Lithuania

It kind of ironic that racing has actually forced me on to the couch

merlinextraligh

And I'm not saying that people crash because they're bad bike handlers. You only have to look at the TDF to realize that no amount of skill will eliminate crashes.

But in my experience I'm better at avoiding, riding out trouble than I used to be. (knock on wood)

Lithuania

I agree with you

I accept the risks of this sport and am not really complaining. just commenting and trying to figure out why i do it anyway

DrPete 

If you figure it out, let me know, because there are plenty of times when I haven't the slightest clue.

Lithuania

part of the reason is because i think racing is cool.

Snicklefritz

That's why I love TT's.

DrPete 

Well, yeah, there's that.

DrPete 

Funny you mention that--I think my next big bike-related purchase will be a TT bike. It's probably a long way off, though, given recent repairs etc.

merlinextraligh

With all the crap I've bought, I have to race.

Otherwise I'd look like even more of a poser.

("Can you believe that guy with the protour bike, zipps, powertap, team jersey... and only rides to Starbucks?")

I really have no other choice at this point.

merlinextraligh

I'll take the small risk of death, serious injury, over the certainty of torture.

Lithuania

haha i actually think about that a lot. how i race so i could have a fancy bike one day and not feel like a poser but at the same time i dont think i would actually race something nice like that if i had it.

Snicklefritz

For me, I can suffer much better than I can sprint.

Duke of Kent

Then why aren't you racing the Pro/1/2?

cat4ever

There are still very squirrelly/bad/stupid riders in cat 3. The main difference between the 3 and 4's or 5's is that people know how to ride with bad racers. People don't freak out when someone does something stupid. People pull crazy moves all the time and ride MUCH closer to each other in the 3's than the 4's or 5's did when I was there, but it's just something you get used to. Bumping shoulders with a cat 3 is no biggie. Bump shoulders with a cat 5 and WATCH OUT.

Snuffleupagus

Attack, go, venga, allez, etc. Field sprints suck

Failing that, stay up front. The surges are easier to deal with, and you'll find most crashes happen behind you.

Bobby Lex

The most serious cycling injuries I've seen occured on training rides and club rides, not races. If you ride (note: I said "ride", not "race") a bike you will crash. If you can't accept that fact, take up golf.

Bob

bassplayinbiker

Everyone crashes, but i'd rather crash in a race than anywhere else. Last time I crashed I was about 85 miles from home, riding all by myself. When I woke up laying on a park bench it occurred to me that I was really f**** if no one anwsered their phone to pick me up and take me home. ( i was nailed by a car, and it was a hit and run)

When you crash in a race yo
u are surrounded by people, and no matter what there is someone to scrape you up off the pavement. There is an oppertunity to recive medical attention almost immediately and most importantly you dont wake up stranded on a parkbench 100 miles from home.

In my own personal opinion (which no one asked in the first place) the most dangerous part of bike racing is the training. That is because at a race the officials always have your back.

runtimmyc

These threads are always buzz kills.

Bantam

No, well, at least I would not be riding a bike. I bought a bike so I could race. I know that I can't afford to race my car, so the bike seemed like the next best thing. If I wasn't a racing I would be running road races, rock climbing, or practicing parkour. The risk in all of those sports is readily present, but is still better than sitting on my butt and becoming unhealthy.

On this subject, I was on a beer ride last night, a real casual, no-drop group ride. There is one downhill section where the faster guys get real frisky and there was a crash between 25-33mph. One of the guys is hurt pretty bad, I believe he spent the night in Trauma. The other 2 guys have some pretty bad road rash and one chipped his elbow. I was fortunate enough to be leading the group and was not involved.

Dubbayoo

Do you guys have any problem with the fact that Cat 5's can move up simply by completing a set # of races and not necessarily placing? Or that they can race at all without proving any competency first?

It only took a few crits for me to realize that training hard enough to be competitive and safe would take the fun out of riding for me; whereas 75 miles/week plus a few gym sessions was plenty for the track. There you had to take a class before even getting on the track and often another racing class before being allowed to race. One good thing about the track is you learn how to maneuver out of situations without reaching for the brakes first thought.

On the other hand as anyone who has raced a keirin can tell you that is what separates the men from the boys. Boys go over it...men have a job to go to on Monday.

Snuffleupagus

W,

It'd be really cool if there was club support to run new rider clinics, as are present in some areas. Heck, I think it might help get more people into the racing scene, on top of making CAT-5 races safer.

My club/team is running a 'cross clinic later this summer, but we haven't really done anything for new road racers...and to be honest I haven't seen any other area clubs/teams offer anything.

San Rensho 

Yes they are. I try not to expose myself to other people's crashes because it does make you fear crashing, which is the worst thing possible. I was corner guarding a citizens race once when some bozo took completely the wrong line around the fastest corner on the course, hit the curb, went flying head first into a concrete abutment and then just lay on the ground unconscious, convulsing. (He was at the bike shop the next day so he was ok) How motivated do you think I was when my race came up?

But thinking about it, I've crashed many times in races and never gotten seriously hurt. Lots of road rash and some stitches, but no broken bones or head injuries. I'd rather crash in a race than on the street with cars around.

Crashing is something that you have to accept, prepare for, but not fear.

patentcad

>>I guess I just need to get stronger and cat up to 3. At least around here it seems to be a much safer/smarter peloton.<<

If you really think the crash danger is reduced that much by more experienced riders, watch a pro race on Versus some day. The vets races I participated in for many years had very experienced fields. Plenty of crashes, it's the chaos theory. You can't control it. Very wishful thinking on your part frankly. **** happens in bike racing DP. Accept it or bag the sport. Seriously.

On the other hand look at the big picture: 99% of the time in these crashes it's road rash and the most serious injury is typically a broken collarbone or wrist. I realize this may not make you feel better, but there it is.

kensuf

Dude, ever think about racing masters? I've got a buddy who swore off cat4 races after nearly being taken out and he's been racing masters 35 since. He's placing pretty well too.

Lithuania

2.5 weeks before I broke my wrist I was hit by a car while out on a casual ride and the damages to me were near as bad. I realize I was lucky... in both cases.