Crit racing at Stromlo

[yyeric]

better return it next time then. i do have my name against the racing number on the sheet......
no idea why i went off, but it sure pumps up the heart rate.
i didn't have the HRM with me though, but felt it at the next lap.
looking forward to Wednesday Apprendiz already.

[yyeric]

BoM says Partly cloudy. Anyone heading out tomorrow?
Apprendiz starts 5:49 for 17min+2 laps.

[HAKS]

I plan to

Is there an entry fee for the CCC crits?

[yyeric]

perhaps same as Thursday's SuperCrit?

[HAKS]

Found it, says $8 on the CCC website.

[yyeric]

Went along to Viking's Thursday Crit today in MF.
There are around over 10 or so people in MF this week.
Got in a break since 2nd lap and got lucky. Thanks to the wind.

[phunculist]

Went along to Viking's Thursday Crit today in MF.
There are around over 10 or so people in MF this week.
Got in a break since 2nd lap and got lucky. Thanks to the wind.

I'm the guy who was in the break with you. It was good fun out in front but that wind made it hard work! I was surprised the group didn't bring us back. And well done on your strong finish.

[yyeric]

small world.
I kept looking back and surprised too that they weren't closing in.
Great breakaway today!

[HAKS]

Well done guys & on the win Eric

I went along on Wed night and rode Apprendiz with Eric. Think there was 39riders so pretty big. Few hairy moments with ppl not holding their lines or blowing up in the final few corners but I got through it all and managed 9th .

[yyeric]

I went along on Wed night and rode Apprendiz with Eric. Think there was 39riders so pretty big. Few hairy moments with ppl not holding their lines or blowing up in the final few corners but I got through it all and managed 9th .

That means you got points! congrats mate.

[phunculist]

Well done guys & on the win Eric

I went along on Wed night and rode Apprendiz with Eric. Think there was 39riders so pretty big. Few hairy moments with ppl not holding their lines or blowing up in the final few corners but I got through it all and managed 9th .

Heh, so now I'm working out who is who. You came past me in the final straight and I finished behind you at 10th

And yeah, there definitely a few hairy moments. Good fun though.

[HAKS]

very small world! Will have to say G'day next week. Might need to start a BNA team soon

[HAKS]

Any takers tomorrow night?

[yyeric]

Can't make it tomorrow. You guys have fun!
Will make it to Thursdays only and for the last time this year.
December holiday coming soon

[phunculist]

Any takers tomorrow night?

Yep, I'm about to head out there now.

[HAKS]

Went there with a plan tonight......and left with $50 in my jersey pocket

Any takers tomorrow night?

Yep, I'm about to head out there now.

Knew i should have checked the forums before leaving, would have looked out for you. How'd you fare?

Nasty crash in D grade after us. Final lap coming down the back straight adn sounded like someone's tyre blew. 1 down in the middle of the track then someone went flying off into the grass gully. All walked away though which was good.

[phunculist]

Went there with a plan tonight......and left with $50 in my jersey pocket

Nice work! Geez, I didn't realise the purse was that good. So what was your plan?

I came 12th. My goal was to stay in the front 10 and then try to sprint at the end. I managed to stay near the front but when the pace increased in the final half-lap I couldn't go with it. Improving and learning each week though.

crash in D grade after us. Final lap coming down the back straight adn sounded like someone's tyre blew. 1 down in the middle of the track then someone went flying off into the grass gully. All worked away though which was good.

Yeah, I Iooked up when I heard the bang, and saw the legs and dust flying. Glad they're okay. Still makes me jumpy when I see crashes!

[yyeric]

Went there with a plan tonight......and left with $50 in my jersey pocket

Brilliant work! Brilliant work!

[HAKS]

Cheers guys . Plan was to not be at the back and get worn out constantly accelerating to get back to the group after each corner . I felt good last week but missed the accelerations at the front over the last 2laps.

Stayed at the back for the first 2 laps 2nite and then got jack of someone constantly cutting me off. Did a spell in the middle then did a turn at the front with about 5min to go. Pulled off and tried to stay about 5th wheel or thereabouts. Start of the last lap went up the inside (last week I went the outside and the wind killed me) and got to about 4th. From then on just followed the leaders. Went into the final few turns in 3rd & inside line (last week I was about 3wide so lost alot of places there) and I knew the 2 guys in front where on their limit so just put the pedal down out of the last 2 corners. Wasn't sure if anyone was on my wheel so just sprinted till the line........and then died afterwards

Was stoked with $50, covers the 3race license at least. Prob busy for the next few weeks so not sure if I will get out there. I'll enjoy it while it lasts cause I'm sure D grade won't be such fun

Well done with 12th, it's very easy to miss the acceleration on the last lap like I did last week. I made sure I didn't miss it tonight

[rockviewau]

great work haks

[HAKS]

How'd you go tonight....anyone?

[yyeric]

yeah i went along to Viking's Crit today.
20minutes + 2 laps doing clock-wise. (I actually like anti-clockwise better)

I wasn't thinking straight and went for it on the 2nd lap.
Got probably 2 others tagged along to my back to start with, then they knew it wasn't working so slowed down to save the effort.
lol. clearly i wasn't thinking. I went alone for probably 2 more laps by myself, then absolutely killed myself and eventually got picked up by the pack.
I was trying hard even to stay intact after the re-group.
However, the 2nd laps was my fastest lap time so far though, doing it 42km/h for the lap.
Stayed in the pack for rest of the race, then came 3rd on the final sprint.

Wasn't impressed but thought to give it a go, since this will be the final crit for me.

Great fun though!

[auskonrad]

Hello!

I've been interested in this crit racing for a while. While I would classify myself as a dirty MTBer - I'm getting increasingly into road riding. I use a roadie to commute and on the weekends for 50-70km rides around the place and love going and doing the hills (loving the challange of beating my PB on Black Mountain - 13:26)

Just wondering at the fitness and strength level of the Apprendiz and whether I have the hutzpah to keep pace. I guess its hard to convey in words - as an average doesn't reveal much about the required strength and ability....

but lets say, I ride almost everyday, at pretty regular to high intensities, can climb Black Mountain in the above time, and ride between 100-130km a week. Would I not completely embarrass myself? I've also not ridden bunch before. I suppose I just have to find out for myself to be certain... but it'd be great to get an idea of the fitness level of the Apprendiz racers.

[HAKS]

Give it a shot and find out. The average for Apprendiz for my 2 races was around 36km/h which is easily attainable in a group of 15+ riders without 2much work (ie. you can just draft everyone and generally keep up). If you are unsure maybe give the VCC Thur night ones a go first. 5 clams for entry and there tends to be a smaller group. Its a good way to get a feel for it without 40riders around you. Fitness and strength of apprendiz ranges from pretty serious riders (who tend to move up to D grade within a few weeks) to young teenagers giving it a shot. Also I've seen ppl doing it with normal loose t-shirts instead of jerseys, or normal running shoes instead of clip-ins.

From the stats you provided I think you would be heading to D grade faster then you think . You would be fine hitting apprendiz for a few weeks though .

[vinvin]

I finally made it down to the crit circuit and tested it out. I rode there and then just did four laps, the lap I timed was 2:16. Not fast enough to race...Maybe I'll give the G grade riders a go at the Vets night on Tuesdays