MIVA Criterium Clinic - 6PM Tues 4/11

In order to introduce new members, riders unfamiliar with road racing and veterans requiring a refresher on criterium etiquette and safety, MIVA will be hosting a clinic prior to the first crit of the season. Even if you don't intend to race the criterium, attending the session will help improve your group riding and bike handling skills. Please join us! Clinic starts at 6:00PM sharp. Riders should arrive with their road bike, dressed and ready to ride.

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MIVA Criterium Clinic Agenda

Prerequisites - All riders should understand the basics of group riding, including bike handling, riding close to others and drafting.

Goals

- To explain the basics of crit races, making it less intimidating for newer riders.

- To have rules and etiquette understood, making it safer for all.

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Introductions (by the sign-on table near Longwood Brewery, Boxwood Road)

- Names, experience, goals.

Criterium Safety (by the sign-on table)

- No sudden movements or braking, hold your line

- No overlapping wheels

- No passing inside the corner (eg. diving, cutting)

- No crossing the (real or imaginary) yellow or white lines

- Making contact (stay calm)

- Maintain 100% focus

Criterium Rules (Roll over to the start/finish area)

- Explain lap count, lap board, bell, intermediate sprints, etc.

- Lapped riders - can continue riding but should not contest any of the sprints.

- Yellow line rule, neutralized race

Preparing for a Criterium (Roll through a couple of slow laps, stopping to discuss)

- Reviewing the course

- What to look for: hills, sharp corners, furniture, etc

- Explain need to try corners and finish sprint at race pace

Cornering (Meredith & Tulsa)

- Single file

- Brake early, if necessary

- Inside foot up, weight on outside foot

- Look through the turn

- Wide in/tight out, with acceleration.

- Demo rider (if available)

Positioning (Back at Start-Finish area)

- Understanding how the pack moves

- Where to be. (ie.: front, middle, back of pack)

- closing gaps, defending your position

- finding a good wheel

- watching body language, reading the race