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-   -   Any Good Los Angeles Races? (https://www.bikeforums.net/33-road-bike-racing/219420-any-good-los-angeles-races.html)

kmkurdone 08-14-06 03:37 PM

Any Good Los Angeles Races?
 
Are there any good races for a newb coming up in the Los Angeles area? I have never entered a bike race, only tris. I don't want to sign up for something where I will get totally killed. I fully understand I will probably get dropped, I don't mind being dropped, but I don't want to get dropped in the first 10 minutes. :) Thanks for any help.

merlinextraligh 08-14-06 03:43 PM

If you're doing tris, you probably have the base fitness to do well. what most triatheletes struggle with in bike racing is the changes in pace. So you might try to work on some short, very intense intervals with limited recovery for a couple of weeks before your first race. Also, if you don't ride in a pack much, try to find some fast training rides to practice in. With a strong bas from tris and a little practice you might not get dropped at all.

kmkurdone 08-14-06 03:48 PM

Ya, I'm trying to find a good group ride to join but haven't been able to yet. I know they are out there and I know I should go to the LBS and ask, but haven't for some reason......maybe I have a deep seated fear of trying this out. :)

OC Roadie 08-14-06 03:50 PM

Most of the racing for the season is over, there are still a couple of crits, a hard circuit race (San Diego), and a 2 day stage race in the Sierras. Check out So Cal Cycling for the race calendar.

kmkurdone 08-14-06 04:00 PM

OC Roadie I assumed most of the races were over already. My question is are the two races you spoke of something a first timer would want to get himself into? It might just be a good idea to train and go for it next summer when I am not training for cross country too. Thanks for the help!

Cleave 08-14-06 07:45 PM

Hi,

Let's see if I can actually answer your question. ;)

While most of the "regular" races on less demanding courses are past, the weekly races at El Dorado Park in Long Beach will be going through September this year (except for the Tuesday after Labor Day). See the flyer at this link:

http://www.californiabicycleracing.o...rado.Flyer.pdf

Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug 15th, the races start at 6:20p. There is a Cat. 4/5 race for beginning racers. I believe the beginner's clinic (1 hour before race start) is still going but contact Chris or Vera to find out for sure.

IMHO, you won't find a better or more cost effective way for a beginner to do a real race.

Hope this helps.

dolophonic 08-14-06 08:45 PM

good advice..

bitingduck 08-14-06 10:44 PM

Also check out track racing.

Roger has gotten a lot of triathletes onto the track at ADT for interval training, and some of them have become track racers. It's a total blast, and you get a lot more chances to learn how to race in each session (typically 3-4 per category), plus there are "practice race" sessions on most saturdays that don't have "real" races. the practice races are just as competitive, but there aren't officials in blue shirts, and there are sometimes handicaps so that everyone can compete together.

urbanknight 08-17-06 03:19 AM


Originally Posted by bitingduck
Also check out track racing.

+1 California is the only state with 4 velodromes in it, and it would be a shame to let them go to waste. I used to race track, and roadies, triathletes and mtb racers would train with us as well.

TCR 08-17-06 06:29 AM

Have you checked out the CBR race this Sunday. The Cat5 is a bit early at 7:00am but then you could stick around and watch the rest of the races. Not sure if he still does but Chris Lott, head of CBR, used to do a quick beginners clinic before the start of the CAT5 races - basically what to do, what not to do, what to expect, etc. Personally, I don't think you could find a better race to start out with. I just started racing last year and my first races were at CBR. I plan on racing the CAT4 & 30+ 3/4 this Sunday.

http://www.californiabicycleracing.o....bike.race.pdf

socalrider 08-17-06 06:32 AM

where in the los angeles area are you located?

Keith99 08-17-06 09:54 AM

They have a crit at Warner Center at least every few months. Never been, I not a racer, but I happen by it from time to time. It seems to last a long time, as in several different races, so it might be worth looking into.

kmkurdone 08-17-06 12:45 PM

I am located in Westchester (aka by LAX). I looked into the CBR this Sunday, but I will be in Mammoth on Sunday for a cross country training camp for the week. I am doing a Tri in Lake Arrowhead on Saturday though. :)

By the way, I really appreciate all the advice, so keep it coming if you have anymore. Take Care

OC Roadie 08-17-06 01:55 PM


Originally Posted by Cleave
Hi,

Let's see if I can actually answer your question. ;)

While most of the "regular" races on less demanding courses are past, the weekly races at El Dorado Park in Long Beach will be going through September this year (except for the Tuesday after Labor Day). See the flyer at this link:

http://www.californiabicycleracing.o...rado.Flyer.pdf

Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug 15th, the races start at 6:20p. There is a Cat. 4/5 race for beginning racers. I believe the beginner's clinic (1 hour before race start) is still going but contact Chris or Vera to find out for sure.

IMHO, you won't find a better or more cost effective way for a beginner to do a real race.

Hope this helps.

+1, Good advice on Eldo, don't know why I didn't think about suggeting that:D

LA_Rider 08-17-06 06:55 PM


Originally Posted by kmkurdone
I am located in Westchester (aka by LAX).

Me too.

There’s a training ride on Westchester Parkway every Tuesday night @ 6:30pm. Lot's of racers there - come join us.


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