Skills Clinic & Mock Crit!

Since our first planned race of the year, Cherry Pie, was cancelled, we decided to put on a skills clinic and mock criterium this weekend to prep the new riders for the somewhat complicated race format. A criterium seems to be one of those things that, no matter how many times it is verbally explained, it is a bit unclear as to what exactly you are supposed to do until you actually witness or race in one. Sprints in the middle of a race? Does it mean anything to win the prime laps? It's a time-based race but there are lap cards? What?? I don't get it... We successfully (I think I can use that word without getting in too much trouble) cleared that mystery up for the 10 new riders that showed up today (they had to come out at 9:30am on the Sunday of a three day weekend so I would say that is a great turnout!). The skills practice held before the crit included shoulder bumping, cornering, holding each other's hands (perfect for Valentines Day season), and crossing wheels. Check out the photos below!

Logan testing his flexibility and balance during the water bottle pick-up drill.

Cam reaching for a water bottle.

Arika is DOWN. But everything is ok, because she's giving us a thumbs up!

Arika and Laura

Start line of the women's mock crit. Please take a moment to notice how many girls there are in this picture. And all but one of them are new to the team! The majority of the Women's C field is going to be made up of Whitman riders!

Mackinzie & Rachel in the break.

Jenna & Kristin learning that drafting makes riding in the wind a lot easier.

Laura looking pro in the drops.

Start line of the men's mock crit.

Look forward to race reports beginning the weekend of March 2-3 when we attend our first collegiate race hosted by the University of Oregon in Eugene!