Getting a start in bike racing...

[alexmorgan]

I live in New Canaan, CT and spend most of the year at boarding school in Wallingford, CT. I'm 15, and own a 2007 Diamondback Edgewood Hybrid. I have no cycling gear other than athletic short and under armor and have NO experience in actual racing. I cycle between 10 and 20 miles a day(hills make it hard to do more) and am looking for a good club to join/ some races to attend. Any advice you have would also be GREATLY appreciated.

-Alex Morgan

[timmhaan]

I live in New Canaan, CT and spend most of the year at boarding school in Wallingford, CT. I'm 15, and own a 2007 Diamondback Edgewood Hybrid. I have no cycling gear other than athletic short and under armor and have NO experience in actual racing. I cycle between 10 and 20 miles a day(hills make it hard to do more) and am looking for a good club to join/ some races to attend. Any advice you have would also be GREATLY appreciated.

-Alex Morgan

what kind of racing? road bike racing, mountain bike, cross?

[alexmorgan]

Well, I have a hybrid but I would ideally like to do road racing...

[AlexB]

It will be quite difficult to race against road bikes on a hybrid without putting on drop bars and integrated shifters. That will usually run you $200+, and by that time it may make sense to look around for a used road bike that fits you.

Once you have a road bike, start riding on it for a while and get comfortable with the way it handles and let your body get used to it. Get comfortable shifting and knowing what gears you are in without looking. See if you can find a local club to join and go on rides with other people to become comfortable riding in close quarters. By the time you get through all this, you'll have a much better sense for what you like/want and you'll know enough people/places/websites to know how to race. Most people try racing after they've had a road bike for a while. Do you know anyone around (older and better is definitely ok) who races?

On the other hand, you could find a road bike, get to an open race, pay the fees and try a Cat5 ride tomorrow. Unfortunately I don't know your area and can't make specific suggestions.

[BarracksSi]

On the other hand, you could find a road bike, get to an open race, pay the fees and try a Cat5 ride tomorrow. Unfortunately I don't know your area and can't make specific suggestions.

If it's anything at all like auto racing (except a LOT cheaper ;) ), then that ^^^ sounds like a good idea. When people start dabbling in car racing, they'll take their own car to some "test & tune" days at the dragstrip, try out some autocrossing, and maybe participate in a few HPDEs ("High Performance Driving Experience") at a circuit track. The least investment they'd need to make would be in tires, brake pads, a helmet, and entry fees. After that, it's all good fun.

If they really catch the bug, then they'll get a car specifically for autocrossing or trackdays, or maybe a shifter kart for an extra rush of speed & grip without a huge investment. Maybe they'll go through the process of getting an honest-to-goodness racing license; maybe they'll finagle some sponsorship to help cover mechanical costs.

No matter what, though, it all starts the same -- just go out and have fun. Who cares about winning? Nobody gets into racing by thinking, "I sure hate this." Everyone else you'll find at a race is out there to rock & roll and to have a good time with other yahoos of the same mentality. Riding by your lonesome to chase an imaginary clock is one thing, but doing it with a whole bunch of crazies is going to be quite an experience.

Just go race. If you really like it, you'll find out what to do next.

[Bacciagalupe]

IIRC the age limit for official races is 18. So you've got a bit of time to put together the proper gear....

Definitely get a road bike before you try to race. You will be spit out the back if you're on a hybrid bike.

Fortunately, just about any road bike is good enough to do a CAT5 ("beginners") race. Maybe $350 used or $550 for cheap new (e.g. Jamis Ventura Sport).

Check with your local bike shop about what bike clubs are in your area, they should have a good idea. Note that they may also have age limits or may require parental permission to allow a minor to participate.

Also, be prepared to crash. There are a fair number of crashes in the starting levels of the sport....

[timmhaan]

Just go race. If you really like it, you'll find out what to do next.

i agree with you in spirit. however, the harsh reality is that a lot of people's saftey depends on the skills of the guy next to them (or in front or behind).

before anyone starts racing, you gotta know how to handle a bike at high speed in the middle of a pack of guys. this kid is just 15 years old with a hybrid. something tells me he isn't quite ready for racing.

group rides, on the other hand, are certaintly a good idea.

[BarracksSi]

i agree with you in spirit. however, the harsh reality is that a lot of people's saftey depends on the skills of the guy next to them (or in front or behind).

Ah... yeah, I hadn't thought of that. Maybe, when the time comes, it'd be best to hang out at the back.

[isuffer]

There's some great riding in the New Canaan area. Since New Canaan Cyclery closed, check out Cycle Center of Stamford on High Ridge Rd. They have a team there and ask for Nate - he can give you some advice. There's an active racing / training scene in your area. Sound Cyclist is the Fairfield county club www.soundcyclists.com you can hook up with training rides of your ability. Once you get started and want to get into racing, get your USCF licenses and check out the Bethel Spring racing series or the Tuesday night training series during the summer months. The Bethel course is very user friendly. Hope this helps.

[alexmorgan]

Well, I know I'm pretty well qualified for a race in terms of ability. I do between 10 and 30 miles per day. However I'm not sure how differently a racing bike will handle in comparison. In the mean time I recently bought myself a new handlebar stem from the Stamford cycle center so I might stop by again and follow up on isuffer's advice. Any advice on a good racing bike that should last me at least 2-3 years?

[BarracksSi]

A racing bike will handle better and be more responsive, and -- if you've got the strength for it -- it'll be a lot faster as well.

I would figure, though, that the nitty-gritty differences between race-ready bikes are of little consequence until you're vying for a podium finish. Even then, you're going to find a bunch of different bikes at any race. Don't worry too much, and just get something that's a good deal for the money. And again, by the time you start doing well, you'll have a better idea of what you'd want to change (gear ratios, body positioning, etc).

[alexmorgan]

Thanks for all your help guys. I might just do a race or two on my hybrid to get a feel for the racing and then if I like it I'll drop five or six hundred on a new racing bike.

[Bacciagalupe]

I recommend you do a few group rides first. Seriously, if you go to a race and have never ridden in a group before, you are VERY likely to crash and/or cause a crash. There may even be a racer or two in the group(s) you ride with who can give you some other pointers.

Also, riding 10-30 miles a day is a pretty good start, but not much of an indication of your racing abilities. Half of racing is the physical aspect -- which is not only riding for extended periods of time at 22-25 mph, but also accelerating very rapidly. The other half is bike handling, which includes cornering, climbing, riding in a group etc.

[alexmorgan]

What kind of speeds/times should I be looking at before starting Cat. 5's? Closest I've come to actually timing myself is a mile in 2:30 but I'm looking to improve on that.

[timmhaan]

a mile time is completely meaningless. this is not a track and field event where you sprint.

cat 5's can average in the mid 20 mph, over distances ranging from 15-40 miles and up. but average speed doesn't mean much either....the speed surges constantly. it might go from 20 mph to 28mph all of a sudden and then back down. over and over again. that's what'll wear you out.

check out the bike racing forum to get a feel for how people race, the equipment they use, and some of the tatics.

[alexmorgan]

Will do ;)

[smyth]

also see if there are charity events in your area, i can't imagine there not being any. The MS Foundation has a lot and those are nice because there is a bit of everyone in there, from pretty serious riders to new comers to people out just to enjoy the veiws and the events. Generally they also have a few different distances to choose from(2 day 150 mile, down to a just for fun 5-15 mile ride). And aside from helping you, you'll be helping others as well.

Kyle