cloy wrote:
As a preface: I've been doing triathlon for six years. It's been a blast and I still enjoy it (most days). But I just got a new job that has the possibility of taking a lot of time away from my "hobby" of triathlon. Fitting in two workouts a day might be difficult (I haven't started yet). I have a history of head injuries (i.e., at least 8 concussions and one collision induced seizure). So with that said How dangerous is crit racing?
My girlfriend and I went to the Littleton Twilight Criterium this past weekend and we were both in awe. The atmosphere is way more exciting than the vast majority of triathlons we've done. It's far more like real racing than a triathlon is. But, we witnessed 3 crashes in the P-1-2 race. These guys were traveling over 27mph the entire race.
I think I would be pretty solid in the lower categories; I have a good engine (320 FTP; 4.2 w/kg), but my handling skills are that of a normal triathlete. I'm hesitant at the thought of going down and knocking my head. I couldn't care less about road rash and even broken bones, but my fear is solely due to the possibility of another concussion and it really messing me up long term.
Suggestions? Advice? I'd love to hear from the ex-triathletes that realized being mediocre at three sports isn't as satisfying.
I came from Tri from Crits. My $.02 - Expect to crash in a crit. It may never happen to you, but crashes in races were, in my experience, not at all uncommon. Usually they involved road rash and some broken bike parts, sometimes broken bones, and often they involved broken helmets. Crashes were more likely in the traditional Cat 3, 4 and 5 races than they were in masters races.
As for a potential head injury, I went back to racing after brain surgery (unrelated to bikes, hockey is dangerous). I stopped racing because, after taking about a year off because of travel obligations for work, when I toed the line again I realized I was no longer interested in 90 degree corners with my shoulder resting on the guy next to me, hoping that the crunching sound behind me wasn't going to take me out. I wasn't as keen as you are to have road rash and broken bones. I personally believe that the risk of head injury is non-trivial.
If you do race, work on your bike handling, go to a few "on bike" racing clinics and try to get with a team which has some masters riders willing to show you the ropes. Learn how to absorb impact. Learn how to find the wind and hide from it. Don't worry about a breakaway in a Cat 5 race. Try to stay in the first 9 bikes at all times, and understand that the winner is usually the guy who has done the least for the longest.
If you decide Crits aren't for you, maybe try mtb x country, or cyclocross.
Last edited by:
island rider: Aug 7, 19 9:42