Creakyknees

When you go to a race, do you show up, race and leave, or do you like to make an all-day thing out of it, hang out, shoot the breeze, watch the other races etc?

tbrown524

Make it an all day family picnic. Our wives and kids all hang out together before and after the races.

gsteinb

I'm around until I get paid.

rizz

TT: Definitely not. Talk about a snooze fest.
Road: If it's a shorter circuit, maybe. Just depends on my mood.
Crit: Almost always.

CrimsonKarter21

I usually show up 2 hrs early to warm up for an hour and shiggle around. After the race I hang around to watch a faster race if there is one.

caloso

For the next race usually. Then I head home

cslone

2 hours before minimum. Afterwards it depends on if the wife and kids came, what travel time is, etc. My goal is to stay as long as we have people in those other races.

Duke of Kent

If I have friends racing in the Cat3s, 4/5s or W1/2/3, yeah, I'll show up.

There were plenty of times when I was at a venue from noon to 9pm this summer. Shouted myself hoarse several times; made for some poor verbal communication and rather interesting hand signaling on my part.

bayareawheeler

had a great time watching the women 1\2 races last year :drool:

but ya on more than a few occasions I ran to the corner market for a 12 pack of cold beer and then found a nice grassy knoll to watch the suffering!

waterrockets 

For me, a bike race is like an errand. I'm likely to do three things on the way there and two on the way home.

EventServices

If I'm racing the 45+ then the 35+ then the Pro-I-II, yes.

Sometimes I don't see the end of the Pro-I-II.
Sometimes my vision is so blurry I can't really tell what it is.

Hammertoe

I feel guilty when I race...

My family puts up with my training and then I have to drive a couple hours to a race, it is an all day affair...

I rush to the race and then race home...


A bike race for my family is pretty boring...


Is that him...No....Is that him...No...Is that him...No...There he is!!!...Go, Dad...Go, Dad...Is that it...Let's go home....

kensuf

yes.

ericm979

I'm bad at socializing (yea, I know, so are most other racers) and I get bored easily, so I don't hang around much after the race. If I have teamates or friends there I'll chat with them a bit then go home.

Before the race it's pretty much all business. If I can be social while getting ready/warmed up I will but I am focused on the race.

ottsville

Tuesday nighter is team family night during the summer, complete wtih dinner and beer afterwards. Sat/Sun just depend on how far from home and what's going on. Usually have some debriefing with the teammates after the race at least.

Coyote2

I hang around if I have won something. After getting it, I head out.

EventServices

It depends on the race, too. If it's in an industrial park with the same guys I've seen race a million times, good bye.
If it's well run and in a cool part of town with a good field and decent food nearby, I'll hang.

nitropowered

I will go to a race 1-1.5 hrs before the start of my race, race, then usually stay and watch the P/1/2/3 crit or cross race, unless I am racing it.

cat4ever

Road races: Show up 2 hours early to avoid the lines. Leave soon after all races are over (most races over within an hour of each other). Go to dinner with team mates.
Crits: Show up 2 hours prior to first race. Unless I have team mates or friends (or a great field) in the 1/2/3's I leave before they start
TT's Show up at least an hour early, leave after the awards.

Lithuania

all day for cross races

road races and crits I rarely stick around for more than my race unless I have team mates in other races

urbanknight

I prefer to stick around, especially if I have teammates or friends in other categories, but it depends on other commitments (read: I'm married and attached to the house with a leash)

Creakyknees

yeah I'm with WR and Hammertoe.

the family has seen more than enough bike racing and whether I win or get dropped, when I get home I am presented with the chore list, just like any other weekend.

back when I was young n single I'd hang all day and shoot the breeze with folks. seems like I knew every racer in the region personally, and these days I couldn't tell you the names of 5 guys, even in my race, without looking up their numbers. one of the hazards (benefits?) of riding unatt.

and actually I like it that way. show and go on my schedule. no mandatory hanging around to "support teammates" etc.

urbanknight

The difference between a wife and a girlfriend is the girlfriend goes to your races and cheers for you while the wife just wants to know if you'll be home in time to mow the lawn and fix the _______.

waterrockets 

Yeah, and if you get injured, you'd better figure out how to demonstrate that you're still functional before you get home. "If I twist my wrist just like this, and shrug a little, I can get my fork close enough to my mouth to drop food in there most of the time. See honey? I'm fine. Absolutely I can fix the garage door opener."

Lithuania

my wife really likes going to cross races and hanging out. we bring the dog and make a day of it. She might even know more people than I do at this point. I guess I am lucky.