How do you know your ready to race
07-22-03, 07:37 AM
#1
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How do you know your ready to race
I know i will not be this year, but i want to next year. How will know i am somewhere near ready? Are there any good websites for beginner racing?
07-22-03, 07:44 AM
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When you've spent enough time riding in a group that consists of stronger riders than you and have found that you can handle their accelerations and overall tempo.
When I was racing I found my weekly training rides were on average much more difficult than most races I did. Almost any rider can sit in the middle of a large pack.
When I was racing I found my weekly training rides were on average much more difficult than most races I did. Almost any rider can sit in the middle of a large pack.
07-22-03, 07:55 AM
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Just go race. The hardest part about racing is getting the courage up to do it for the first time. Set aside your pride and expectations and go to have fun and learn.
07-22-03, 07:58 AM
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Yeah, just do it. The worst that's going to happen is that you'll be dropped. Big deal. Every racer's been dropped before.
But please - make sure you've ridden in enough groups before that you'll not be a danger to others.
But please - make sure you've ridden in enough groups before that you'll not be a danger to others.
07-22-03, 10:20 AM
#5
Just ride.
I'd agree with all of the above. Especially the pack riding/group skills thing. That's way more important than your average speed, IMO. Don't worry about how you finish. From what I've seen the other racers will rag you about being a hazard on the course, but not about how fast you were (or weren't). If you get peeled right away, you can bag the race, go home, and plan your winter training. 
I rode my first race this year. Here's my advice, which is based pretty much what I was told.
Go for a road race to start with, even though crits are more common. Expect to be bumped and shouted at. Don't take it personal, adrenaline and testosterone are running high, and there's a lot of good equipment and flesh at stake. If it's good advice, take heed. Plan on going to learn, not win, at least for now. Coming down to the finish, if you're in the pack, just sit up and watch. Charging to improve your finish a couple of (meaningless) places is a common cause of cat 5 wrecks.
If you have the group experience, you're in reasonable shape, and there's a race or two nearby, go do it. It'll help you know what to expect and how to train for next year.
Here's a good all-around link:
https://www.coachcarl.com/
I rode my first race this year. Here's my advice, which is based pretty much what I was told.
Go for a road race to start with, even though crits are more common. Expect to be bumped and shouted at. Don't take it personal, adrenaline and testosterone are running high, and there's a lot of good equipment and flesh at stake. If it's good advice, take heed. Plan on going to learn, not win, at least for now. Coming down to the finish, if you're in the pack, just sit up and watch. Charging to improve your finish a couple of (meaningless) places is a common cause of cat 5 wrecks.
If you have the group experience, you're in reasonable shape, and there's a race or two nearby, go do it. It'll help you know what to expect and how to train for next year.
Here's a good all-around link:
https://www.coachcarl.com/
Last edited by roadbuzz; 07-22-03 at 10:29 AM.
