Club Race Report April 17th

[Chris Helwig]

First a note about safety. Tonight was a very big group in the A group. Dawn is going to try and get newer riders to race B to gain some experience before racing A. There are some very strong riders, but they lack the pack riding experience and need some practice and experience. If they win a couple B races and gain some experience they can come up to the A group. For my clients if you are unsure of what group to go in please email me. For others reading this please self select yourself appropriately. If you have no OCA racing experience on the road and have not done a full year of club racing you likely should go B group. There are still some strong riders in B group and you will get a good workout. Tonight's crash I think could have been avoided with a smaller group. I hope everyone is ok from the crash.

As for the race report here it goes. It was a very big group as the race started slowly. On the first climb the pace picked up a bit. Some splits in the pack happened in the first few laps, especially on the back side of the course. I do think the yellow line was done better tonight than last week. All the splits had a fair amount of riders in them and there was lots of horsepower tonight so things seemed to be quickly chased down. Graydon put in a scary looking solo move with about 2.5 laps to go. I think Carlos came across and the pack panicked and they were eventually brought back. On the last lap the unfortunate crash happened which split the field. The front riders slowed a bit and some riders got back on. Past the finish line Kees, Tony, Charlie and Brandon set a good pace. Up the climb Brandon led followed by Charlie and then me. At the top Charlie yelled at Brandon to go. He put in a hard attack and no one reacted. Kees did a good pull and around the corner Marty Mann took over followed by Tom Fernandez. Brandon's gap hovered as no one wanted to give too much before the sprint. Around the last corner it looked like the sprint would be for second. Steve Meyer came up the outside and he started to wind it up with Graydon on his wheel and me on Graydon's wheel. Gradyon started the sprint very early. I came around Graydon and took the sprint for second. Tony took third with Marty 4th and Charlie 5th. Brandon must have been flying, congrats on a nice solo win.

[Suprvedov]

So is it clear that the top 5 positions for points in the sprint were for riders completing the 6 laps or was anyone down a lap? Just wondering.

[Jellybean Teacher]

I agree with Chris when it comes to having experienced riders race in the "A" group and learning riders no matter their fitness please race with your ability category. Tonight I was just sitting in and there were a few scary moves made in the pack. The first one occurred on the hill which made everyone behind this person break and some cyclist went onto the shoulder. Secondly, the cause of the crash before the start/finish line should not have happened. I did not see what caused it because I was breaking very hard not to run anyone over. It is the beginning of the season of racing and we all have to be smart and most of all safe. Lets watch the overlapping of wheels so that we can reduce crashes or unexpected jarring bike movement. Two of my teammates left from the crash very frustrated and I do not blame them because they crashed. I know that I would be very frustrated if I had to lay down my expensive bike because inexperienced riders are in the wrong category. I am not saying stay out of the "A" group completely. First get some experience in pack riding with the slower groups; gain the pack handling skills. Become comfortable in the pack at higher speeds and then try the "A" group once you have experience doing so. Like Chris said "win a couple of the "B" races then move on up when you are comfortable". The OCA has switched to ability based riders and if you have a license then you know what category to ride in. Tuesday night racing is all about fun. We need to obey all the rules that are set out, in order for the races to continue. I do agree that the yellow line rule was better today, as I was on the back watching most of the race. Good work! Lets follow the instructions that are given to us at the beginning of the races so that we can have them continue. :cool:

Please give thanks the the Volunteers at the races to help organize them and keep us safe! If you do not Know them than introduce yourself and have a little chat. They miss most of the occurrences in the pack and they like to hear about the race a bit. ;)

[Wheels]

What was the cause of the crash anyway? I was too busy trying to miss the carnage to see what EXACTLY happened.

[226.2]

http://home.rmci.net/bikeboy/graphics-photos/PeeWeeTour.jpg

This fuzzy shot (sorry I was in the back of the B group) is of the mystery rider many of you are asking about from last night. He looks familiar, maybe Chris or Greg bumped into him at a midnight movie in Florida, where he sometimes "hangs out".

[the Superstar]

I think the yellow line rule was followed quite well last night. I got forced over a few inches a couple of times but made a big effort to either ride the line or go to the right up the inside of the echelon (mainly on the back straight). I didn't see any nasty violations except for going over in the corners. In general, the corners were done really safely as well so I think we just need to carry on trying hard to follow the rule.
It works when everyone believes their fellow racers will conform and not take advantage, especially in the final sprint where going over the line can be the difference between pulling out for a win or getting boxed in for 8th.

As for the crash, I don't know that it had anything to do with rookies, maybe it did. From my perspective, I was on Charlies wheel. He swerved (maybe someone moved over on him?), I swerved and the crash happend 2 guys behind me I think. It was a typical cycling "wave". It happens.

The racing promises to be good this year - so many capable racers. We need more counter-attacking. Then the race is less predictable. Too bad Gary Hudson broke his bike, he looks like he is back in form. Scary.

[old cervelo]

Sorry Superstar I don't entirely agree with you. This year I am seeing several new faces in the training races which is certainly good for the sport. Although some of these riders are extremely strong and have potential, as you all aware, there is a learning curve regarding riding in a group situation during a race. Based on my observations the last couple of training races several of the new riders do not seem to understand this. I feel these riders should probably be taken aside and explained proper etiquette of riding in an echelon/group, particularly in a race situation.

[the Superstar]

You're probably right, I don't think we disagree. I just mean the crash last night didn't seem to be because of the newbies. I could be wrong. I was wrong once back in '74.