1st Crit, a prep for the next one.
05-27-08, 07:30 PM
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1st Crit, a prep for the next one.
About a month ago I started taking racing course offered by a local club and today rode my first race as prep for a race riding in this Friday
For awhile I've been thinking I've much bit off more than I can chew entering the Friday Crit but todays race made me feel much more comfortable being in a race and I'm looking for to the day. I entered the Friday crit about a month ago, for the first two weeks I'm thinking "I just want to keep up with the pack", the last two " man, don't let me crash". Last couple days, how can I get out of this.
Anyway, todays 22 lap ( approx 50-60 people) race today started out well, for the first 15 laps I rode in the first 1/3rd or 1/2 of the pack and I had good legs. My problems started when I went through the 'fast turn" a little out of my line and the rider behind me wasn't too happy. I wasn't all wobble and all, just not good cornering. Anyway, as he started down while riding past me I knew that behind the glasses, I was getting some serious evil eye. It un-nerved me a and the next time I came to this turn I was on the outside (I was always riding inside before), and eventually people started to pass me for the next couple laps. Ended up being to slow for one ride who pushed me ahead from behind. It kinda fell apart for me there as I lost my prime couch surfing position in the group.
Nonethless, I rode the race through and at the end I've learned a few things from errors and a few tricks watching some of the other riders. It's interesting how the dymanics change. If I fell behind in some areas there were specific areas of the race where the pack would slow down and I'd have a chance to catch up even though it was difficult to hang on once there. I could see how that if I had stayed near the front, I might had a chance to make it for the break near last 3 laps. Also, how riders behind me would chat up a storm ( I could barely utter 1 syllable words), the fly past at any given time. Perhaps after a bunch more races I can become good. It's definitely not a sport for the timid.
I'm much more comfortable about the upcoming Friday Crit. I'll likely get tossed out the back at some point but it's should be fun and I'll enjoy trying to keep up to the serious riders. I'm registered as Masters 3, Masters 2 will also be riding.
Oddly enough, the Friday's crit is running counter clockwise. I thought crits ran clockwise? Or is it different depending on what country you live in?
For awhile I've been thinking I've much bit off more than I can chew entering the Friday Crit but todays race made me feel much more comfortable being in a race and I'm looking for to the day. I entered the Friday crit about a month ago, for the first two weeks I'm thinking "I just want to keep up with the pack", the last two " man, don't let me crash". Last couple days, how can I get out of this.
Anyway, todays 22 lap ( approx 50-60 people) race today started out well, for the first 15 laps I rode in the first 1/3rd or 1/2 of the pack and I had good legs. My problems started when I went through the 'fast turn" a little out of my line and the rider behind me wasn't too happy. I wasn't all wobble and all, just not good cornering. Anyway, as he started down while riding past me I knew that behind the glasses, I was getting some serious evil eye. It un-nerved me a and the next time I came to this turn I was on the outside (I was always riding inside before), and eventually people started to pass me for the next couple laps. Ended up being to slow for one ride who pushed me ahead from behind. It kinda fell apart for me there as I lost my prime couch surfing position in the group.
Nonethless, I rode the race through and at the end I've learned a few things from errors and a few tricks watching some of the other riders. It's interesting how the dymanics change. If I fell behind in some areas there were specific areas of the race where the pack would slow down and I'd have a chance to catch up even though it was difficult to hang on once there. I could see how that if I had stayed near the front, I might had a chance to make it for the break near last 3 laps. Also, how riders behind me would chat up a storm ( I could barely utter 1 syllable words), the fly past at any given time. Perhaps after a bunch more races I can become good. It's definitely not a sport for the timid.
I'm much more comfortable about the upcoming Friday Crit. I'll likely get tossed out the back at some point but it's should be fun and I'll enjoy trying to keep up to the serious riders. I'm registered as Masters 3, Masters 2 will also be riding.
Oddly enough, the Friday's crit is running counter clockwise. I thought crits ran clockwise? Or is it different depending on what country you live in?
Last edited by Turd Ferguson; 05-27-08 at 09:20 PM.
05-27-08, 07:48 PM
#2
Senior Member
Good job! The first crit is always a bit scary. In my first crit, two guys went down right in front of me on the second turn. A lap later, I managed to ride myself off the edge of the pavement on the same turn. Still kept it upright, though.
Clockwise or counterclockwise depends solely upon the course. I've raced clockwise crits, I've raced counterclockwise crits. It's all about whichever direction the organizer wants the course to be run.
Clockwise or counterclockwise depends solely upon the course. I've raced clockwise crits, I've raced counterclockwise crits. It's all about whichever direction the organizer wants the course to be run.
