"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - How do I start?

I am sure that this asked all of the time, but I cannot find anything through searches.

I am looking to start racing either sometime soon, what do I need to do to get started? Form what I hear there is not much of a racing scene here in San Antonio, Texas, does anyone know anything about racing around here? Thanks for the help.

Look for a local team (http://www.usacycling.org/clubs/index.php?state=TX) and get help there. They can fill you in better on the local scene. Someone here might be able to point you to a good team.

Ask around at a bike shop about organized rides. Most big cities have a group ride composed of racers/fast riders. Ride with them and you will get an idea of what its like to ride in a pack of racers. There are probably training races in San Antonio also. Once you are comfortable riding with a big group, then try the training races.

If you've never ridden in a big pack before, it can be intimidating, so a couple of pointers. Don't overlap wheels is the first thing. Never let your front wheel overlap the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. Stay completely in back of his wheel or else get right next to him, handelbar to handlebar.

Don't use your brakes! Slamming on the brakes is a no-no. You hit the brakes hard and they guy in back of you runs up your wheel, you are not going to be popular. Obviously, you will have to use your brakes, but just use the front and feather it very lightly. Most of the time all you have to do is stop pedaling and go around the guy in front of you that is slowing down.

Have fun.

Do a couple group rides, get comfortable in a pack, and then jump right in and give it a shot. Good local shops and clubs will be able to guide you.

Good luck, and have fun!

Once you jump in on the race scene, try a lot of different types. Crits, RR's, TT, maybe even some distance stuff. You may surprise yourself with what you end up being best at. So try everything and see where the chips fall

Is there a good site for cat breakdown, how to get started?

Is there a good site for cat breakdown, how to get started?

Go to USA Cycling's website. (http://www.usacycling.org) Under the Membership tab, you can go to "Rider's Resources" and there's a lot of basic info there on criterium racing. There's also a tab for finding clubs, getting started, etc...lot's of good free info there. USCF Categorization guidelines are there, as well.

As Jack Simes once said, "When the pedal comes up, push it down again."
Next thing you know, you're a bike racer.

All the above and buy some books. Good authors on training include Friel, and Carmichael. And although its a little dated, Bicycle Road Racing by Eddy Borysewicz is a classic, and will give you a lot of good info (and a little that dated, discredited)

And although its a little dated, Bicycle Road Racing by Eddy Borysewicz is a classic, and will give you a lot of good info (and a little that dated, discredited)

but some hilarious stuff in there as well.

but some hilarious stuff in there as well.

First TT I did, I followed all of Eddy B's advice, including making a "special" bottle to be chugged at the turn made up of coffee laced with a ton of sugar, and a shot of rum (the rum was optional and at least I didn't include that). The coffee was cold and the consistency of maple syrup. I nearly puked my guts out for the next 5 miles.

I guess I should re read it before I reccomend it to new people. But my impression is that it's still a good source to just get a feel about what Racing's about, not necessarrily as a bible for training methods anymore.

/\ that's classic :lol:

First TT I did, I followed all of Eddy B's advice, including making a "special" bottle to be chugged at the turn made up of coffee laced with a ton of sugar, and a shot of rum (the rum was optional and at least I didn't include that). The coffee was cold and the consistency of maple syrup. I nearly puked my guts out for the next 5 miles.

I guess I should re read it before I reccomend it to new people. But my impression is that it's still a good source to just get a feel about what Racing's about, not necessarrily as a bible for training methods anymore.


Thats funny, Eddy B. encouraging doping! He's definitely old school. In the early days of the tour, the dope of choice was strychnine (otherwise known as rat poison) for a stimulant, combined with cognac for a pain killer. Apparantly Eddy B. still believed that alcohol was a good pain killer.

Alcohol is much better for post-race emotional pain, however. :)

Thats funny, Eddy B. encouraging doping!

i loved the chapter in his book where he tells you to go to the red cross and get a pint of blood drawn, then stick it in your fridge until race day :D

i loved the chapter in his book where he tells you to go to the red cross and get a pint of blood drawn, then stick it in your fridge until race day :D

NO WAY!:eek: Is this true, or are you pulling our collective legs?

NO WAY!:eek: Is this true, or are you pulling our collective legs?

maybe that was the special chapter for the US '84 Olympic Team? ;)

As Jack Simes once said, "When the pedal comes up, push it down again."
Next thing you know, you're a bike racer.


Thats Awesome!

First TT I did, I followed all of Eddy B's advice, including making a "special" bottle to be chugged at the turn made up of coffee laced with a ton of sugar, and a shot of rum (the rum was optional and at least I didn't include that). The coffee was cold and the consistency of maple syrup. I nearly puked my guts out for the next 5 miles.

I guess I should re read it before I reccomend it to new people. But my impression is that it's still a good source to just get a feel about what Racing's about, not necessarrily as a bible for training methods anymore.

They don't call it an atom bottle for nothing! It nuked you!

I am sure that this asked all of the time, but I cannot find anything through searches.

I am looking to start racing either sometime soon, what do I need to do to get started? Form what I hear there is not much of a racing scene here in San Antonio, Texas, does anyone know anything about racing around here? Thanks for the help.

www.txbra.org

Austin has some great RR's and Crits that I know of and you can check your LBS (local bike shop) for a group to buddy up with. I don't know about SA but you can search the events calendar on the mentioned website and search for some local teams that may car pool to some races.

Good luck.