Criterium racing

equivariant

Is it possible to just show up at a criterium and get a temporary race license?

If yes is it advisable to do so if you haven't raced before and have only done a few club spins/sportives?

I was vaguely thinking about doing this for the criterium tomorrow night in galway

Craig06

You'll need a full competition license as far as I know. I presume it's the same as other open racing events. Crit racing is a tough place to be if you haven't raced before as it'll be flat out the whole way and you'd want to be fairly comfortable riding in a close bunch or you won't be thanked for causing a crash.

lennymc

you need a full competition licence to race anything other than a club league. You need a competition licence to race a club league. one day licences were available until the end of March. unfortunately you will not get a licence between now and the race tomorrow night. try some league races first. Crit racing (as craig06 says) will be very very tough.

equivariant

lennymc wrote: »

you need a full competition licence to race anything other than a club league. You need a competition licence to race a club league. one day licences were available until the end of March. unfortunately you will not get a licence between now and the race tomorrow night. try some league races first. Crit racing (as craig06 says) will be very very tough.

Fair enough. Thanks for the info

ytareh

I can't think of a faster way to blow 15,25 or whatever extortionate amount you'll pay this side of Las Vegas .Youd be lucky to last 90 seconds depending on circuit .

Leroy42

ytareh wrote: »

I can't think of a faster way to blow 15,25 or whatever extortionate amount you'll pay this side of Las Vegas .Youd be lucky to last 90 seconds depending on circuit .

Well everybody has to start somewhere, they won't get to the standard by sitting on the sidelines!

All depends on your level and the level you compete at. If your relatively new to cycling then racing, and even more so crits, are very difficult. The crits more so due to the constant changes in pace, sprinting out of corners etc. You simply do not get this type of ability from your normal club group spin.

Also, being in such close quarters to others is a big, and somewhat scary, experience. Again, a bunch in a crit is not the same as a group on the club spin. Everybody is looking out for themselves, you have people coming up the inside and outside, people going forward and moving backwards. You need to have good bike skills, not be panicky and above all confident. You will lose so much time in the corners if you are confident and end up using all your energy chasing back.

If you can find somewhere to allow you to race (join club and their league or get a full licence) then go for it. In the first race forget about racing and just concentrate on getting in the rhythm of racing. If after half the race you feel comfortable then by all means start by get more involved. Safety is number one, not only yours, but other racers who shouldn't suffer because you're out of you depth. (not saying you are!)

equivariant

Leroy42 wrote: »

Well everybody has to start somewhere, they won't get to the standard by sitting on the sidelines!

All depends on your level and the level you compete at. If your relatively new to cycling then racing, and even more so crits, are very difficult. The crits more so due to the constant changes in pace, sprinting out of corners etc. You simply do not get this type of ability from your normal club group spin.

Also, being in such close quarters to others is a big, and somewhat scary, experience. Again, a bunch in a crit is not the same as a group on the club spin. Everybody is looking out for themselves, you have people coming up the inside and outside, people going forward and moving backwards. You need to have good bike skills, not be panicky and above all confident. You will lose so much time in the corners if you are confident and end up using all your energy chasing back.

If you can find somewhere to allow you to race (join club and their league or get a full licence) then go for it. In the first race forget about racing and just concentrate on getting in the rhythm of racing. If after half the race you feel comfortable then by all means start by get more involved. Safety is number one, not only yours, but other racers who shouldn't suffer because you're out of you depth. (not saying you are!)

In terms of pace - I am reasonably comfortable in a group spin at 30-35kph for 3 or 4 hours. If I push myself I can do about 40 kph solo for 10 minutes maybe (on the flat without wind). I'm not sure where that puts me in terms of being fit to race

I'm thinking that bike handling/cornering would be my biggest problem so I'll take your advice and start with something easier in that regard - cheers

ytareh

Yes a club or cat 3/4 road race is a far safer , saner choice .

fixie fox

equivariant wrote: »

In terms of pace - I am reasonably comfortable in a group spin at 30-35kph for 3 or 4 hours. If I push myself I can do about 40 kph solo for 10 minutes maybe (on the flat without wind). I'm not sure where that puts me in terms of being fit to race

I'm thinking that bike handling/cornering would be my biggest problem so I'll take your advice and start with something easier in that regard - cheers

PLEASE don't enter if the 'group spin' is the extent of your racing experience.

lennymc

fixie fox wrote: »

PLEASE don't enter if the 'group spin' is the extent of your racing experience.

everyone has to start somewhere. group spinning at 30-35 kph should be good enough for A4, which, is the licence the OP would have to get in order to enter open races.

@op - get a licence (competition or full) and go race, it really is great.

equivariant

lennymc wrote: »

everyone has to start somewhere. group spinning at 30-35 kph should be good enough for A4, which, is the licence the OP would have to get in order to enter open races.

@op - get a licence (competition or full) and go race, it really is great.

Indeed. I wonder how I can ever race if I have never raced before;)

Wishbone Ash

If it's any use to you, here's a Strava link from one of the lads in that Galway Crit tonight (averaging 37km/h) - http://www.strava.com/activities/153582589

equivariant

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If it's any use to you, here's a Strava link from one of the lads in that Galway Crit tonight (averaging 37km/h) - http://www.strava.com/activities/153582589

Cheers. I went up to have a look. Seemed like great fun. Great solo breakaway to win it. Averaging 37kph on such a tight circuit is impressive. Definitely need to work on my bike handling to get anywhere near that!

Btw. I was wandering up towards highfield park and I passed two middle aged gents out for a stroll . Only when I passed did I realise that one was Sean Kelly!

He was wandering around unnoticed for a while until eventually the announcer got a hold of him and started interviewing him

XtotheZ

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If it's any use to you, here's a Strava link from one of the lads in that Galway Crit tonight (averaging 37km/h) - http://www.strava.com/activities/153582589

hmm 37 is abit off, he was dropped and pulled. 39 is closer to what he was racing at

Jack Joll

Unadvisable, picking a Crit as your first race. Out of respect of other riders atleast!

Galway crit was very technical and was very short lap 900m I think!, with 5 turns, 1 chicane with the road surface sunken around two manholes. Then the bunny hop over the 2 sleeping policemen (or Garda - if its relevant), one having to line yourself up straight away for a tight right hander.

Definetly not a place for an unexperienced rider to have his first race, as good a craic as it may have looked.

If ya want to do crit racing, look for laps a bit longer over about 1.2k in length or more with fewer turns and wider streets - leaves for more recovery.

By all means start racing cause its fierce craic, but not on a race like the Galway Bay Crit.

Granolite

I did this event on Saturday..and managed to get around 7 laps before retiring myself into "the pits"..like the above poster mentions the time for recovery is so short that its a completely different animal to your typical A4 race...still, was great fun and the closest I've come to go-karting on a bike,...BUT... you did need your wits about you and one wrong move or mis-judged bunny-hop or not following a predictable line could see you taking yourself and others on a one way trip unto the pavement. Best to cut your teeth in your local club league races first..and not just one or two races, maybe a whole season worth and after that a few open races for good measure.