@Kevin Man are you OK?

^ second what Bobby said. Hopefully nothing too bad

I know I've been shy around these parts this year, but I want to share what I see because I think it's a good lesson. He jack-knifes his front wheel because (1) the front wheel has a way of following the eyes--he needs to look where he wants to go, not at what he's trying to avoid--and then (2) he's braking hard without throwing his weight back behind the saddle, so his momentum brings his weight forward onto his bars, and then it's too late. Down he goes. Sorry this bozo took you down. [Edit: Actually, I won't call him a bozo based on just one clip. But I am sorry that he took you down.]

That's Julius Quito right in front of you. He's a Cat 3 (maybe 3 years now). Not defending anyone just informing. Watching the video, it looks like there was someone who swerved right in front of him to avoid the crash.

Throwing in my two cents, it's hard to say this guy should have done this or that guy should have done that in a crash. A lot of us have crashed in a race and we know things happen fast that it's sometimes hard to react even instinctively. I crashed at Floyd three years ago and it happened because the guy in front of me overlapped wheels and he went down (going single file) and I had no where to go. That was more clear cut. Only two of us went down.

In any case, that's bike racing, and I hope @Kevin Man don't have any serious injuries from last night and your bike is ok...  :-)

All things considered, that last still is pretty great. Like a Renaissance painting. "The Fall of Man" maybe? 

Sorry to hear about the crash, @Kevin Man . It sucks when you go over everything and find that there wasn't much you could do to avoid a crash. It actually sounds like an almost identical scenario to my misfortune the other night. 

Let's all heal up, reset mentally/ physically, and give everything another go in some time. 

That's an incredible series of photos. I don't even understand how you got the "dive" shot, but it's perfect. You should get it framed

I'm glad you're not too banged up. Hope the bike is ok.

So, two observations here from the balcony:

First, this scene is exactly what I'm talking about - it's super wide and therefore dangerous. That's nobody's fault, but it is on you as riders (plural) to realize things just got super sketch. If you get crashed out after the field is 7m across, well...

 
Second, the guy in front of you could be to blame, or he couldn't. It's tough to say. I watched the video at 1/4 speed and he's clearly trying to avoid riding into the guy who is actively rolling towards him on the ground.

Quito has been racing for almost a decade, and has almost 150 races under his belt. I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

More than that - it strikes me as too much to complain about how people are riding during a crash.

Crashing sucks, and we've all been there. Vent as much as you need and move on. My counsel is to avoid being the guy who holds a grudge - bike racing is just too small a world. Take the frustration and put it into the pedals.

Peace.

Very well said @jules

Nice race tonight, avoided a crash and finished in the pack. 

💪💪💪

Nice and "clean" i see.. glad you guys stayed upright.

yea was super fun...there was a pileup on lap 9 that we all thankfully averted

Dash for cash has been cancelled.

Who's going today? 
I'll be there to stretch the legs...

Plus there's no FBF next week so might as well.

I'll be there. 

Ugh! That was hard. The wind lived up to its name in tonight's race. The race started slow on some sections, 19-20 mph slow, and ramp up to 30mph the next Corner. Also very hot. Lasted 5 laps. 

Two more races and then it's over for the season.

Well I did come and stretch my legs... For 25 min  
This is my comeback to FBF from when I crashed there last time. 
My head wasn't in the right space, I was hesitating in the corners and taking slightly wider turn than I should, so I pull the plug 25 min in rather than causing a crash with my sketchy riding.

Like Phil said, it was super slow then super fast... I dig the fast pace. Be back in couple of weeks hopefully with the right mind and ready to attack!

Great photos!

Oh Floyd. 
Raced, crashed with 6 to go, Nothing broken, only road rash, got a free lap then jumped back in, 
Last lap, jumped off the front by the back straight, got cought by the old start/finish line, rolled thru the ending and waited for the ambulance to get cleaned up. Kudos to boys for hangin with me by the ambulance

ps, I have a beautiful tire mark on my back from the crash 

“Like?” 
Pure Macabee

I blew up trying to bridge to the break with another guy, then solo 1/4 laps... Lesson learned never go 1000% bridging lol

Should've just slowed down and wait for the chase group... At one point tried to get on Jules wheels after his free laps but I was totally useless at that point. 

It's hard to guage efforts without PM when you're so pumped up with adrenaline! 

Good and fast race! Crashed doing dumb stuff 10min before the race start lol 
Need to pay attention when bunny hopping a pothole that you dont end up landing on another hole

26.7 MPH AVG 50min of way above threshold hr 

@ErikPfiffner @RobertMullen was attacking nonstop like a mad men out there!


But glad to finish the race! 

Agreed! That race was super hard and I think the fastest race I’ve ever been in. It was good to get back out there for sure. 

FBF is coming back!!  

https://www.facebook.com/lucarellicastaldituesdayraceseries/photos/a.558118967617435/5015638425198778/

First race is May 24th.

I’ve never raced FBF before. How intense are the winds? Do I need to switch out my 55m race rims for aluminium off season rims?

your 55 rims might be ok, the ground is definitely a challenge, and some have cracked a rim when hitting the occasional pothole, but that's unusual. 

FBF races are intense af, the wind is a factor for sure, the pace changes as the packs hits a tailwind vs headwind... but you still want to gravitate towards aero gear as it is flats. 

The wind is a factor, but the racing is what is intense and hardcore. Racing there regularly will whip into top shape or spit you out or maybe both.

One the best known series in all of the US. Racing Floyd on Tuesday nights is an experience. 

Let's go race bikes!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy3hR9YS44E

I'm thinking of hitting the first or second FBF because there's so little local racing right now.  I haven't raced since mid-March and need some of that brutal intensity back in my life.

DavidVibert said:

I’ve never raced FBF before. How intense are the winds? Do I need to switch out my 55m race rims for aluminium off season rims?

Floyd is not a course for nice new carbon rims, at least until you see the (ahem) pavement.
*Definitely* pre-ride the course. There are some man-sized potholes you do not want to ride into.