Things got CRAZY in SoCal - (CBR Criterium CAT 2/3)

[@mathias8013]

Honestly since EJ started his journey this channel has produced some of it best content in a long time. You can actually hear EJ improving by his way or reasoning. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[@jonathanmorrison2225]

I love rooting for the guy.

[@mattwalton1442]

That is me at 15:15 'Chirping', but it was a friendly chirp. I was asking him to push smoothly and close the gap. The 5-6 riders up the road in this attack were all pretty strong so didn't want it to get away. Good riding wit you, EJ. Keep up the good work.

[@Dustydayzz]

Jeff's patience is really getting put to the test by our boy E.J 😂

[@dominickbrookes5103]

Jeff, it's been a while since I've raced and only ever knocked on cat 2 doorstep before a very nasty crash. For years I raced like EJ, could smash power in a sprint and in a TT but was spooked in the final few laps as control fell apart. What cured me of it was a great mentor and coach Rob Nichols (Rob Nicols) telling me don't try to win for 5 races, he got all of my Michael David Winery teammates to yell at me if I was near the front, so back I went. He asked me what I learned before race 6. My response was something like I'm gonna be OK in the pack, he then said "stay near not on the front and be there for the win". I did and I did. I won 4 races in a row, moved from 4 to 3 and then won another cat 3 race getting 2 pts away from cat 2. EJ has more attention and talent than I ever did so maybe he does need to not contest a race or 5 to improve but it cured me of being windy though.

[@WaltDoesBikes]

I will say in EJ’s defense it was rough cornering back in the pack and a really surgy day for a 2/3 CBR. Folks’ lines were a bit silly this day which I think led to some of the chaos. It was tough to find lines that allowed you to pedal through consistently. Another note, it’s tough not knowing this riders. Most everything up the road that day was not at all dangerous aside from maybe Tommy trying to stay OTF with one to go. Hindsight is 20/20 though 😉 sorry for the squeeze at 23:44. Good racing

[@antsmands]

EJ's got serious talent to compete at this level so quickly! Once refined he is going to be super tough to beat! Nice work!

[@lachilly1131]

EJ racing Cat 2/3 races now is just crazy

[@MarvinWestmaas]

taking away more and more excuses from the coach potato's like me with each and every video... but that's ok, I'm alright with admitting I'm probably going to stay the coach potato watching the video's on KZbin

[@jonathanmorrison2225]

Word it nuts.

[@omerahmed310]

@@MarvinWestmaas not to create an excuses for us normies, but it's not like EJ was completely a noob to training. It takes a lot to be a collegiate-level athlete, and the body "remembers" muscle adaptation. If you can squat 400lbs and then go full couch potato for years, you can quickly get back to squatting that weight

[@MarvinWestmaas]

@@omerahmed310 Back in high school I was a somewhat decent cross country runner, and I guess I still look like I'm somewhat 'in shape'. I mean I'm 45, yet there isn't even the start of a 'beer belly' or even a dadbod showing. It's just that the endurance is gone, my knees hurt if I go run a couple of times a week and ever since the pandemic I can't even ride my mountainbike without my legs cramping up as if they were acidic within a couple of minutes of effort. .. never been happier I added some electric assistance to my mtb. Though I would wish I could do my 80km loops without.

[@pmessal]

Been a subscriber almost since the beginning Jeff and I'm so excited for you cause you're putting out some of the best content ever. This footage + the commentary + the data overlays = such a great video! EJ's education and rise through the racing scene has been incredibly enjoyable. I hope you're already looking for the next EJ, cause watching him win every race may eventually get boring 😉. Keep up the great work!

[@crbondur]

Being comfortable in a group is a learned skill. And definitely, more group rides are a great way to gain some of that comfort and skill. EJ, you're hella strong, but no matter your fitness, it takes time to learn all of the skills involved in racing. Keep up the great work, and the great content!

[@fluke199]

Potential tip: the faster the race, the more you can know that the wheel in front of you is ALWAYS moving forward (away from you). So you can be super close and not worry about it. This is a big adjustment from the lower categories, but it is key. You gotta be able to do this in the corners especially to not waste energy out of every bend. Incredible meteoric rise here and it will be fun to see what EJ's true potential is, which we are well away from still. Good stuff!

[@katomiler843]

So easy to play Monday morning qb. Congrats EJ and Jeff for creating and posting such great content 👍

[@Obsrvr86118]

Guy at 11:00 is racing an old Cannondale Caad7 from about 2004 I think, I used to have. what a great look for an older bike with some deep wheels and modern groupset.

[@Nahhnope]

Haha and at 10:50 there's a guy riding a new CAAD13!

[@CyberNancy]

Awesome looking bike

[@xidrae]

Jeff your videos are legit helping so much to us crit newbs

[@BrosRideBikes]

It was great getting to race with you on Sunday. Keep up the good work EJ. We have learned so much about crit racing from this channel. Eli was involved in that crash, but he only got some road rash so that is great! Looking forward to racing with you up North!

[@sevenninthsfabmachine]

So glad to hear Eli’s ok. Oof.. that looked like a hard slam. Be well. 🙏

[@ZwiftDude]

5:20 when the field spreads that's when Jeff would've done his slingshot move to the side to overtake and putting the power down. Learn so much in his Alviso races 😄

[@escsniper]

That was a rough crash. My teammate was Mr. Bloody Elbow, and the BRB kids are pretty banged up as well. But another solid performance, EJ!

[@zephyrfpv9871]

I think Eli was the guy in orange. Hope they update soon, that crash was hard to watch

[@mrmotomoto]

Hope the dude in the yellow Jersey that landed on his face is doing ok. That fall looked brutal

[@toddamelton]

As a soon to be new racer with some decent numbers, I feel like the EJ videos are teaching me a ton. Thank you!!

[@tonygSDWR]

I spite of EJ's triumphant rise in category, I think he touched on why he's out in the wind so much, he's not totally comfortable in a group situation yet. He's a quick learner, he'll do well.

[@Blaghna808]

God I love this series. Keep it up EJ! Makes me wanna race some crits.

[@JTMarlin8]

I know exactly what EJ meant when he said he was bit spooked after the crash. I've raced a dozen CBRs. The wide roads and the four corners make for an easy course, which in turn results in a lot of unpredictable, sketchy riding. I quit racing crits and moved on XC and gravel. I never made it to the P1/2s and will just have to live vicariously through our boy EJ.

[@jasonjohnson9072]

The advice you give is spot on Jeff, but I’ve been moving up grades in Australia, the first race in a new grade is intimidating. With each step up, corners are taken faster and riders are closer together. I totally had the same experience of feeling intimidated and riding on the side of the bunch. More racing at that grace is the answer. Ej is a weapon. I’m not the only one who wishes he had those watts 😂

[@lauig]

Man that challenge was hard, i passed out mid-vid ! (Cheers EJ, it's already sooo amazing you're up there with much more experienced guys in that P2/3 field and finishing up so high in the standings, i mean a top 20 would already have been an achievement in itself, but top 10 with that much time in the wind, a week after a Flu and those several understable "oh oh what should i do now?" moments up front on your 4th race, i mean... Tells a lot about the quality of Jeff's coaching and support to you and of your own fitness and capacity to put those inputs into practice already. Can't wait to see your next races, something tells me you won't stay in Cat3 for too long 😉)

[@NanoDex]

That guy in orange took a SLAM! oh man that was a crash and a half

[@JamesSalomon947]

That was Eli from Bros ride bikes

[@Gixer750pilot]

I hope he was ok . Would love to see his footage

[@SBuchan]

I'm a triathlete and have never been in a stand alone bike race or anything like a CRIT, but really enjoying learning and watching these videos. May have to add road bike and get some practice rides in! EJ you're a beast dude!

[@td_kdname5197]

EJ's got more brawn than brains. Instead of burning up all his matches trying to chase down every attack and dragging the whole field behind him, he could have stayed mid-pack doing 200 watts for the first half of the crit, then work himself up toward the front, then hit his 1500 watts to sprint to the podium.

[@waveteacher1]

Another awesome video but I'm gonna be hungover tomorrow from all those "E.J. in the wind" shots!

[@DoctorWho_1979]

Love the strategic breakdown of the race video. It's really eye opening to see those mental hiccups being called out in a race scenario. Again, thank you for sharing the journey.

[@fangxx456]

Man I really feel like EJ would benefit so much from having a team in these races. Go in with a more defined plan and have people to act as checks and balances. I feel like right now he's trying to fill every role at once and to have someone else he knows can take some of the pressure off like chase back break aways would just let him be more patient.

[@dennishyde7008]

EJ needs more pack rides! It is clear he is nervous in the pack and riding the edge most of the time. When it strings out, he gets in line. Watch the shoulders, not the wheel. Cat 1 coming!

[@samgooding-matthews3175]

And hammered thanks EJ land drinking game is hard on the liver 😂

[@zamoramicajjose]

Hi sir I'm a massive fan from Philippines ilearn everything i know about cycling about you especially at road bike i wish i have the same equipment to be just like you i wish i have the basic stuff to race and apply what ive learned about your videos

[@Majarky]

Crazy how quickly EJ has moved up the ranks. So motivating! Also love the VC yuh at the end 😂

[@dwaynerandolph3565]

Now that’s exactly why some the best climbers in the world are from Colombia 🇨🇴 @NorCal Cyclng 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Dsmcycle]

Minute 1:43; Blue Kit on the white/black s-works has about two feet of housing hanging off the D. That seems safe:)

[@jonorempel4044]

Posted a drinking game at 6am… thank goodness it’s friday 😂

[@bobschrank473]

This is really great content. EJ is going well, just needs alot more racing experience and certainly time on the velodrome. Back in the day, that's where we all started and the lessons learned by doing 3 races a night were immeasurable.

[@randycallow3736]

Many races used to use a time plus 5 laps.. but to do a restart w one to go is strange, I have never seen it as a racer spectator or race official. Funny observation made when you are riding in the equivalent of no man's land for multiple laps.. just out in the breeze like a human parachute!!a teaching moment for you. So you are saying things that are valid for many people.. don't like to be boxed in and cramped.. listen to yourself, watch your style.. the only difference between riding off to the side void of any draft and riding in the front, up front you can see through the corner carry better speed, pedal deeper and get to pick your line instead of reacting to inside riders as they push you out as they fade from the gutter.. good race regardless.. and I especially enjoyed the huge variation in clothing and cadence.. some people bundled like it Nebraska in January!! And a couple of riders you got behind looked to be trying to turn over a 55x11 w slow butter churn pedal speed.. it's cool that you will have all this to see where you started from

[@jamespmorganjr4276]

I believe the reason EJ sits outside the group is because he’s not comfortable riding close quarters with a large number of riders and not comfortable with his bike handling skills. As Jeff mentioned early on, EJ needs more group riding experience but he also needs to work on cornering (high speed and come work) and stability (really slow speed skills focusing on balance). EJ obviously has all the necessary fitness but due to his lack of bike riding experience, he is not confident in groups. Speed, power, and strategy are a big part of racing but bike handling, spatial awareness, and comfort in large groups is just as important.

[@peterers3]

EJ should have Heart Rate alerts. Im Sure once He is at 180 BPM His tacictical thinking is worse than at The start

[@mitchellsteindler]

Nobody is paying attention to their cycling computer during a crit race.

[@chriswitek9455]

thats the worst idea. looking at hr/tss/etc can really put you off mentally by thinking "oh this is too hard i need to back off" used to happen to me when i raced crits, now on the track i cant even view a computer and i dont miss it at all during a race

[@sevenninthsfabmachine]

I think EJ would benefit more by having some teammates that could give him pointers on the road. It really can help new riders when your guys are telling you when to chill, or when to get on a wheel etc.

[@jani724]

Every corner coming out at 500w+ to catch back on is insane!

[@WeallAreAdults]

he pulled upwards of 1k on some ocasions that's crazy

[@pl4free]

wow, that guy in yellow flew on his face. If he got out allright, he can count his lucky stars. This is why I don't do pack races: there's a crash every race and some idiot can take you out at any time with no fault of your own. TT for the win, baby!

[@lloydranola]

Amazing job! (again, hard to watch LOL.. .but so strong!!) Your fast progress is outstanding!

[@harryluns]

Man I can feel Jeff's reaction whenever EJ isnt in the draft like he should be. Still good results though!

[@brandonfox8540]

Hindsight 20/20 this was a great race breakdown!

[@NorCalCycling]

😂

[@paulvanderheyden7373]

Trajectory like a missile. Congrats on a top 10 in your first Cat 2/3. Only going to get better.

[@ralexanderallen]

@9:17 Officer Stache: 🚨Pulloooo pullooo 🚨

[@joshuaperry8729]

Shout out EJ. Big ups for motivating myself in my cycling.

[@SumiBJJ]

Once I hear EJ is in Mikes Bikes with Sean, Jeff, Matt, and Ryan. Superteam. That would be the day.

[@peterers3]

A Lot better tho already improving!

[@mathewemden2068]

Good job EJ! You are learning and growing. It's going to be a short time before you are taking the W's.

[@Bukoe]

Btw Eli from "Bros Ride Bikes" is fine, saw his Head first pavment crash he got off easy with some Road Rash somhow.. And again loved the Vids good work keep it up .=)

[@JamesSalomon947]

Thanks for the update..my heart dropped when I saw that crash 😢

[@crackerbarreIkid55]

Good racing EJ keep up the good work!!

[@bluemystic7501]

Winspace just learned how to ride a bike (16:34). Good lord.

[@reedaskey6065]

100%. Isn’t that scary? Imagine trying to follow that wheel.

[@JAB-jp6le]

Came looking for this comment. I would have bet $ he caused the crash. Terrifying. So twitchy and unpredictable

[@Nahhnope]

9:32 too. Dude was so sketchy.

[@bluemystic7501]

@@Nahhnope Wow! I'd be shocked if he didn't cause that crash.

[@mpfeiffer31]

Part of me thinks videos like this are part of the problem. There is a lot of testosterone here and you get folks who are told on the interweb that you need to stay in the front third or the front ten but there is not enough stuff pointing out that you don’t swerve across three or four lanes to chase something which is not a serious attack early in the race.

[@necho567]

EJ, Apex the corner please lol

[@mark-1234]

Had to laugh at that comment: "The mark of a good crit racer is a complete lack of self preservation." Yup, pretty much true for any sport. I remember motocross being a full contact sport too. ;-) Yeah, if EJ gets over his fear of close quarters and learns the necessary skills (which he no doubt will), he will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.

[@honzabe]

Is EJ going to try other types of races? Where I am from crits are kind of a bonus for variety, most races are longer, often in hilly terrain - is that not a thing in California? It would be really interesting to see him in that kind of race as well. Not that I am complaining - your videos are great.

[@tewaewae]

good job EJ. all good experience in the bank. rubber side down

[@backyardbushcraft5639]

Wish there was this kind of racing scene in the south East.

[@benjamindejarnette5714]

We have plenty of racing in the SE. Where are you located?

[@robsnow3497]

Most of us are EJ, thanks for taking it on the chin for the rest of us. When I go back and ask "WTF was I thinking here, or was I even thinking at all?"

EJ is an absolute Beasttt. But why not get him a more experienced teammate to race with him? Imo being told how to do something after the fact is much tougher than being told what to do during. I’m not a racer though just one dummy’s thoughts

[@awakenedbahamut2574]

Nice save by Odinn!

[@thhorwitz1]

I'm wondering if he knows who is in the break. Does he know if it's a group worth chasing or it a guess everytime?

[@lexington476]

22:06 I have been spooked in a crit before and then dropped to the back of the pack to finish up.

[@dominickbrookes5103]

For safety reasons happy ej has moved up. For results he may have wanted to stay down and get more practice.

[@mrmotomoto]

19:44 was the dude in the yellow Jersey alright? He Superman dove and broke the fall with his face. That looks scary.

[@collinmiller6648]

Not a criticism, just an observation: at 13:00, when you both talk about EJ eating wind on the side of the Peloton, was he not on the sheltered (left) side of the group bc of the wind arrow direction? I don't know if wind was much of a factor in this race, because that didn't get mentioned often if at all. I think Jeff may have misspoke in saying that EJ was on the unsheltered side of the pack? Edit: wait I'm wrong, when EJ is going "down the screen" and "left", he is on the windy side of the pack. Taking a shot 😂 Loving these videos, EJ is an inspiration to so many of your viewers, and proof that structured training can make a crazy world of difference, especially when combined with a crit coach like Jeff! Keep it up guys 💯

[@lost_in_asia]

EJ!!!!! how come you were pulling the last lap again!!! Come on!! Amazing power anyway. Congrats!

[@bennymozzarella1605]

Great job man, way to avoid that ugly crash.

[@InItForTheExperience]

Thats me in that photo!

[@Kevinwalker777]

EJ is a physical beast. Won’t lie, sometimes painful watching some of these decisions during the race being made, but once everything is honed in, EJ is going to go pro, no doubts.

[@onlyfoolriding8223]

I think you underestimate just how talented pros are you. Yeah, EJ has an above average engine, but a pro engine? Let's wait until he cracks 5 watt/kg.

[@Eramsay121]

The gap between P/1/2 and actual pro is huuuge. Plenty of people have a 1500w sprint, not many can do that after hammering for 5 hours straight

[@seahorserider33]

EJ out in the wind because the crowds can be pretty difficult to maneuver in

[@DrewKime]

12:38 you were coasting, and so was everyone around you, then they suddenly pulled ahead. Did you touch the brakes going into the corner?

[@michielbaank5145]

Training trough sickness such as the flu is a big no no. Especially when you have a fever going. Seriously, there is a chance that the virus could migrate to your heart muscle and you don't want an infection there! Disclaimer, I am not a doctor at medicine. I read this in cycling journals and heard about in podcasts hosted by pro's. I also believe that this is what happened to Sonny Colbrelli. Food for thought....

[@Alan_Hans__]

EJ land and shots FTW.

[@mariocipollini1998]

Killing it, EJ!

[@goatsinthecave]

The rider in the pink windspace frame is soooo dangerous man..literally no one in front of him and yet he swerves right and left??? dude what even!

[@SnappyWasHere]

Can we get a shot counter for his races? Then I’ll watch these Friday night! 🍻

[@Tsnor150]

nice. +1 shot counter.

[@awakenedbahamut2574]

Damn, couldn't even beat Odinn? He's like 120 lbs.

[@henrikmadsen6446]

EJ: "I dont know why". My guess: EJ are unconfortable without vision of the road ahead and moves into the wind or sits in the top 6 to have vision. Your guess?

[@leekly]

19:32

[@glimtart]

Dodged the bullet😮😮😮

[@zephyrfpv9871]

It seems like Eli took and hard crash there...hope he is well! While waiting for the video update...Congrats for your TOP 10!!!💪💪💪

[@nollm23]

Great video!

[@671james]

Hindsight’s 20/20🙌🥃🥃😁

[@thhorwitz1]

All that effort moving up on straights when the other riders are leaving huge gaps between each other. There's plenty of room to move up in the corners without any added effort.

[@birdbro1990]

Beast. P1-2 for sure

[@seththomas3194]

Had this exact same thing happen to me. But it was due to us catching a group that was staggered ahead of us. So for about 1/2 lap on the 2.3mi tri oval course, everybody got a break with just over 1 lap left. So, come sprint time, too many people. And a massive crashed ensued at the finish where a nut job decided for 10th place after my lead out guy died too far out, hit my handle bars coming up in between me and another guy which we were soft pedaling and down I went. Clavicle, 4 cracked ribs, chip out of a disc in my back, rash, helmet broke but never lost consciousness....good times Only raced 1 time since then. Too many bad bike handlers and people taking an 11th place sprint too serious in Master's risking life/limb. F that....never again. What your coach here says. You spend way too much time in the wind. I don't care what they think about me pulling ever. I'm a sprinter, I go the last 1km and burst last 200-300m, rest of the time is spent sucking wheels and hanging on to conserve energy. Moral of the story, suck wheels. Always duck and cover, you have power to spare, but burning all matches early didn't help at all. Who cares if people yell at you, pull right off the front and peel away....I shrug all day at people who give me looks are scream about it...haha.

[@BeerMatt96]

I shouldn't have watched this first thing in the morning.... #ShotsFired

[@arod4709]

How come EJ doesn't ride a Mikes Bike Kit?????

[@IsaacRC]

EJ does very well not sucking wheel after crash (a must in urban cycling), when you can't control others moves then improve tactics for yourself

[@CycoWardDrew]

Spent about 500 miles on it and so far so good. kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA Pros:1. Very light2. Solid quality build3. Fast delivery: It arrived 5 weeks earlier than expected.4. Easy assemblyJust a few cons but nothing major:1. Cheap tin tubes and had flat on first day... but not a big deal. I replaced the tubes.2. Seat is a bit uncomfortable but that's pretty much the same situation with most bikes.3. Seat post is a bit long/high for a smaller size 48 bike - had to saw 2 inch off to fit properly. The lowest setting is too high. The post locking system does not seem to hold well (perhaps because I saw 2 inch off).4. wheels are not tubeless compatible (from what I can tell)

[@gabrielalpizarugalde1081]

it hurt watching you stop following so many wheels, especially through corners, I know that saying it is way different than doing it but I think something that you can practice to get better lines is just sticking to someone's wheel

[@Christopher-ui8xe]

If you could have coached him during the race that would have been a win

[@CyberNancy]

That poor guy in orange did a face slam. Anyone know how he made out?

[@ronaldhoward7908]

how's little Eli Watson BRB doing ?

[@h20s8804]

"In crit racing you have to fight the wind." What? No. No. You have to find all the places on the course where you can avoid the wind, conserve enerty, follow attacks, get in breaks maybe, but no. You do not fight the wind, you use it. You'll aways find places you can move into, the same places each lap, where you'll conserve energy and easily move up.

[@MrKeastman]

Perhaps EJ could benefit from some motor pacing.

[@mikexkennedy]

That are some teammates! Dude's a beast doing this solo... seems like all these vids boil down to getting his tactics right and letting others do the work until his time to shine.

[@sunderfun20]

Made me squirm watching EJ consistently *just out of the draft* on the left side.

[@b3vo]

That bloke in the yellow Jersey, damn, face hit the pavement hard. :S

[@pssita]

How does EJ not understand? You said it’s his 4th race and he’s cat 3? I don’t get it…