My first crit in 11 years

[Mimosa]

It must be 11 years ago or something since I did this last ... now I know why

It was a crit which you could compare with a US cat 3/4 race, 25 female riders, length about 26 miles on a closed circuit of a mile in the centre of a small town. So lot's of people cheering for us

Owh my gd, did my lungs BURN !! I thought I was gonna die after 2 laps, but I hung in there. Halfway I slowly got into it and was able to 'relax' more. On the back straight of the last lap (yes, I was still with the bunch) I moved up to the frontrunners of the bunch, my thought was 'at least I am with the first few now'. And then pulled out everything I still had on the finish straight ... and came in 4th! Which amazes me, I thought lots of people would pas me but in the end only a couple did. I also was 5th at 2 money sprints and even 2nd on one, so I got to take 4 envelops home ... barely enough to pay for the gas used to get there and back.

Looking forward to the next venue. But first I'll start riding the local wednesday evening club races with the guys to pick up some race speed and strength.

[Trekhawk]

It must be 11 years ago or something since I did this last ... now I know why

It was a crit which you could compare with a US cat 3/4 race, 25 female riders, length about 26 miles on a closed circuit of a mile in the centre of a small town. So lot's of people cheering for us

Owh my gd, did my lungs BURN !! I thought I was gonna die after 2 laps, but I hung in there. Halfway I slowly got into it and was able to 'relax' more. On the back straight of the last lap (yes, I was still with the bunch) I moved up to the frontrunners of the bunch, my thought was 'at least I am with the first few now'. And then pulled out everything I still had on the finish straight ... and came in 4th! Which amazes me, I thought lots of people would pas me but in the end only a couple did. I also was 5th at 2 money sprints and even 2nd on one, so I got to take 4 envelops home ... barely enough to pay for the gas used to get there and back.

Looking forward to the next venue. But first I'll start riding the local wednesday evening club races with the guys to pick up some race speed and strength.

Wow!!! Congratulations you speedy thing.

[missymaya]

Dang, if it's been 11 years since you've raced and you still kicked tail, dang! Awesome job and keep kicking tail!

[SheFly]

Congrats! You did the exact right thing - hang on for as long as you can (the women will start fast, but will settle down in a couple of laps, and hanging on here is key), ride at the back, and come to the front for the finish.

Way to go!

SheFly

[mukluk]

Enjoyed your race report! Sounds like you had a great race, Congratulations!

[Mimosa]

Well tonight clubride put me back onto the ground with both feet .... pfew. It's a mixed ride with all categories and genders starting together in one race (on a closed circuit). Within 15 minutes I had to let the bunch go because the speed was enormous (I heard people talk about 36 mph on the straight) due to the fact that a male dutch professional rider of the rabobank protour team was pulling the whole field to pieces. In total I was lapped twice in the 50 minute race but still it was good practice riding the corners and riding at high speeds. Next week I'll try again, hopefully that pro has something better to do that day.

[aicabsolut]

It must be 11 years ago or something since I did this last ... now I know why

It was a crit which you could compare with a US cat 3/4 race, 25 female riders, length about 26 miles on a closed circuit of a mile in the centre of a small town. So lot's of people cheering for us

Owh my gd, did my lungs BURN !! I thought I was gonna die after 2 laps, but I hung in there. Halfway I slowly got into it and was able to 'relax' more. On the back straight of the last lap (yes, I was still with the bunch) I moved up to the frontrunners of the bunch, my thought was 'at least I am with the first few now'. And then pulled out everything I still had on the finish straight ... and came in 4th! Which amazes me, I thought lots of people would pas me but in the end only a couple did. I also was 5th at 2 money sprints and even 2nd on one, so I got to take 4 envelops home ... barely enough to pay for the gas used to get there and back.

Looking forward to the next venue. But first I'll start riding the local wednesday evening club races with the guys to pick up some race speed and strength.

Did you warm up beforehand? Sounds like you did really well! You might avoid some of the death feeling by warming up better or longer. Then all you have to worry about is: my heart rate was how high? for how long?

[Mimosa]

Did you warm up beforehand? Sounds like you did really well! You might avoid some of the death feeling by warming up better or longer. Then all you have to worry about is: my heart rate was how high? for how long?

Yes I did warmup but it is something I allways have the first couple of times (astmatic lungs). Last night it was already less and it will get less each time I do a race (and improve my condition)