strategy needed...
07-07-10, 06:50 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
strategy needed...
Ok I entered my first race, it's a 2 day event, TT, road race, hill climb and Crit.
Having never been in a bike race before, what strategy is there to the crit?
Having never been in a bike race before, what strategy is there to the crit?
07-07-10, 07:08 PM
#2
Expanding Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,158
Bikes: Retrospec Judd, Dahon Boardwalk, Specialized Langster
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6371 Post(s)
Liked 5,005 Times
in
2,904 Posts
Get out front, don't crash and pull over if you have to puke.
__________________
07-07-10, 07:11 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275
Bikes: are better than yours.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
You probably won't be needing to worry about strategy. Just hang on as long as you can.
__________________
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
07-07-10, 07:18 PM
#4
Senior Member
07-07-10, 07:20 PM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm not questioning the engine, I would like pointers on the tactical side of racing crits
07-07-10, 07:25 PM
#7
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1159 Post(s)
Liked 832 Times
in
553 Posts
Don't pull everyone around lap after lap. Ride smoothly through the corners. Don't be the guy that freaks out if you touch elbows.
Just race .... the tactics will come. You learn by doing. You can read books on tactics, but it won't mean much without having raced.
Just race .... the tactics will come. You learn by doing. You can read books on tactics, but it won't mean much without having raced.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Last edited by Homebrew01; 07-07-10 at 07:31 PM.
07-07-10, 07:29 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Check out the road racing forum. If you think you're fast enough to stick with pack or even possibly win, then try to get up front near the end to win the sprint.
If this is your first time riding in a group like that, then be predictable. Hold your line in the turns and try not to crash. Also watch out for "squirrelly" riders.
If this is your first time riding in a group like that, then be predictable. Hold your line in the turns and try not to crash. Also watch out for "squirrelly" riders.
07-07-10, 07:33 PM
#10
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1159 Post(s)
Liked 832 Times
in
553 Posts
The 33 would like to talk to you.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...s-a-tip-or-two
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
07-07-10, 07:33 PM
#11
3rd Grade Dropout
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Santa Barbara Calif.
Posts: 1,690
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 302 Post(s)
Liked 493 Times
in
218 Posts
mmmmm....so you assume I'm am in no shape to win it?....based on the fact that its my first race??....the 10 years of running marathons/ultra running, and 3 years of riding 300+ miles a week won't help me??
I'm not questioning the engine, I would like pointers on the tactical side of racing crits
I'm not questioning the engine, I would like pointers on the tactical side of racing crits
07-07-10, 07:41 PM
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-07-10, 07:47 PM
#13
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 20,336
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8813 Post(s)
Liked 3,340 Times
in
1,810 Posts
I'm not a racer and not EB, but running fitness doesn't translate directly into riding, and 300 likely-junk miles per week isn't going to put you in shape to win a race against people who specifically train for racing, just at a guess.
07-07-10, 07:51 PM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
running fitness=cardio, and I like to think that after all the training I've done I know something about quality vs junk miles
07-07-10, 07:52 PM
#16
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 20,336
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8813 Post(s)
Liked 3,340 Times
in
1,810 Posts
It's funny how you're flipping between asking for advice and knowing everything. Honestly, I hope you do a write-up of the event afterwards on here.
07-07-10, 07:53 PM
#17
3rd Grade Dropout
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Santa Barbara Calif.
Posts: 1,690
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 302 Post(s)
Liked 493 Times
in
218 Posts
Not saying you can't win, but be prepared to be humbled.
07-07-10, 07:53 PM
#18
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1159 Post(s)
Liked 832 Times
in
553 Posts
Don't argue about it ...... or I'll have to get some buckets of popcorn. Do the race, then come back with questions about the next race.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
07-07-10, 07:56 PM
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok you are obviously confused, I never said I knew everything, I did state that I think my fitness level is as good as it gets, for me....I am, however, asking for tactics....does that help?
07-07-10, 07:58 PM
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's been a loooong time, but the engine you have can only be put to work if you can run it within the limits/situations that racing holds exclusive. My first race was a Santa Barbara Research Area crit way back in 1983(?) and I was a super fast, powerful little guy......................on the road. It was a yo-yo of madness, just not crashing took a supreme effort. I was in no shape to win a race.
Not saying you can't win, but be prepared to be humbled.
Not saying you can't win, but be prepared to be humbled.
07-07-10, 07:59 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 259
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just TT off the front and leave everyone else behind. If you've been doing 300 quality training miles a week for 3 years now, you'll have no trouble destroying the field. 
07-07-10, 07:59 PM
#22
Banned.
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 54
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Running and logging miles are a good base for a crit, but the typical crit is x minutes of intervals, go through a corner and sprint out of it, go through a corner and sprint out it...repeat until the final 200 meters.
07-07-10, 08:00 PM
#23
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 20,336
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8813 Post(s)
Liked 3,340 Times
in
1,810 Posts
That is much less cocky. However, "my fitness level is as good as it gets, for me" is not "I'm going to be competing for the win in my first race". I'd just focus on trying to hang onto the pack, and see how you feel afterwards.
07-07-10, 08:03 PM
#24
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, any pointers on lines etc, should i stick to the outside/inside of the pack, how long of a pull is the 'norm' in a crit?
07-07-10, 08:06 PM
#25
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Swift Current SK Canada
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2008 Brodie Ronin, 2000 Raleigh Tomahawk (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I never intended any of it to be 'cocky'...I'm 40 years old, I know I'm not going to win, but I am sure going to go for it, I was just looking for pointers on crit tactics
