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So it is T-9 days until my first crit ever - first cycling race for that matter. I spent last season watching my boyfriend race so visually I have an idea what to expect but beyond that I'm clueless. I am a little (okay a lot) panic-y about getting dropped right off the bat. Just wondering if there is some crit specific advice out there or even any insights into what I should prepare myself for. Thanks bunches!
I would recommend doing training crits. Many cycling clubs have training crits, so find out if your club does. It's a great place to learn and make mistakes without the pressure of a race.
You may get dropped off the back in the first lap. That's okay. Some of us (moi) spent many a race at the back. You do get better with experience.
Big things to remember--hold your line in corners, watch those pedals (don't snag one on a corner), and relax. You will get bumped, but if you are relaxed you are less likely to go down.
Oh, and have fun! It's a rush.
Do what ever you can to NOT be in the last couple rows at the start. Be as close to the front as you can. Be well warmed up as the pace for the first 5 or so laps will be really fast....then it will settle in. You just need to stay in during the first 5 laps and you'll be fine.
Your job is to....
Stay relaxed and smooth
Conserve as much energy as possible. Only work hard when you have to.
Pass a few folks every lap or whatever it takes to stay in the top 1/3 of the field. (see below)
DO NOT EVER LEAD AND DO NOT TAKE PULLS. Coast as much as you need to to NOT be in the front. (except for the final 200 yds...but if that happens, you don't need our advice. <grin>
In criterium...if you are not moving forward...you are moving back. If you try to stay in a particular position...you will be at the back. You need to move forward whenever possible. Pass a few people every lap.
The back of the field is working MUCH harder than the front due to slinky effect...If you get in the back...move quickly to get out of there.
Pay attention to gaps. Fill them in. If you are drafting someone who is gapping off the field, you need to notice it right away and get around them before you also are gapped.
Pay attention to what is happening at your 4:00 and 8:00 position. If there is a big acceleration...you want to see it coming and react before it gets past you.
It sounds counter intuitive....pull a few PSI out of your tires. You want the bike to behave itself thru corners...not be skipping around.
Attitute is everything!
Seejay's advice is good.
As for not getting dropped... If the pace is high from the gun, just go with it to the best of your ability. Do NOT let yourself think, "I can't do this for 45 more minutes!" The pace will settle back down. And then surge again. But there will be time for recovery. Hold onto the draft as long as you can. If you can't do it the whole race, that's ok. It happens to everyone. Just don't psych yourself out about the pace. Stick toward the front (but not ON the front) like Seejay said, and that's another way you can be more efficient and stick in a protected position with minimal work.
Use the time after corners or other places where the pack gets strung out to move up. Try to move up without spending too much time out in the wind. Surf some wheels when the pack is strung out rather than moving up around to the side when the bunch is tight -- getting back into the draft could be difficult. Or, follow someone else when they go to move up if they take the windy route to do it.
Details. How did it work out for you?
No race, not enough ladies registered. So I get a little extra time to prepare...its a 50/50 relief and disappointment. I know I will feel so much better about racing once I just get out and do it but at the same time I keep falling into that 'well if I practice a little more I will be better' kind of relief.