Originally Posted by
flargle
Most of this list is right on. Especially the part of just friggin' doing it, seems like a lot of folk overthink it.
Everyone has their own number-pinning mojo. Some guys like to crumple, some don't. Some use the holes, some pin through the paper. Just make sure you pin it in the correct location and in the correct orientation. Only ask someone to pin your jersey if you would be comfortable asking that same person to pick you up from the airport; yes, it is that personal.
I disagree with #3. In order to ride the fastest overall race you are capable of, there are places to burn matches and places to take it easy; a run-up is a place to burn matches. Same deal with hills, people intuitively know that it's smarter to spend a bit more effort on climbs than on descents, and this intuition turns out to be correct.
Regarding #4, you can waste a lot of momentum if you dismount too soon on a partially rideable climb. Learn to carry momentum into the climb and dismount just before you come to a standstill. There's a bit of a knack to it.
+1 - some of this is from my newb cross experience and some from my longer road experience.
Can't crumple numbers here. I used to back in the late 80's and early 90's, but now with the cameras at the line the officals will slaughter you if you crumple.
Don't use the holes in the number to pin. Take a stitch with the pin through the field of the number and the jersey. The holes punched through the numebr will tear out. I personally use 8 pins - 4 corners and half way in between along each side. With uncrumpled numbers it is the only way I have found to keep the number from flapping.
Also....yes, everyone has their own thing with numbers and for many it's their superstition/pre-race routine. For me I take the jersey off and lay it on the floorboard of my van. I line the number up with either the arm panel seam or lettering along the side panel under the arm. I make sure it is high enough to clear the pockets, and low enough to not be completely in the armpit. Sometimes it is hard with the huge numbers they give out now.
I use sections where it is nearly impossible to pass as recovery. I nail every uphill and seem to be passing a lot of people there. In run-ups I just try to maintain position - not falling back, but not trying to jump ahead. I sometimes gain ground right after remounting if there is a technical section right after.
I am short so I have found I can use my size to cut under limbs near turns and cut quite a bit off of corners. I have also found it easier to have a lot of speed going into off-camber sections and not pedaling while on them.
Best lesson yet - yesterday before our race one of the Cat1/2 racers on our team told a fellow 4b teammate the following while they were talking about the crappy weather, "yes you're going to be cold and hurting, but so is everyone else. the key is to be cold, hurting AND angry...."
