What I found is that it is a great place to really learn a lot, such as riding with the group, practice sprinting, and experiment with different racing strategies. Because it isn't a "serious" race, I feel free to attempt moves that I wouldn't necessarily do in an actual race. I'm not talking about risky or dumb stuff, like cutting people off or squishing into tight places, but strategic moves like taking an early flyer, trying to get a break started, how to make steady pulls in moderation, or trying to give leadouts for the sprints. The best way to learn is just to do it. I'm finding my limits, seeing how the pack reacts, and through a slow process, figuring out what does and doesn't work for me.
Of course the pack's reaction is always an uncertainty. I have a tendency to get a little too excited when I get to the front to help keep things moving. Sometimes the pack just lets me roll off the front, other times they'll string out single file and then no one wants to keep the rotation going. For my own good, I've got to learn how to pull in moderation at a steady pace.
Two weeks ago, I was coming up the little "hill" on the backside of the course with my friend David on the front, I had some extra speed and came around him. He quietly mutters "go" under his breath so I start going just to see what will happen. I look back after half a lap and I see that I've got a pretty good gap going. I hope that someone comes along, but after hesitating a bit, no one looks interested, so I decide to make a go for it solo. I get to the bell lap and my gap is holding and I focus on maintaining a sustainable pace. I don't look back until someone comes around me on the final turn into the sprint, the two of us are still safely away, but at some point he bridged up to me. I had no idea how long he was there, but he was going for the sprint and I did my best to contest the sprint points. It was close, but he definitely out kicked me in the end. My friend David did a good job sitting on the front of the field and hampering any chase effort that might started.
I'm not an explosive sprinter type; at 135 lbs, the only time I have an advantage is when the road is going significantly upwards. I do think that I have pretty decent aerobic capacity and quick recovery and I'd like to learn how to get in and stay in breaks as my best chance to place well. Plus I like riding hard for sustained efforts, it suits the runner in me. The best I've managed was a few weeks ago a break of 7 got away on a Thursday night. I think we stayed away for only 6-7 laps, but it was fun. We dropped two riders along the way and ended up with 5 for most of that time, every time a sprint lap came around we'd all go for it, and I always came across 5th, out of the points. But points weren't the point, so to speak, it was fun riding in a break. It is definitely something that one needs to practice, in order to ride smoothly, rotate steadily, and make it work.
Last Thursday a few of us decided to try and make a break happen. It didn't really work, I think our timing wasn't very good. It seems like the best strategy is to just take advantage of the right opportunity, or respond if someone else goes first.
So anyway, the Thursday night criteriums are a lot of fun, and an excellent place to learn. I think I've enjoyed this series more then any single road race or criterium, except perhaps Mt. Nebo.
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