Well first time out for me today in a crit and the day started badly finding a flat tyre as I was loading the bike on the car. Changed that but couldn't find the cause (which would haunt me later).
I still hadn't decided on D or E grade when I arrived and saw a fair few names down for E grade so initially signed up for that then changed my mind and went for D grade instead. It started off reasonably casual and I spotted a big guy to sit behind but unfortunately everyone wanted to sit behind him with a decent wind on two of the straights. I managed to find an old guy to sit behind for a while and then lost him and found a few other wheels to suck. C grade were going past regularly whihc gave me a bit of a rest as D grade slowed for them. At the 30 min mark (race was 50min + 3) I glanced down at the HRM and saw it was at 174 and I figured I was in trouble because I know I can only hold that for about 10-15mins. I was also starting to struggle to hold a wheel and copping a fair bit of wind. I found another big guy near the back to follow and kept with him for a few laps. I'd been getting progressively faster around the corners but then started to get a bit of a wobble on them so figured I had hit my limit. At the 40 min mark I was dying for C grade to come past for a rest. They did but D grade didn't slow and at the same time D grade past E grade and I found myself in no mans land out the back into the headwind. I gave it a bit of a shot at catching up but they were gone, so I pulled in to see the C grade race. As I was watching I found why the wobbles were occurring around the corners, another slow leak with stuff all air left in the rear. So I'm glad I stopped when I did or else I might have ended up like Dutch (I'll let him tell that story).
I think I like triathlons better. The time trial aspect means it's all up to you to set the pace, whereas with the crit there is a heavy dependence on matching the other riders' surges.
I glanced down at the HRM and saw it was at 174 and I figured I was in trouble because I know I can only hold that for about 10-15mins.
I taped over my HR today (could still see the time). In previous races I noticed myself looking at it mid-race and then panicking when it was high. Panicking = Not good. So, tape over it so you DON'T look at it during the race - you don't need to know your HR in a road race anyway - only TT's and stuff..
You might be surprised what level you can hold when you are not looking at it too. Try it some time and look at the HR graphs affter a hard ride..
Quoted message said:
I think I like triathlons better. The time trial aspect means it's all up to you to set the pace, whereas with the crit there is a heavy dependence on matching the other riders' surges.
Which is why these are fun.. unlike TT's :P
Go Dave! Go Dave! Next Season! It's your birthday!
Well first time out for me today in a crit and the day started badly finding a flat tyre as I was loading the bike on the car. Changed that but couldn't find the cause (which would haunt me later).
I still hadn't decided on D or E grade when I arrived and saw a fair few names down for E grade so initially signed up for that then changed my mind and went for D grade instead. It started off reasonably casual and I spotted a big guy to sit behind but unfortunately everyone wanted to sit behind him with a decent wind on two of the straights. I managed to find an old guy to sit behind for a while and then lost him and found a few other wheels to suck. C grade were going past regularly whihc gave me a bit of a rest as D grade slowed for them. At the 30 min mark (race was 50min + 3) I glanced down at the HRM and saw it was at 174 and I figured I was in trouble because I know I can only hold that for about 10-15mins. I was also starting to struggle to hold a wheel and copping a fair bit of wind. I found another big guy near the back to follow and kept with him for a few laps. I'd been getting progressively faster around the corners but then started to get a bit of a wobble on them so figured I had hit my limit. At the 40 min mark I was dying for C grade to come past for a rest. They did but D grade didn't slow and at the same time D grade past E grade and I found myself in no mans land out the back into the headwind. I gave it a bit of a shot at catching up but they were gone, so I pulled in to see the C grade race. As I was watching I found why the wobbles were occurring around the corners, another slow leak with stuff all air left in the rear. So I'm glad I stopped when I did or else I might have ended up like Dutch (I'll let him tell that story).
I think I like triathlons better. The time trial aspect means it's all up to you to set the pace, whereas with the crit there is a heavy dependence on matching the other riders' surges.
DaveB
did the "old guy" or the "big guy" have a mascot jersey on ?
did the "old guy" or the "big guy" have a mascot jersey on ?
The big guy didn't but I think the old guy did (it's all a bit of a haze now). I think there were a couple of Mascot tops occasionally riding together. Are you going to fess up to being one of them?
did the "old guy" or the "big guy" have a mascot jersey on ?
The big guy didn't but I think the old guy did (it's all a bit of a haze now). I think there were a couple of Mascot tops occasionally riding together. Are you going to fess up to being one of them?
DaveB[/QUOTE]
either way i'm insulted (-: just kiddin - i may have been the 'old guy' (was on a bianchi). My first crit also - made it to the end but was about 200m or so off the bunch by then - I think i got dropped at about the same stage as you.
Had a decent 'contact' with another rider on the 2nd corner - he was very apologetic as he'd had a 'big night' and was a bit wobbly - nearly ended my belated racing career.
Well first time out for me today in a crit and the day started badly
[snip]
I think I like triathlons better. The time trial aspect means it's all up to you to set the pace, whereas with the crit there is a heavy dependence on matching the other riders' surges.
DaveB
I guess you noticed that TT and bunch racing are different sports! I like both for different reasons, but one helpful tip for starting out in bunch racing is that you don't want to be above the redline for very long. It's easy to panic and do an all out sprint to close a gap when it's often better to close the gap a little slower and save some energy.
Give it another go - we all look forward to the next (triumphant) report!
I guess you noticed that TT and bunch racing are different sports! I like both for different reasons, but one helpful tip for starting out in bunch racing is that you don't want to be above the redline for very long. It's easy to panic and do an all out sprint to close a gap when it's often better to close the gap a little slower and save some energy.
That's good advice, wish you'd posted it 2 weeks ago 🙄
I guess you noticed that TT and bunch racing are different sports! I like both for different reasons, but one helpful tip for starting out in bunch racing is that you don't want to be above the redline for very long. It's easy to panic and do an all out sprint to close a gap when it's often better to close the gap a little slower and save some energy.
Give it another go - we all look forward to the next (triumphant) report!
Ritch
Yep one mistake I did make was to redline to close the gap and then realise there were two riders behind me doing the same thing who I could have waited for and followed. I probably should have had a glance over the shoulder to see if anyone was coming who I could hitch a tow from. I've recovered enough now to be thinking about the next time, but that probably won't be till next season.
Yep one mistake I did make was to redline to close the gap and then realise there were two riders behind me doing the same thing who I could have waited for and followed. I probably should have had a glance over the shoulder to see if anyone was coming who I could hitch a tow from. I've recovered enough now to be thinking about the next time, but that probably won't be till next season.
DaveB
dont get off that easy lad!
spotted you fmc5! recognised you from a mascot ride recently...
www.hawthorncycling.org
Event Date & time Time Trial #1 Sunday May 1st 9AM Time Trial #2 Sunday May 29th 9AM Time Trial #3 Sunday June 26th 9AM Time Trial #4 Sunday August 21st 9AM Time Trial #5 Sunday September 18th 9AM Time Trial #6 Sunday October 16th 9AM Venue location: Yarra Boulevard (Dickinson Reserve, cnr Yarra Bvd & Walmer St.) Fees: $5 entry Prizes: sweepstakes. Classifications: ACF age categories (Men+women, juniors & masters) Distance: A 10.5km outandback course on Yarra Blvd. CRITERIUM EVENT SERIES Event Date & time Criterium #1 Sunday May 15th 9AM Northern Metro Clubs Tour Combine Event, June 11th13th Criterium #2 Sunday July 10th 9AM Criterium #3 Sunday August 7th 9AM Criterium #4 Sunday September 4th 9AM
Yep one mistake I did make was to redline to close the gap and then realise there were two riders behind me doing the same thing who I could have waited for and followed. I probably should have had a glance over the shoulder to see if anyone was coming who I could hitch a tow from. I've recovered enough now to be thinking about the next time, but that probably won't be till next season.
You learnum quick!
Much quicker than me damnit! 🙂
There's almost always someone else there to do the work for you..
Then again, redlining and then recovering is a good way to get good at recovering! Forced interval training buckeroo!! 😄
You'll learn as you go.. and as you get better, your ability will mask your mistakes. I make heaps of mistakes in C grade but because I'm a reasonably strong C grader I get away with them. I'll have to put my thinking cap back on once/if I get to B grade.
You'll learn as you go.. and as you get better, your ability will mask your mistakes. I make heaps of mistakes in C grade but because I'm a reasonably strong C grader I get away with them. I'll have to put my thinking cap back on once/if I get to B grade.
as long as one of em is towing FD, i'll forgive you 😄
