First race Advice?
07-23-08, 04:20 PM
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First race Advice?
Reposted from road forum
Hey guys,
Im relatively new to road cycling, and I've just decided to enter in a race.
https://www.nmcycling.org/flyers/bonanzaflyerw.pdf
The race is called Bonanza Creek and its near Santa Fe NM.
The race is set to be 3 laps on an 18.5 mile course for 55.5 miles. I actually commute on the same road so I guess thats good.
I've have never done a ride of that mileage, mainly because I've been using a mountain bike on the road until just recently.
So basically I was wondering if anyone had any tips to help me survive the race?
Nutrition
Warm Up
Day Before prep
That kinda stuff
Thanks!
Hey guys,
Im relatively new to road cycling, and I've just decided to enter in a race.
https://www.nmcycling.org/flyers/bonanzaflyerw.pdf
The race is called Bonanza Creek and its near Santa Fe NM.
The race is set to be 3 laps on an 18.5 mile course for 55.5 miles. I actually commute on the same road so I guess thats good.
I've have never done a ride of that mileage, mainly because I've been using a mountain bike on the road until just recently.
So basically I was wondering if anyone had any tips to help me survive the race?
Nutrition
Warm Up
Day Before prep
That kinda stuff
Thanks!
07-23-08, 04:27 PM
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It would be nice to know whether or not you can ride that far, not to mention at a racing pace. You might want to be cutting down on the riding though. Stay hydrated. I would say 30min warmup. Dont eat too much for breakfast.
07-23-08, 04:32 PM
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I'd probably bring a gel or two. And make sure you have two full bottles. I'm guessing it will be hot and dry.
07-23-08, 06:37 PM
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07-23-08, 06:43 PM
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07-23-08, 06:53 PM
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REad the sticky at the top of the forum and check every link to CDR's blog
07-23-08, 09:49 PM
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Just do it for fun. You'll probably get dropped, but try and finish anyway. Don't be bummed if you get pulled by an official. Just know it takes a lot of hard training and doing a lot of races to get your endurance up to race pace.
07-24-08, 07:48 AM
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yes, this 100% is what you should do. Based purely on the content of your question, I would bet that you get dropped from this. If so, dont worry about it, most people get dropped in their 1st race. have fun, be safe.
07-24-08, 08:15 AM
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Taper down your riding/training in the week leading up to the race.
Bring two full water bottles and some energy gels. Take a gel before the start.
Stay near, but not at, the front of the pack - at least until you get dropped.
When in the pack, ride smoothly, no abrupt moves, hands on brake levers - if you crash, don't take out other rider(s).
Don't get discouraged if it doesn't go well.
Bring two full water bottles and some energy gels. Take a gel before the start.
Stay near, but not at, the front of the pack - at least until you get dropped.
When in the pack, ride smoothly, no abrupt moves, hands on brake levers - if you crash, don't take out other rider(s).
Don't get discouraged if it doesn't go well.
07-25-08, 01:21 PM
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By far the most important thing for beginners in a race is to learn to pace themselves and DRAFT!!! Way too many racers get too excited and expend extra energy needlessly. It's very possible to bonk on a 55-mile race if you go too hard and don't have enough food. Practice staying 1-2ft behind someone at all times.
07-25-08, 01:55 PM
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Taper down your riding/training in the week leading up to the race.
Bring two full water bottles and some energy gels. Take a gel before the start.
Stay near, but not at, the front of the pack - at least until you get dropped.
When in the pack, ride smoothly, no abrupt moves, hands on brake levers - if you crash, don't take out other rider(s).
Don't get discouraged if it doesn't go well.
Bring two full water bottles and some energy gels. Take a gel before the start.
Stay near, but not at, the front of the pack - at least until you get dropped.
When in the pack, ride smoothly, no abrupt moves, hands on brake levers - if you crash, don't take out other rider(s).
Don't get discouraged if it doesn't go well.
07-28-08, 03:33 PM
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Well a little update:
I took the advice and ended up doing the 18.5mile beginner race and thank god because I could not have done two more laps at that pace.
The race went really well, i thought. I stayed at the front of the pack, took a couple pulls and ended up out sprinting some people to get 4th.
After that experience I am hooked. Thanks for all the help.
I took the advice and ended up doing the 18.5mile beginner race and thank god because I could not have done two more laps at that pace.
The race went really well, i thought. I stayed at the front of the pack, took a couple pulls and ended up out sprinting some people to get 4th.
After that experience I am hooked. Thanks for all the help.
07-28-08, 03:50 PM
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slow up hills
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Well a little update:
I took the advice and ended up doing the 18.5mile beginner race and thank god because I could not have done two more laps at that pace.
The race went really well, i thought. I stayed at the front of the pack, took a couple pulls and ended up out sprinting some people to get 4th.
After that experience I am hooked. Thanks for all the help.
I took the advice and ended up doing the 18.5mile beginner race and thank god because I could not have done two more laps at that pace.
The race went really well, i thought. I stayed at the front of the pack, took a couple pulls and ended up out sprinting some people to get 4th.
After that experience I am hooked. Thanks for all the help.
07-28-08, 04:11 PM
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Well done!
07-28-08, 04:32 PM
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Better late than never OP, but well done! Once you get the first one over with you'll want to do more!
If you're planning on doing more races, someone mentioned CRD's blog, it will take you a week to read, but it was a huge help in prepping me for my first race.
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/
The best advice anyone ever gave me for my first race though was to think of it like like our fast tuesday night group ride. Head up, hold steady, get comfortable riding fast with 20-30 people around you, and pay attention. Lots of sketchy riders in a pack that tends to go from 30-10mph for no apparent reason.
Good luck on the next one!
If you're planning on doing more races, someone mentioned CRD's blog, it will take you a week to read, but it was a huge help in prepping me for my first race.
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/
The best advice anyone ever gave me for my first race though was to think of it like like our fast tuesday night group ride. Head up, hold steady, get comfortable riding fast with 20-30 people around you, and pay attention. Lots of sketchy riders in a pack that tends to go from 30-10mph for no apparent reason.
Good luck on the next one!
07-28-08, 04:56 PM
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Well a little update:
I took the advice and ended up doing the 18.5mile beginner race and thank god because I could not have done two more laps at that pace.
The race went really well, i thought. I stayed at the front of the pack, took a couple pulls and ended up out sprinting some people to get 4th.
After that experience I am hooked. Thanks for all the help.
I took the advice and ended up doing the 18.5mile beginner race and thank god because I could not have done two more laps at that pace.
The race went really well, i thought. I stayed at the front of the pack, took a couple pulls and ended up out sprinting some people to get 4th.
After that experience I am hooked. Thanks for all the help.
Last edited by umd; 07-29-08 at 11:40 AM.
07-29-08, 11:03 AM
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Yea, the adrenaline was pumping. It was such a crazy experience to be going so fast in a group like that. I think with experience and training I will perform alot better. Going into the sprint I had plenty of gas but I shot myself in the foot with my positioning. Lesson learned I guess.