Is it a good idea to skip the first crit of the season?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Is it a good idea to skip the first crit of the season?
In the trainerroad podcast they talked about how the first (or the first few crits) of the season are the very most dangerous.
That was borne out in my experience this past year. There was a pretty major crash in the last turn of my crit. The 4/5 crit. First of the season.
And then the 3/4 race that happened just after was described by some of my friends as one of the scariest, sketchiest races they had ever been in.
Both races had their largest fields in that first week. In the 4/5 there were plenty that were dropped pretty soon after the race got going, and folks all over the course.
But at the same time, the energy is the greatest at the beginning of the season I think. Looking back, the fields were the most competitive and talented at the beginning of the season.
What's your opinion on skipping these very early races, and joining in after the herd get thinned?
That was borne out in my experience this past year. There was a pretty major crash in the last turn of my crit. The 4/5 crit. First of the season.
And then the 3/4 race that happened just after was described by some of my friends as one of the scariest, sketchiest races they had ever been in.
Both races had their largest fields in that first week. In the 4/5 there were plenty that were dropped pretty soon after the race got going, and folks all over the course.
But at the same time, the energy is the greatest at the beginning of the season I think. Looking back, the fields were the most competitive and talented at the beginning of the season.
What's your opinion on skipping these very early races, and joining in after the herd get thinned?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,475
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
Does not seem to me that folks start getting good ideas until later in life. If you are not as good as other - that helps with the smarts.
#4
commu*ist spy
i think there's some truth there. but I don't think it's enough reason to sway me, personally. there's a probability of crashing every single time. you can minimize it by knowing your competitors (who's good wheel, who's not), having good reaction time and handling, staying near the front and race smart. you're right in that the first races generally have bigger fields with a lot of wannabes. so long as you don't let them get in your way, it shouldn't be a problem
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,570
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 679 Times
in
430 Posts
We put on an early season race every year. While I haven't tracked it, I don't recall there being a significantly larger number of crashes in those races than later ones.
I will say that a lot of guys show up expecting to trounce the field and get some upgrade points, but it rarely proves to be an easy points grab.
I will say that a lot of guys show up expecting to trounce the field and get some upgrade points, but it rarely proves to be an easy points grab.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Redlands, CA
Posts: 6,313
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 842 Post(s)
Liked 469 Times
in
250 Posts
You may be right, but I do think that way of thinking is counterproductive. Really if its a concern, line up and go on a break, blow yourself up and sit up at the end. If you end up in the pack, ride on the edges, towards the front.
That being said, I won't race Ladera Ranch. 3 years, 3 teammates, 3 ambulance trips.
That being said, I won't race Ladera Ranch. 3 years, 3 teammates, 3 ambulance trips.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
my experience (limited) in 4/5 crits locally was that they felt reasonably safe. However the main crit that I do is kind of like an oval, so perhaps that helps. But it's also the one that I described as being the most unsafe on the first race of the season.
#10
Rides too much bike
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 842
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 232 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
@JJ121591 Get in here!
IMO, skip it. Seen some stupid crashes in the early season that can mess up large swathes of the rest of your season.
IMO, skip it. Seen some stupid crashes in the early season that can mess up large swathes of the rest of your season.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Cali Caliente
Posts: 94
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here in Socal we seem to have races all year round.
Last crit of the 2017 season is Dec 10th (excluding training races). First crit for the 2018 season is January 14th.
I think like Matt mentioned, every race is sketch.
Last crit of the 2017 season is Dec 10th (excluding training races). First crit for the 2018 season is January 14th.
I think like Matt mentioned, every race is sketch.
#12
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 46
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
@JJ121591 Get in here!
IMO, skip it. Seen some stupid crashes in the early season that can mess up large swathes of the rest of your season.
IMO, skip it. Seen some stupid crashes in the early season that can mess up large swathes of the rest of your season.
NEVER AGAIN. notworththerisk/10
#13
out walking the earth
In 2012 a guy clipped his pedal in the last turn of a memorial weekend classic taking himself out and me with him. I shattered my elbow, had major reconstructive surgery, and 9 months of OT.
It's an inherently dangerous sport, and crashes can happen on any Sunday.
One advantage of the spring races is the fields tend to be smaller.
It's an inherently dangerous sport, and crashes can happen on any Sunday.
One advantage of the spring races is the fields tend to be smaller.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Cali Caliente
Posts: 94
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Gambler's Fallacy:
"...the belief that, if something happens more frequently than normal during some period [early season crashing], it will happen less frequently in the future... [late season crashing]"
"...the belief that, if something happens more frequently than normal during some period [early season crashing], it will happen less frequently in the future... [late season crashing]"
#15
If you brake you dont win
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Inland Empire
Posts: 103
Bikes: Santa Cruz Bronson, Trek Remedy 9.8, Cervelo S3, Kona Big Honzo, Cannondale R500, DiamondBack Apex, one storage unit my wife knows nothing about, and one ball crushing unicycle for kicks
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
I haven't raced in any crit thus far that did not have some sort of sketchiness at one point or another.
Mountain bike racing seems safer sometimes...
Mountain bike racing seems safer sometimes...
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
In 2012 a guy clipped his pedal in the last turn of a memorial weekend classic taking himself out and me with him. I shattered my elbow, had major reconstructive surgery, and 9 months of OT.
It's an inherently dangerous sport, and crashes can happen on any Sunday.
One advantage of the spring races is the fields tend to be smaller.
It's an inherently dangerous sport, and crashes can happen on any Sunday.
One advantage of the spring races is the fields tend to be smaller.
#17
neo-poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: the Ozarks
Posts: 48
Bikes: 2018 Specialized Allez Sprint, 2018 Specialized Tarmac SL6 Pro; Cannondale Slice RS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
People just think the first crit is sketchier because they've forgotten how sketchy crits are during their time off from racing.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,570
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 679 Times
in
430 Posts
Can we please stop with the Crits are sketchy nonsense. Crits are no more dangerous than road races. In fact, I'd argue they are less dangerous with fewer crashes than RRs.
Yes, some events can be sketchy. Some courses are less safe than others. Some racers are less safe than others (hence the reason for the Mentor program). But this blanket assumption that crits are by nature dangerous or sketchy is just ridiculous.
Yes, some events can be sketchy. Some courses are less safe than others. Some racers are less safe than others (hence the reason for the Mentor program). But this blanket assumption that crits are by nature dangerous or sketchy is just ridiculous.
#19
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,135
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2639 Post(s)
Liked 3,153 Times
in
1,660 Posts
I skip the first crit, track night and Fiesta Island "worlds" ride every year in San Diego. Maybe even the first two. Higher incidence of crashes IME. Same reason I no longer race big crits like Dana and Manhattan Beach.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#20
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 49
Bikes: Specialized Venge
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Was going to say this (Radish and I compete in the same crits). I never felt unsafe in either of the major crits in this area last year, granted I started a couple months into the season.
#21
Senior Member
LOL. last year i trained my FACE OFF all winter - entered the first crit of the year (a combined field) and dudes slid out in a corner halfway through the race. i remember seeing an upside-down bike in front of me and the next thing i knew i heard the sound of my collarbone crunching.
NEVER AGAIN. notworththerisk/10
NEVER AGAIN. notworththerisk/10
#22
Senior Member
When I had the Series one thing I noticed was that the early races tended to have three groups of racers - the ones that were fit and wanted to win/do-well, the ones that were out to finish off their winter training, and the ones working hard simply to hang on. If I were one of the fit ones I would sit in until near the end of the race and go deep toward the end. This meant taking a chance getting caught behind a crash but since I wasn't in the thick of the action I really wasn't where a crash might take me out. This is my typical approach to most crits, sit at the back and go into the risk zone only for a few laps. Generally it works pretty well.
As the Series from early March into mid April the racers got more and more fit and it would usually get harder and harder for me to get to the finish or do well.
By the first non-Series race I was at the point where I had work hard simply to stay in races.
I'd notice the next bump up in overall fitness/strength around August, right after of a series of races in June/July for which many racers peaked. After their peak they're not only very strong but also much more relaxed, much more willing to work. It was less serious, sort of, and so they'd make big moves etc. I did that too, actually, on my good years, but when I was below par August usually ended my season. I remember one year I had 3 DNFs in a week and change and that was that.
As the Series from early March into mid April the racers got more and more fit and it would usually get harder and harder for me to get to the finish or do well.
By the first non-Series race I was at the point where I had work hard simply to stay in races.
I'd notice the next bump up in overall fitness/strength around August, right after of a series of races in June/July for which many racers peaked. After their peak they're not only very strong but also much more relaxed, much more willing to work. It was less serious, sort of, and so they'd make big moves etc. I did that too, actually, on my good years, but when I was below par August usually ended my season. I remember one year I had 3 DNFs in a week and change and that was that.
__________________
"...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
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,475
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
I see more crashes in crits. I have more video of crashes in crits.
I am more scared there will be a more serious accident in a RR, but I don't think they are as likely. What crits don't have is 50+mph sections, or cars both common to RRs.
In the RR the selections may happen as soon as the 1st serious climb. No hills - is it really a RR? And with that, the smaller groups tend to be closer to the same ability/experience/fitness/handling.
#24
Nonsense
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Vagabond
Posts: 13,918
Bikes: Affirmative
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 880 Post(s)
Liked 541 Times
in
237 Posts
When I had the Series one thing I noticed was that the early races tended to have three groups of racers - the ones that were fit and wanted to win/do-well, the ones that were out to finish off their winter training, and the ones working hard simply to hang on. If I were one of the fit ones I would sit in until near the end of the race and go deep toward the end. This meant taking a chance getting caught behind a crash but since I wasn't in the thick of the action I really wasn't where a crash might take me out. This is my typical approach to most crits, sit at the back and go into the risk zone only for a few laps. Generally it works pretty well.
As the Series from early March into mid April the racers got more and more fit and it would usually get harder and harder for me to get to the finish or do well.
By the first non-Series race I was at the point where I had work hard simply to stay in races.
I'd notice the next bump up in overall fitness/strength around August, right after of a series of races in June/July for which many racers peaked. After their peak they're not only very strong but also much more relaxed, much more willing to work. It was less serious, sort of, and so they'd make big moves etc. I did that too, actually, on my good years, but when I was below par August usually ended my season. I remember one year I had 3 DNFs in a week and change and that was that.
As the Series from early March into mid April the racers got more and more fit and it would usually get harder and harder for me to get to the finish or do well.
By the first non-Series race I was at the point where I had work hard simply to stay in races.
I'd notice the next bump up in overall fitness/strength around August, right after of a series of races in June/July for which many racers peaked. After their peak they're not only very strong but also much more relaxed, much more willing to work. It was less serious, sort of, and so they'd make big moves etc. I did that too, actually, on my good years, but when I was below par August usually ended my season. I remember one year I had 3 DNFs in a week and change and that was that.