Brown Deer Crit 4/5
 

Ah... the first race of the season. It was sunny, warm, with a bit of wind.

We went around in circles for a while. Lots of squirrels. I couldn't get decent positioning. So...

I attacked on the last lap, promptly blew up, but managed to tag on to the back of the pack. On the final turn, I got stuck behind a one-person crash and lost the group.

Recursive did really well, but I'll let him tell you about that.

...more info...more info...come on!

Coach Jerry told me about this event, and he thought that the course might besafe enough for me to actually try it. Maybe not, huh?!

recursive...write on...more crom...details man....remember, I have to live THROUGH you guys who really race!

Overall it was not a good race for me. I felt strong enough, I guess. It wasn't any real work to sit at the back of the group. The time I spent in the wind trying to move up wasn't really hard. I apparently just have no pack skills at this point

The course was actually kind of sketchy, I thought. The pavement was torn up in lots of spots. And the final (and only) corner was really sharp. So the group would bunch up, the first few guys would shoot out of the turn, and the rest of us would have to stomp on the pedals to catch up. This happens in a lot of races, but this was just kind of odd. It was like someone threw a tight corner into a circuit race.

It was fun, and I had a great time. But I didn't ride a good race. Next time, maybe.

If you wanted to give a criterium a shot, try the Whitnall Park criterium in two weeks, Hip. You know the area and the course. The turns are pretty sweeping. That one might be good.

If you wanted to give a criterium a shot, try the Whitnall Park criterium in two weeks,

...didn't even know about it!

Info?
Link?

Thanks.

Check the schedule at www.wicycling.org. Here's the link... http://www.wicycling.org/WisconsinCup/roadSchedule.htm

Where exactly is the start area?
Perhaps I could be there to watch at least.

I'm sure there will be signs up.

Anyway, on the original subject, this course had the worst pavement of any race I've been in. A real taste of pave here in the midwest.

Also, there was very sketchy riding in this race. I'm surprised there was only one crash in this race. I may be guilty of a little sketchy riding myself, which I'll explain in a moment.

Anyway, I just sat in the middle of the pack for most of this race. The pack wasn't letting any breaks get out of sight. Normally in crits, I try to stay up front at all costs, but with only one real turn, (but what a turn) there wasn't much penalty to sitting in the middle.

In the last couple of laps the pace picked up a little bit, and I picked my way forwards. I mistakenly figured that the final outcome would mostly be determined by the ordering going through the last turn, maybe 600-800m from the line. So I moved up to about 3rd to 5th position. Two guys in front of me launched. I figured it was the decisive move, so I followed. Unfortunately, none of us had energy to maintain the intensity to the line. The pack swarmed around us before the line. I ended up with 8th place, just out of position for any upgrade points. :(

As for my sketchy riding, in my duel with some dude for 7th, spacing was tight, and we both threw our bikes at the line. Somehow I think my front QR derailed his chain, making an impressive noise. He congratulated me for staying upright.

If I'm not mistaken, it's this weekend.

You're right. It's the 28th. D'oh! Don't know if I'm going to make it. :(

Wow recursive....that could have been nasty at the end there for you.
Thanks for the report.

You did great.

Are you racing in this deal this Saturday at Whitnall?

I'm planning to.

OK.
I'm in town for a Porsche show on Sunday, but have to check with Mrs. Hip and the "To-Do" list for Saturday. I won't race, but if the weather is OK I could hop over there and take some pictures. Just let me know your start time, because I see there are a variety of divisions being run.

I'll be in the 4/5 @ 12:40 PM.
Look for the Endeavour kit on the Kestrel with clear bar tape. And my sexy newly-shaved legs.

Hey Hip recursive is a stud I saw him race on Sunday and he was pulling the cat 4s for a while in Madison.
Hip make sure you post some pictures.

"Stud". That's pretty high praise. Not sure if I'm worth for that. I feel awkward that you were able to recognize me, but I don't know who you are. Say hi sometime.

Dude...soon you could become the CYPRESS of the Midwest!

I want to do the Whitnall Park Crit. I could leave my house at 5:30 and be back at 10 if I only race the Junior race, If I did the Cat4/5 I wouldnt get home till 4:30. Living so far away sucks. I dont think I can make this one, considering I take the SAT a week later, then 2 AP tests a week after that. Junior year sucks too. We'll see what happens

Got some more data for y'all.

You might try the Muskego crit coming up here soon. The course is in a fairly new park (smooth road) with only one slightly sharp turn.