RR: Tuesday Night Crit Practice

[allison]

Well, we wound up with about 2 hours and 10 minutes worth of riding yesterday. That's a lot for me!

In addition to our commute to work and back home, we basically rode the same distance from our place back to crit practice.

We got there around 5:45 and a few people were warming up around the block, but mostly it was just a few people milling around, getting ready.

The headwind up the only small hill was ridiculous. I honestly think it got worse as the evening went on.

Around 5 til a bigger group started getting together hanging out at the top of the climb. There were 2 other women.

We actually know about 3-4 people that regularly do the crit practice ride, but they had driven over to Long Beach for a crit race there, so at the time we didn't know anyone.

A few guys from work show up usually, but only one of them rolled up just before 6.

Basically, I had NO idea what to expect. Justin told me to stick to the back of the pack and enjoy the drafting. The one guy from work told him the secret was not to get on the front and do any pulls; at least not the first week.

So, basically everyone got in a group and started pedaling. Immediately you're going down a slight descent, right hand turn, and a little bit more of a descent. Everyone started cranking. Not having ridden with more than like 3 people before I just stayed out of the way. I knew not to weave back and forth and hold my line in a turn, but I went wide to not get in anyone's way.

Right hand turn and then it's a super sprint through the first bit of wind along a flat, right hand turn, super sprint and then settle in for the slight climb. It is one of those climbs that should be a lot easier than it is. I don't know if it was the wind that made it worse or not. But the headwind was ridiculous.

I hung on and made it to the top with the group, and around we went again. I felt a little more comfortable, but still stayed out of everyone's way.

Down the descent, right turn, sprint... I fell off. Myself and the other two women wound up pretty much in the wind and I slowly made my way to the top of the climb where we rode around in circles waiting for the group to come back.

It took a surprisingly long time! So I found out that one does crits and road stuff, and the other actually is a mountain bike racer! I thought her name was Mary, but I think that was the roadie now, cause only SirenMary raced Idyllwild (no other Mary's), so now I'm pretty sure it was Heather R (Jason's wife)? She was wearing an Intense racing jersey, and I forget what kind of bike.

Anyway, so they started off down the short descent to meet up with the group around the right hander before the longer descent.

It's tough to tag on because I didn't feel comfortable cutting in front of anyone, so you wind up at the back. Down the descent I'd head out to the left and be mid-back, but around the corner I felt like I was going to get in someone's way, so then I'd back off around the turn (not super fast at road turns anyway) and wind up sprinting alone into the wind. The local racer (CA Pools & Spas) woman would always pass me like I was standing still, and she'd be able to hang on on the climb.

Essentially around the 3rd lap or so I wound up spinning up the climb every time alone in the wind. I could hang for the first half as everyone slowed up and no one wanted to lead the group, but then everyone would stand up and take off and I'd be left at the very back and the wind would hit me and I'd essentially come to a complete stop almost.

Got cut off once for no apparent reason.

So then I'd spin around at the top of the hill and wait. Justin waited with me once or twice. I took off one lap to take a few photos. I think I did one more lap and then missed out on the climb. The CA Pools woman tried to encourage me to hang on, but I had nothing left at that point.

The really hard part was the right hander sprint sprint sprint right hander into the headwind climb. By about halfway up after the long sprinting I was winded, legs were burning, and I was thirsty. So I'd sit up and spin in the wind.

I almost caught on as the group came by, but noticed Justin trailing off the back. It was around 6:50 and getting darker, so we headed home.

Got home a little after 7pm.

I definitely want to go back again. I need to learn how to hang on

Didn't get many photos -

The actual fast guys (I think one is Paul from Intense, and our buddy PJ not pulling this lap is at the back)



The big crew getting closer





Going down





I looked at one point and saw my avg. HR was around 141 and I was shocked. But then I remembered that it was due to all the time spent rolling around/recovering/waiting for the group.

I think the laps were around 1.3mi or so and probably like 200ft of climbing or something. I forgot to hit the lap button more than once and didn't record the info at all.

But, if you are looking for a killer work out on the road bike... hit up your local crit practice and just try to hang on!

[Knuckledragger]

Looks like fun!
C.K.

[dirtmistress]

Good job Allison. Crits can be really demoralizing. The back is the worst place to be because you get the bungie cord effect which can really wear you out but at the same time, it's where we sometimes end up whether we like it or not!! It also feels safer there.
Crits are a constant moving circle within themselves. You'll pass someone and then suddenly for whatever reason, you're on the outside and that same person is passing you.
Obviously the goal is to be at the front some day but a goal for a new crit rider would be to try and be 3/4 back in the pack. Find a confident riders wheel to sit on as long as you can. Look ahead,like when you downhill. Don't look at the wheel in front of you. Watch the shoulders of the riders ahead to observe sudden motion or possible crashes. Coast when you have a good wheel to draft on. Even two seconds can help with recovery! I think it's awesome you did that.

[sdyeti]

Sweet! I always wanted to try a crit...anyone know of any friendly SD crits???

p.s. the thought of a crit on dirt (short track) is sooooo much less scary

[allison]

Liz - thanks for the tips! I do okay road riding I think, and the group wasn't big enough that we were actually really in a peloton at all. It was kind of weird. Everyone was *really* spread out, especially on the climb. It was just a long line and I'd always wind up on the left/back in the wind. And the yo-yo effect was tough

I definitely want to keep at it through the summer and see if I improve. I'd like to hang on and ride the entire hour

Maybe my goal for the end of summer will be to do like 4-5 laps consistently without having to pull off!

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Sweet! I always wanted to try a crit...anyone know of any friendly SD crits???

p.s. the thought of a crit on dirt (short track) is sooooo much less scary

Didn't someone just post about something at the Velodrome? May be different. Look up some road teams' sites locally or contact a roadie shop (B+L) and find out what they do.

Basically the local crit here is just the CA Pools & Spa team plus a few others. Most were in one form of their kits, or IE Bikes (I think Cal pools took over IE's team?), and then Cycopath. Only a few of us were "unattached".

I'd also like to try a group ride with them sometime, but we'll see. Not sure I could hope to keep up if the rides are anything like the practice

FWIW - the Rim Nordic Stage Race is having a dirt crit.

[HUGH]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Sweet! I always wanted to try a crit...anyone know of any friendly SD crits???

A friendly crit. That was funny.
I raced crits for two seasons. I have never seen the amount of bad crashes in mountain bike races as I have in crit races. Don't get me wrong... Going into a corner 4 or 5 wide rubbing shoulders at 28mph, exiting that corner at 31mph into a sprint to the finish line in a bell lap Is a huge rush that I could not even begin to put into words. But I stopped racing because you really have to put yourself in harms way to win/do well. It's cool if you want to go around in a circle in the middle or back of the pack but thats not me. Crit racing is such a mental game as well as fitness. I think the mental part is just as much fun!



This picture was taken 1 minute after I got second in a crit race. I crossed the finish line on my head. I totaled the bicycle behind me(in the picture), broke my left wrist, dislocated my left thumb, and lost a lot of skin. I got off easy compared to the guy that ran me over! He now has 70% use of one of his elbows.
During the summer I have to drive a different way home so I don't pass by the tuesday night races. If I see them I'll want to race again!! I think everyone should try it out but just be careful.

HUGH

[sailcalifornia]

I love do the Tuesday and Thursday Rose Bowl rides. As Hugh said coming out of a corner 5+ wide at over 20 MPH is something that cant be put into words.

The Rose Bowl rides are super fun, super fast, and super scary as a newbie.

[surlygal]

Neil used to race crits too! Long before he rode dirt. He had a nasty spill breaking his pelvis in 3 places (a cat5 guy took down 17 or so guys in an open race). Kinda took the fun out it (if you know what I mean).

As a member of the team Grand Performance (st. paul racing club) members could volunteer their time - his choice was to be one of the coaches for their beginning race program (cat5)- teaching riding in a tight group, learning to not get *scared* when you touch someone else's elbow going around a corner at 35 mph.Then take them out to their first cat5 crit, good fun stuff!

Keep it up Allison - you'll enjoy the cross training - the tatics alone will make you a better mtn bike rider/racer

[allison]

This is just "practice" No racing! People still want to be in the front, but I didn't get hit with any elbows and I don't think there were more than *maybe* 20 people total? No 5 wide in the corner and I don't think I ever got up to 31MPH

[ubermensch]

Do you guys feel a little dirty now that you're doing organized rides on the pavement?

200' of elevation change on a crit course is actually pretty unusual, so you guys definitely picked a hairy one. The majority of the courses I've seen probably have only about 50' of elevation change, and even then it's a gradual up and down. A few of them might have more--90' maybe?--but nothing significant. Stretch that out over a mile and it's basically flat.

You guys might want to try the more popular training rides like the Bud's ride near Bonelli, or the Montrose ride that's just a little further west. It's obviously a lot further away, but those rides are a lot more traditional so you guys will get to experience more of the things that you might be expecting. The sheer number of riders that show up for those rides will guarantee that unique group dynamic. Oh, the Rose Bowl ride that sailcalifornia mentioned is another good one.

[allison]

Originally Posted by ubermensch

You guys might want to try the more popular training rides like the Bud's ride near Bonelli, or the Montrose ride that's just a little further west. It's obviously a lot further away, but those rides are a lot more traditional so you guys will get to experience more of the things that you might be expecting. The sheer number of riders that show up for those rides will guarantee that unique group dynamic. Oh, the Rose Bowl ride that sailcalifornia mentioned is another good one.

Yeah, driving that far to a road ride is not gonna happen (at least not any time soon), certainly not midweek. It has been difficult enough for me to get all of the stuff done that I need to do on a daily basis, and my sleep is suffering for it. That's with staying local!

I'm sure they are fun, though.

Maybe on a weekend!

I don't feel dirty at all

Lemme check my info...ok, I lied! I had 727ft of elevation for crit practice and the ride home. I think I did around 7 laps? There is a tad bit of an incline or two on the way home. It was probably more like 100ft, but damn if it wasn't a really difficult climb anyway!

[ubermensch]

Originally Posted by allison

FWIW - the Rim Nordic Stage Race is having a dirt crit.

interesting.

edit to add: Montrose is every saturday, year round. how does that fit into your schedule?

[mechmann]

Yeah...

The crit thing was okay, but I didn't really like it that much.

It was a challenge to hang on if you weren't near the front! There wasn't much of a bungee chord, all I heard was SNAP when I tried hanging at the back with Allison.

I led one lap, that was really hard. Once I was on the front I realized why nobody else wanted to be there, the wind was HORRIBLE! I dropped the hammer agains the climb/wind and nobody stayed on my wheel, but it sucked and I didn't really recover after doing that.

One guy did almost take me out in a corner, instead of holding his line he swerved inside crossing my wheel. I tapped the brakes and almost high sided when my tires broke loose. Needless to say I avoided him like the plague for the rest of the ride.

I think I prefer just riding with my wife if we are going to road ride. We can do hill repeats and stuff and can get the workout without feeling like some dork is going to take me out at 30mph. I will reluctantly go back if Allison wants to...

Now a dirt crit sounds fun, but isn't that what short track is? I LOVE short track!

[allison]

Justin - you really didn't like it?? Seems like it was a good work out. Forced you to work harder than you normally do also I could definitely see getting faster doing that every week or every other.

[2wheel_lee]

Right on Allison!

Several...ok...many years ago, I did some crits at the El Dorado park (it looks like the same place where Hugh's picture was taken). My endurance sucked at first but it got better.

As Hugh mentioned, in the low cat 4/5 where I raced, you did often have to put yourself in harm's way. Even worse, those groups were scary in the turns! More than half of them didn't know how to turn. The turns were fairly tight, and I saw a number of people get pole-vaulted when their pedal hit the ground. Of course, when that happens, they wipe out a number of people. I also witnessed a few crashes from wheels crossing in turns. Fortunately, I usually stayed on the inside of the turns, so these incidents never affected me. It was a bit scary. I would suspect the higher ranked classes are a bit safe in this regard (but worse in others?).

Crits are definately fun, and doing them regularly will get you into shape!

[sdyeti]

A-MEN brotha!!

Originally Posted by mechmann

Now a dirt crit sounds fun, but isn't that what short track is? I LOVE short track!