Crit racers are smooth...
10-23-14, 03:45 PM
#28
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I see Bahati 5 or so times a year - last 6 years. He is of course outstanding. This year he was son's opponent in 3 races. But with the exception of a few races, Bahati normally rides in the back - until the end, unless there is a break and you can see he at the front organizing. This year he chased down a gap himself. Most racers cannot do what he does, which is why creating a gap/being nowhere around Bahati near the end works better.
10-23-14, 04:41 PM
#31
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I think Abdu wasn't bad. His head tended to go in a straight line, regardless of his bike, and that counts for a lot.
Fine, in that era it seemed that sprinters sprinted looking back by looking down and they'd run into the barriers. But until he hit the barrier, or Nelissen hit that policeman, they were sprinting pretty straight. Just a few degrees off from forward to the line.
In fact I have some skin in the game because I sprint more like Abdu than not. However, except when my head moves up and down, it's hard to tell that I'm flinging the bike left and right.
In fact when I'm really on good form sprinting-wise I move my bike left-right even more.
Fine, in that era it seemed that sprinters sprinted looking back by looking down and they'd run into the barriers. But until he hit the barrier, or Nelissen hit that policeman, they were sprinting pretty straight. Just a few degrees off from forward to the line.
In fact I have some skin in the game because I sprint more like Abdu than not. However, except when my head moves up and down, it's hard to tell that I'm flinging the bike left and right.
In fact when I'm really on good form sprinting-wise I move my bike left-right even more.
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10-23-14, 04:42 PM
#32
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10-23-14, 05:01 PM
#34
out walking the earth
45+ State Crit Champion, 45+ Sommerville Champion, 45+ State Road Champiom, and a host of other wins this season….guy can't sprint away from an 8 year old. But he manages to get some day light a make things stick.
10-23-14, 05:04 PM
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Yup. He's got a motor. I chased him down twice for you. I couldn't do it a third time, and I was toast after that. He has a great aero position.
10-23-14, 07:22 PM
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10-23-14, 08:36 PM
#40
**** that
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When sprinting you only need to look under your arms/between your legs; if they aren't in sight at that point, they're in the dust.. if you see wheels, go faster.
Also that mirror looks more like a spear; I'd hate to fall on it in a crash..
10-23-14, 08:52 PM
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One rider thinks so. He can see who's sneaking up on him. To be fair - only used in group rides so far. I said it was for 2015.
10-23-14, 08:53 PM
#42
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Its not for sprinting. Its for seeing attacks that often come from the back. Especially useful when trying to cause a gap...
Last edited by Doge; 10-23-14 at 08:58 PM.
10-23-14, 09:25 PM
#43
starting pistol means war
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10-24-14, 07:46 AM
#44
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10-24-14, 08:04 AM
#45
out walking the earth
If you're taking care of your equipment properly you can see the reflection of what's going on behind you using the backside of your shield. But really once you brake check, zig zag, and stick your mace into the spokes of your opponent the sound of the carnage should be plenty clue enough that you should attack.
10-24-14, 08:26 AM
#48
out walking the earth
10-24-14, 10:20 AM
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The way to race a crit race is to be as energy efficient as possible with good pace line etiquette.
This means taking the corners as efficiently as possible, hold the speed of those around you, pedaling smoothly and holding your line.
Suggesting otherwise is advocating brake checking or causing crashes behind you.
As this will give Bahati and other well known sprinters the most opportunity to win, all will be right in critdom.
This means taking the corners as efficiently as possible, hold the speed of those around you, pedaling smoothly and holding your line.
Suggesting otherwise is advocating brake checking or causing crashes behind you.
As this will give Bahati and other well known sprinters the most opportunity to win, all will be right in critdom.