mcafiero

I'm about to ride my first crit in a few weeks. Very excited. So far the advice that sticks in my head is, "Don't do anything stupid". I think I have an idea, but would you mind helping me to put together a list of 10 stupid things to not do?

Racer Ex 

1-8) Stare at the rear wheel of the guy in front of you.

mollusk

#9: Sprinting for 30th place

Homebrew01

10) Take a line through a corner completely different from everyone elses. (unless you're off the front or back)

11) Ignore advice here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...s-a-tip-or-two

I <3 Robots

Take a gel 2 mins before the race starts, get it all over your hands...then have to wash it off...and barely make it to the start line.

notwist

make erratic and unpredictable movements

hammy56

panic about various things and snatch the brakes.

veloboy971

Attack from the gun unless you have good fitness...

Creakyknees

... miss your pedal and be dropped at the start

Creatre

Uh, don't wreck.

Otherwise you'll be fine.

Psimet2001 

+1 - I have seen this cause so many wrecks over the years that it's sickening. No one cares. You shouldn't either. If you didn't podium then just get over the line as safely as possible. The big league scouts that are in the stands watching will understand.

MarkWW

Don'ts:
-Forget your shoes/helmet/bike/license/entry fee
-Wear a sleeveless jersey
-Pin your number upside down or on the wrong side
-Make any erratic moves
-Make moves without checking over your shoulder

Biscayne05

they call it Road Rash...you call it Battle Scars.

MajorMantra

No, we call it looking like a tri-dork. Also, they aren't mass start legal in most (any?) countries.

Dalai

Unless it is 13...

rkwaki

Don't forget to have fun. Just stay relaxed and use some common sense.

gsteinb

1) get advice on a message board

ridethecliche

Gel before a crit?

ljsense

Here are my tips for racing your first crit:

1. Get to the race plenty early and locate a toilet. Thanks to unbridled fear, you are going to crap your guts out before the race. It will only stop after you are completely empty.
2. At the starting line, as the dude in jeans is explaining what kind of snack will be offered as a prime, go ahead and bow your head in prayer. But the crit gods will only hear your pleads if you ask for the safety of all racers, not just yourself.
3. After three laps, it is a good time to realize: "Hey! This is not so hard, I am right here in the pack, having the time of my life!"
4. Celebrate your success of keeping with the pack by singing some song in Italian as loud as you can.
5. You can win this thing! Attack on Lap 4!
6. Don't be alarmed when you peak over your shoulder and see that your attack has left the whole field neatly organized behind you.
7. Now is the time to dig in, as the pack swarms up around you and you're amazed at how many people are flowing by. Take a look at what equipment they're using; that's obviously the stuff you need to do better next time.
8. After you've been dropped and are sadly riding on your own, the casual observer might not know whether you're up the road or off the back. Be sure to recruit a mean grimace and ride your drops if you see anyone taking pictures.

rkwaki

I do.

gsteinb

I do frosting shooters. Same thing.

grwoolf

One common piece of advice that did not work for me last year in my first couple crits: Stay near the front to avoid the surges on the corners.

That's easier said than done if you have limited experience navigating a tight pack and everyone is fighting for the first 10 spots. For a first crit, I'd recommend hanging further back where people are less agressive about position. You will work harder and there's a better chance of getting dropped or caught behind a wreck, but I think it's safer overall (for you and others). I see too many people freaking out in in the 4/5's when the pack gets tight and there is contact. Freak outs and tensing up turns into wrecks.

mcafiero

I think my strategy is to stay in the front 1/3 and just try to blend in as much as I can, conserve my energy and try to win a prime and use my sprint power at the end, which on paper, is pretty good, but it will be a matter of being there for it. But my #1 goal is to not do anything stupid. So this has been a helpful thread. Thanks! Oh and I kind of lied, this is my 2nd crit, but my first was as a junior cyclist back when I was 16. I'm 35 now. So I don't remember much.

UC223

One thing worth remembering. Often the first 5+/- minutes of a crit will be a very hard effort. be patient early before working to gain position.

caloso

+1

I would add that if you miss it on the first try, do not panic. Panic is what caused the 2d, 3d, and 4th misses of the pedal.