Tips for crit racing in the rain
- Thread starter kdog
- Start date
Wear whatever you need to be warm enough, but if it rains you're gonna get wet so don't worry about rain gear. Most likely a long sleeve undershirt and tights over shorts will be enough for a SoCal winter race but I wouldn't add any special clothes for rain, maybe some vaseline over icy hot on your knees if it's a cold rain but it depends more on the temps than how wet it is.kdog said:
As for technique and tips, there's not a lot that folks can tell you now that will be useful in terms of cornering in the rain this weekend. Take smooth predictable lines through the corners, don't dive underneath other riders cutting off their lines, stay off your brakes as much as possible and ride within your abilities. Any fancy countersteering, upright bike cornering or other classic cornering tips are pretty much a waste of time and more likely to lead to a crash without first hand demonstration and some time to practice.
Mostly I'd worry about the basics which is to ride as far forward as you can manage trying to stay in the top ten riders at all times. Stay off your brakes in the corners, take smooth lines and use your gears so you aren't forced to make big out of the saddle efforts out of every turn. Expect the first few laps to go out ridiculously fast but if you survive those then expect a smoother pace till the last few laps which will be even faster. If you're not right at the front then you'll want to look for every opportunity to move up easily, as in passing a couple of riders who coast on the straights, IOW don't brake or coast just to hold your position in the queue unless you're right where you want to be. In most crits you're up near the front, moving up or moving back. Getting complacent is a sure way to continue moving back and that's not a good idea.
Just riding your first crit will give you plenty to think about and after all you've got a 70% chance of no rain so I wouldn't get too hung up on that aspect.
Good luck and keep the rubber side down.
-Dave
All that daveryanwyoming said is spot on.
I'd add to make sure that you have a good warm up before the start, 20 - 30 minutes of riding with some efforts to get your body and mind ready. Also on the start line try and ensure that you have the best possible position and as close to the front as possible before the race even starts.
Generally the first few laps are pretty hot and it makes it doubly hard if you're not ready. Try to remember that these first few laps will be amongst the hardest for the race and that you want to be as close to the front as possible. It avoids the dreaded "rubberband" effect that occurs at the back of the field with surging and braking, lessens the risk of being affected by a crash, generally gives you a clearer line through corners.
If possible ride the circuit before the start to spot any holes, manhole covers, etc.
Good luck.
I'd add to make sure that you have a good warm up before the start, 20 - 30 minutes of riding with some efforts to get your body and mind ready. Also on the start line try and ensure that you have the best possible position and as close to the front as possible before the race even starts.
Generally the first few laps are pretty hot and it makes it doubly hard if you're not ready. Try to remember that these first few laps will be amongst the hardest for the race and that you want to be as close to the front as possible. It avoids the dreaded "rubberband" effect that occurs at the back of the field with surging and braking, lessens the risk of being affected by a crash, generally gives you a clearer line through corners.
If possible ride the circuit before the start to spot any holes, manhole covers, etc.
Good luck.
Crits in the rain? Don't bother - especially in your neck of the woods. Not worth the risk to bike and body...I've pulled out of more than one crit because it started to spit...also saw the same guy go down three times in one rainy crit as well (the last time he stayed down)...jus' not worth it - save your race fee for a dry day. Crits are all about high speed (to me anyway) and the rain kills that, especially in the corners - where crits are most fun...
Of course, my intestinal fortitude is less than that of the average man, or woman for that matter
...
Of course, my intestinal fortitude is less than that of the average man, or woman for that matter
...
^ Yep, I've had similar experiences. It's totally not worth it for an 'average' club criterium.
I was in a race last summer when it started raining. Most people pulled out, but one of the guys who didn't was soon on the ground with a busted collar bone.
I was in a race last summer when it started raining. Most people pulled out, but one of the guys who didn't was soon on the ground with a busted collar bone.
Cool, your first criterium hey?
Crits and track racing is two cycling disciplines where crashes occur regularly. Add wet weather and you instantly triple your chances of crashing.
Worry not about your riding - have you considered the other newbies who may crash, taking you with them?
If you crash, can you afford to fix or replace your bike? Time off work?
Assuming it rains, I strongly recommend you pull the pin and just watch this one from the side lines.
There will be many more. It's not worth it.
If you must though...
Safety should be you main concern.
Good luck!!
Crits and track racing is two cycling disciplines where crashes occur regularly. Add wet weather and you instantly triple your chances of crashing.
Worry not about your riding - have you considered the other newbies who may crash, taking you with them?
If you crash, can you afford to fix or replace your bike? Time off work?
Assuming it rains, I strongly recommend you pull the pin and just watch this one from the side lines.
There will be many more. It's not worth it.
If you must though...
- reduce the air pressure in your tyres, 90PSI (ish). = more grip.
- stay up the front of the bunch, top 10 riders = less chance of someone bringing you down.
- attack early and ride solo to the win
Safety should be you main concern.
Good luck!!
Got a 2nd bike or old bike and some crappy wheels? Good time to break those out... No fancy wheels for me at any criterium, nor carbon frame...
riding at the front is good and look for way inside lines in the corners that offer a lip, like in the gutter. ppl dont like this line because it usually involves some bumps but the slope toward the curb can really help 'banking' in wet conditions.
riding at the front is good and look for way inside lines in the corners that offer a lip, like in the gutter. ppl dont like this line because it usually involves some bumps but the slope toward the curb can really help 'banking' in wet conditions.
*When brakes become wet, stopping time increases a lot. Ride slower in wet weather, and practice braking when first becoming accustomed to it. Pump the brakes gently while going down hills; this will reduce the bicycle's speed slightly and dry the tires a bit.
* Puddles can be surprisingly deep, and can conceal glass and bumpy things, so avoid them. This is just one more reason to ride a bit farther from the curb; about one yard (a metre) is recommended by many bike safety experts.
* Puddles can be surprisingly deep, and can conceal glass and bumpy things, so avoid them. This is just one more reason to ride a bit farther from the curb; about one yard (a metre) is recommended by many bike safety experts.
alienator said:
Hmmm, sounds like you don't JeffTurner's advice seriously...
Yep, next time I'm racing crits in the rain and going downhill, I'm gonna pump my brakes in order to slow down and dry off the TIRES a bit
...yep...
Maybe some of the product Jeff is selling will take care of your intestinal problems?tonyzackery said:Hmmm, sounds like you don't JeffTurner's advice seriously...
Yep, next time I'm racing crits in the rain and going downhill, I'm gonna pump my brakes in order to slow down and dry off the TIRES a bit
kdelong said:Maybe some of the product Jeff is selling will take care of your intestinal problems?
Heh heh, I think we got a heckler coming in from the peanut gallery. LOL!
My friend, as I said before on another thread, "It ain't braggin' if it's true." With that written, let me just say, "I don't be needin' no Viagra". And my wife will readily co-sign on that statement...
If I wasn't married, Tiger and I could hang out and I'm sure I could keep up with his numbers...you can put that in your pipe and smoke it...
Looks like this thread has gotten a bit OT
So klog, how was the crit? Did you do it? DNS?
I know many people suggest not even starting a rainy crit, but my philosophy is a bit different. If you never race in the rain, well....you'll never race in the rain
I actually enjoy crappy weather racing because I've trained in the rain enough that I'm comfortable cornering and braking - and know there are others that aren't. So that gives me a double advantage - and therein lies one of the secrets to success - you've got to be prepared to take advantage of the situations that arise, that's how bike racing works.
So klog, how was the crit? Did you do it? DNS?
I know many people suggest not even starting a rainy crit, but my philosophy is a bit different. If you never race in the rain, well....you'll never race in the rain
I actually enjoy crappy weather racing because I've trained in the rain enough that I'm comfortable cornering and braking - and know there are others that aren't. So that gives me a double advantage - and therein lies one of the secrets to success - you've got to be prepared to take advantage of the situations that arise, that's how bike racing works.
I think "don't" isn't much of an answer. The OP was/is looking for hints re: racing in the rain. Being able to ride safely in the rain is a great skill, one too many cyclists don't have or avoid learning. Hell, riding in the rain can be fun, just as racing in the rain can.
Positioning is key - stay at or near the front from the start.
Make sure you have a great warm up beforehand, be one of the first to line up at the start and nail it from the get go.
Stay off the brakes mid corner.
Be a little more wary about how soon you get out the saddle exiting a corner.
If you're familiar with the area then you'll know the course pretty well - if not become very familiar with it. Extra things to note on a wet day are the big painted lines in the road and metal grates/grids. Those will have you sitting on your a$$ faster than you can even think "What the fcuk?" Similarly, corners that are normally busy road junctions/intersections usually have a bit more in the way of rubber and oil contaminating them which will make them somewhat more slippery.
If you think you're slightly too fast mid corner, dont panic. Chances are, as a newbie, you'll still be within the tires limits of grip. Touch the brakes mid corner and you'll exceed the 'circle of traction' in a milisecond and you'll be wondering when someone is riding their bike over your head.
If your shades fog up in the rain, take them off don't waste time wiping them every lap or so...
But - as its your first crit you might just plain suck. I remember my first crit pretty well. I did OK on my first few road races and time trials but got shelled out the back faster then a peanut in a bagging factory. I just wanted prepared for it... Then again, crits in England seem to be a different animal that the ones in the 'States.
Make sure you have a great warm up beforehand, be one of the first to line up at the start and nail it from the get go.
Stay off the brakes mid corner.
Be a little more wary about how soon you get out the saddle exiting a corner.
If you're familiar with the area then you'll know the course pretty well - if not become very familiar with it. Extra things to note on a wet day are the big painted lines in the road and metal grates/grids. Those will have you sitting on your a$$ faster than you can even think "What the fcuk?" Similarly, corners that are normally busy road junctions/intersections usually have a bit more in the way of rubber and oil contaminating them which will make them somewhat more slippery.
If you think you're slightly too fast mid corner, dont panic. Chances are, as a newbie, you'll still be within the tires limits of grip. Touch the brakes mid corner and you'll exceed the 'circle of traction' in a milisecond and you'll be wondering when someone is riding their bike over your head.
If your shades fog up in the rain, take them off don't waste time wiping them every lap or so...
But - as its your first crit you might just plain suck. I remember my first crit pretty well. I did OK on my first few road races and time trials but got shelled out the back faster then a peanut in a bagging factory. I just wanted prepared for it... Then again, crits in England seem to be a different animal that the ones in the 'States.
OP, I hope and trust you passed on the wet weather festivities but if you did give it a go, how did it go? What about subsequent and presumably dry weather races?
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