FIT CITY

Serious pro bicycle racers head for Austin

ATT&T Downtown Austin Crit brings top short-distance riders

By Pamela LeBlanc
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, June 16, 2008

Want to know what it's like to feel the rush of air on your face as a pack of cyclists whirls past on an urban race course? Head downtown Saturday for the 2008 AT&T Downtown Austin Crit presented by AMLI, a high-speed, spoke-spinning contest that will feature some of the world's top riders blasting across our city streets.

The Austin criterium is one of 10 stops on the National Racing Calendar, a series of road cycling races sanctioned by USA Cycling. Expect tons of cycling fans lining the streets as professional bike riders zoom counterclockwise down Guadalupe Street to Second Street, past City Hall, around the corner at Colorado Street, along Fourth Street and back to Guadalupe on the fast 1-kilometer course.

The race, first staged in Austin five years ago, has grown rapidly from a mostly local event to one that attracts the top criterium specialists in the world, says Barry Lee, head of Texas Tough/Team Hotel San José, which is hosting the event and puts on a race series leading up to it. "That says a lot for the city. They love coming to Austin. And it's a natural progression for Austin because we're so cycling-centric."

Last year's race drew about 20 male pro riders and four female pro riders, most of them from Texas. That number has exploded this year, with about 60 pro men and 50 pro women from as far away as Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Cuba flying in for it. Most are short-distance specialists.

"It's a world-class event, one of the largest crits in the U.S. purse-wise, and with one of the largest number of super high-end racers," says Lee, who dreams of Austin one day hosting a Tour de Texas, similar to the huge multistage bike races in California and Georgia.

Races start at 2 p.m. Saturday, beginning with amateur categories and getting more advanced as the day progresses. The most experienced riders will roll between 6 and 9:30 p.m.

The crit, a timed bike race on a closed urban course, is part of a whole weekend of activities that starts with a special pro night Thursday at the Kenny Hill Autowerks Crit Series at The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Lane. Along with the usual slate of races starting at 5 p.m. on the closed track, the public is invited to a free skills and bike handling clinic presented by pro riders at 7 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. Friday, the public is invited to meet the top male and female racers at a news conference on the rooftop of Six, 117 W. Fourth St.

And exactly whom should you be watching in the downtown race come Saturday? Look for Ivan Dominguez, Henk Vogels and Hilton Clarke, all of Toyota-United, the team favored to win in Austin. But don't count out Frank Traversia of AIG Toshiba, who won the race last year, and Freddy Rodriguez and Rahsaan Bahati of Rock Racing, known for its rebellious rock 'n' roll attitude. That team is owned by Michael Ball, creator of the designer jeans brand Rock & Republic, a Los Angeles native and former troubled youth who says cycling saved his life by giving him something to focus on. (Check out the team's bright green and black skull-covered racing kits!) Also in the hunt are Brad Huff of Jelly Belly, and Austin's own Carlos Vargas of Texas Tough/Team Hotel San José and Dave Wenger of Super Squadra.

Top female racers include super speedy Tina Pic of Colavita Bolla, Kelly Benjamin of Cheerwine and Shannon Koch of Metro VW. Austin's Jen McRae, riding for Advil Chapstick, has duked it out plenty of times with Pic and should have a shot at winning the race on Saturday. Also keep an eye on local Ali Brandt of Cheerwine.

A post-race party to meet the pro racers will start at 11 p.m. at Saba, Cedar Street and Malaga, adjacent night spots on Fourth Street. Beef and Pie Productions will partner with Redbud Sports to shoot a documentary about the races.

Never been to a downtown crit? Here are some tips:

Stake out a spot near the start-finish line at Second and Lavaca Streets, where you can hear the play analysis from the announcer, a former racer. Other great places to watch? City Hall, and all the bars, restaurants and shops along Second and Fourth streets. It's all free.

Expect a crash or two. Riders who go down can take a free lap and get back in the race if they want. Mechanics will be on hand to keep things rolling.

The cyclist who covers the most distance in a set amount of time wins the crit. The men will ride as many laps as they can in 75 minutes; the women in 60 minutes.

Riders who can't keep up with the pack and drop off the back are out of the race.

Wonder how you'll get around the closed course? Fans will be allowed to cross at all four major corners of the course, where someone will be on hand to direct traffic. Cross carefully!

Shops and restaurants in the Second Street District and Warehouse District will remain open during the races, with parking available in lots and garages outside the course.

Pro male racers will be vying for $20,000 in prize money. Women will be racing for $10,000 in winnings.

For more information, go to www.attcrit.com.

Relay 'round the clock

Running junkies who don't want a little sleep to interfere with their habit have a new event to look forward to — the MyoMed Ragnar Relay Texas, a 196-mile overnight relay race from San Antonio to Austin.

Teams of 12 will run through the Hill Country Oct. 24-25, pounding past Comfort, Fredericksburg and Johnson City before wrapping up in Austin. Each team member will run three legs of about 5 miles each, including at least one at night. (They'll wear head lamps and reflective vests.)

"Teams decorate their vans, paint their faces, dress up in costumes — it's just this wild outdoor adventure for 12 friends," says Tanner Bell, co-founder of the relay series, which also includes races in Utah, Arizona, Minnesota, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Florida.

Organizers expect about 100 teams at the inaugural Texas race. Each team is allowed two support vehicles, with six runners in each. Competitors run mainly on low-traffic, two-lane roads with wide shoulders. "It's kind of a rolling party with live bands, vendor booths, water and aid stations along the way," Bell says.

Organizers chose Central Texas for the race because of its thriving active community, history of successful athletic events and beautiful setting. "Texas has been on our list for a long time and it seemed natural to do something in the Hill Country," Bell says.

Registration is $960 per team ($80 per person) through June 30; $1,140 per team ($95 per person) through Aug. 31; or $1,320 per team ($110 per person) through Sept. 30. For a course map, training programs or to register, go to www.ragnarrelay.com.

'HeavyWeight' on DVD

Abby Lentz doesn't care if you're not wispy thin and flexible. She's big-bodied and full-figured herself, and knows how it feels to be the heaviest person in a yoga class.

She started offering yoga classes in Austin for overweight and obese people four years ago. Now she's got her own DVD, "HeavyWeight Yoga: Yoga for the Body You Have Today."

Lentz modifies traditional Kripalu yoga poses for her heavyset students, paces the classes so they can get through them comfortably and mixes in a message of acceptance and self-love. The DVD features more than two hours of instruction, including options for people unable to navigate to the floor or who are bed-bound. The DVD is available for $24.95 on her Web site, www.heavy weightyoga.com, at Book People or through Amazon.com.

Lentz also will lead a four-day women's retreat at the Crossings July 17-20. Cost is $350; to register, go to www.thecrossingsaustin.com.

Register for AT&T runs

Registration for the 2009 AT&T Austin Marathon and Half Marathon has opened. Both events sold out last year and are expected to sell out again, possibly much earlier this time, according to race director John Conley. Registration for the full marathon will be capped at 6,000 runners; registration for the half will be capped at 7,000. The 2009 race, scheduled for Feb. 15, will feature a wave start to ensure everyone gets a clean start.

Cost is $100 for the full and $65 for the half through Sept. 30; $110 for the full and $75 for the half Oct. 1-Dec. 31; and $125 for the full and $90 for the half Jan. 1 until it sells out. Sign up at www.attaustinmarathon.com.