SteveAZ

First, sorry for the length, but there are a few pics and there will be a video in a couple days (helmet cam mounted to my bars)

This was my first race day and I competed in 2 class, Cat 5 and 30+ 4/5. I thought I'd give a report from a newbie's perspective since I see a lot of posts asking "what's it like, am I fast enough....", so keep that in mind when reading it

Woke up this morning at 7:00 and the temp was 35 degrees and my first race goes off at 8:40... brrrrr. Some breakfast, a little time on the stepper to limber up, get dressed for the race (5 layers of clothes ), get the family together, and head out to the races.

Get there at about 8:00 and the truck is flashing "ICE", it's warmed up to 36..wooohooo. Do my warm ups and hit the start line for a warm up lap at about 8:30. This race is a Cat 5, it's a .7 mile loop with 5 turns and is scheduled for 35 minutes. First turn is a 90 with a median that we're staying to the left of. Second turn is slightly less than 90 and is fairly tight for the up to 28 mph I took it at. The 3rd isn't really much of a turn but a very gentle sweeper to the right. The 4th is a 90, but the lanes are pretty wide and the 5th is a pretty gently 90 before the finish line sprint. So I finish my warm up and line up on the front row the farthest out with a full 50 rider field. Whistle blows and I take off moving up into 5th..ish right away. Within about 75 yards, we're up to 24.5 mph. I settle in and proceed with my game plan, stay between 5th and 10th, don't pull, remember to breath, and DON'T crash . All is going good, a couple people break off the front that I let go and continue to suck wheel . About 19 minutes into the race is a preem (I spelled it that way on purpose as that was how it was pronounced), I don't care and maintain my strategy until there is a huge mishap. Apparently it really mattered to someone else because about 150-200 yards from the finish they shoot the gap between 2 riders and proceed to stand up and sprint without proper clearance. I see 2 riders bump, a wheel taco, someone go down head and right shoulder first with a couple more piling into him. NASTY carnage and I am right there! Luckly, I had also kept the advice in mind to always leave an out to heart, thankfully I was able to dodge right (never touched the brakes) and stay out of it. 2 riders then break away and another rider and I are 3rd and 4th. We work together and bridge the gap within a half lap. Peleton catches up and I settle back in with my strategy. No more incidents, a preem on the 2nd to last lap, I let it go and hold in the top 10. Final lap and I make my move half way thru. Am able to maintain a 4th and am pleased to have survived. The average speed (with cool down) 24.3mph, max speed 30.5, and distance 14.5 miles according to my computer. The wreck claimed a collarbone, a wheel, atleast 3 riders out of the race and I'm not sure what else. I actually got partial video footage of this that will be in a video I'll put together in the next couple days.

2nd race, mens 30+, 40+, 50+ Cat 4/5. This race went off much the same as the first but no mishaps, although many close calls and a lot of yelling. Pace was a little faster with more surging. Surprisingly, I'd say this race was a little hairier, some really stupid passes in the corners, and people not holding their line or getting a little squirly. Funny thing was the older particants scolding those that got out of line , including one guy getting smacked on the arse and told to "knock it off" . This race had 43 participants and I had a little harder time holding the top 10 for a variety of reasons. I didn't get impatient and just rode it out making multiple rider passes in the straights when I got pushed bakc in the field and filtering back in on the sweeping corners (someones suggestion I got off here that worked awesome...THANKS!) to get back up in the top 10. This race I finished 4th overall and 2nd in my class.

Overall impression, what a blast, had a great time! I learned a few things but what helped me the most was some of the advice I got off this board! Did a lot of communicating with other riders as to positioning and such, worked out well.

Props to the Swiss American Race team, they put on what I thought was a great event. It was well organized, stayed on schedule, and a great course. Not to mention it was their first event, which makes it even that more impressive!

trekking_TW

Congrats on the successful day! So are you hooked now? Do you think crits will be your favorite over other types of races?

I'm looking forward to the video!

SteveAZ

Thanks!

Yes, I do believe crits will be my passion. I haven't done any other races yet but crits have more similarities to my previous passion, motocross. I like the crowds and the close racing. Doing a stage race next month with a TT, RR, and a crit. Looking forward to the crit the most, RR second, and the TT the least...by far.

I'm working on the video now

cyclezen

very sensible outlook, one I ascribe to as well.
RRs are really good fun and really challenge the ability to 'read' the race, but TTs are such lonely suffering

great report, BTW, fully enjoyed the read and the pics.
Many non-racing rider friends of mine wonder what the big deal is with racing; it is definitely one of those 'you had to be there' things.

Pizza Man

Steve,

Thanks for the race report and pix!
Crits are a blast, aren't they?
At first I thought I would just do a few crits to get my 5 to 4 upgrade and really concentrate on road racing, but the crits are way more fun than I expected, so I plan to do a lot of each.
I don't have much interest in time trialing. Where's the fun if you can't suck on someone's wheel?

trekking_TW

Everyone has their own preference. I personally like TT then road races better than crits. But then again, I'm coming from a triathlon background where drafting was illegal.

The crits remind me of my youth BMX racing days! What fun that was!

my58vw

Hello,

Sounds like you had a really good time in your first crit series. Crits can be very adicting (I did 15 my first, and only season), the speed is amazing. My motto is you have not seen a fast crit until the average is over 27 MPH... I have done a few of those in my time racing. People place too much stalk in primes, I am the person who announces them at the local races this season and I see crash after crash over "a white lightning lube kit," etc. Once I say a 50 rider pileup over a white carbon seat post... geez!

You will get better at crits as you do more and more of them, and the fun increases. Good luck with the next ones...

Mandy

SteveAZ

Here's the link to the vid you guys. Feel free to offer up an constructive criticism, and hope you enjoy the vid.

Steve

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/168666-crit-race-video-included.html

SteveAZ

I couldn't agree more, I'll go for the win and the cash

I'm hoping to get to Cat 3 this year, Cat 1/2 were HAULIN', doubt I'll ever get there!

Thanks
Steve

2Rodies

Great job Steve and thanks for the vid that was very cool. As a guy who HATES crits I commend all of you who do them. I love RR's and thankfully here in Central Texas we have a ton of them.