Congrats on your first race and experimenting with certain tactics.
Some of my thoughts based on your comments.
1. If you feel like the pace is way too easy, rest assured, so does everyone else. So if you choose to up the pace or start a break, don't be surprised if you can't get much of a gap.
2. Who actually wins is sometimes all about fitness, and sometimes it's just about playing the cards the cards you have dealt to you. I've won 3 open road races, and my front wheel has never saw the wind for more than 30 seconds in any of those races. I've also tried going out into the break...it doesn't end up well for me.
3. Nobody should feel they have to verbally abuse you, but playing devil's advocate here, you should never suddenly change your speed, especially coming out of a corner. That's how crashes happen. In a crit, you are relying on everyone around you to be predictable, and coming out of a corner is usually when the gas gets turned on...not off. ETA: There are ways to fall back in the pack when you're gassed, slowing (or not keeping the speed of the pack) in a corner is not one of them. Lesson learned though...I'm glad cooler heads prevailed in the end.
Some of my thoughts based on your comments.
1. If you feel like the pace is way too easy, rest assured, so does everyone else. So if you choose to up the pace or start a break, don't be surprised if you can't get much of a gap.
2. Who actually wins is sometimes all about fitness, and sometimes it's just about playing the cards the cards you have dealt to you. I've won 3 open road races, and my front wheel has never saw the wind for more than 30 seconds in any of those races. I've also tried going out into the break...it doesn't end up well for me.
3. Nobody should feel they have to verbally abuse you, but playing devil's advocate here, you should never suddenly change your speed, especially coming out of a corner. That's how crashes happen. In a crit, you are relying on everyone around you to be predictable, and coming out of a corner is usually when the gas gets turned on...not off. ETA: There are ways to fall back in the pack when you're gassed, slowing (or not keeping the speed of the pack) in a corner is not one of them. Lesson learned though...I'm glad cooler heads prevailed in the end.