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1st Annual Criterium: A little Salesmanship Please ?
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:23am
While I kinda know what a Criterium is ... I don't know enough about it to decide what class I might compete in .... and I doubt that I'm alone.
Since I'm well over 35, I guess I'd be in the "Masters" category, though I don't see any explanation of what class 1-4 means.
How about some details ?
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John,
I've never ridden one of these but I have seen them on youtube and tv. It reminds me of cyclocross without the obticals and on a paved surface. I'm pretty sure the way to win in this is the same as cyclocross. Chris, over at Krebs, told me the strategy of cyclocross is to go as fast as you can for the whole length of the race. Think I'm going to give it a shot. cat 5 all the way baby!
A Crit race is nothing like a cyclocross race. You would have to be so much stronger than the rest
of the field to race off the front and stay off the front for the entire race. Think of each racer as having a book of matches. Every significant move or jump costs a match. The goal is to come into the final
lap without having exhausted all your matches so that you will have one or two still left to burn to
get you to the front and across the finishline ahead of the pack.. It takes strategy,fitness,cooperation and some luck !
My race experience is minimal but there are a good number of SBRA members who have a great deal
of race knowledge. Percy,the Sheas,Tom Moore,Dennis Jackson and a good many others who could contribute to this thread. If one is new and has an interest I believe there is still Crit lap training
going on at Cedar Creek Park (Seaford) every tues night. Maybe something to look at.
Here is what I found doing a search with Google.
From Wikipedia:
A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city center streets.
Collegiate cyclists take a tight downhill corner in the Boston Beanpot Criterium at Tufts University
Race length can be determined by a number of laps or total time, in which case the number of remaining laps is calculated as the race progresses. Generally the event's duration (commonly one hour) is shorter than that of a traditional road race — which can last many hours, sometimes over the course of several days or even weeks, as in a Grand Tour. However, the average speed and intensity are appreciably higher. The winner is the first rider to cross the finish line without having been "lapped."
Events often have prizes (called primes, pronounced "preems", and are usually cash) for winning specific intermediate laps (for instance, every 10th lap). A bell is usually rung to announce to the riders that whoever wins the next lap, wins the prime.
Success in road criteriums requires a mix of good technical skills — in particular, the ability to corner smoothly, while "holding your line" on the road, as well as rapidly and sharply — and riding safely with a large group on a short circuit and exceptional "sprint" ability to attack other riders and repeatedly accelerate hard from corners.
A bit about categories:
In road racing, "Cat 5" means "beginner". So a "Cat 5 35+" would be a beginner over 35 years old. A "Masters 35+" would be an experienced racer (often a former Pro 1/2) who is over 35 years old. Masters racers are often very experienced, very skillful, very fast racers.
I would guess the information should be here: http://www.usacycling.org
but I can't find a document that lists what all the categories are.
Thanks for the effort Mark. You're having the same problem I am .... general knowledge but ... still don't know what to sign up for ?
dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot
John G2
What goes around ....... goes around.
John,
You can only sign up for the Cat 5 race. The 35 Masters race is for Cat 1-4 racers who must hold a annual US Cycling Fed. renewable license. All first time racers ride in the Cat 5 division. You will need a one day license to enter this race which is a 10.00 fee. (Probably not included in the 30.00 registration fee) The course is flat and has two turns that are tight at about 90 degrees. If it's your first time in a crit race format I suggest riding the course prior to the race and hanging in the back during the race unless you're fully comfortable with your handling skills in a large fast group situation.
Note: The race class info was based on what was provided in the flyer.
Thanks Patrick.
Guess I'll bring a chair and a boxed lunch as my Tomahawk is allergic to crowds :-)
PS: what info in what flyer ?
John G2
What goes around ....... goes around.
John,
A flyer promoting the race was placed on everyone's windshield last Friday night at the
Kreb's races. Charlie Issendorf is the race promoter. There is no phone ctc for race details
and nothing on our site regarding who our go to guy/gal is. I'm certainly not in the know
and I don't want to give out incorrect info.. The Cat 5 is 11.2 miles and starts at 9am Fee
is 30.00 and 5 medals awarded as stated on the flyer. There is a Master race listed but
only for Cat 1-4.
Most importantly I hope my prior posting does not discourage anyone from giving the Cat 5 race a try. Coming in first,second or last matters not ! Winning is about being there. It's about coming in 7th place when you came in 10th last time. . It's all about the attempt not necessarily the results. No one leaves this stadium alive so you might as come down off the stands and get in the game !!! You won't regret it !
I'm curious, Pat - is this a profit-making venture ? If it is, who gets the profit, the club or the promoter ?
Bob,
This isn't my deal so that question would be best answered by the person in charge or a board member. Promoters of races do try to make a little profit without which there would be no one around to promote and organize races.
Dupe posting