Hilly Crit Race Strategy?
07-26-13, 09:47 AM
#26
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-26-13, 09:48 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,840
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I haven't ridden it, but I've seen it. It's like a 6-story building in elevation (80 ft). A lot of it is 14% grade. I think it will be a factor. In the recon ride, a local elite looks to have tackled it at 600W, and it took him 31 seconds at 13mph. That's going to leave a mark.
Full lap: https://app.strava.com/segments/2735078
The big hill: https://app.strava.com/segments/2675130
Full lap: https://app.strava.com/segments/2735078
The big hill: https://app.strava.com/segments/2675130
we have a crit that has similar climb, it's a bloodbath everyman for himself type of race after a couple few times up it, but it also has some technical turns into alleys and from wide->narrow roadways so that adds to the every man for himself aspect of it.
07-26-13, 10:11 AM
#28
Making a kilometer blurry
hmmm, yeah, that would leave a mark no doubt. i didnt think it looked like that in the video.
we have a crit that has similar climb, it's a bloodbath everyman for himself type of race after a couple few times up it, but it also has some technical turns into alleys and from wide->narrow roadways so that adds to the every man for himself aspect of it.
we have a crit that has similar climb, it's a bloodbath everyman for himself type of race after a couple few times up it, but it also has some technical turns into alleys and from wide->narrow roadways so that adds to the every man for himself aspect of it.
Would be a fun race to do, but I'm not doing it this year.
08-16-13, 07:42 AM
#29
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 35
Bikes: 2006 CAAD 8 (R5000), 2002 Bianchi Giro bad weather bike/ghetto TT setup, very ugly 2001 GT ZRX CX bike, bianchi Brava trainer slave
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Actually the race on the F 1 course is a circuit race,not a crit. ( a distinction that matters with regard to free laps).
As for strategy, if you're gravity challenged, get to the front of the group at the start of each climb, then ride your own pace, to the extent possible, filtering back through the group, with the goal being to stay in contact with the back end of the main group by the top, or at least close enough to roll them up on the descent.
This tactic works pretty well on relatively short climbs, and can allow you to hang with people that are better climbers, and avoid burning matches.
In lower category races, I found a number of times, I ended up being the first over smaller climbs when I went to the front to start this tactic because no one was willing to come around and drive the pace to shed the fat guys like me.
As for strategy, if you're gravity challenged, get to the front of the group at the start of each climb, then ride your own pace, to the extent possible, filtering back through the group, with the goal being to stay in contact with the back end of the main group by the top, or at least close enough to roll them up on the descent.
This tactic works pretty well on relatively short climbs, and can allow you to hang with people that are better climbers, and avoid burning matches.
In lower category races, I found a number of times, I ended up being the first over smaller climbs when I went to the front to start this tactic because no one was willing to come around and drive the pace to shed the fat guys like me.
This is awesome advice. as a 215lb cyclist I have learned pretty quickly to get to the front before climbs, and then just try to hang on. I can usually move back up in the pack on downhills, and for me, its all about positioning for the sprint.
08-18-13, 01:18 PM
#30
commu*ist spy
hey, I want to sign up for this, but the 4/5 is filled up. What's the 3/4/5 group going to be like compared to the 4/5?
Last edited by spectastic; 08-18-13 at 01:26 PM.
08-19-13, 10:09 AM
#31
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,250
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1415 Post(s)
Liked 659 Times
in
341 Posts
I would think that the 3's in a 3/4/5 race would drive the pace hard early to try and shell as many 5's as possible.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-19-13, 12:40 PM
#32
commu*ist spy
well, the 3/4/5 race only opened up because the 4/5 race was filled up. The 3/4 and 2/3 races are still open. I was curious if this happened every year, and if so, how big was the 3/4/5 race? Did any 3's actually sign up for the 3/4/5 instead of the 3/4 or 2/3? I just want to get an idea of how big the field is going to be. I guess I should probably call them to find out.
08-19-13, 01:46 PM
#33
Wheelsuck
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,158
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This does not happen (anywhere, really). Minimum speed for a big, dumb sportscar at COTA is 45 mph.
08-20-13, 09:46 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central TX
Posts: 583
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
well, the 3/4/5 race only opened up because the 4/5 race was filled up. The 3/4 and 2/3 races are still open. I was curious if this happened every year, and if so, how big was the 3/4/5 race? Did any 3's actually sign up for the 3/4/5 instead of the 3/4 or 2/3? I just want to get an idea of how big the field is going to be. I guess I should probably call them to find out.
08-21-13, 05:48 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Western MA
Posts: 15,669
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
At 145 pounds I'm usually up front helping to drive the pace in order to shell guys like you.
08-22-13, 07:45 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 98
Bikes: 11 cervelo R3, 12 s-works venge, 13 Santa Cruz tall boy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got it a few weeks ago before the 4/5 filled up. Very excited about CotA and that place has some other really cool events coming up like Dave Chapel (bet we'll have Sam Jackson beer) and Iron Maiden w/ Megadeath! Have not seen them since high school and my wife wants to go, super cool!
Back to OP yea that hill is gona hurt and I have been doing lots of 30s power work and riding over the top of those efforts. The driveway has been great this month and I have been very aggressive and doing lots of work at the front and attacking. Not racing smart but hard. See you out at CotA!
Back to OP yea that hill is gona hurt and I have been doing lots of 30s power work and riding over the top of those efforts. The driveway has been great this month and I have been very aggressive and doing lots of work at the front and attacking. Not racing smart but hard. See you out at CotA!
08-22-13, 08:04 AM
#38
Making a kilometer blurry
08-22-13, 09:20 AM
#39
Wheelsuck
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,158
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, here's a Z06 at 29mph (2:06), but that is twice as fast as my 15mph guess. Looks slower on camera. Seems that all turns will be flying on bikes.
