29th January Road Crits

After feeling the punishment from last Tuesdays road crits, I decided a week off the bike was in order.
I did go into last weeks crits, fatigued after a big week of riding and it showed, being dropped off the back.
This week my aim was to ride with the bunch, keep off the front and finish with the main bunch.
Race format was standard, 30 minutes plus 2 laps.

The group started strong and set into a rythem, a strong headwind kept any riders thinking about jumping in check. 30 minutes went passed and the 2 laps to go sign was shown.

I took this opportunity to creep to the front 1/4 of the bunch. By this time, we had just passed the bell lap and 5 riders made a break for it, I was sitting just behind and started a hard steady pace, with intent to sprint if I caught these riders.
To my surprise, I reeled in the bunch and put in a hard sprint. For a 2nd place by 20cm!

Stepped Up

22 January Road Crits

So I arrive at road crits, sign up and am informed that a decision has been made to jump me up to C grade.
No big deal I guess. It would have been nice to finish the season in D grade, if for no other reason than for bragging rights, against others in the same grade at the end of the season (If I had won?)
So it got me wondering how does somebody win a grade?

FWIW I sat in the pack for 10 minutes prior to getting dropped. Out of sheer determination I did hang in behind the main group and used this as threshold training! Ouch now I'm really buggered!

Duo Classic

Having raced the Duo Classic 50km, Kowen Forrest XC Mountain bike, the Saturday before was exhausting. Damn, it was fun though. I raced with Ian Preston, great training buddy and good mate. I did feel that I let him down but that's what racing in pairs will do. Sometimes your the quicker rider, sometimes your not!

Fatigue leading in?
In fact riding the prior week (approx 150-200km) being 2-3 threshold loops, hill climb repeats at max and a group ride that turned into a race wasn't the best lead in. It was great fun though!

Their are times when you need to say no to a ride. I'll be taking it easy this week!

2013 Dirt Crits / Road Crits

Dirt Crits

Road C grade to finish 2nd behind young Oliver. With daylight between myself and third, we killed the 3 lap XC crit around Stromlo. Starting just outside the main carpark gates we rode through the tunnel, down fenceline onto the bitumen turned left onto the fireroad that links back to the tunnel. 

For some fast singletrack and pacing efforts up the bitumen and onto the fireroad.

I backed it up in B grade to finish 5th place. For some solid speed work on a Thursday night.

Riding Observations:

1. It doesn't matter how much power you can put out, if it's negated by your own weight.
2. Power to weight ratio is key and far more important then bike weight/wheel weight.
3. Bike comfort is key! If your technically challenged a hardtail WILL slow you down. Anytime saved in efficiency will be eaten away, in the chop.

Road Crits, thoughts:

1. Your energy is measured by a packet of matches. Efforts at the front, will burn several matches.
2. Let others burn their matches if your a decent sprinter. You will go into your last lap with more matches at your disposal.
3. After the timed section usually 30 minutes, get to the front 5-6 riders.
4. If you can sustain a steady hard slog, go for it with 1/2 a lap to go. I have used this technique several times with good success.
5. Better still sit behind 2nd or 3rd with 1/4 lap to go. Ideally you will be drifting in the rider in fronts slipstream. Pull out and SPRINT! Pick your line, grit your teeth and dig in, it will be over in a matter of seconds!

Tonights Road Crit result: 2nd, 20 cm behind 1st. 

Using technique 4, unfortunately for me 1st used technique 5 but their was daylight behind us for 3rd!