So who here races?

[dolophonic]

Good job !

 

[Hawkwood]

That's from yesterday criterium race, made the front group and ended 5th.

You need a lead-out train!!

Well done, what was the circuit like?

 

[Michele]

Cheers guys!

The circuit was pretty fast with just one corner were you had to touch the brakes.

As for the lead-out-train...let's leave it to the stronger guys.

 

[phil j nyc]

Sometimes.

 

[craig1985]

Met our friend durianrider today at a road race in NSW. Very nearly got into the race winning break, when with 4-5km to go, everybody was soft pedaling at 32km/h, so I attacked into the headwind to try and get people to follow me and lift the speed up, but one rider followed, and we got a gap and soon exchanged turns on the front, then another rider bridged the gap (it wasn't much, maybe 20 seconds), so we had three people working, and 4th person jumped across so we had 4 strong riders taking turns into the strong headwind, and back in the bunch nobody was keen to chase.

We got to the last km I think, and then we were caught. It was a shame, as had we stayed away I could of got a little bit of prize money (well more or less refunded my start fee), but also the chance of getting a win, or a strong placing. We all worked as well as we could, there was nothing more then what we could have done, **** happens I guess.

I will sleep well tonight (but then I do sleep well every night).

 

[Michele]

Nice ride!
More luck next time.

 

[slowoldman]

Returned a few days ago from Masters Nationals in Kentucky. I was really looking forward to my first Nats, my legs felt great. Staged late for the Road Race and that was a mistake. Some of the sketchiest (if that is actually a word) riding I have ever seen. We were instantly at 35 (downhill start with some tight corners) and people were diving corners for position. (I swear I thought I was in a Cat 4 race). We get onto a straight part of the course and I think I can relax a bit. Edging close to 40 now and some nitwit drops his front wheel off the road and the guy in front of me laps his wheel and falls. Nowhere to go really, I tried to throw my bike to the right of it but another rider took my handlebars out. Next thing I know I am tumbling down the road at 35+ mph. Not exactly what I anticipated. Road rash everywhere, no broken bones though. Lost my team pair of jawbones though....

The crit was the next day and my teammate was odds on favorite to win. So I line up and lo and behold, the guy in front of me can't clip into his pedal for at least 30 yards! (no exaggeration). The bunch instantly goes to 30-35 mph for the first ten laps. I am off the back with a group of 15-20 guys. Finally made the group after 10 laps of chasing bringing along only 3 of the original 15-20. Grovel on the back for the next 15 laps and start to feel better. On the backside I move up to the front third of the group all in one swoop (not smart but I saw my chance). We enter the 3rd corner and the guy directly in front of me has a front flat! I am yelling at him to go left (to the inside of the corner as we are exiting) and he yells back he doesn't have a flat all the while fighting to keep his bike upright. Another rider yells at him to get out of the group and he takes me to the curb and all the way to the back again! (Somebody upstairs doesn't want me on the front end of the race this weekend I guess!) To wrap it up our sprinter heads into the last lap in fifth wheel, he starts to go coming out of turn two. One of the other teams have two guys lined up in front of him (second guy is the sweeper) he looks back and takes my teammate to the barriers (on purpose? we'll never know). Our sprinter goes down and flies into the barriers. He gets roadrash but the guy behind him breaks his ribs and punctures a lung.

So first Nationals in the book and we didn't get a jersey, but lots of experience. First lesson, stage early..........

(sorry for the novel...)

 

[craig1985]

It was mixed fortunes for our team today. Race 3 of the Rhino Linings Team Series, and yet another crit, and we set a blistering average speed of 43,5km/h for the race (1hr + 3 laps), with one of our guys taking 1st place, on his debut with us (he's apparently had a lot of success at national level on the road and track), and our team captain came in the top 10. I finished well back, as these guys are a lot stronger then me, but I got a lot of compliments from my team mates and other riders on different teams on how well I did, by being able to move to the front on a regular basis, and try and help out as much as possible.

The misfortune, was that we lost one guy to a nasty crash, and it looks like a broken collarbone for him, thankfully a team member on a rival team also works in the emergency department in the local hospital (he wasn't racing), and he was one the scene to look after him. It was a crash waiting to happen, as there was a parked truck (it was in an industrial estate), and witch's hats placed around it, and people riding like complete idiots in their efforts to try and attack, or move to the front, moved off their line and caused the crash. I had a few near misses myself and saw nearly a crash happen. Former Silenco-Lotto pro Nick Gates was also involved in the crash in which my team mate went down in, although Gates only suffered road rash and a stiff neck. And last but not least, there was a crash in the final sprint which was uphill, with a rider going down (on a different team).

I hope the ****s who caused the crashes get a severe warning for their actions.

 

[hiero2]

I like slowoldman's story. I haven't raced for, hmm 20 years, and never attained the glory of some of the folks here. Most of my races sounded like a variant of slowoldman's. Flat here, flat there, miss the corner - take a tumble in the ditch.

I flatted at the only Nat's I rode in - one of the Stetina's was in front, but it was fortuitous - because I missed the last 2 k's, and they were LITTERED with bodies when I came thru. That year it was held outside Pensacola, and it was almost pancake flat, so WAY too many ppl were trying for that finish position.

I don't have any photos handy - sorry. I was the photog, and I have a hard time trying to take pics of myself. I did give very precise instructions on what to do to a friend so they could get a shot of me - and they didn't eff it up too badly. So a shot does exist - somewhere.

I was never any good, anyway - altho I loved it, and I was proud of what I could do. I was one of the strongest Master's in my town, but was never more than that.

I keep saying to myself I'm going to get back there - and I still intend to - but life keeps throwing in delays. So - some day. I'll give up when I know I'm going to die. Not before.

 

[craig1985]

That's me, number 45 (or with the blue gloves).

It was extremely fast on that race day, more then 41,5km/h average and IIRC I would of been doing approx 50km/h when the photo was taken. I guess that is why it is blurry.

 

[Stephen_M]

Do you mean 46?

 

[Muerdago11]

Why I hate American Cycling

1. I don't race or even take club rides because I don't want to talk to people like you. For me the beauty of cycling is to be alone.

2. One need not be a participant of a sport to enjoy it as a fan. I don't play baseball, football, basketball or hockey but watch and follow them all. No fellow fans who do actually participate have any problem with that--only cyclists seem to.

3. American cycling fans and cyclists are the world's biggest. In Europe where real cycling takes place, cycling is basically a sport of the people. In the US cycling has a small following of elitists who think it "European" and thus high toned.

4. US cycling consists mostly of crits which are the lowest and most insipid form of the sport. A one day race or "classic" means I rode from Paris to Roubaix i.e point to point I went somewhere. A "tour" means I rode around France. A "crit" means I rode nowhere at all.

5. American cycling is dominated by pwoplw who buy pro team outfits (and call them "kits")

6. Sorry that I had t say so.

 

[STODRR]

6. Sorry that I had t say so.

Hmm I have met very few which means maybe you should look in the mirror!

 

[Oldman]

6. Sorry that I had t say so.

Seems like you spend alot of time alone. You might benefit from at least a little association with other people.

 

[slowoldman]

6. Sorry that I had t say so.

I'm American, a crit racer and apparently an in your book. (Although I don't know what letter that second asterisk replaces).

I'll reply to you assertions though they really don't deserve it.

1. I would agree that cycling can be a glorious discipline whether enjoyed alone (as you apparently prefer) or with friends displaying camaraderie. I am guessing by the attitude of your post, most group rides in your area don't really miss your presence in races or group rides.

2.Being a fan of any sport is fine, being a participant gives you more insight to enjoy and appreciate said sport, but insight is something I guess you possess little of.

3. Well I am a former ditch digger with a high school education. I don't really think you can get any more "blue collar" than that. I like cycling because of the effort and sacrifice involved. I am proud to be American and have been to Europe to watch and ride the same roads as those European "blue collar" athletes and fans share. I have cheered on American and European as well as racers from other countries. If that makes me an elitist , so be it.

4. As I am mainly a crit racer, I take some offense to this statement. As I said previously, I have ridden the roads of Europe and climbed the Aubisque, the Tourmalet, and Mt. Ventoux among others. I have also participated in road races and stage races here in the states. Crit racing takes focus and bike handling skills as well as speed and effort. I suppose you are not a fan of track racing in any of it's varieties?

5. I have not purchased a professional "kit" in a number of years, might I refer you to the thread in General Discussion titled "Should you wear Team Kits" located here http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=8087.
6. I am sorry you had to say that too.

 

[craig1985]

I build boats for a living, my bikes, helmets, kit etc. have all been purchased by me because I've worked for them, I certainly wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Although I think we shouldn't feed trolls like Muerdago.

As for Stephen M's post, you're right, it is number 46.

 

[The Hitch]

I'm American, a crit racer and apparently in your book. (Although I don't know what letter that second asterisk replaces).

I'll reply to you assertions though they really don't deserve it.

1. I would agree that cycling can be a glorious discipline whether enjoyed alone (as you apparently prefer) or with friends displaying camaraderie. I am guessing by the attitude of your post, most group rides in your area don't really miss your presence in races or group rides.

2.Being a fan of any sport is fine, being a participant gives you more insight to enjoy and appreciate said sport, but insight is something I guess you possess little of.

3. Well I am a former ditch digger with a high school education. I don't really think you can get any more "blue collar" than that. I like cycling because of the effort and sacrifice involved. I am proud to be American and have been to Europe to watch and ride the same roads as those European "blue collar" athletes and fans share. I have cheered on American and European as well as racers from other countries. If that makes me an elitist , so be it.

4. As I am mainly a crit racer, I take some offense to this statement. As I said previously, I have ridden the roads of Europe and climbed the Aubisque, the Tourmalet, and Mt. Ventoux among others. I have also participated in road races and stage races here in the states. Crit racing takes focus and bike handling skills as well as speed and effort. I suppose you are not a fan of track racing in any of it's varieties?

5. I have not purchased a professional "kit" in a number of years, might I refer you to the thread in General Discussion titled "Should you wear Team Kits" located here http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=8087.

6. I am sorry you had to say that too.

When i see a post as well thought out and written, and as lucid as this one, i feel compelled to complement them on it. And there it is.

 

[craig1985]

Anybody on here ever done a Team Time Trial? I've never done a Time Trial, let alone a TTT, and I have one on Sunday. Any advice?

 

[Tuarts]

If its anything like the Tour of Tassie TTT I saw on TV, you'll either a) be left behind or b) be riding next to each other.

I think rotations and communications are the key, have a set tactic/pan but someone who knows more might be able to help better.

 

[Michele]

Never done a TTT myself, but some team mates took part at a famous event last March.

One advice which might sounds stupid but is not imho; the first guy must start slowly by checking the other behind until he bring up the speed.

As for rotations or long pulls it depends on wind as far as I know.

 

[flyor64]

When the Men´s Elite National Champion shows up to your relatively local XC race, somebody is sure to make a video.

Konnerud Scott Cup 2010, Norway

Most of the video is focused on a small ravine jump we got to jump each lap. Watch the 1:00 point....the dude goes down hard, so whomever mixed the vid had show it about 20 times...

I thought it was a pretty good vid...not so sure about the soundtrack though.

Cheers

 

[fatandfast]

1. I don't race or even take club rides because I don't want to talk to people like you. For me the beauty of cycling is to be alone.

2. One need not be a participant of a sport to enjoy it as a fan. I don't play baseball, football, basketball or hockey but watch and follow them all. No fellow fans who do actually participate have any problem with that--only cyclists seem to.

3. American cycling fans and cyclists are the world's biggest. In Europe where real cycling takes place, cycling is basically a sport of the people. In the US cycling has a small following of elitists who think it "European" and thus high toned.

4. US cycling consists mostly of crits which are the lowest and most insipid form of the sport. A one day race or "classic" means I rode from Paris to Roubaix i.e point to point I went somewhere. A "tour" means I rode around France. A "crit" means I rode nowhere at all.

5. American cycling is dominated by pwoplw who buy pro team outfits (and call them "kits")

6. Sorry that I had t say so.

I am sure cycling is not the only thing you enjoy alone. Probably eating,sleeping and recreation all are solo activities . Crit is short in the US for kermess. I raced in Belgium, Germany,Italy,France,Portugal,England, Egypt, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, CR and never did a point to point . Most of the point to point events I have ever done were in Mexico..you know the hotbed of pt to pt cycling events. There are towns in Belgium where they don't collect the race marshal hand stop signs because the race route is used so often that it's a waste of time. All this enjoying of the landscape and beautiful surroundings in an average bike race are in your head not a reality in any cycling country and for certain never for amateurs. Rolling enclosures are a luxury not part of normal operation. Yes everybody throughout the world wants to race the Paris Roubaix roads..just almost nobody gets to

 

[Winterfold]

Most UK racing at a grass roots level is crits on circuits or longer laps of well known road courses, where the locals have got used to the idea that every two or three weeks some skinny guys whizz around on bikes for 2-3 hours.

It is just too difficult to safely organise a point to point, especially when cycle races are very resented (even where people are used to it), and there are only so many people willing to marshall, so it makes sense to do laps so you can use the same marshall 6/7 times rather than have 6 different guys.

None of these are reasons to look down your nose at someone, it's just practicalities.

 

[_yngve_]

apparently the foto folks don't want referrals from outside sources. bummer.

I wouldn't call it racing so much as paying an entry fee and watching the fast guys pull away on the first big climb, but my avatar is me at Lotoja this year.

 

[slowoldman]

When the Men´s Elite National Champion shows up to your relatively local XC race, somebody is sure to make a video.

Konnerud Scott Cup 2010, Norway

Most of the video is focused on a small ravine jump we got to jump each lap. Watch the 1:00 point....the dude goes down hard, so whomever mixed the vid had show it about 20 times...

I thought it was a pretty good vid...not so sure about the soundtrack though.

Cheers

That looks like a fun course!! I've been enjoying riding the MTB since the start of off season. I used to race in the mid 90's, when we had 120-150 man fields. I had forgotten how much fun singletrack can be!