Snake Alley Crit
05-09-10, 12:08 PM
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Snake Alley Crit
Hey everyone. My coach wants our junior team to race this and the other memorial weekend races. He told me the hill is a living hell. Just wondering if anyone has any tips for how to race this course and how to train for it. Thanks.
05-09-10, 08:22 PM
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Corning is more important in this race than climbing. The race is one of attrition by nature. Gaps form on the descent back to the start/finish more so than on the hill. Also your start position is extremely important; get registered, yesterday!
On the snake, don't stand if you don't have to and be sure to take the outside lines. Everything bottles up so you have to defend your front wheel otherwise you'd better hope someone will push you to get going again.
On the snake, don't stand if you don't have to and be sure to take the outside lines. Everything bottles up so you have to defend your front wheel otherwise you'd better hope someone will push you to get going again.
05-09-10, 09:28 PM
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Its a ***** of a race. One of the most difficult race I've done(racing in Wisconsin and SoCal). Fight like hell to be front of the pack prior to starting the snake. If you are stuck in the rear, its very difficult to maneuver around slower riders... by the time you get to the top, the front guys will be half way around the course. Oh yes... the pain, I remember it well.
05-10-10, 05:32 PM
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Alright thanks guys. I'm still excited for the race despite some of the things said. Mattm no i dont have access to the hill(for those that have raced you know what i'm talking about). The race is in Iowa and I'm in Wisconsin. But thanks again.
05-10-10, 06:50 PM
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The race is decided on high speed downhill cornering. The first two laps are nuts as everyone sprints to hit the hill near the front. Then the race is split up into different groups and it's a matter of trying to bridge or hold on. Touch the brakes once and lose ten places. Don't brake and you might wipe out.
Not much you can really do to train for it. Work on descending skills and make sure that you can put out a 40 secs maximum every 3 minutes after a maximum sprint effort at the start. Have a plan for the case that the guy in front of you stalls on the hill - make sure that you have space to get around or you'll be walking - which isn't much slower. If it's wet take plenty of air out of your tires and even consider MTB shoes and pedals.
Not much you can really do to train for it. Work on descending skills and make sure that you can put out a 40 secs maximum every 3 minutes after a maximum sprint effort at the start. Have a plan for the case that the guy in front of you stalls on the hill - make sure that you have space to get around or you'll be walking - which isn't much slower. If it's wet take plenty of air out of your tires and even consider MTB shoes and pedals.
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