Road Bike Racing - 16 Y.O. getting started in Michigan

Hello

I've been riding a lot over the past year and I'm really into cycling. I recently purchased my first "serious" road bike - a Jamis Ventura Elite 06. With this purchase I'm interested in what a teen like myself can/should do to get into the world of competitive cycling. I realize that it is already October and that the road season is slow if not over, but I am definitely in this "for the long run" :)

What options are open? How did you get into cycling?

Thanks :)!

How to get into cycling. Hmm. get your racing license in december for next year (USA Cycling). You will be racing juniors (against your age group) and or cat 5 (beginners like yourself). Find a club and get used to riding with other people. Discover what a paceline is and how to handle yourself in close proximity to others. Ride as consistently as you can and your schedule allows. Sign up for a race (assuming you want to do road) in spring when the season starts. Enjoy yourself. Talk with other racers. Read Bike racing 101 by kendall and kendall.

good luck, and let us know how it goes.

There was a great junior squad that came out from Ann Arbor in 2005 to race King of Jester, I'm guessing it was part of a training camp. You might see if you can get in touch with any of these guys and hook up with their program:
http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/43424_51698_2005.html

There was a great junior squad that came out from Ann Arbor in 2005 to race King of Jester, I'm guessing it was part of a training camp. You might see if you can get in touch with any of these guys and hook up with their program:
http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/43424_51698_2005.html

Yes there is probably one of the best developmental clubs in the country right in the op's backyard.

http://www.aavc.org/ Check it out.

Maybe you are 'lucky' enough to live near RyanF, you could be buddies...

1) Join a club that supports junior racers (like the ones mentioned above)
2) Get a racing license http://www.usacycling.org/ listing the above club
3) Train with the club all Winter
4) Find some races to start out with in Feb and March

(edit for link)

Maybe you are 'lucky' enough to live near RyanF, you could be buddies...

Thankfully, A2 is nowhere near RyanF.

And defintely yes, Ann Arbor Velo Club has a great junior program! and Ann Arbor has a great cycling scene in generall, so you're in a good place.

I'll look for you in April at the A2 Spring Training Series out by the airport.

Thankfully, A2 is nowhere near RyanF.

And defintely yes, Ann Arbor Velo Club has a great junior program! and Ann Arbor has a great cycling scene in generall, so you're in a good place.

I'll look for you in April at the A2 Spring Training Series out by the airport.

Who is A2? The OP is south of me I think from one of his other threads.

Her name is Ann Arbor. We call her A2 sometimes.

^^ lol, A2 is an abbreviation for Ann Arbor, which is a town, not a person.


Thanks for all the feedback! I'll check out the Velo Club this monday on their recovery ride :)

+1 AAVC is a great place to start. A lot of support.

Good luck! Racing was the best thing that happened to me, and I hope it's the same for you. Have fun and don't let it go to your head.

I'm around your age about, been road biking for about 2 yrs. now, did my first race this last summer, and won my age bracket (14-19).

Some things that helped me in getting started:

1.Contact a local rider/club that can notify you upcoming rides. I e-mailed an extremely talented and established racer where I lived, he got me hooked up with local rides around my area, rides that I wouldn't have known anything about otherwise. It's also nice to see someone that you're familiar with at rides, because most likely you will be the youngest one there and be a total stranger to everyone. Soon, you will start to build a reputation, as it worked for me, you'll win sprints and the guys will start to respect you.

2.If you want to race, getting a liscense would probably be the smartest thing to do. BUT, wait until you have one non-USCF race under your belt...or one that doesn't require a liscense because racing requires a huge commitment and passion, it's not for everyone. (Not saying that it's not for you.)


3. Learn how to do intervals. :D

Good luck regardless.

Yes there is probably one of the best developmental clubs in the country right in the op's backyard.

http://www.aavc.org/ Check it out.


+1. Ann Arbor Velo has a very successful junior program.

look into gear inch restrictions. I'm not familiar with all the rules, but you might be capped to ~100 inches at your age and would need to get a smaller front chain ring to be in compliance once you race.

No point in training on ratios you cant race, so check this sooner rather than latter.

Do some group rides and start doing 60 minute tempo rides (82%-85% of max HR) during the winter before working yourself up to 2x20 minute intervals starting December-January.

You're going to want to get a 52 tooth front chainring, and an Ultegra 6600 14-25 cassette from probikekit.com

The best advice you've been given so far is to get with a club. Ride, ride, and ride some more and learn the basics of riding with a group, the traditions, and cycling etiquette.