botto 

Use the search engine FIRST

i.e. -

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380689

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380059

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380023

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=364501

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=281520

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=269982

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=269178

:EDIT: *additional links* :EDIT:

what to pack in your travel bag

click here to get a license.

:EDIT: *additional links* :EDIT:

FIND RACES HERE - https://www.bikereg.com/

:EDIT: *and some more* :EDIT:

random racing tips.

Once you're done reading the COUNTLESS threads that have already addressed this topic, you can try this:

Once you have followed all of these steps, and still have a specific question, feel free to create a thread.

That is all.

NB - if you're thinking of attacking during your first (few races) read this.

YMCA

...

wanders

Now, if we can just get it sticky-ed.

**Edit after stuck**

Carpediemracing's blog has alot of training info as well.

https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com


Another thing.

If you have never raced and think you can race with the Masters' because they're just a bunch of "old guys", you will be sorry.

Greg180

Worked for me and I still use it...just with faster groups.

Bullseye

yes, and now you can link to this thread when it rolls from the front page, and someone asks again. no search for you.

-bullseye

urbanknight

Eh, too much reading. Why should I use up so much of my time when I could waste yours?

Anybody know where I can get permanent numbers with my sponsors printed on them and a special bike seat mount for them that doesn't get in the way of my extra large saddle pack I'll be carrying on all of my crits?

CrimsonKarter21

Also, another important rule: If there is a yellow-line rule in effect in a criterium and you're coming up to the finish line on a hot-contested prime, and you know you can't contest the sprint, get over as far to the right as possible.
I've gotten DQed from two races for crossing the yellow line to get around these slowpokes who can't imagine that there is anyone faster than them in the world. God forbid you can't win a prime while riding in the 50-23 sitting on your Giant OCR3.

It's dangerous and stupid, don't do it.

[/elitist rant]

ElJamoquio

Exactly. I just PM'd Brian asking for a sticky. Now if we could get a 'This is not the TdF Forum' in bold blinky text this July...

ElJamoquio

Some small advice:

1. Get there early. Find the forms on usacycling and fill them out beforehand. Preregister. Pack the night before. The less stress on your body that morning, the better.

2. The older you are, the more warmup you need. If your fitness is at the point where you think a 45 minute warmup will somehow detract from your performance in a 45 minute crit, you're not ready yet.

3. Try to minimize accelerations. Find the better racers and follow them around. Take more speed into corners and carry it through. Close gaps early. Stay towards the front.

Turboem1

Here are some questions I have never seen answered and am confused about.

- If you get dropped bad, dont feel like you can catch up, get lapped, or cant even finish what do you do? You just pull off from the race? Do you have to notify someone when you pull off?

- How is it "judged". For example you have a number. Does that mean a person manually logs everytime you cross the start/finish or is there an electronic device that registers every lap?

- Either way I assume once you get lapped you are hopeless and should stop? (some crits by me are on a 1 mile loop, which is obviously different then if the crit is 10 mile laps)

- How do you know when/where the primes are? I know they are sometime in the middle of the race but how do you kow when?

- I also see people say "they ring the bell". When do they ring the bell? Before the last lap? Is it different for every race?

- Do you have to keep track of how far you have raced or will you be notified. I am sure in a 20+ lap race it may be hard to remember if your on lap 14 or 15.

- Also I see some races are setup different ways. Some are 50 miles and others are 45 minutes. Is there a reason for that or does it depend on the race?

Thanks

ElJamoquio

Just exit.


Some have a electronic device, but most aren't logged at all. Most just rely on the honor/protest system. I've never seen it be a problem.


If it's a big course and a cat 5 race, I wouldn't mind if you continued, as long as you could stay out of the way. If there's any chance you can't/won't stay out of the way, then exit.


Sometimes they'll say, usually it's bells whenever the organizer feels like it.


Bell lap is the last lap, also primes.


Usually it's time+x laps. They'll let you know when it's x laps to go. Realistically, your first race should be viewed as a learning experience only, not a competition, and definitely not a 'A' or 'B' priority event. Stay in the pack and watch how things go.


Usually road races are z miles, crits are y minutes + x laps.

asgelle

No Crit is on a 10 mile loop. If you're planning on doing any more races, it's probably worth you while to read the rulebook. Most of your other questions are answered there.

YMCA

?, never heard of such a thing

asgelle

Not allowed under USCF. See prior post re rulebook.

EventServices

Hitting the stores on March 28th...

https://www.velopress.com/cycling.php?id=256

ElJamoquio

^You still haven't told us how you'd prefer we order.

EventServices

velopress.com

(although Amazon has it discounted already. I don't even want to KNOW how that happens.)

wanders

Do the Amazon orders ship the same day?

... and where/when does the book signing tour begin?

EventServices

They don't ship until March 28th

I'll be visiting cycling clubs all summer. Not set up, yet.

cat4ever

A crit with a centerline rule? Forget that.

LowCel 

Done.

El Diablo Rojo

Excellent thread botto...and quite civil as well.

blaronn

Two great books for learning what to expect during races (and a whole lot more):

- Bike Racing 101 (Wenzel)

- Racing Tactics for Cyclists (Prehn)

edzo

botto, well put.

AlexTaylor

Botto, your initial post is working for me! I'm actually getting faster...