Alleycat Training Tips
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Alleycat Training Tips
I couldnt find a thread about this so if this is a repost, then MY BAD YO. So i have my first alleycat coming up at the end of this month. its not like i expect to show up and blow the competition away, especially since i am an inexperienced racer on a uhhh, lets say less than stellar ride (steel schwinn road frame conversion, generic/mismatched wheelset, so-so cranks/bb) but i would like to make a decent showing at least. i think i can take the "leisure riders" as i commute 10 miles each way every day and take several of the biggest hills in the city on my way so I am somewhat conditioned, but i was wondering if some experienced racers could chime in with any tips in preparation and for race day itself. Thanks for any help.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,440
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Know the city, know the checkpoints.
The winners aren't always fast riders. They are also ballsy (running red lights/stop signs, risky maneuvers, one way streets the wrong way, etc), knowledgeable (taking the fastest route), and lucky (catching the least amount of obstructions).
I would never condone illegal activity. I can only tell you how to win.
The winners aren't always fast riders. They are also ballsy (running red lights/stop signs, risky maneuvers, one way streets the wrong way, etc), knowledgeable (taking the fastest route), and lucky (catching the least amount of obstructions).
I would never condone illegal activity. I can only tell you how to win.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St Louis
Posts: 1,846
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Your bike doesnt matter. Your fitness, traffic handling, route planning, and ability to do things at the checkpoints do.
Know the area. Until you really really really know the area you are racing you will not win.
They way I always worked it was to quickly scan the list for my first stop. Then while on the way plan out the rest of the route. Having a good route is the one thing that is most important that most people do not realize they need.
Know the area. Until you really really really know the area you are racing you will not win.
They way I always worked it was to quickly scan the list for my first stop. Then while on the way plan out the rest of the route. Having a good route is the one thing that is most important that most people do not realize they need.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: im, hungary
Posts: 1,976
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
if you have tons of experience riding around your city/good with street names, you'll do fine. just have fun with it and you'll get better with time.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
oh ill definitely have fun with it. im not an uber competitive type a person but i would like the $5 entry fee to not go completely wasted. another question, what all materials will i need? i have a backpack (not a messenger bag), i suspect i will need a map, what else should i expect to need?
#6
Hi, I'm Bryan.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,650
Bikes: 2010 Focus Mares
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
know the route, don't smoke right before hand, make sure the bike is in proper working order, make sure you grow a nice big set of balls.
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
GONE~
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,747
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
oh ill definitely have fun with it. im not an uber competitive type a person but i would like the $5 entry fee to not go completely wasted. another question, what all materials will i need? i have a backpack (not a messenger bag), i suspect i will need a map, what else should i expect to need?
Where are you from?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA state
Posts: 4,809
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
oh ill definitely have fun with it. im not an uber competitive type a person but i would like the $5 entry fee to not go completely wasted. another question, what all materials will i need? i have a backpack (not a messenger bag), i suspect i will need a map, what else should i expect to need?
#13
GONE~
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,747
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1...at our last halloween alley cat, I think 2 girls won first and last and some dude with the 3rd girl got second.
#16
Hi, I'm Bryan.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,650
Bikes: 2010 Focus Mares
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And do not under any circumstances underestimate the guy on a bike that looks beat to hell. The reason it looks beat to hell is because he rides all the time and takes risks that, though they get him there faster, may not always pay off. If you don't believe this, Google Lucas Brunelle and watch his videos. I don't know how those guys find pants that will fit around those balls.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 9,948
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1332 Post(s)
Liked 398 Times
in
194 Posts
Post #12 + infinity. You have to know the area inside out. Every shortcut, the traffic light rhythms, every pothole, know all the traffic patterns. It helps if you're fast.
#19
Hi, I'm Bryan.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,650
Bikes: 2010 Focus Mares
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Especially if it's one of the pre-electronic assistance ones. After a month pushing one of those, you'll notice a difference. Or, for life-altering strength training, buy a trailer and load it down with bricks. Word.
Last edited by jimmytango; 10-18-11 at 05:13 AM.
#20
Chainstay Brake Mafia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,007
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
yeah i drive one of the non-electric assist kind... it made riding a normal bike tons more fun and has got me in better shape. plus i know all the streets and lights in the downtown SJ area.
#22
Chainstay Brake Mafia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,007
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
Yeah i don't ride during the day at all.. i sweat like a pig even in the middle of the night. Friday and Saturday nights are usually when i do it, though I'm getting kinda tired of the rowdy drunk crowd
#24
Hi, I'm Bryan.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,650
Bikes: 2010 Focus Mares
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's kinda what I meant. I'm a chef, so Fridays and Saturdays are no dice for me.