crit advise?

[Pink Kona]

This weekend I'll be racing in my first criterium.... got any advise about when to set up for the win? I heard you have to start thinking about the finish about 5 laps from the finish... any other suggestions?

[BikeMomma]

Hey Pink,

You probably already raced if it was today (hope you did well, if so), but I thought I'd reply anyway. Five laps before the finish seems reasonable, as at that point you should be thinking about moving up to the front, if you aren't there already (and you should be, to prevent/join breaks off the front). The back of the pack is not the place to win races and increases your chances of crashing!

Generally, the last two laps are when things really heat up - fighting for position, etc. and there will be a lot of blocking going on by organized teams. The blocking can be pretty effective, so be ready for it & think ahead, strategy, etc.

Walk the course beforehand. Note bad corners, sudden narrowing of roads, etc. and imagine what line you'd take through them (and remember to take that line when possible).

Pay attention to the preems and go for it if you have the legs! You can win some extra $$ or free bike stuff.

Another thing, be ready for the sprint. Think in terms of what gear you'll use, so that when the time comes, you can just go without fiddling with the gears or spinning out - if possible, and depending on speed and terrain (i.e. uphill finishes), try to get in that gear, or close to it, before the sprint, but not too far before. Be ready for someone coming around the outside from your draft.

And remember to hydrate yourself, but choose your moments. The best time to attack is when another rider is not prepared/ready for you to do so (like drinking). Don't run out of gas!

Another thing - don't crash! Take your corners smooth, watch out for rough corners and traffic dots down the center lines and watch out for the squirrelly gals, and there will be some. Don't let them take you out, and don't take anyone else out, in return. You can draft, but do not cross wheels - keep behind the rider in front of you. If they swing out for a break attempt, they could take you out. Not good!!

Good luck! Use this first race, perhaps, as a training race. Just watch & learn for the next one. Then, next race, KICK some TAIL!

Crits are a beautiful thing....

[Pink Kona]

Thanks Bike Momma - coincidentally my brother used to call me that when we were kids.

The crit is later today - I'll let you know how it goes. The unfortunate thing - it's supposed to rain more than an inch... which may narrow the field quite a bit. I'm looking forward to it though... thanks for the advise.

[BikeMomma]

Good Luck, Pink! No crashing! Especially with the rain...eewwww. Stay off the white lines - they're slippery in the rain.
Happy racing....next year I might start up again, myself.

[Pink Kona]

I was too tired last night to let you know - but I placed 4th! And I won $30! No crashes - although one woman was trying hard to take people out.

Talk about a hard effort - 12 laps in 30 minutes with a couple hill climbs. Two women broke off the front of the group - and I didn't have any legs from the previous day 75 mile adventure. I am really happy with 4th - I learned a lot. Thank you for the encouragment! I have another one next weekend - and now that I know I need to chase them down as soon as possible we'll see how it goes next week!

[CorsairMac]

Wooohoo...congrats on both the 4th And the $30!! and it sounds like you had fun! Well Done Pink! (closest thing to a pink smiley we had!)

[BikeMomma]

Way to go, Pink!!! Fourth is super, and the cash is always nice. That pays for the Starbucks reward afterwards and a new tub of electrolyte drink! And fourth on an uphill finish is not bad at all! Hope your post-race recovery is going well.

How did you finish, gear-wise? I remember a race I did with an uphill finish...I misjudged and totally spun out, but placed about 9th out of a field of about 20 or so girls. It was a fun race, only one crash that I can remember, due to someone not holding her line (ggrrrr). Sent the other one flying into a ditch, bike end over end. Glad to hear that your "squirrelly one" didn't get the best of you. There's always one of 'em, so watch out. Oftentimes, the you'll see the same gals at the next race and you'll know who to avoid at all costs.

How big was the field, and I'm assuming Womens Cat 4?? Did the weather gods smile on you or dump it on ya? I imagine Seattle can get pretty wet.

I'm so dead meat -- I'm catching the racing bug again! My husband took that news amazingly well, a blank stare but no protest - I think he realizes there's no point in fighting it! ha!

I raced about 12/13 years ago, then sortof burned out on cycling (I made the grave mistake of being too strict on myself) and met my husband at around the same time. He doesn't ride, so I started spending more and more time away from the bike to be with him. Then we got married, along came the kids (3 of the cute little buggers!), and now that my daughter is two and ALOT less dependent (I breastfed all my kids through 18mos+), I'm able to creep out of the house for rides with the guys (some racers, some not) on Saturday a.m.'s and whenever else possible, quick lunchtime rides, etc. I also bought myself a trainer that I can ride whatever hour of the day I can, usually late after the kids are in bed.

Sooo, I'm getting there. (See the "Goals" thread). I figure if I can meet my goal of staying with the racers by the end of this season, then I'll get my racing license and go for it.

I watched a couple crit's (Merced Criterium and McClane Pacific Cycling Classic) in the next city over from mine (Merced, about 7mi away) spaced a week apart, as well as rode out to the RR course for one of the series (a 55mi day from my house), and was extremely pleased to see how many women are out there racing now. The fields were huge! When I was racing before, a good turnout was maybe 10-15! These fields for the Women's Cat 4 had a good 50+ entered. So awesome so early in the season (this was end of Feb/early March). So, I do believe I've been bitten by the racing bug, and the more I'm riding and getting my form back, the more I'm thinking about where I'll be next year.

Anyway, Pink - I always end up babbling on these posts, sorry....keep us posted on your future races, wins (let's hope). And good luck!

[Pink Kona]

How cool to have the racing spark back in your life. You can do it! That's a great goal of being in racing shape by the end of the season. There's a woman on my team who has a 12 month old, is still breast feeding and also has a three year old. She and her husband had "the talk" and decided it was her time to pursue athletics because she last year was his turn. He brings the kids to all of her races - and right after she's done ripping it up on the course she breastfeeds her baby. Amazing. Where there's a will there's a way.

Gearing wise - I was maybe a gear or two off from where I would have liked to be. I spun up the hill and immediately switched to 53-19 and could/should have been in 53-13. I spun out a little but now I know what to expect for next time. And yes, we raced in a down pour. It was fun - and I'm pleased with the experience. Those girls better watch out - I learn fast. (BTW - your assumption is correct - Cat 4 for none other than Starbucks Duetto Visa.)

[Pink Kona]

I just found out about this picture today. That's me in the front with the big cheesy grin my face - loving every minute of it.

http://www.bikecafe.net/pa/PAViewPhoto.asp?ID=8222

[SadieKate]

That's really terrific picture. Worthy of framing!

[Bike Goddess]

Pink Kona- You are AWESOME! If I were about 25years younger I might be willing to take you on You go girl!

Bike Momma- Where were you when I was riding the McClane century this year?... and.. watching the crits when I got back to Merced that afternoon! Great century! Did we pass your little town? Atwater sounds familiar!

[spazzdog]

You wanna do some internet coaching?

I'm just getting started; the Cinderella was my "kick me in the a$$" ride.

Monday I start at the gym with strength training. My bike will probably be home by the next Monday with its new crank.

My tentative schedule will then be alternating 3 days in the gym with 3 days on the bike for about 7 weeks. Then I'll cut to 2 days in the gym and 4 days on the bike, gradually increasing my bike time from 2 to 4-5 hrs (on long ride days).

At what point do I enter my first race? Suggestions? Take this off-line unless the group is interested. You can email me at spazzdog@comcast.net

Goal: to race at the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago (Jul 15-22, 2006 in case anybody is interested) Check out http://www.gaygameschicago.org/ for more info.

And Pink... great job grrl. I am impressed! Good pic too. Frame that one!

spazz

[Bike Goddess]

Hey Spazz- Great goal and Great training workout. Have you got someone who can design a program for you at the gym? I have a woman who is a former racer as well as trainer at my gym (we often ride together). She has designed a workout for me that is just right

I am soooo excited for you! 2006 Gay Olympics in Chicago. We better get our schedules in order so TE can come support you en masse.

[spazzdog]

Support my A$$... I better see a passal of y'all competing.

One needn't by gay to participate. It's open enrollment and all the sports are sanctioned by the associated sport governing bodies.

Your registration fee gets you free admission to most of the other sports, free public trans., participation in both Opening and Closing Ceremonies (for those of us wanting to experience that "Olympics feeling") and your participation medal. The sport fee lets you participate in up to 4 events within cycling. Medals (yes, I said medals) are usually awarded to the top 3 overall, as well as the top 3 within the specific age groups.

Within cycling, there is a road race, a crit, an ind time trial and a team time trial. For mtn, there is a Cross Country Race. In a different division, there is a Triathlon. For you Multi-sport grrls, theres also Track and Field, something I competed in both in '90 and '94... actually chaired T&F for the '94 games.

I'm thinking a TE Team is in order...

my 25 cents

[BikeMomma]

Hey Pink! Great picture - look at you, all smilin' & stuff!!! We need to change your name to CritGoddess, now! I'd love to see & hear more about your racing experiences, and glad I could help you out!

Spazz, you can do it! That training program sounds ok - the main thing is to pay close attention to what your body is telling you. If you feel yourself starting to drag a little, ease up on the intensity or length of your rides/workouts. You don't want to overtrain and push yourself too hard. Build up to it.

I recently picked up Chris Carmichael's book, "The Lance Armstrong Performance Program". Although I'm just too flippin' busy to even hope to read it yet (my college night class is taking up all my reading time!!), it does have what he calls the "7-week Success Plan". Again, the idea is to build slowly. I suggest following this program, from start to finish, including the assessment section at the beginning to see where you are fitness-wise to start. The book also has chapters about cornering, descending, sprinting, etc. that, Pink, you may find helpful, as well. A friend of mine went through Chris's program through the book and highly recommends it, which is why I purchased it. Again, I haven't had a chance to sit down and read it thoroughly, so I don't have personal results as of yet.

Nancy - oops! BikeGoddess (heehee) - I was there at the McClane!!! I watched the crit and some of the road race the next day (my mom watched the kids). I did the century, as well (100k). After I was done with the century, which was about around 2pm I think, I hung around with a biker guy-friend of mine, mainly near the finish line, but I was over by the bbq area for a while too, getting my free lunch (well, we DID make a run over to Starbuck real quick...guilty!!).

I got back from my ride just in time to see the women's race finish, then they had the tots race, then the pros started. What an awesome show, eh?? The McClane Pac. has gotten so huge through the years, it's unbelievable. Now it's the race the teams talk about coming to - they really like the course. It's generally smooth roads, especially down M St where the finish is, and fast. The race has become big with Merced residents, also. I notice much more interest from the average citizen then from years' past (I work in Merced, at City Hall). Whenever I mention to someone that I cycle, a good majority of the time one of the questions I get it is "Do you ride in that race they have downtown??" They forget the name, but remember the event, which is better than nothing. There is actually two race weekends, though, that are held in Merced. The McClane has by far outgrown the other though (Merced Criterium and RR - it was actually the original race in Merced, started in 1988/89).

Atwater is about 7 miles northwest of Merced, and actually, some of the roads used in the century are just north of Atwater. So yes, BG, you were in my neck o' the woods! Most of the time, I drive to Merced for my rides when I meet up with someone or a group. Until I have enough endurance to ride over there and then keep up with them, I'll just load the bike on the rack and drive over. There's a group that meets at the Raley's supermarket Saturday mornings that I ride with. We passed the supermarket on the century too. Also, you would have passed Atwater on Hwy 99 to get to Merced from the Bay Area. Hope you didn't blink! hehe Actually, about 10/12 years ago, Atwater was much more of a bustling town compared to what it is now. The Castle Air Force Base being closed down by the government really was a blow to Atwater's economy, and it's still struggling. We moved here because the price of housing is just a tiny bit cheaper than Merced's. We got more house for our money. I'm hoping some of the benefits of Merced's growth, spawned by the acquisition of the next University of California campus (UC Merced), come Atwater's way.

Sorry for the book, you guys...got kinda wordy!!