Does anybody do Crits.

[lukesdad]

Been invited to do some next year as member of a team. They sound manic think they want me to be the rabbit, dont mind as long as I know what Im letting myself in for.

 

[Dave5N]

Fast and furious fun. Which ones would you do?

 

[lukesdad]

pembrey summer series, the new one on the seafront at aberwystwth and the tywyn I think. I think we are open to suggestions. We re going to do some road races as well not sure which at the moment fancy the tour of carmarthen and tour of the valleys.

 

[Keith Oates]

Crits are fun and I've done quite a few in the Philippines at normal club level. The main thing is to try and know the opposition and who they are teamed up with, tactics can win or lose you the race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lukesdad]

Tactical Mmm thats what I thought.What might some of these tactics be? As they re only short races.

Boxing in is the only one that readily springs to mind.

 

[mr-marty-martin]

some times big teams over power the rest of the feild, they'll send a couple of riders up the road and then just sit on the front of the bunch, and slow the pelaton down for example

boxing in does happen yes, at one crit this season i actualy got ran of the course! which i must say sualy cant be a legal tactic but does happen

dont let this scare you tho!

 

[lukesdad]

Right beginning to get the picture, for some reason I invisaged it being more like a run in on a sprinters stage with abit of a lead out. Are they normally bunch finishes or does it vary I assume track based events would be alittle different to road or town centre circuits.

 

[Will1985]

I'd like to - they're always fun to watch. There used to be a popular event locally on the Norfolk/Suffolk border which hasn't been running for at least 6 years. Next nearest is about 30 miles away. Looking at the old photos it seems that many townsfolk come out to watch which obviously improves the atmosphere. Looking on the British Cycling website theer seem to be a mix of town centre (proper crits IMO) and closed circuit crits (eg: Hog Hill). Presumably plod and the lack of goodwill from the public is reducing the number of town centre events?

 

[lukesdad]

They seem to be on the up here. Town festival comittee s are tagging them on when the centre is closed to traffic as an addition to the occasion normally early evening.Get your club to get in on the act with these comittees its worth a try every town should have one.

 

[Dave5N]

The number of town centre crits is increasing, Will. At least two new possibilities in the West Midlands next year.

 

[walker]

the book 'Racing tactics for cyclists' http://www.amazon.com/Racing-Tactics-Cyclists-Thomas-Prehn/dp/1931382301

is a good read, if your serious this can open your eyes to what happens in races.

I would point out that at any point you get, the keep and eye on whats going on at the front, this can tell you a lot as to who's strong, wind direction, who could blow early etc.

 

[koolkate]

cycling was really a fun way to do exercise.... it helps you build stamina... though im not really a biker but doing it so keeps me healthy...