Vocabulary

[Eden]

I'm giving a talk to the cat 4's next monday on our local race calendar and as we have some *very* green new people this year I though I ought to include a section on vocabulary, since it won't do much good to talk about the calendar if they don't know what a crit is..... (note green, not weak.... we have a very strong new woman who has only owned a bike for a few months!)

So I'd like to put it out to all the current racers, newbie racers, just thinking about racing racers or folks who just want to watch a race and know what the commentators are talking about- what do you hear spoken about that you aren't sure what it means? If you do race, what do wish you'd known before you started. (just vocab and slang for now - race preparation is next month's talk )

I have a short list started,but I don't want to prejudice anyone so I won't post it right away. I will however make it worth your while by posting definitions for anyone who gives me suggestions.

Thanks!

[Zen]

Are you making a hand out list?
will this help?
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.../glossary.html

[Eden]

Yes - I'll be handing it out at the meeting and posting it to our web group.

[Zen]

I couldn't edit fast enough

[velogirl]

Eden, send me an email at Lorri@velogirls.com

I have a handout you could happily use from my crit 101 clinic (as long as you keep my credits on there).

[smilingcat]

missing on the list was Lantern Rouge. (red light of a caboose) The last rider.

Fred, Wilma, Barney

Chucking biscuit, snot rocket,

feed zone was in but what about feed bag?

Can't think of much more.
Smilingcat

[hellostarshine]

Sandbagging might be one?
When I first started racing I couldn't understand the difference between a crit and a rr. I knew the crit was a shorter loop but didn't see any other difference. After my first race (and after getting dropped on the first surge!) I was straightened out.
It might be helpful to talk about how physically different fast, sugry (is that a word) crits are from long rr's

[Eden]

Sandbagging might be one?
When I first started racing I couldn't understand the difference between a crit and a rr. I knew the crit was a shorter loop but didn't see any other difference. After my first race (and after getting dropped on the first surge!) I was straightened out.
It might be helpful to talk about how physically different fast, sugry (is that a word) crits are from long rr's

Someone always asks how fast races are (in other words am I fast enough to race or if they are arrogant am I fast enough to kick all your lame butts... )...... the answer is basically the same as what you are talking about - its not the speed, its the surges, but I think explain it all you want and people still just don't understand until they've experienced it.

[RoadRaven]

its not the speed, its the surges

I HATE surges

Raven aka "Grumpy Smurf"

[hellostarshine]

Honestly, I think the surges are worse in womens 1,2,3 events than mens 'cause we're forced to race more tactical with smaller fields(unless you're lucky enough to be at a NRC race) That's just my silly opinion though. Surges DO suck. Seriously. Gah.

[jesvetmed]

FYI... I have a friend VERY into dog sled racing, and she tells me the Red Lantern is traditional in these races also -- the last one in to a check point at end of day.
Kind of off subject, but interesting, no?

[ehirsch83]

Honestly, I think the surges are worse in womens 1,2,3 events than mens 'cause we're forced to race more tactical with smaller fields(unless you're lucky enough to be at a NRC race) That's just my silly opinion though. Surges DO suck. Seriously. Gah.

I find that(after having raced with the women and with the men) that one of the main reasons why they are worse in the women's races is that the women tend to break through the corners(yuck), so they then surge on the straightaways, where the men flow through the corners and then accelerate from there, but the acceleratin isn't so surgey that way.

[Brandy]

Someone always asks how fast races are (in other words am I fast enough to race or if they are arrogant am I fast enough to kick all your lame butts... )...... the answer is basically the same as what you are talking about - its not the speed, its the surges, but I think explain it all you want and people still just don't understand until they've experienced it.

That's me! I know that in my case, someone who has never raced...it's good to know if I'm capable of even hanging with the pack before I get out there. Good point about the surges though!

[Brandy]

Great post, by the way Eden!