First Crit. End in a DQ!!
Aaron Bushey’s first criterium experience at the 2010 Saratoga Springs SPA Crit
I wasn’t planning on racing last weekend, May 2nd, but Jean was able to persuade me to go and race in the Saratoga Springs Crit. in New York. Having only observed a crit, I was nervous and willing to take all and any advice Jean and the team offered. As Jean parallel parked his “ big rig”, I got changed and ready for my race that was taking off in a half an hour. I took a few sprints and turns before riding the course, which consisted of five right hand turns, one left turn and two long straight-aways. Jean providing me with some last minute advice stood at the start line for support. Thanks Jean!
Soon after, I found myself shuffling for a spot surrounded by the Holstein Cow jerseys (the NY Farm Team). At the sound of the whistle there was the clicking of shoes snapping into their pedals and the field took off.
I had no idea how tight or fast I could take the corners, and on the first right hand turn I found myself being passed by almost all the riders. The second turn provided me with my first experience of pedals, arms, and various bike parts scraping together as each racer leaned their bike over all aiming for the same path. I managed to get through the first lap without any incidents.
However, on the third right hand turn of the second lap there was a manhole cover that wiped out one of the Farm Team racers, who was right in front of me. As his bike slid out from under his body, his rear tire hit mine. By the time I recovered (luckily not going down), the main field was already around the next turn.
Knowing I had to bridge the gap, I downshifted and started the five-lap chase. Remembering that someone told me one can save time and energy by making tight fast turns. I would feel the hay bales swiping my legs as I whipped around the corners, and I would sprint out of then desperately trying to catch the main group. After two laps the field was out of sight, but with the constant cheering from Jean, Andrew, Mark, Jared, and a random guy who would run next to me on one of the straight-aways, I was able to catch the field with 10 laps to go.
Knowing how fast I could make the turns, I moved up to the middle of the field. With only three laps left the pace picked up. After making a sharp turn I hit a sunken manhole, my hands came off the handlebars and my front tire started to wobble from side to side. Grabbing back on I was able once again avoid a crash, but had slipped back from the front of the field. So with another hard sprint I caught up again. The bells sounded beginning the final lap.
After quieting a few attacks we approached the second to last turn. I took the lead and increased the pace rounded the last turn and saw the finish. Sprinting a little too early I got 3rd in the field sprint being beaten by a wheel’s length. Not knowing two riders had broken off before the last turn, I found out that I got 5th still a podium finish.
I took another lap around the course to cool down and headed to the roll out station. Having blocked two gears, and performing an endless amount of rollouts at home I was not expecting to be disqualified. After doing five rollouts the official had three people come to help. They did another two rollouts and DQ’ed me for being over by 1/8 of an inch even though there was an extension cord running across the rollout zone. Making my way over to the team I told them the news. “O well I” said to my self “too bad”.
I leaned against my bike and watched Andrew and Jared dominate the ¾ race and Jean get 5th and 4th, and Mark getting in around 10th and 12th in both of there races. Altogether Onion River had a very successful day and I had a great time in my first crit! Now I am off to get a 52-chain ring so I don’t get DQ’ed any more.