Road Bike Racing - Can (should) I race?

How technically sound should someone be before they think about racing? I haven't been riding long. Unfortunately, because I am in a small town, I have very few oportunities to participate in a group ride (biggest group I've been in is three!).

I've started mountain bike racing, and love it. I was a little intimidated by MTB races, but found out they weren't so bad (not that I've finished in the top 5).

I love competing, however, road races really intimdate me.

Ask me this question after I make my first start ever in a road race Sat.!

Seriously, you should try to ride with a least at small group around you a few times just to get used to the feel of it....then find an event that is open to anyone and give it a shot. At worse you ride off the back and have your question answered for you by doing it.

There is always a start for everything. I would definitly get some more group riding experience but lack of riding time does not mean you can not go out and try it. Worse case sinerio you do not like it and will not do it again. You may also reliaze you have a long way to go.

You can l0ok for a race with a citizens category too. That is a real nice introduction to organized racing. You will at least get the feel of how a race works. Also if you are intimidated by racing it may help to go to a few races just to watch and maybe talk to some people.

You can l0ok for a race with a citizens category too. That is a real nice introduction to organized racing. You will at least get the feel of how a race works.

Excellent point. And to anyone who thinks citizen racing is just a bunch of wannabe bike riders pretending to be racers, every citizens race I did had at least four Cat. II and Cat. III guys lining up with us. I've seen the pack strung out single file at 29 mph for three miles and 40 mile races done at an average of 27 mph.

It's a good way to race.