My early season marathon training ended with too much pain, so I decided to commit more effort to biking this year with the intent of MAYBE racing a bit next year. Well, I'm feeling pretty strong and have the urge to show up to the Arlington Heights crit this saturday for the cat 5/citizen race day registration .

What should I expect? big field? lots of crashes? (typical questions, eh?)

I know I just need to grow a sack and do it, but I'm looking for some heckling from the peanut gallery to get me motivated.

The thing that really bugs me is wondering if I'm at any sort of comparable fitness level... guess there's only one way to find out :)

The Arlington Crit is a tight one, quite technical but really fun. So, if your bike handling skills are weak you may be sprinting out of every coner just to keep with the pack. On the other hand, everyone gets dropped in their first race so it really does not matter anyway. If you are looking for a race to do close to the Chi-town area, our club races are next weekend (http://www.c-uracing.com/2004CUFlyer.pdf) and really not that far from Chicago.

My early season marathon training ended with too much pain, so I decided to commit more effort to biking this year with the intent of MAYBE racing a bit next year. Well, I'm feeling pretty strong and have the urge to show up to the Arlington Heights crit this saturday for the cat 5/citizen race day registration .

What should I expect? big field? lots of crashes? (typical questions, eh?)

I know I just need to grow a sack and do it, but I'm looking for some heckling from the peanut gallery to get me motivated.

The thing that really bugs me is wondering if I'm at any sort of comparable fitness level... guess there's only one way to find out :)

This is the first year that they have had one race for pre-reg and one for day-of and I'm not sure how that is going to affect the two races. You would think that a 1k course with 8x90 deg turns would be a paramedic's nightmare, but I've found that it starts (and stays) fast and goes single file almost immediately and isn't that bad. The crashes I have seen have been just single riders washing out because they couldn't corner that fast. They leave a gap, but they slide out of the way. If it's wet though, I might stay home.

TF

If you want a race a little more "safe", try the Woodale race the next day.It really only has two turns because the last section is on a curve. Because of this, it tends to be pretty fast. It's run by the local splinter group, American Bicycle Racing..

[QUOTE=Slacker7]On the other hand, everyone gets dropped in their first race so it really does not matter anyway. [QUOTE]

I didn't believe you... I should have. ;)

As of last night, I figured I'd skip it. We have a 13 day old baby in the house, so sleep has been a priority. I woke up this morning and somehow changed my mind.

I ride roughly 4 times a week. Usually one 50-60 miler and then several 20+ rides on weekday mornings. No formal training plans, just the occasional sprint to the tree against my riding buddies.

Arlington Heights Crit is a tight little course. I noticed right away that turn one was tight and people were getting pinched into the gutter. Right off the bat, I figured I'd hang in the top 25% or so and feel out the race (just trying to finish). I was feeling pretty good (still a little suprised at the pace) and thinking I should scoot up a few spots when there was a crash on turn 1 just ahead of me. I came to a dead stop and had to back my way out of the pile.

At this point, I pushed for a couple laps to try to close the gap with the group ahead... it just wasn't going to happen. At some point there were a group of 5 or so of us starting to work together for a few laps... and we got pulled. I was a bit suprised, since I didn't think that the lead group was that far ahead... but pulled is pulled.

I learned a few things from this... folks aren't kidding when they say stay at the front, take some time to warm up since the pace starts off pretty quick.

I think there will be a next time... :)

As of last night, I figured I'd skip it. We have a 13 day old baby in the house, so sleep has been a priority. I woke up this morning and somehow changed my mind.

I ride roughly 4 times a week. Usually one 50-60 miler and then several 20+ rides on weekday mornings. No formal training plans, just the occasional sprint to the tree against my riding buddies.

Arlington Heights Crit is a tight little course. I noticed right away that turn one was tight and people were getting pinched into the gutter. Right off the bat, I figured I'd hang in the top 25% or so and feel out the race (just trying to finish). I was feeling pretty good (still a little suprised at the pace) and thinking I should scoot up a few spots when there was a crash on turn 1 just ahead of me. I came to a dead stop and had to back my way out of the pile.

At this point, I pushed for a couple laps to try to close the gap with the group ahead... it just wasn't going to happen. At some point there were a group of 5 or so of us starting to work together for a few laps... and we got pulled. I was a bit suprised, since I didn't think that the lead group was that far ahead... but pulled is pulled.

I learned a few things from this... folks aren't kidding when they say stay at the front, take some time to warm up since the pace starts off pretty quick.

I think there will be a next time... :)

You must have been in the second Cat5 race. I moved out of the way and got lapped 30 minutes into the Cat4.

TF

You must have been in the second Cat5 race. I moved out of the way and got lapped 30 minutes into the Cat4.

TF

yup... 2nd cat 5 race. i think i'll do a little interval work and try to make it to the sherman park crit.