Race Report: Early Birds #2 - Women’s 4/5
Race: Early Birds #2 - Women’s 4/5
Date: 1/12/25
AVRT racers: Alex Cameron, Hannah Chen, Samantha Dewees.
Top Result: We did 4 practice races and did not keep track of results.
Course: 1km square, flat loop with four right turns. Strava segment
Event Recap:
This week’s skill focus was cornering. We learned how to have the smoothest, straightest line through a corner by taking the outside-inside-outside line and how to follow the leader of the corner. Then we split into smaller groups and did some drills:
Single file paceline where we practiced leading, rotating, and following the line set by the leader.
Double paceline where we practiced cornering with someone next to you, with opportunities to rotate and feel what it’s like to be on both the inside leading line and outside line
Three across! Getting comfy with our new friends, cornering in a tighter group, and practicing communicating with each other to coordinate rotating off the front.
Finally, we did four 5-lap practice races at higher speeds. Some topics during the post race talk included how everyone will hate you if you divebomb corners and how to be a safer/nicer racer by calling out cones and obstacles.
(Hannah’s experience) Generally it was the same set of people leading at the front. On the 2nd half of the last laps, people would attack into the final stretch and we got some fast corners in. I’m honestly not the best cornerer; so I used the session to practice moving around the group, taking turns leading corners as well as following others’ lines at faster paces. The course is really forgiving and you could pedal through every corner.
(Sam’s experience) Since this was my first time racing, I tried to position myself differently in each practice race to find where I was most comfortable/an ideal spot to end up in the front pack. In the first race, I tried to stay in sight of the leading riders and practiced following other riders’ wheels and cornering efficiently. In the second race, I found myself leading the whole group for the first couple of laps, which was unintentional but an interesting experience nonetheless. I knew I would likely get passed and dropped later if I stayed in front but no one else wanted to take the lead. In the third race, I tried to stay in third-fifth place as long as I could to best position myself to be near the front on the last lap. In the fourth race, I tried to do the same but unfortunately was a little too tired to keep up! Lots learned for races going forward.
(Alex’s Experience) This was my first time learning anything about crit racing, which was so exciting for me. Unfortunately, during our group ride prior to the clinic / race, Hannah noticed that my rear wheel was not true. After some investigation, I realized my spoke was loose. The mechanic from Trek ended up pulling it completely off, and advised that I only do the drills with the group, and sit out on the race simulations in an abundance of caution. I loved the drills and learned a ton about cornering, all things I had never really known before. Louise, Ari and Robin did such a great job teaching. I think it was most impactful to learn the unwritten rules of riding in a group during a crit to keep everyone safe. I’m grateful and relieved I’m doing these Early Bird races before signing up for a real crit! Bummed that I had to sit out of the races, but I’m SO excited for the next 2.
The weather was perfect and sunny, and it was great to ride with new teammates! Thank you Robin Betz, Ari Fischer, and Louise Thomas for mentoring us <3
