Gerry,
Thanks for the KUDOS!
Yes, it does take a lot. Every first experience is different! As long as you get the bug for this scene and keep on truckin! This is absolutly the best!

I’ve ridden basically all my life, and actually attempted my first race (Fremont crit) back in 1994, that’s when they had a Cat5/Public race. Needless to say I was shelled rather quickly and figured racing wasn’t for me. After more years of riding about 1,000 miles annually, thinking I was riding a lot, I noticed as the years went on, so did my weight, I needed to do something.

Many, many years ago, I had raced the San Bruno Mt Hill climb on January 1st, got killed, I think a guy on roller blades actually beat me up the hill, but I got a ton of encouragement from those patiently waiting my finish. So around September of 2005, after stepping on the scale and just getting ticked off, I decided January 1, 2006 I would Race San Bruno Mt. I got my USAC license, and put the race down on my calendar. In a field of 23, I placed 23 with a time of 29 minutes. That’s where I learned about the EB series, and decided what the heck, I’m not going to get frustrated, I’m going to learn something and fight my way through this, quitting was not an option.

I remember my first day, suiting up, really nervous not knowing what to expect, but thankful everyone else seemed to be in the same place. Then there was this guy in a USP/AMD outfit, that I remembered seeing at a local race in Livermore a few years earlier. I had watched him work the pack and seem to go where ever he wanted when he wanted. He didn’t win that day, but he drove the race. That’s when I knew the mentors were going to be good. I also met Alan that day, a funny guy that was patient with me and stern in his direction of what’s expected. I survived all five races, met a bunch of people that I see at a variety of races and now consider friends, and it all started with my first EB.
I raced a few races outside the 2006 EB series, but it became evident that I really needed core work, so I stopped my season, hired a coach and worked on fitness. The most important thing I’ve learned over the years is a higher level of fitness is just entry into the game; it’s a key element to helping you be safe. We all become very dangerous when we’re tired, we lose focus. Fitness doesn’t make you safe, it just allows you to be safer, the brain is what helps keep you out of unsafe situations that you control.

The 2007 season is when I joined my team, and have had a great time ever since. This is my fourth season starting off with San Bruno Mt, seven minutes faster and almost 30 pounds lighter. I’ve done the first two EB’s, and will probably do two more along with the EB road Race. I use these races to start pushing the numbers. I don’t play in the sprints; I get that work in at the track, and feel safer staying away from them at the end. Will I ever be a great racer, winning easily? Probably not, it’s not really a goal of mine, my goal is to have fun, meet great people, stay safe, and stay fit.

Thank you to all of the people who work their tails off putting on the EB events, they have truly impacted my life.

Gerry

I think this is a great thread.....and I have a lot to say, but right now very little time to do so.

One quick thought:
I know mentors are typically a bit shy about riding in amongst the pack of racers (and probably for good reason...) but that is really the best way to see whats happening and offer calmly spoken advice and a strong EXAMPLE of how to maintain safety in a pack. Suck it up and mix yourselves in there a bit.
hey, at least there is some draft available! riding out in the wind on the outside of a pack gets kinda tiring after a few races in a day.....

I like the idea of a mentor led first lap, to control speed (get everyone into pack before the hammer drops) and to display good lines into and out of the corners.

Great work everybody: Leaders, Mentors and Racers! I have been thoroughly impressed by the attention, turnout, and fitness of the new racers.

In 2006 I raced my first USCF races at three of the Early Birds. The wide open course, the expertise of the mentors and the great clinics gave me confidence that I could be safe in races and do well. I would give credit for the beginnings of my pack skills and safe racing record as a testament to what I learned then.

This year I am giving back by mentoring at all of the EBCs and am surprised at how much I am LEARNING versus what I am providing. Review and practice is good even for experienced racers. Plus, the best seat in the house is following these races and giving feedback and tips during the races. What a blast!

I know that we cover protecting your front wheel but I swear the new racers need to have it written on the inside of their glasses. One of the mentors in our race kept yelling "look up" every time the front of the pack slowed. I was amazed at how many had to look up when told. There is a lot of tunnel vision going on. Part of this is the hyper-competitiveness of some racers drilling the first lap at 28-29, thus putting those less fit in hypoxia and reducing their ability to do anything more than hang on for dear life. I have no problem with a fast first lap in a race but this was a team tactic to split the race and several racers lost contact immediately. We lose the opportunity for the marginally trained to get into the pack and stay there.

I was also sickened to witness to a crash right in front of me when one racer decided they needed to be five feet left RIGHT NOW and took out an unsuspecting front wheel. There was NOTHING the crashed rider could have done to prevent the crash. I had warned the errant racer to hold his line just a few seconds previously.

Suggestions/Random Ideas:
1) Mentors reminding racers during the race to look up. This cannot be said enough.
2) Emphasize (again) protection of the front wheel and no sudden lateral movement.
3) Consider a parade or neutral or slower first lap to let everyone slot into the pack without extreme stress of what amounts to a full sprint for some.
4) Review during the clinic the cause of crashes the week prior.
5) Consider going back to splitting the fields by number of races/experience, rather than odd/even numbers.

For all those that mentored in 2006, thank you for the gift of teaching me to race safely. For current mentors, you are doing a great thing for our beloved sport. See you all on Sunday.