Hey y’all! So the video popped off a lot more than expected and #509 has reached out to me again apologizing and being cool about the whole thing. He wanted me to post his comment so I’m posting that below for him. “Hey all, I am #509. Since the negative messages and what not have calmed down, I am ready for a civil conversation. My goal is to learn and to have all of us learn, here’s my side. It is true that if I had not moved up on the inside of that corner, the wreck would not have happened. I had a clear lane in front of me and went for the gap that was there and then the door closed on me. Take a look at my gopro footage on my insta before sending me a message. The video is under highlights titled ‘The Crash’. my insta is luke_reilly2233.”
Hey 509, it was a corner the door was always gonna close on you and it's your responsibility to know that. If you want to move up do it where you're not gonna take a bunch of people out.
I'm 20 years your senior, and the inner kid in me wants so badly to do crits etc. But the wisdom in me tells me that laying it down could cost me far more than I'm prepared to give. You lived it, and you did it. Nothing wrong with bowing out gracefully. Enjoy your life, your health, and your family.
Bro, I'm 34 and I'm already there. I loved racing crits, but a few batches of road rash and I just can't handle it anymore. Started doing long solo road rides and now I'm hooked on MTB.
I am 52 and quit crit racings years ago. Mostly ride solo and still train pretty hard. Now, I just go to events, like Fondos, Gravel and Touring. Just a lot safer and you can control so much more than in a Crit and just really have fun doing it. In my opinion.
I have a few (heh! if only) years on you, and I can make the same comment. Now I wouldn't might a nice zippy pace line with three or so other non-squirrels, but the idea of queuing up with a bunch a randoms seems too much of a death wish for me.
Im 53 and soon 54, same. lol. Im also the only fella who sticks a bluetooth speaker on and listen to music (soft volume tho). Too many variables even in cafe rides.
If it's your favorite weekend in bike racing, you don't do enough weekend races. Gateway is FAR superior in every way. Better courses, better fields, better safety. Oh, and everyone shows up to watch bicycle racing, not oblivious to the race because they only showed up to get wasted then wander onto the course. I've always joked that Tulsa is in cahoots with the manufacturers to crash bikes so that the manufacturers can sell more inventory.
@ryancrissey You're probably right! Tulsa is really my only exposure to national level crit racing. I think I've just come to the realization that at this point in my life I should maybe tamper the dream to just trying to get a podium at my local A race ;)
I stopped racing when I was 31 (30 years ago). I was a Dad and realized I was being selfish risking my health to race. Family had to be moved ahead of it.
LOL.....raced bicycles till I was 55. Broke my back and hip in one incident, recovered for 1 year, road another 3 years then QUIT road bikes altogether. Now I ride my MTB a bit but mostly hike in the mountains. What did I see in my 30 plus years of biking ? Guys going through the back windows of stopped cars, guys running stop signs (to not lose momentum) and getting killed, a guy hitting a barrier and becoming a paraplegic.....and the near misses of being killed are too many to count. But I'd say one of the biggest reasons I quit riding was seeing the vast majority of drivers on their phones texting or reading.......that was my final alarm !
Don't give up on the big races! Masters racing awaits you, and in my experience it's far safer but still plenty fast. Basis: I'm a 52-year-old Cat 3, racing since I was 17. The only bummer is, Tulsa Tough changed its Masters cats so A's are 1-2's only (I raced A's at TT in 2019 before they changed that).
I’m 66 and raced all over the US and in Italy and Germany over the years. And it’s always the same when you watch these race, if you are not constantly pedaling but choose to coast along at times, your reaction times will be compromised, especially when you get pinched in the corners. It’s just poor mechanics in racing. You have to be acutely aware of how and where you are pedaling through.
My first video of yours. You’re right about it not making sense for you to risk everything, work, family, etc. Why not road races? I get it, a climber and a crit racer are two different animals, but if you mountain bike…why not? I HATE crit racing. Your channel is fun and very professional. 👍🏻
Man, I hate seeing this Jacob. I pretty much gave up on crit racing several years ago for the reasons you gave. Road racing seems a bit better since there aren’t as many corners, but as we saw last year at Jesuit, still has risk…. Glad to see you’re not banged-up. BTW I finally realized what Ten-96 is…. Damn Funny!!!!
great vid sorry about the crash. Resonated with me I had a similar experience: young, type A, non-pro cyclists fighting over sq ft. on the road, when you don't know who you're riding with there's no way to calibrate for their risk tolerance or priorities. I've since migrated to Fondos/some road races, find it equally rewarding and guys fighting over miles not feet. Also training more gravel and xc.
Enjoy your new chapter, I used to race back in the 80's with the shift levers on the down tube. Dinosaur stuff. I used to lay there on Sunday morningat 4 a.m and thought what the hell am I doing? I ain't fast and I'm possibly going to trash my 800. guerciotti full campy. Enjoy yourself.
Hey bru, I am a life-time cat3 with enough pts to cat up but refuse to do so..I have known many riders who are stuck at 2 and can barely hang w/P1, let alone podium. Last year, I got into a 'not-my-fault' wreck with a hand surgery that would have cost me over $12k if I didn't have insurance. Stuff like '509' who threw a grenade will always happen again and again. Us cyclists don't ever get depressed bc of our sport, but the moment you are injured, can't ride or train, that's when it hits home... I still do crit once a blue moon, but I have found climbing mtn or doing Fondo just as satisfying
It sucks that you are dropping one of your favorite races. I fully understand. What surprises me are the comments from those that think you are being weak and you should continue to pay to risk your body and IRL career. If #509 pulled that same stunt on a local group ride with his friends and club riders, he'd get his ass beat and be kicked out permanently. For whatever reason stupid riders show up to these events and think anything goes. I've heard people say that they aren't worried about crashing. How's this for an event, $100 entry fee and run back across the freeway for an hour. The prizes are 1st $50, 2nd t-shirt, 3rd water bottle. Ridiculous.
In a way, it's not only his body he'd be risking, but in a sense his wife's and children's. As a family man, he's not free to be as reckless as he would be if single.
After watching race, Yeah stuff like that made me stop at 40 Cat 3 then. I'm talking 80's different bikes everything. Back then we Equire Racing & Chesapeake Wheelmen, College Park Bike had a weekly diet of Club/Training races. Family first!
I kinda know how you feel, man. About a year ago I gave up a martial art I did on average four times per week for 20 years. Circumstances changed so much because of COVID, I felt I had no choice. Been binging on cycling videos the past couple of years and I'm about to buy my first serious road bike. Just over ten years older than you.
After years of racing and crashes @ Gila, Tulsa, and Fitchburg Longjo (Cat1). I changed sports (at age 40) to motorcycle racing. Just got my first helicopter ride to a Hospital. Maybe I should have race masters? maybe I should pick up golf? Good luck on your choice.
Crashing sucks, been in my fair share. But I wouldn't let one racing incident make you quit. In regards to your comment about chilling in a safe place, the only safe place to be is in or at the front, definitely not mid pack or further back, which appears where you were. Although that move that guy made, dive bombing and locking up his brakes could have happened anywhere.
Crit racing is for people who are already missing brain cells to begin with. Just transition to gravel or another form of racing that is safer. Crit racing is just a race of natural selection honestly.
I'm not here to criticize your positioning, but there are some things you could've have tried. Right before that crash (and several other times during the race) you can just see (feel) it coming. No one wants to be at the front or chase down anything by this point. I see this happen quite often in Cat 3 fields with a handful of laps to go. In a race like that one (when you feel you're only good enough for a top ten) riding top 5 or at the very back is going to be the safest place. I would have gone straight to the front once it started balling up. You have four to go and the speed will pick up allowing you to stay near the front. It's worth burning some watts. Top ten or fifteen just isn't going to keep the dive bombers at bay. If you do decide to stop racing crits, that's all good. Imagine this...I quit racing BMX to race crits and it's been MUCH safer for the body. There are plenty of rides to do that don't involve the risks. The bike will be there. Good luck!
The older I got the more I just stuck with Road and Stage races. Crits are for the young guns that can bounce back and heal. The guy that divebombed and slammed the brakes in front you should be sued __ for real.
In all the bicycle racing videos I watch, it does seem that Tulsa Tough does have a lot of crashes. I'm heading to ToAD this week, and I'll be racing to 3/4, i am only a 4 so can't race Masters at ToAD. I am not aggressive anymore, so most likely i'll get dropped a lot at ToAD. Either way I'll be riding careful and leaving room.
509 seems to have had an apparent cognative stall. Im a 42 year old former fat boy. I played with the idea of going full crit. Might still do the TNC if I ever get a Tuesday off. But damn, I have to work, and if I eat it on the bike, I won't eat off the bike. Lol Gonna have to snag one of those shirts. That's good of him to apologize. I haven't been in the game long, but the little I've watched about Tulsa has always had some sketch. I busted the boas off my DMTs when I broke my collar bone last nov. But they snapped back on. Thankfully.
100% unnecessary move but it would also be nice to create the circuit in such a way where racers aren't even given the option to test their chance pushing grip on crosswalk paint.
Hate crits a lot but here in Texas there's no or maybe just a few road races ot TTs so i just ride solo no rush no waiting for anyone and nobody waiting for me i stop any store i want and get home any time I want.
Hope the guy who caused it issues you an everyone else an apology. There needs to be more done in cycling to discourage reckless behavior. Every other sport has penalties and fouls. Tired of seeing idiots get away with manslaughter out there and ride away unscathed
In my last race a long time ago, a guy got hurt and had to be airlifted out by life flight. We kept going by the scene where they were working on the guy. That spooked me. It was no longer worth the risk. I mountain bike for fun these days.
56, I ride solo mainly unless my wife joins me. I have nothing but respect for crit racers. Was never in the cards for me, too expensive and dangerous. I was safer as a 20 year Marine lol.
I get that this was a sketchy move and is definitely not okay but it’s part of racing it’s sad that yall are harassing this guy because he made a mistake. He admitted he did and apologized multiple times.
It looked like #509 stayed up and continued the race. I think when you noticed him trying to pass on your right just before the corner you should have hit your breaks given him some room and you may have done that but when he suddenly slowed down trying to regain his balance the crash was pretty much unavoidable at that point.
I was also taken out in that stupid pile up. Couldn't race Saturday because my shoulder wouldn't raise but came back Sunday on a course I don't like but in the Masters. Get in the Masters race at TT....haven't hit the deck in any Masters race.
I subscribed to your channel early on and enjoy your channel. I saw your crash while volunteering at the crossing point 20 or so yards away. Sorry to see it and to hear the consequences to you personally. I am in your video! Wish you well in your riding and will continue to look for your content.
That hat is hilarious... And crits are super stupid. crashing is part of the game. And when you have a chance to roll forward, you gotta take it. It's just safer. And you say this is cat3? I see only 5 real cat 3s, the rest are 10 minute cat 3s.
Sure, a “door opened up” but that doesn’t excuse the lack of physics judgement on how your speed and weight are going to commit to a turn that is impossible to make -or everyone else would be racing that line!! Hello!! Is anyone home?!?! Everyone’s suggestion to you is for you to think a little bit more before taking your next turn. If no one else is racing that line, then it certainly isn’t a successful race line.
Amazing how the risk of racing weighs more heavily on your mind the older you get, eh? I raced from the age of 18 until I was 47 (mostly as a cat 2), which is already many years behind me. I wouldn't dare race now, too many responsibilities to risk it, especially my physical job as owner of a lawn & landscape maintenance business, working by myself. Keep in mind the old saying, there are 2 kinds of bike racers, those who have crashed, and those who are going to crash.
One of my riders (ButcherBox) had a dive bomber who will remain nameless, take him out in Newnan GA. He had to miss Athens because of a broken back, collarbone and ribs.
That was nasty. Unfortunately, crashing is definitely part of racing criteriums. The good news... you're able to spend a lot of time traveling and no need to work when you're not crashing. Certainly don't need RU-vid money for a new pair of shoes. Glad you weren't seriously injured.
Racing cat 3 to win is so dumb, it's about just having fun, doing 350 avg w for an hour and getting a good workout in. If you cant do 5w per kilo for an hour then don't ride. Racing to win is like only for actual pros in Europe. American road racing is a zombie sport and crits are like a pretty low form of racing. Racing bikes for real, it just takes a group 4-5 hours of riding every day to really show who's the strong guy
I disagree with you on a few points. 1) Everyone can enjoy racing in their own way. Most people who choose to race are doing so for the win, otherwise why enter a race. Not everyone needs to conform to the idea that winning isn't important. Some people have goals to become a pro and you can't do that without winning in the lower ranks to gain experience eventually in the higher ranks. 2) Cat 3s are still learning to handle their bikes and thus make a lot of mistakes. 3) American crits have been the only form of cycling that saw significant growth and it needs to be looked at as it's on thing. It's certainly not a low form of racing because people who are good can make a living on it. Road/Stage racing doesn't work in the US for a variety of reasons, but crits really do. Crit riders and teams are getting paid salaries now. Since the WOrld Tour is hardly in the US, there is no reason to compare the two forms of racing. Here it's entertaining. 4) The actual reason crits doesn't grow much larger is down to the race organizers and USAC not having the right vision required for growth. I could write a book explaining what they're doing wrong.
domestic bicycle racing in the usa has way too much variation in ability & fitness as a former racer you never truly know what the wheel in front of you is likley to do next to say nothing of the dive bombing of corners...the shorter line is NOT faster...especially when you will always grab brakes as speed increases the optimal line around the course becomes very specific there is always "that" guy on the laat lap making a hero move that can never work that makes crit racing so very sketchy!!
Too many cry babies in sport these days. IT'S A SPORT. Shit happens! You're not a perfect rider yourself. Coming into any high-risk activity or competition, you're signing up for the associated risks as well. Get over it, and get back on your bike. No need to announce "you're done" for click bait purposes. At least your wife has it more figured out than you do. Ride safe out there.
@ten96cycling I know it does, bro. Just grow some balls is all. Quit the crying & the pissing & moaning; all the complaining about other cyclists. You're not the IT guy, and probably too late for that at 38. Just wallow in the beauty of the sport: good, bad, indifferent. Cheers
@@mayadachi He has a wife and kids to care for. It's called being a responsible adult. There is no beauty in the danger that has potentially high costs for your family.
biking is dangerous, racing is SUPER dangerous. You are selfishly risking your family, yet it seems you don't care. I don't care, but I'm not supporting you. Get better insurance, or don't race. What clown says they can't afford to get injured and then goes and races on a bike?
lol dang. This is the meanest comment so far. Watch the whole video and listen to me talk about not reading anymore and the internal struggle of giving up something you love
While crits _are_ dangerous, bicycling in general is not. Even time trial racing while very difficult, is very safe. I don't know where you get the dangerous garbage from.
This sounds like a guy who needs to "retire" from racing asap. That was the easiest looking race I've seen in a while and you were in 1 crash because you didn't know how to properly protect that corner. It's also the cat 3s. It's slow and easy, but more crashy. If you want safer, upgrade to 2. But it's really pathetic that you let 1 small crash prevent you from doing the other races. Harden the F up or just go do group rides.
@@ten96cycling (taking a bow). But seriously, the way to protect that corner wasn't so much riding in the space, but to do a shimmy - in/out move, to discourage riders behind from going on the inside because they think you could move into the space at any moment. I've been in the kind of crashes that makes people quit racing and this didn't seem like one of those. All that said, I hate Tulsa too. I remember some guy who couldn't take a corner in the P1 Blue dome race I was in an I was so annoyed that the dude was even in the race. I've had teammates break arms and friends break teeth in both the P1 Men and Women's race. I think it's irresponsible to allow 170 riders in the Pro field. 75 riders is a comfortable number no prob. But aove 125 is wreckless.
Seems like youre trying to blame someone else for your crash…bro took inside corner, same spot you were “trying” to protect on previous laps…509 was able to keep it up when the door closed on him…why weren’t you?
You don't gun corners like that unless it is a move to win the race in the last corner. 509 is an asshole who caused an unnecessary crash and hurt others. You ride with care for others in those races. You'll see the same people at different races over and over again. At some point people know who and what you are and will guide you into the gutter or fence to send a message.
Come to one of if not the most highly contested crit races in th country. Alone. And believe you can contend. 😅 Brah. Step back from the keyboard and read that. As strong as you are there is no way a podium is happening with all the tactics going on (part of the game) in this race. Keep on rolling and get those results where solid teams don’t care.
dude. cat 3 tactics for real? Watch the video then point out the tactics. HAHA. Cat 3 races are CONSTANTLY won by solo dudes. HECK cat 1/2 races are won by guys Unaffiliated. normally i don't respond to stupid comments but this one was uninformed enough for a response.
I don't think you know what you are talking about. He's racing cat 3. If Lamperti can come solo and contest the pro race why couldn't a random guy that seems fit fight for cat 3 results. Your comment makes no sense what so ever.
I don't know if our commenter here actually watched this Men's Cat III race? The cyclists that won it Austin Del Rosso was solo for 25 laps. Yep, he's on Paragon Racing out of Texas, but he just rode off from the pack, no team tactics applied with his win. Jacob I thought you were riding a really good, smart race! A really bummer with the crash!
