Not just for the pros
Time trials and criteriums worth a try
By Jay Bergland 
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| Pictured left, Tyler Grabinger races for the Silver Cycling Team and, right, Andrea Scheib bikes for Velo Bella at the Black Dog Time Trial in Burnsville, Minnesota, last month. Photos by Matthew E. Moses |
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I'm sure many of you have seen Lance Armstrong and other elite cyclists put on their funny looking "aero" helmets and tight-fitting skinsuits and pedal as fast as they can in a time trial. I'm also sure that most of you have seen a criterium bike race where the route snakes through a short course with sprints at different times during the race.
What I'm not so sure of is why more of you aren't trying
these types of races. A time trial (TT) is the most welcoming and forgiving cycling event there is. The most technical bike handling skills a person needs for a TT is to be able to negotiate a turnaround often a cone placed in the middle of a closed road. No special equipment is needed. A stock bike, helmet, clothing works just fine. Best of all, your skill and fitness level or age don't matter. A TT has something to offer everyone. There is a big difference between TTs and criteriums (crits). TTs are a great place for people to get started racing. The intimidation factor is low, people compete mostly against themselves, and the technical skill required
is minimal. Crits, on the other hand, are a little better suited for those who are looking for competition and have more developed bike handling skills and fitness. TIME TRIALS
What to expect
At registration you are assigned a race number in keeping with your chosen racing category. Most categories are based on the type of bike you will be riding (aero or stock), age and gender. If you are not sure what category you should be, ask the person working registration. They will make sure you end up in the right category.
After registration you will usually have time to warm up and possibly pre-ride the course. Your race number
will dictate when you start. Be careful not to be too far away from the starting line. This might sound like something even a beginning rider would know, but I have seen very experienced and even elite racers miss their start times.
The start of a TT is pretty straightforward. People are started in order of their assigned numbers in 30- to 60-second intervals. Be sure not be in too big of a gear when starting from a dead stop. You'll want
something small enough so you can get up to speed quickly, but probably not your smallest gear.
During the race you will want to go as fast as you can without pushing yourself so hard that you will not be able to hold the same level of effort for the entire race. Race distance is an important thing to consider. The effort for a seven-mile TT would be much different from a 25-mile TT.
During the race, there is also a good chance you will be passed by other people. Do not let this be any indication of how well you are doing. Remember, race number assignment is usually random. Your only competition is the clock and yourself. If someone does pass you, be sure to hold as straight a line as possible. This also applies if you are passing someone else.
Similar to the start, the finish is very straightforward. Often the start and finish line are in the same area. As
you cross the line, be sure to watch out for other people as some may not have raced yet and may still be warming up.
CRITERIUMS
What to expect
A criterium (crit) requires a bit more advanced racing. People should have experience riding in tight groups at faster speeds along with more developed bike handling skills before attempting a crit.
Registration is usually by race category. At your first crit race, you will more than likely be in the 4/5 or
5/citizen categories. Again, if you are not sure, just ask someone at registration.
The start of the race will be a "mass start," meaning everyone racing in the same category will start at the same time. This is probably one of the more intimidating parts of crit racing, but it shouldn't be.
Starting toward the back of the group is a good way to relieve some anxiety as well as watch and learn.
During the race the pace will vary between moderate and very fast. It's doubtful the pace will ever be slow. If you find yourself falling behind, called "getting dropped" from the main group, do not be discouraged. This is a common part of crit racing. The more experience and fitness you gain, the easier it will be to stay with the group. Try and find others who have also been dropped and work together.
If the main group starts to lap you, pull to the outside of the course and hold a straight line. Do not slow down. Just keep your pace. As the front of the main group goes by, jump back into the action again.
Whether you choose to try a TT or crit, they are both great training and learning opportunities. It doesn't matter if you are coming from a background of cycling, running, triathloning or skiing. Nor does it matter if
you are a weekend warrior or semiprofessional. Chances are you'll find something enjoyable.
Silver Cycling offers the Black Dog Time Trial Series (nine events) starting in May and running through August. They also offer the Dakota Technical Criterium Series (four events) in July. Other crit series are offered by Loon State and MCF. Check out the race calendar on the MCF Web site (www.MCF.net).
Jay Bergland of Farmington, Minnesota, is a Category 3 road racer and has raced on track, in the Velodrome and mountain bikes. Through the Silver Cycling, a team based in Lakeville, Minnesota, Bergland helps put on the Ice Crit Championship Race Series, the Black Dog Time Trial Series and the Dakota Tech Crit Series. See www.silvercycling.com for dates and more information.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TTs AND CRITS
If you're interested in giving time trials and criteriums a try, the best in-road is through one of the state racing associations listed below. Each maintains a schedule of races and rules for riders. For example, the
Wisconsin Cycling Association hosts the Wisconsin Cup Series with nine events scheduled from June to September. Most series riders are required to hold a U.S. Cycling Federation license. For more information, go to www.usacycling.org.
Illinois Cycling Association
www.commissaire.net
Iowa Bicycle Racing Association
www.bikeiowa.org
Michigan Bicycling Racing Association
www.mbra.org
Minnesota Cycling Federation
http://mcf.net/index.php
Wisconsin Cycling Association
www.wicycling.org
Want to witness a race before entering one? There are many opportunities. Usually held downtown in medium-sized cities or on rural roads blocked to motorized traffic, these events are exciting, inspiring and spectator-friendly.
International Cycling Classic (Superweek), July 8-24
The International Cycling Classic is the world's largest multicategory cycling event. The 36th annual event will take place from July 8-24. The highlight events of each day's racing will be the men's and women's Superweek Pro Tour races, featuring top professional and elite amateur cyclists and teams from across the United States and more than 20 foreign countries.
The 2005 event series will feature races in 12 city centers throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern
Illinois, including many locations throughout the greater Milwaukee area.
The schedule is as follows. For more information, see www.internationalcycling.com.
Fri., July 8: Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, Chicago
Sat., July 9: Otto Grunski Menasha Classic Criterium, Menasha, WI
Sun., July 10: First National Bank Maritime Bay Classic, Manitowoc, WI
Mon., July 11: Tour of Alpine Valley Road Race, East Troy, WI
Tue., July 12: MGA Proving Grounds Road Race, Burlington/town of Lyons, WI
Wed., July 13: Whitnall Park Road Race, Hales Corners, WI
Thu., July 14: Humboldt Park Criterium, Milwaukee, WI
Thu., July 14: Shorewood Criterium, Shorewood, WI
Fri., July 15: Brewers Hill Criterium, Milwaukee, WI
Fri., July 15: Schlitz Park Cycling Challenge, Milwaukee, WI
Sat., July 16: Carl Zach Cycling Classic, Waukesha, WI
Sun., July 17: Bensenville Criterium, Bensenville, IL
Mon., July 18: Tour of Holy Hill, Hartford, WI
Tue., July 19: Lake Front Road Race, Milwaukee, WI
Wed., July 20: Bellin Health De Pere Cycling Classic, De Pere, WI
Thu., July 21: Heritage Square Criterium, Sheboygan, WI
Fri., July 22: Chase Bank Food Folks & Spokes, Kenosha, WI
Sat., July 23: Lake Front Road Race, Milwaukee, WI
Sat., July 23: The Great Downer Avenue Bike Race, Milwaukee, WI
Sun., July 24: Whitefish Bay Classic, Whitefish Bay, WI
U.S. Cycling Federation
State Championship Events
In order to compete in federation races, riders must present a valid racing license from the federation or an international license from another national federation that is affiliated with the International Cycling Union. For more information, go to www.usacycling.org.
ILLINOIS
Sun., June 26: Illinois State Road Race Championship, Cedar Point
Sun., Aug. 14: Illinois State Criterium Championship, Winfield
IOWA
Sun., Aug. 7: Iowa State Road Race Championship, Sherill
MICHIGAN
Sun., June 26: Michigan State Time Trial Championship, Dearborn Heights
MINNESOTA
Sat., June 4: Minnesota State Time Trial Championship, St. Peter
Sat., June 25: Minnesota State Road Race Championship, Plainfield
Sun., July 31: Minnesota State Criterium Championship, Minneapolis
Thu.-Sat., Aug. 18-20: District Track Championships, Blaine
Sat., Sept. 10: Masters State Track Championships, Blaine
WISCONSIN
Sat., June 11: Wisconsin State Road Race Championship, Spring Prairie
Sun., July 31: Wisconsin-Illinois Time Trial Championships, Milton
Sat., Aug. 27: Wisconsin State Criterium Championship, Elkhorn |
