A NEW WAY TO RACE BICYCLES - CRITCROSS
RELUCTANTLY CROUCHED AT THE STARTING LINE. Hearts pumping and thumping in time. The 30 second sign turns, the green flag waves. It's a full drag race for the first banked 180 degree turn...
... on go-cart course!
The energy of that start, into the first turn, was electric because the next 1/4 mile was a chicane, a short straight then onto a banked dirt turn to another banked turn and up the finish line jump...
... nearly impossible to pass.
Then back onto the smoothsmooth tarmac for good ol' crit racin', and what a crit course it was.
A perfect surface.
No road debris.
No cars or trucks.
Just bikes.
Racin'.
And, about two minutes later right back onto the 20ish seconds of dirt again.
That is my friend Eric's creation...
... called CritCross.
Crit and Supercross.
But, not just for the finish line jump.
We all raced 2 "Motos".
20 minutes + 2 laps.
Here's how it went for me.
I stuck with my gravel bike, only a few of us did that. The rest rode road, and I think that was clearly the fastest set up...
... but, i didn't want to soil the new roadie.
The first Moto my technique was terrible. I haven't raced a crit in years, and I just wasn't confident leaning the bike over. Plus, those gravel tires are really slow on edge...
... grippy, but slow.
I wound up 7th.
Totally cool, since it's off season for me, and I had zero interest in racing. Just wanted to check this new thing out.
Moto 2, different story.
First off, I felt racy.
Still had a slow start. That bike is just tough to get up to speed. Fortunately, this one was clean. No crashes in front of me. Within 3 laps I'd worked my way up to the leaders.
Second off, the rust was off the crit skills and I was leaning hard on those tires. Super grippy.
Wound up third in a three-man break, 35+...
... totally stoked.
Final thoughts...
the format of multiple heats,
the go-cart track,
the dirt section,
and finish line jump...
... made for some of the funnest racing I've had in years.
Oh wait, almost forgot...
... world class announcing,
terrific viewing for all trackside or up above,
and excellent food and drink included...
... Can't wait for the next one!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Yes, I'm still running this promo because we're almost out of time to get for the holidays... and because people keep buying 'em:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
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165.2
8 hrs
0 PullUps 0 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
0 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6221804628