First Crit today, whole new world!

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Hello all, started off the new year with my first crit race that I found out about at www.buttar.com (http://www.buttar.com/) and it was pretty cool. 15 laps around the VA hospital in Winter Park FL. Distance was about 1 to 1.2 miles per lap ( didn't turn my computer on).

34 riders with probably 15 first timers so i felt pretty comfortable in my skill level relative to the rest of the B group ( Men's cat 4,5, masters and Women). I start in the back 1/3 of the field since I've never been in a corner with this many people before. We start out at a relatively sedate pace, maybe 15-16 mph and I'm thinking "this is good, I can do this"! About 3/4 of the way around the first lap and reality hits, along with a right-left-right straight into the wind. Apparently the fast guys up front had found their groove, they decide to pour it on, at this point I am up to 19-20 and quickly loosing touch.By lap 2 I am 100 yards back and by lap 3 they are mostly gone.
I ontinue to motor along content to know that I am not last (but close to it) the peleton whizzes by at lap 5 and so it goes for me the rest of the way. 5 more laps and here they come again, Meanwhile I have managed to pass a couple of people who have been dropped and that helps my motivation, I even lapped one guy in a Davitamon jersey( I don't care if he was only going 14 maybe, it was cool) 2 laps to go and I have this guy on my wheel who is obviously faster but he doesn't want to pass and so he sits on my wheel for about half a lap ( Iam 6'3 260 so make a huge shield from the wind) About halfway down the front straight I get in the drops as low as i can and let the wind blast him as I put down as much power as I have left to run up to about 22-23, around the corner and I see him trying to make up the 10-15 yards I just put on him but he is not catching me:D My legs are on fire at this point and I am just happy it's almost over, into the zigzag and a 2 man break (the leaders) come by and as I round the final turn the peleton whizzes by just before I get to the line.

Come to find out later that the 2 man break were teamates and one does triathlons and the other races cyclocross, they were running around 25-27 for most of the race. I need to lose 50 pounds and find 5 mph,lol.

Sorry this was so wordy but it was a blast and I will definitely do it again! Good luck to anyone considering doing there first race.:)

Good job. I was there in the A race and glad to see so many first timers in the B's. Too bad we have lost that training course after all these years, but we'll try to find something else in Orlando, if possible.

Go to www.floridacycling.com (http://www.floridacycling.com) when you are ready to start racing 5's.

Thanks, I hope to find some more stuff in Southern Florida but I don't mind a drive. I got up at 5 a.m. to go to that race, just a tad over 3 hours drive time to get there. Take it easy.

Right on! It is great to hear you enjoyed the race.
www.usacycling.org (http://www.usacycling.org) sent out a notice about that race. You can subscribe to notices about races in your area with them if you want to find others.
www.FloridaCycling.com (http://www.FloridaCycling.com) is a good source also (mainly for FL of course), as was already mentioned.
Seems like I remember rain forcasted for that race.
Anyhow, thanks for posting your experience. It helps ease the nerves for new racers like myself when you talk about it being fun.

I was actually hoping for rain because I ride in the rain fairly regularly on my commute so I would like to think it would have helped my chances. Truth is though that the fast guys are still gonna be fast regardless of the weather. I can't wait to do another race but I'm tied up for the next 7 weekends with announcing gigs. My commute (18 miles each way) is my main source of training and I will be getting a new bike in the next few months. Take it easy.

i'm very new to road riding, and stumbled across a club crits this morning when out for a ride, so looks like i'll be back next sunday morning for a go.
been doing dirt crits for over 6mths now, and am starting to enjoy the roadie a lot.
the chance to do a road crits now too is just all good!
cheers for your run down on the event, sounds like i'm going to enjoy the intense hitout with it!

yer dont you hate it when they pour on the pace at 20mph. lol.