Dominguez Hills CBR Crit

I decided to race the off season criterium at Dominguez Hills. I raced the course early this year and finished 12th. The course was good and it was seemed like a pretty good place to get some more experience. The course was a basic four right hand turn course with three lanes on each street. The race was also later in the days so we got to get up later and relax a little in the morning.

That relaxation changed when we got to the race. I forgot my jersey at home and a T shirt really does work. Anne had to rush to the store and buy me one while I was warming up. Luckily she made it back in time so I could change.

As soon as the race started someone took off. So I decided to chase. I am not sure why because I always tell myself to just sit in the pack and save energy until the end. For someone reason though people off the front are like my running rabbit at a dog race. The break didnt last long and when we were caught I relaxed and sat in the pack.

Around the three laps to go the field started to break up. I ended up passing a lot of people who looked like they had just quit. On the next lap though the pace slowed way down. I am pretty sure that everyone caught back up and I was expecting a big push on the last lap.

As we past the line with one to go I moved up towards the front but the pace remained slow. So on the second corner I decided to take off. I moved up to the front and started up the small hill on the course. Then everyone else started to attack.

I went a little too early and was out of gas with about 200 meters to go. I push through anyways and finished 19th out of 50+ racers. I was pretty happy with how I performed.

That will probably be my last CBR race however. The USCF decided that the CBR (local organization) races will not count towards upgrading your license. I personally noticed that the CBR was comprised of people who were getting pulled from USCF races. They would complain and say it wasnt fair and then say that they were going to race at the CBR.

I have no problem with that but even at the CBR races they complain about the speed and the riding styles and everything else. So I think I will stick to the USCF events. They are more competitive and there is less complaining from people who can actually finish a race.