I’m going to attempt my first crit next week, because it’s there and looks like a fun challenge. I’m also shifting my training focus from distance to shorter stuff for the season, so it’s appropriate. I know that my limited group riding/racing experience means that I’ll probably get dropped, but I’m trying to figure out how fast this particular race is, and the people I’ve asked at my LBS (they host it, but the owner, who is the most knowledgeable, was out) are worthless.
The course is 1.3 miles, 4 corners, flat. It’s described as a cat 4/5, they have a 1/2/3 as well. Apparently the average speed is 24 mph. Pack speeds are meaningless to me, as I don’t draft - how fast is that? I’m ~170 lbs on a Specialized Allez, an approximate FTP in the 230s puts me a little over 23 mph alone on my tri bike.
I know it’ll be a challenge to ride with the pack as it accelerates/decelerates at first, but I at least want to know where my fitness is relative to the group. Thanks for your help.
24 mph is not really that fast. However, it is not the average speed that makes it hard, it is the accelerations. Just assume it will be very hard because you will probably find yourself in all the wrong places and having to accelerate like hell at every corner to stay in the pack. It gets much easier with experience. Have fun and keep the rubber down…
If that’s a true FTP that you can hold for an hour you should be fine. As for getting dropped on one of the accelerations out of a corner that’s up to your desire. Go and have some fun, if you get dropped you won’t be the first to have been. If you enjoy it you can go back for more next time.
I am sure some of Cat 1/2’s will give a better answer but as a 4/5 guy that is moving pretty good but it depends on a lot of factors IMO. Our 4/5 races actually seem to avg a little higher due to idiot racing…always on the gas and chasing. In the upper cats I can actually hold on a bit easier. I have only done like 30 races so my experience is pretty small. A four corner race on wide roads will be a bit easier since the field doesn’t have to slow down much. Our Tues night course has as many as 8 turns in a 1 mile layout. We avg roughly 22 in the 4/5’s but the corners are rough and slow us down pretty good. The straights crank it up.
Don’t worry about getting dropped try to stay up front or move to the front when you can. If you are on the end of the yo yo it is a bitch to keep contact.
Thanks for the replies - certainly a big relief. I was going into the race with the expectation of getting dropped half way. It looks like I could actually be competitive for the bulk of it. The finish, however, is a different story. My power curve is very triathlete-like
Stay near the front then you won’t have to deal with the accordian effect coming out of the corners. If you get near the pack of the pack you’ll be sprinting out of every corner to stay with the pack - that will be four sprints per lap - how long can anyone last doing that?
if you go in expecting to get dropped then you probably will. try thinking that you’ll be competitive and give it a go. i’m not a great crit rider so for me the first 10 minutes are always brutal. take some time to settle in, find a rhythm, and get on wheels to minimize how much work you have to do.
You will do fine. 24 mph for a 4 corner flat crit is not that fast. Just remember ONE thing - if you aren’t working to be up front (say, top5) then you are going backward. Just stay focused with constant work to stay up front - not as easy as it sounds, but a lot easier than yo-yoing in the back as tailgunner Have fun!
24 is pretty slow for a flat course but that said crit racing is all about racing smart and covering the jumps. You might be the strongest rider in the field and still get dropped if you are not paying attention. try to hover between 3rd and 8(h the entire race. breaks rarely stick in a 4/5 race. It’s almost always about the last 150 yards.
Even if your fitness is high and you are focusing on shorter events (high 5min and high FTP), there is not much of a correlation between a sprint tri bike leg and a crit. One requires you to maintain a high steady power output for 20-40min, the other requires you to maintain a variable power out put for 25,30 or how ever long your crit is.
There is a big difference between developing the extreme left side of the power curve (:01-:20s) and developing the not so extreme left side of the power curve (1-5min ftp).
If bike racing is going to be part of your overall racing schedule, doing some specific work 1-2x per week on the far left edge of your power profile is a smart idea. Have fun. crits are a blast.
Learn that one the hard way?
Nope, the good way! I got pinched off by some Fred in an all yellow kit who thought he was Lance. I had to hit eject and bunny-hopped an absurdly high curb. I stayed upright, and I learned that 808s can take big hits, but it is just not worth it. Besides, do I really need 808s when there are guys out there who lap the field in the p/1/2 race who ride crappy beater wheels? I would just look silly, and looking silly is the worst thing for a roadie.
Seems pretty slow. You should do fine. Just upped from CAT 5 → 4 after some series wins, and here are a few things I’ve learned:
Chances are you will see some squirrely riders. Avoid them. Ride towards the front at all times, but don’t do any work. If the course cross section is small (or even if it is large) the rubberband effect will be pretty substantial (as 4/5s will invariably try to ride as many abreast as possible). Staying towards the front allows you to take cleaner (safer) lines and allows you the opportunity to put on the gas if you wish. That being said, after a while if you really pay attention, there is almost always a stretch of course where you could take a flyer (road opens/riders soft pedal/etc) and hit a corner right before the rest of the group and put some decent distance between yourself and others.
Have fun, learn what riders to ride with/avoid, and hang on!
I am not at all fast and during my first crit had no problem hanging with the pack at 27mph during the extended straight-aways…of course one hard accelaration coming out of an almost 180 turn and I was off the back and for all intents and purposes my race was over. Biggest things I learned were you have to FIGHT to stay near the front of the pack, you CAN’T say this is my first time I just want to see how things go so I’ll sit in the middle/back and watch. If you do you will be off the back in no time, trust me. Fight, fight, fight (without being an a$$hole and risking your own or anyone elses safety) for position, because others will be trying to take yours. Keep the mantra that if you aren’t moving up you will be dropped…of course the balancing act is trying to do as little of the work as possible. Agressive but safe should be your attitude.
Have fun!