Begin Crits, 2013

Posted by: Steve Caddy on: Sunday October 13, 2013

• In: Cycling
• 1 Comment

SKCC – C Grade

I had a good ride, hiding in the bunch mostly but coming out to chase a couple of attacks just to warm the legs up. The rain begain to fall — not heavily, but enough to wet the road — in the last five laps. I finished with the sprinters bunch, moving through gaps that opened and closed. Maybe I could have finished higher, but it would have meant charging a gap or two with questionable safety.

One observation from today is that C grade is pretty friggin’ disorganised. Breaks go as single riders. The bridging riders go too late and too soft, burning so much that they have little to give in aid of the break-away when they get there and, by the third rider, taking the rest of the bunch with them. Once they do cross, there seems to be very little in the way of real organisation. For the main bunch’s part, they’re no better. Everyone senses the need to shut down the break and the speed increases, but only slightly, until someone gets on the front and drives. When they do, the pack falls in line behind them, waiting for them to burn out. Only when they do does the next driver take their place and the cycle repeats itself.

So it has me thinking — an organised, well timed punch from a three or four turn-rolling riders could probably make a good break and stay away. Or at least wreak some havoc.

This same weekend: Neil raced the Melbourne to Warrambool, Ash, Darren and Ryan the World 24hr Solo Championships. All but Ash DNFed under brutal conditions.

36 km, 51:00

http://app.strava.com/activities/88675916

Tags: crits