Am I physically ready to attempt my first cat 5 crit?
#51
Senior Member
I'm no spectacular descender but I can corner. Even on roads I don't know I can at least follow the basics of cornering, therefore maintaining speed pretty well. I've out descended (i.e. out cornered) regulars on a twisty descent that I'd never done before. This was out in SoCal; I would intentionally drift toward the back if someone said there was a descent coming up and then descend until I was behind the first rider (20-30 rider group, most fun was a Lilac Road or something like that). Comment overheard at a regroup stop: "The guy from Connecticut can really descend." Not really. I can get around corners though.
I would get dropped on flat out straight descents because I'd get nervous about the speed, or, when I'm lighter, because I simply don't descend as well when I'm lighter.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#52
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 10,978
Bikes: aggressive agreement is what I ride.
Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 967 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
cornering on a descent is incredibly different than in a flat race or crit corner.
sure, the mechanics might be the same, but mentally railing a corner on a descent where you can't always see what's around the bend is way different than leaning when you can see where you're going.
sure, the mechanics might be the same, but mentally railing a corner on a descent where you can't always see what's around the bend is way different than leaning when you can see where you're going.
#53
Arrogant Roadie Punk
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 2,353
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
you guys are certainly correct. i'm not a particularly sure bike handler/cornerer. and its magnified on descents. I'm better than i used to be, but not enough to where i'm comfortable going very very fast down a descent. there's enough races around that i dont really have to do those.
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,474
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3374 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
Screwing up on a corner can be more significant than PEDs. Older wiser folks just don't corner as well. Which is why the best moto kids - are kids, while the older guys are fitter, have faster reflexes and know more. They just don't have as developed of a brain.
#59
Arrogant Roadie Punk
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 2,353
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
OP - now that this thread has predictably started to devolve and may be at some point locked (RIP cycling ethics thread), if you do decide to race, you need to write a race report AND put it in the race report thread.
it may include some of the following -
-getting the directions wrong and showing up 10 minutes before the start
-pinning your number upside down and being reprimanded by a judge with a very bushy mustache
-forgetting something important like water bottles, shoes, gloves, sunglasses
-you wont forget your helmet because they wont let you race.
-if you do forget your helmet, please write about it because that would be kinda awesome
-having a bad clip-in at the start and getting gapped at the whistle
-tales of people yelling 'hold your line' even though the guy yelling 'hold your line' has no idea what that means since he hasnt held his line once the entire race
-how sketchy it is...even though its not that sketchy, it just seems like it because people keep yelling hold your line
-getting dropped
-getting pulled
-how hard it is
-how it wasnt as bad as you thought it would be
-winning
it may include some of the following -
-getting the directions wrong and showing up 10 minutes before the start
-pinning your number upside down and being reprimanded by a judge with a very bushy mustache
-forgetting something important like water bottles, shoes, gloves, sunglasses
-you wont forget your helmet because they wont let you race.
-if you do forget your helmet, please write about it because that would be kinda awesome
-having a bad clip-in at the start and getting gapped at the whistle
-tales of people yelling 'hold your line' even though the guy yelling 'hold your line' has no idea what that means since he hasnt held his line once the entire race
-how sketchy it is...even though its not that sketchy, it just seems like it because people keep yelling hold your line
-getting dropped
-getting pulled
-how hard it is
-how it wasnt as bad as you thought it would be
-winning
Last edited by save10; 08-27-15 at 01:48 PM.
#62
Ninny
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: The Gunks
Posts: 5,295
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
- pinning your number through your bib straps and not realizing it until you try to get undressed and realized you are basically locked into your kit until your [wife/girlfriend/stranger at the rest stop] can help you out.
#64
una carrera contrarreloj
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
OP - now that this thread has predictably started to devolve and may be at some point locked (RIP cycling ethics thread), if you do decide to race, you need to write a race report AND put it in the race report thread.
it may include some of the following -
-getting the directions wrong and showing up 10 minutes before the start
-pinning your number upside down and being reprimanded by a judge with a very bushy mustache
-forgetting something important like water bottles, shoes, gloves, sunglasses
-you wont forget your helmet because they wont let you race.
-if you do forget your helmet, please write about it because that would be kinda awesome
-having a bad clip-in at the start and getting gapped at the whistle
-tales of people yelling 'hold your line' even though the guy yelling 'hold your line' has no idea what that means since he hasnt held his line once the entire race
-how sketchy it is...even though its not that sketchy, it just seems like it because people keep yelling hold your line
-getting dropped
-getting pulled
-how hard it is
-how it wasnt as bad as you thought it would be
-winning
it may include some of the following -
-getting the directions wrong and showing up 10 minutes before the start
-pinning your number upside down and being reprimanded by a judge with a very bushy mustache
-forgetting something important like water bottles, shoes, gloves, sunglasses
-you wont forget your helmet because they wont let you race.
-if you do forget your helmet, please write about it because that would be kinda awesome
-having a bad clip-in at the start and getting gapped at the whistle
-tales of people yelling 'hold your line' even though the guy yelling 'hold your line' has no idea what that means since he hasnt held his line once the entire race
-how sketchy it is...even though its not that sketchy, it just seems like it because people keep yelling hold your line
-getting dropped
-getting pulled
-how hard it is
-how it wasnt as bad as you thought it would be
-winning
#67
meow
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hint: check out my BF name
Posts: 5,831
Bikes: 2016 Parlee Altum, 2013 Cannondale Super Six Evo Hi Mod Di2 only, 2011 Cannondale Super Six, Dura Ace 7800, 2007 Cannondale System Six Dura Ace 7800, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1, MB-2, MB-3, MB-5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
#70
Senior Member
OP - now that this thread has predictably started to devolve and may be at some point locked (RIP cycling ethics thread), if you do decide to race, you need to write a race report AND put it in the race report thread.
it may include some of the following -
-getting the directions wrong and showing up 10 minutes before the start
-pinning your number upside down and being reprimanded by a judge with a very bushy mustache
-forgetting something important like water bottles, shoes, gloves, sunglasses
-you wont forget your helmet because they wont let you race.
-if you do forget your helmet, please write about it because that would be kinda awesome
-having a bad clip-in at the start and getting gapped at the whistle
-tales of people yelling 'hold your line' even though the guy yelling 'hold your line' has no idea what that means since he hasnt held his line once the entire race
-how sketchy it is...even though its not that sketchy, it just seems like it because people keep yelling hold your line
-getting dropped
-getting pulled
-how hard it is
-how it wasnt as bad as you thought it would be
-winning
it may include some of the following -
-getting the directions wrong and showing up 10 minutes before the start
-pinning your number upside down and being reprimanded by a judge with a very bushy mustache
-forgetting something important like water bottles, shoes, gloves, sunglasses
-you wont forget your helmet because they wont let you race.
-if you do forget your helmet, please write about it because that would be kinda awesome
-having a bad clip-in at the start and getting gapped at the whistle
-tales of people yelling 'hold your line' even though the guy yelling 'hold your line' has no idea what that means since he hasnt held his line once the entire race
-how sketchy it is...even though its not that sketchy, it just seems like it because people keep yelling hold your line
-getting dropped
-getting pulled
-how hard it is
-how it wasnt as bad as you thought it would be
-winning
Had all the bold things happen in recent memory. All but the helmet forget in the last year or two, helmet I last forgot in 2007? We were doing our engagement shoot at the bike race and I was wearing a borrowed helmet (too small) during the race. I got 4th in the state (11th in the race) after doing some off road to avoid a massive stack up in the sprint. I was about 190 lbs I think.
Photo by Matthew J Wagner
I've parked my car in the lot with my field already lined up for the start (made it into the race, NGX training race). I've done well registering 8 minutes before the start (last year, state championships, M45).
I've missed the start because I went to give/get my good luck kiss from the Missus. Got onto the field after Turn One (Tuesday Night Worlds).
One of my last races this year it was 96 deg at the start and I had no bottles. I went for a prime 30 minutes in and then stopped.
Another race I had no gloves. Rode a bit paranoid.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#71
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm afraid this thread will implode if I say I am worried about riding on the crappiest bike in the group. Alum motobecane with 32 spoke training wheels. If I wait til I have a race bike and race wheels I'll never race...
#72
Senior Member
I started racing on my Motobecane with 32 spoke wheels. Still race on these crappy broken powertap 32 spoke wheels. Couple weeks ago I won on these crappy ass wheels. 2 years ago I posted here "should I race blah blah blah." Mattm said just go race do it do it do it now and a couple weeks later I did it and took 6th place and got insanely addicted. Do it. Do it do it do it.
#73
Senior Member
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: four 1 OHHH , Maryland
Posts: 2,849
Bikes: nagasawa, fuji track pro
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you are going to crash your bike eventually. be thankful it's an aluminum motobecane with 32 spoke training wheels.