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Grant Park Crit
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 2009-08-03 1:07 PM |
Master  2485    Atlanta, Georgia |  Subject: Grant Park CritMy club is hosting the Grant Park Crit again this year - 8/23/09 - I've only done a couple crits but I am here to tell you they are a gas...It's a challenging course but the turns are close to wide open, so wrecks are very rare here. This year, there's a Beginners category for both men and women - No day license required and probably a little less intense. Road bikes only, obviously... Link below and please feel free to PM. http://www.aaronscycling.com/images/crit_flier_with_schedule.jpg c Edited by alltom1 2009-08-03 1:13 PM |
| 2009-08-03 1:27 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 1888  Winder, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit My husband and I might head down. I've been wanting to try a crit and this seems like a good opportunity. I have a friend on the Vanderkitten team and I think they'll be there too.  |
| 2009-08-03 2:26 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Pro 3705 Vestavia Hills | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit Wow ... great venue for a race. I already have a race on the dance card that day but would be open for a different one down the line. |
| 2009-08-03 3:05 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 1730 Atlanta, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit God help me...I might jump into the Cat 5 race. I told myself I would never go back to that scary place again. Ugh. It is the day after Peachtree Sprint, so I will need to see how I feel. |
| 2009-08-03 6:11 PM in reply to: #2324850 |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit thecaptin - 2009-08-03 4:05 PM God help me...I might jump into the Cat 5 race. I told myself I would never go back to that scary place again. Ugh. It is the day after Peachtree Sprint, so I will need to see how I feel. Dude..Don't say 'scary'..You're going to chase off my customers. We prefer the word 'exhilirating!'. Anyways, you know you want to... |
| 2009-08-03 7:04 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 2379 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit Beginner's Cat? Hmmm.... Do you know how many minutes + laps the Beginner's & Cat V will be running? |
| 2009-08-03 8:22 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Veteran 383 The ATL | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit This is a great race! I did it last year, it's awesome that they are having a beginner category. I think it's more like a circuit than a crit (got some up and downs and it's pretty open except for one tight corner). Road bikes obviously, also sleeves required on the jersey. I highly recommend. I was thinking about doing a tri the day before so I cannot do that race the day after a tri, I got blown out bad enough with rest last year. I'm playing it by ear but I'd be in the Cat4 women. |
| 2009-08-03 8:23 PM in reply to: #2325351 |
Veteran 383 The ATL | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit beginner women is 20 minutes. 20 minutes of PAIN, I mean fun  |
| 2009-08-03 8:41 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 1432 Woodstock | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit Hmmm. a beginners category may keep me from wussing out. I am definitely interested, have to take a look at the calendar |
| 2009-08-04 8:39 AM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit BTW, men's 4&5's are the same race this year...35mins plus three laps. For those who must, here's my RR from the crit year before last: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp... |
| 2009-08-04 8:46 AM in reply to: #2326331 |
Master 1201 Woodstock, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit alltom1 - 2009-08-04 9:39 AM ... here's my RR from the crit year before last ... Thanks for the race report. I have been wanting to do one of these. They look like fun, but I do not really like making a fool of myself. If I can get a couple of the guys that are more my level to join in, I may be up for the beginner race.BTW, your link is to a jpeg that only allows you to expand that one page. If people go to the club homepage they can get more info and register for the race. Here is the link without added stuff that takes you to the picture. Edited by nealphelps 2009-08-04 8:48 AM |
| 2009-08-04 8:49 AM in reply to: #2324458 |
Expert 910 North Metro ATL | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit how fast do the beginner women go? I don't want to embaress myself but been thinking about trying a crit even though I am slow. My brother inlaw races cat 1/2 for Pace Setters so we will be there spectating anyway and my youngest does the kids race. Also, is there a 5k or some sort of run associated with the bike race? Mindy--who you know on Vanderkittens? Is it Leigh? Edited by NatNegativeSplit 2009-08-04 8:50 AM |
| 2009-08-04 9:21 AM in reply to: #2326331 |
Master 2379 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit alltom1 - 2009-08-04 9:39 AM BTW, men's 4&5's are the same race this year...35mins plus three laps. For those who must, here's my RR from the crit year before last: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=89882 How many 4/5's raced last year, Chris? Any clue as to how many Beginner's show? I like the idea of 20 min A LOT more than 35 +3, but am thinking the Beg. group might be a cluster. Hopefully nothing on the fam cal for this day - going to see if I can make it happen. Edited by LHablas 2009-08-04 9:21 AM |
| 2009-08-04 10:01 AM in reply to: #2326350 |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit nealphelps - 2009-08-04 9:46 AM alltom1 - 2009-08-04 9:39 AM ... here's my RR from the crit year before last ... Thanks for the race report. I have been wanting to do one of these. They look like fun, but I do not really like making a fool of myself. If I can get a couple of the guys that are more my level to join in, I may be up for the beginner race.BTW, your link is to a jpeg that only allows you to expand that one page. If people go to the club homepage they can get more info and register for the race. Here is the link without added stuff that takes you to the picture. Yeah, that link is much better..Thanks! Come on out and give it a whirl! Worst case, it's an intense, quick workout... Hope to see you there! |
| 2009-08-04 10:06 AM in reply to: #2326360 |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit NatNegativeSplit - 2009-08-04 9:49 AM how fast do the beginner women go? I don't want to embaress myself but been thinking about trying a crit even though I am slow. My brother inlaw races cat 1/2 for Pace Setters so we will be there spectating anyway and my youngest does the kids race. Also, is there a 5k or some sort of run associated with the bike race? Mindy--who you know on Vanderkittens? Is it Leigh? The beginner's races are new, so I'm not sure about pace...I will say the nature of the course probably rewards cardio fitness so you would be just fine..There's not a 5k that I'm aware of. Good luck to your little racer! Those kid's races are fun to watch.. |
| 2009-08-04 10:22 AM in reply to: #2326479 |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit LHablas - 2009-08-04 10:21 AM alltom1 - 2009-08-04 9:39 AM BTW, men's 4&5's are the same race this year...35mins plus three laps. For those who must, here's my RR from the crit year before last: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=89882 How many 4/5's raced last year, Chris? Any clue as to how many Beginner's show? I like the idea of 20 min A LOT more than 35 +3, but am thinking the Beg. group might be a cluster. Hopefully nothing on the fam cal for this day - going to see if I can make it happen. Again, the beginner's race is new for this year...I think USCF is trying to get new blood for the sport. The 5's race was separate from 4's the last couple of years but I'd say there were 20 or so 5's and maybe a few more for the 4's. If that many show up again, they may separate the races on the race day. It would be so great if you'd come out! |
| 2009-08-04 10:36 AM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit |
| 2009-08-04 10:45 AM in reply to: #2326479 |
Master 1201 Woodstock, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit LHablas - 2009-08-04 10:21 AM How many 4/5's raced last year, Chris? Any clue as to how many Beginner's show? I like the idea of 20 min A LOT more than 35 +3, but am thinking the Beg. group might be a cluster. ... Lou, if you look on the registration page it tells you how many are signed up. It has a max so I guess theorecticaly there could be as many riders as each max listed. The beginners is a max of 50 riders. Three have signed up so far. CAT 4&5 is a Max of 75 riders and six have signed up so far. If some of the guys more around my ablities ride, I may do the beginners so that right there would make the beginners ride a cluster and more dangerous... Edited by nealphelps 2009-08-04 10:46 AM |
| 2009-08-04 11:33 AM in reply to: #2326771 |
Master 2379 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit nealphelps - 2009-08-04 11:45 AM LHablas - 2009-08-04 10:21 AM How many 4/5's raced last year, Chris? Any clue as to how many Beginner's show? I like the idea of 20 min A LOT more than 35 +3, but am thinking the Beg. group might be a cluster. ... Lou, if you look on the registration page it tells you how many are signed up. It has a max so I guess theorecticaly there could be as many riders as each max listed. The beginners is a max of 50 riders. Three have signed up so far. CAT 4&5 is a Max of 75 riders and six have signed up so far. If some of the guys more around my ablities ride, I may do the beginners so that right there would make the beginners ride a cluster and more dangerous... Thanks, Neal. Yeah, after I posted, I dug around the site a bit and found what you detailed in your note. Where Beginners are concerned, 1 could make a cluster; what do you call 50 Beginners? We may have to show up and see... |
| 2009-08-04 1:23 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Veteran 383 The ATL | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit Nat, I have no idea what the speed will be for a beginner group. My guess is that you'd all start and spread out/string out pretty soon anyway so there's less likely to be a pack or peloton. It will probably be more like a mountain race where everyone's just strung out. I just did the Gwinnett Bike Fest circuit race which is a longer loop than this one but pretty comparable terrain-wise. We (women) were unfortuntely lumped in with 1/2/3/4s. Nice. Anyway, the Cat 1/2s attacked on one of the first climbs and POOF! I was gone essentially because my one minute sprint sucks big time. Hasta la vista, blown off the back. The rest of the time riding solo I was around 19mph and the pack was about 21mph (so not much difference since I didn't have the benefit of the draft) while the breakaway of the 1/2s were sustaining about 23mph. So the mph isn't really the issue, it's the surges. But since this is a beginners race, I think that's less of an issue. You'll do fine and once you get out there you'll realize no one is paying attention anyway. That's what I tell myself :-) Beth |
| 2009-08-04 1:36 PM in reply to: #2326479 |
Master 1888 Winder, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit LHablas - 2009-08-04 10:21 AM I like the idea of 20 min A LOT more than 35 +3, but am thinking the Beg. group might be a cluster. Hopefully nothing on the fam cal for this day - going to see if I can make it happen. Heh - I told my husband about this race and he had a similar reaction. I told him the only real difference from the Beginner's and the Cat 5 guys are that the 5's have raced at least once before. I predict I'd be blown out the back too but I like the idea of 20 minutes of suffering instead of 35. Edited by autigers_1998 2009-08-04 1:39 PM |
| 2009-08-04 2:07 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 2379 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit hehe...never fails...I just rcvd the following email from my wife: "do we have anything going on that day at that time?" the email she forwarded started off with: "You are invited to lunch on Sunday, August 23rd at 12:30 pm in the Attic." (she volunteers with the middle school ministry at North Point and apparently they're treating all the volunteers to lunch and some fun) unless something changes, looks like my Grant Park dreams have been dashed... Edited by LHablas 2009-08-04 2:08 PM |
| 2009-08-04 6:40 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
| Regular 281 | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit Okay, I'm interested in this race. My only question of wether I can do it is my GF is coming back to school from summer break that weekend and Saturday night we are going to go out and... But we don't plan to drink much so I shouldn't be hungover (just tired). She won't have a problem going but I'm still not sure if I'll be hungover so I want to see what all consists of a criterium. Anyways I just learned about criteriums but am still somewhat confused on what exactly a crit is. Is it a number of laps you have to ride (aka 1st one to 30laps wins) or are you guys saying it's timed (Whoever has the most laps in X amount of time wins)? And in the beginner class what would be the average pace (guestimated is fine) and how many miles would that make? Also if I miss this one is there another one around in the next few months? |
| 2009-08-04 8:54 PM in reply to: #2328240 |
Veteran 383 The ATL | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit ATLsbr - 2009-08-04 6:40 PM Okay, I'm interested in this race. My only question of wether I can do it is my GF is coming back to school from summer break that weekend and Saturday night we are going to go out and... But we don't plan to drink much so I shouldn't be hungover (just tired). She won't have a problem going but I'm still not sure if I'll be hungover so I want to see what all consists of a criterium. Anyways I just learned about criteriums but am still somewhat confused on what exactly a crit is. Is it a number of laps you have to ride (aka 1st one to 30laps wins) or are you guys saying it's timed (Whoever has the most laps in X amount of time wins)? And in the beginner class what would be the average pace (guestimated is fine) and how many miles would that make? Also if I miss this one is there another one around in the next few months? If you're going to do one for a first time, I'd do this one. No other race has a beginner category. Yes Cat 5 is considered a beginner racer but they are in no way beginner road riders so I'd be hesitatnt to jump in unless you've been specifically training road for at least a year. Regarding speeds, take a look at my reply to Nat for some guidance. The crit is xxx minutes. Sometimes XXX minutes plus X laps. So it's timed. Typically there is a pack, so it's not number of laps per individual. It's just who crosses the finish first within that time. The officials will figure out the pack's average lap time and then give a lap countown to let everyone know how many laps remain. Or they may just let you know when there is 1-2 laps to go so the field can get ready. Sometimes if a racer gets "lapped" by the field, you will get pulled off the race by the official (although I suspect they won't do this in a beginner race and typically don't do this in the women's fields) b/c it can be dangerous to have the field coming up on single riders. I hope that helps. |
| 2009-08-04 8:55 PM in reply to: #2324458 |
Master 1730 Atlanta, GA | Subject: RE: Grant Park Crit There is no set number of laps or pace. You simply go as fast as the front pack pushes. If they are only going 20, you go 20. At 35 minutes, they start eh count down of 3 laps. At the start of the last lap, they ring the bell. Crits typically surge and ebb a few times. The first 10 minutes is bloody hell to stay at the front. It calms down some for the next 10 or 15, then gets crazy fast at the end. There are some surges as idiots burn out their legs thinking they can jump off the front. When you get to 3 laps, you will start to hurt like never before until you sprint at the end. That is a very generic flow of a Cat 4/5 race. Sound like fun? It is a real test and lots of fun! |
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