Oh yea, re Cat 4 field size...... for that course I thought all the field sizes were completely reasonable.

Again, just one person's thoughts, perspective, input.

I know this is coming way late. Was just reading all the posts again.

Just a comment re Jess' post about communication in a race..... I'm with Jess in that I think it's under-rated. I try and talk in races all the time.

I'm not a fan of guys "coaching" other guys, and I don't do it.

But I try and let other guys in the race know if I'm on their hip, if I'm in their blind spot, etc., not to gain any advantage, but just because I think it makes the race safer. And I appreciate it if other guys communicate with me. I'm even likely to give you a wheel if you communicate with me and let me know that's what you want. If you don't talk to me, then chances are I'm not lettin' you in.

One of my goals in any race is to do my part in making it safe so the guys who are good that day on that particular course, get a chance to race for the win in the final. And if I'm one of those guys on that day, great.

I don't need a coach in a race. But I am big on communicating in the pack and working with everybody so the guys who are good get their chance at a result.

What makes racing fun for me is the competition, the racing, and not the whining, harping, unsolicited coaching, bullying and/or beligerance. I want the best guys there, in the race. It's far more fun for me that way.

Just one person's thoughts, perspective, input.

E4 field limit was 100 and actual field size was 88. I don't think field size was the main issue, it was lack of basic skills - the crashes occurred on the very widest portion of the field with a cross wind. I think you'd have to cut down to about 50 to eliminate crashes and that is not really feasible.

I only recall two significant crashes -only one stopped th race; the first crash did eventually stop the race but only because the ambulance & fire truck needed to cross race traffic for exiting the course. The 2nd crash was after the one restart, but the guys were off the ground one lap later. Not to diminish the impact of even a minor crash, there were not THAT many crashes in the E4 race.

MORE SKILLS! More mental powers. Like I said before and Jess said in a different way - let's have cat4 packs resemble the shape of the higher categorries.- 1 or 2 wide will take corners faster with less stress. Move up when safe. Maybe cat 4 races could benefit from some mentors?

-After watching the E5 & M35+ E4s, I was optimistic about our (E4's) chances of a non-crash fest
-When they announced the size of the field which was a lot bigger then when I reg'd earlier that wak, I got a little nervous
-After the 10 minute break when they lined us up for the restart announcing 5 to go including primes, I got queasy

That being said, I didn't call it a day either and took my chances. Was right behind the crash that eventually stopped race but got around luckily. Was also waaay behind the first crash of the restart which was the end of my race as I had to come to a stop. Surreal to just evade a pileup to come back to same spot a lap later and see bodies all over the place.

The promoters put on a good venue though. The helmet guy was a nice touch. I'd happily do this race next year (in the masters).

ZebraMan wrote:All due respect, friends ...... Perhaps a little more skills education for our 4's??

Honestly, I'm surprised no one mentioned this, but I think the field size for the E4s was simply too big for that course. After the third or fourth crash, I thought the racers would abandon or the CR would call the race. The guys could barely make it a lap without a race-stopping crash. It really became ridiculous in my opinion.

I disagree about calling "inside." I do it sometimes, even though I know it will brand me like a "rookie tattoo." If I feel I'm going to get pinched, I prefer letting someone know verbally than by putting a hand on them. That said, you cannot rely on people giving you the space just because you ask, and bombing the corner without a reintegration plan is never a safe tactic.

Talking in the peloton for safety purposes is underrated in my opinion. There is no shame in telling someone you are coming by, or squeezing through a hole, or in the gutter next to them. It's better than crashing. No one can see behind them, and I am absolutely fine with someone behind me letting me know if my movement will endanger him.

As for the PG&E Crit, the course got demonstrably safer in the afternoon races. I do not believe there was a single pm crash. This was a smooth, fairly wide, four-corner course with no apparent hazards other than the other members of the peloton.* All due respect, friends ...... Perhaps a little more skills education for our 4's??

* "Hell is other people." - Sartre, No Exit

Thanks for the input Ron - I think mentored racing is terrific. And the new moves in the NCNCA and Mentor Within mentoring programs are really exceptional.

The only issue I have noticed is that when you are an assigned mentor in orange, people listen, but as just another guy in the pack, my comments may just irritate.

Race on - it's May!

As an NCNCA Mentor and one who worked this race, I am going to disagree with Surfvivor.
Coaching/Mentoring from the back is to some degree responsible for the E5s not having a crash. It was our reminders for riders to keep their head up, think through the turns, and work on their skills that changed the behavior of some of the riders in the field. We watched their cornering improve throughout the race.

In the E4s you have a wide mix of skill, from the newly upgraded to those like Xeno who have many years of racing experience and have the capacity to mentor the newer riders.
If someone is coaching in the field, it is likely well justified and just might have saved the 4s from another crash. Maybe even saved you from a trip to the hospital and a lot of unwanted time off the bike.

So how about showing some respect to those with more experience and thanking them for their willingness to help make your racing experience a little safer?

Cheers,
Ron

Comment well noted!

I took a break from the laptop to race the E4 event and experienced a lot of the same stuff - and I may have been guilty of doing some coaching through the corners, in part because of those guys who kept running up the right just in time to yell "inside!" Especially on turn 2 - followed by all kinds of lateral movement in the backside cross wind leading to the two main crashes in that field (and on the day).

So reminder to my cat 4 bretheren, don't move up on the inside just before the pack is going to pinch you off at the apex, lots of other times you can move up. And, in general, go straight, keep you head up and if you do move laterally make sure the lane is clear. If not strong enough to get/be near front and share pulls, be happy to get in line until you can safely move up. Just look at the shape of the packs for the upper categories and collectively, let's look more like that.

While I'm at it, floss daily and recycle... geez, I'm such a lecturer! Feel free to smack me down or give us more one-liner tips (or skills clinics) for safer and more effective racing.

Agree with others about being a great event but...the lack of bike handling, uptight racers yelling, others crying out "inside-inside" through the turns, and people crashing on straightaways left for a lot to be desired. People, when you race your bikes, if you are yelling "inside" it means that you are in a place that you shouldn't be. And for the people who try and "coach" the pack through the course, this only puts everyone on edge. Just keep your mouth shut and race your bike. Sorry, had to vent.

Wow! Wiped out from a long day and weeks of prep - we can't do this without racers, officials, sanctioning bodies, sponsors, city of Livermore approval, etc.! Thanks to WEBCOR for the loan of their 2-way radio system! Thanks to Lorri Lee Lown and Jess for guest MCing! Thanks to two of my team mates especially, Erik Hoffman, first-time race director! And Richard Asturias who assembled one heck of a prize list!

Oh, and SBO is awesome, but the newest software is giving me trouble - possibly because of Windows 7, so, I apologize for not being able to get full results with names/teams up at the race and please give me some time to re-enter results and upload to USAC.

So, thanks to all who came out to work, race and/or help. Helmet loved all the attention and was especially honored when the Yahoo! boys asked him to pose for a pic with them!

Ride on,
RegistrarX
Tri Valley Velo

Great event!

Short drive, great course, paved parking, easy reg., and a great venue for spectators.

I'd come here again will tell others. I may even tote the BBQ next time!

Great job.