Road Bike Racing - Psyche me up for my first crit. . .

Next Saturday, June 15, I'll be racing in the Syracuse Criterium. This is my first road race.

I'm a sport XC racer making the crossover to skinny tires.

Yes, I'll shave my legs. . . for the first time, I might add.

No, I won't be riding my Giant NRS.

Yes, I'll leave my Camelback at home.

Yes, I'm worried about leaving skin on pavement.

Yes, I plan to ride my butt off. That's why I race. I have no plans to sit in the back (intentionally) and ride for experience.

So, are there any words of encouragement out there? Psyche me up!

Woody,

Goodonya mate (hey, I can speak Aussie!).
I really respect anyone with the moxie
to race Crits.
My advice: In a turn, choose your line and stick to it.
Other than that, Give em Hell and have a good
time
Let us know how you do (we want ALL the details).
Marty

When I ride really fast, I just pretend that a sadistic serial killer in a jason mask with a 2ft. long butcher knife is chasing me on a Team Lotto Adeco lightspeed bike. I pedal like hell! You should pretend you are in this type of situation.

And if your body starts to hurt, just remember...it can be fixed by a doctor.....so just keep on pedaling and ignore the PAiN!;)

O yes, I forgot.

If anyone tries to pass you in the crit, just kick them off their bike. Don't let anyone pass! Be a mean mutha F**KER! Yell out, "I worship SaTaN! Don't Screw with me!" :D



And you should follow my advice!;)

do it smart, do it well!.:)

No good news here. Racing anything under Cat 1-2 in the states can mean a high percentage of crashes in any criterium. However riders in the East Coast tend to stay upright a wee-bit more :)

Want to survive and feel good? Stay at the front at all time. Around 20-25% of the field in the front. Always try to fight to stay on the front. It not only will be easier for you but crashes may be reduced on the front spots.

Also try to be smooth out of corners. Too many riders waste too much energy sprinting out of corners. Try to maintain same speed through the corner. This is where the splits happen and the 'rubber bands' snaps :)

Originally posted by Xavier
No good news here. Racing anything under Cat 1-2 in the states can mean a high percentage of crashes in any criterium.

This is rather sobering news. Should I bring my own first-aid kit, or rely on the on-scene paramedics?
:confused:

A good warm up is critical for crits. They go from the gun and you don't get a chance to warm up. Make sure you know the course well. Rid a lot of laps and plan your line for the corners...Stay near the front (but not at it). And make sure you get the cleats in first time. In a crit in Belfast last week I made the mistake of wearing lycra overshoes....The bunch was into the first corner before I got off the line.

Originally posted by RoAdRaGeR
When I ride really fast, I just pretend that a sadistic serial killer in a jason mask with a 2ft. long butcher knife is chasing me on a Team Lotto Adeco lightspeed bike. I pedal like hell! You should pretend you are in this type of situation.

RR, that wasn't pretend! It really was Andre Tchmil coming after you. Oh, no, wait. He would never be BEHIND you. :D

First - Preride the course... look for anything that might be a problem... i.e. - potholes... sketchy sewer lids in corners... cobbles (bricks)... Try to watch a previous race if possible to see where others might have had problems.

Warm up is essential! Get at least 30 minutes in on a trainer. Do a coulpe 85-90% effort intervals and sprints.

Line up on the font row... on the outside of the first turn. That always works for me. From the gun, click in and go. Of course don't go balls out and blow up after the first lap... you want to go appr 80-90%% of the line and tuck in about 5-10 riders back. Their is always someone who does a 110% sprint to the first corner and usually blows after the first lap. Stay at least in the top 25% and don't be the guy that uses up all your nervous energy on the first lap.

The first few laps will always be the fastest. I'm guessing that you are a cat 4/5. If that's the case then the pace will ease up and you can take a breather... grab a quick drink to stay fueled up. Do NOT drift towards the back.

The fastest, smoothest place to be is up front. Also, the outside line is the line that will usually allow you to carry the most speed if you are all bunched up. If someone gets to close give 'em a knee or elbow. That'll usually clear the way for you. You don't need to get midevil... just a tap will do.

Also, be confident with your corners. Don't be sketching... by sketchy I mean maintain your speed and pick a solid line. Trust you tires. Oh yeah... DO NOT OVER INFLATE YOUR TIRES! I see this so often in lower catagories.

Do you have an angry sprint? If yes, move up into the top 20 with 5 laps to go if your not already there. Then with each lap after that move up a couple rides until your in the top 10 going into the last lap. No further back. Can't tell you when to lay the smack down but don't be the last to do it.

If you don't have a sprint, then you want to make your attack within the last 5 laps. When you attack you want to attack hard enough that the whole pack doesn't go, but no so hard that you blow... got it? If someone comes along... that's alright... just don't be the one that tows them on the last lap.

Hope that helps. Good luck!