Author Topic: Why low numbers at the Steel River Crits for C grade and below?  (Read 2552 times)

Metro Commuter

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Why low numbers at the Steel River Crits for C grade and below?
« on: September 20, 2010, 05:11:02 am »
I raced the Steel River Crits yesterday, and as usual had a whole heap of fun.  It is IMHO the best racing around.

However, while there was a good turnout for A and B grades, the numbers in the other grades was very poor - 6 in C, 1 in D and 1 in E.

Is it because people are not racing on Sundays, or are they racing with Vets, and if it is the latter, why are they racing vets rather than the crit?

Not having a go - people can do what they like - but trying to understand.  Comments please ;-)
Well, no merger so far....

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Masso

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Metro

i wish i knew.
Reason why they they want to race the Crits

- Its to hard
- They don't have confidence in cornering .
- they dont think 20 minutes is enough racing time
- they don't get any prize money ( even though $5 only covers cost to volenteers.)
- they like hcap's more ?

It is frustrating with low numbers for the  people that put there own time to put on the racing when few turn up. I would have prefered to race rather than commasaire.

Daddy Walrus

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For me it is too short.
I feel a handicap at HVV will contribute more to my overall fitness.

Having said that I got a flat on the first lap.

Robbo

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I for one will definitely race there when I get the creaky body repaired.

DW, you should try it, you may well find that it is just the kind of racing you need, not just for the legs but for the mind as well.

Metro Commuter

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For me it is too short.
I feel a handicap at HVV will contribute more to my overall fitness.

Having said that I got a flat on the first lap.

DW - I understand that position.  I had considered doing the Vets race yesterday as well, for that reason.  However I changed my mind because I can always do one of the many other races at KI, where I get a longer but less intense race, but being able to do a much more intense shorter race was an option I only have one day a month. 

I guess I just wish more people would give crits a go.
Well, no merger so far....

Daddy Walrus

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I tried the track on Friday.
Now I have to buy another bike.

2ndwheel

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DW

Ah my son you have had a spiritual epiphany of the 2 wheeled kind, you will now find it hard to take any bike that does not have a fixed wheel seriously. The real racing starts soon.

As for a new bike You may have to ask the big "H" for some sponsorship dollars  commensurate with you skills.
keep it rubber side down

Robbo

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talk to me DW, there are a number of riders with second hand machines for sale. Some which havent seen much work.

see me at the velo

Gai M

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re Crits and Track bikes

DW, I have just acquired a "new" track bike and will be selling my first one very soon.



Crits.  I love doing crits.  Even more than track.


But,
It is not much fun if I am racing against D or C graders.  Much better if my opposition are F graders rather than E.
Also not very satisfying if one has to withdraw when lapped, particularly if it is a small field, and particularly if one is lapped after the first half.  (One is not likely to be lapped a second time).


In summer, I often race the Central Coast crits at Wyong.  All the grades race at the same time with staggered starts and staggered finishes.  It doesn't matter if you get lapped.
Of course, their loop is roughly twice the Steel River distance.

Unfortunately the third Sunday of the month seems to often clash with CNSW  or Masters events.  This weekend, being a trackie, and an award recipient, I was in Sydney for most of Saturday
for the Sydney Winter Track Champs, and the Cyclist of the Year Awards. (for 2009!!)
I got to race against women, but unfortunately the field was not large enough to be split into age divisions. 

Also, our family business requires two deliverers and a shop person on Sunday mornings (can't afford shop staff on Sundays/public hols) and our youngest is doing her HSC very soon.  With the additional travelling time from out here in the West, early Sunday mornings are not often very feasible for me to attend my favourite race.

In order to encourage more lower grade riders to attend, why not have them compete last, i.e. after A grade?  If I was the only one left at this point, I would be quite happy to do the event as a TT.
And in the warmer weather, E grade would be racing for a much shorter tiime than the A's.  So the heat would't be much of a concern for us. 


Granny aged but granny not
- my kids know I am having too much fun on my bikes to be baby-sitting etc.

hilljockey

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It was the domestique's birthday party Sat night.  That reduced the numbers by 3.

Proudly hairy-legged

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I would have been there providing some more prize money for you Metro however I had a very busy day Saturday as well as racing, combined with a hard ride Thursday and Velo Friday. I was intending to ride Sunday morning however I was just too sore from the previous days. I must be getting old.

Otherwise I would have loved to have been there. Unlike the Vets races the crits enable people to get home at a reasonably early time on Sunday without having to answer too many questions form the wife about why you spent the better part of the weekend on the bike.

Metro Commuter

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Vets races now start at 8am, and I reckon HDCC should start the crits at 8.00am as well.  I could be home by 9.00am, even if I rode there and back.

An "all in" is fun.  Last month A, B and C were combined, with A grade off first and B/C grade 15 seconds later. it was absolutely brilliant, with B/C grade chasing A grade hard. 
Well, no merger so far....

Boostland

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the better part of the weekend on the bike.


No wonder you have got some explaining to do if your calling it the better part of the weekend :P
No longer a Hubbard or a Commuter, just a very naughty boy.

Metro Commuter

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I tried the track on Friday.
Now I have to buy another bike.

You can get a whole track bike for much less than that pretty new frame you purchased from Commando/Boxhead...
Well, no merger so far....

Loco

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If it started at a time that allowed me to get to Vets, I would do both.

Twenty minutes is not really worth driving down for

For me it's a bit short and I am terrible on corners ( I guess that would improve if I did it)