what the OP did _might_ be interpreted as "diving inside" which is bad form.

Common, yes, but safe... well you see the outcome.

I wasn't there though so I'll cut him slack and assume he was just pinched off in the last corner. So, it's a painful lesson, next time you'll know.

-.5 Yeah he owns the line. But 99% of us are out there as a hobby. I always leave room if I know someone is moving up on the inside. I don't have to but I don't want to slam the door on someone just to protect 4th place in an industrial park crit. The 10 guys behind that guy you're slamming the door on will appreciate you leaving some room also.

Yes, I do the same. Did a crit in Louisvile last Sunday. 71 starters in the 4/5 race. The last 2 laps these boys were dive bombing the inside like crazy. They stacked em up 6 deep going into 2 different corners. Needless to say, there were crashes in each of those corners on each of the last 2 laps. The outside guys got forced into the curbs and over they went. Did the masters race after that with a reported 77 starters, smooth as silk and fast, lots of fun.

Well... what the OP did _might_ be interpreted as "diving inside" which is bad form.

Common, yes, but safe... well you see the outcome.

I wasn't there though so I'll cut him slack and assume he was just pinched off in the last corner. So, it's a painful lesson, next time you'll know.

I wasn't diving inside, it was the only line I had. All previous times through that turn it was taken 2-3 guys wide. I guess I wasn't expecting for people to keep there line through the whole race and then in the final turn squeeze anyone on the inside.

if you are not level with them they can easily push you in any direction they want...

if you move up a bit sooner and are perfectly even with the rider on the outside then there is nothing he can do to push you since you can easily push back =)

Sorry to hear about the crash...sounds like you'll be ok physically...hope your recovery is speedy!

Sorry to hear about the crash...sounds like you'll be ok physically...hope your recovery is speedy!

Thanks

I wasn't diving inside, it was the only line I had. All previous times through that turn it was taken 2-3 guys wide. I guess I wasn't expecting for people to keep there line through the whole race and then in the final turn squeeze anyone on the inside.

Last lap the last turn is usually faster, add to that nervous riders. So the line typically goes more curb to curb.

In general the right line is the one the wheel in front of you takes. If you wern't even with or ahead of the rider to the outside you should have been on his wheel, for more reasons than just the turn. Especially if you had a gap, as there is no chance of getting boxed, you didnt have to fight for position.

Last lap the last turn is usually faster, add to that nervous riders. So the line typically goes more curb to curb.

In general the right line is the one the wheel in front of you takes. If you wern't even with or ahead of the rider to the outside you should have been on his wheel, for more reasons than just the turn. Especially if you had a gap, as there is no chance of getting boxed, you didnt have to fight for position.

Very true. Live and learn I guess. Next time I will remember this. Hopefully I will be in a similar position.

Yeah, I hope you get to the same position next time and blast past them for the win.

I feel your pain, I've had a very up/down first season as well. I've been getting tripped up on climbs for one reason or another. It's been riders up front slowing for some reason forcing me into half-wheeling. I've come to realize (and have been told by a racing buddy) that I'll need to drop back even further to account speed/line changes. I'd rather finish DFL than hit the deck again.

In corners however, I've backed off slightly going in if there is a chance of getting my front wheel taken-out. This doesn't mean grabbing a handful of brake mid-corner, but maybe sitting up before turn-in to catch a bit more air. This usually a pack situation where you have riders all over.

Yelling out "hold your line" will at least let other riders know someone is there; though the risk of them chopping your line is always there. Riding defensively, dropping back slightly in corners or giving extra room to "Swervin Mervin" on climbs is the only way to protect your front wheel.

I agree the rider up front should have the prefered line, but there is also something called..."Giving Racing Room".