Road Bike Racing - am i race material?

ok i been reading some posts on racing, it seems that most of you people go 20mph ~30kph. well when i commute to school i go 33kph average. and i was biking with a group of elites for 100km and we were going 38kph. soooo am i race material?

Turbonium,

I'd say that if you're riding with elite riders then you're probably race material. Why don't you just out and race to find out? If you don't race then you're not race material. As the ads say: "Just Do It!" Otherwise, you're just another wannabee.

Was that too harsh?

I think race material is partialy genetics, but has alot more to do with determination and drive. If you can maintain higher speeds now that helps, but still takes ALOT of training and work. I say go for it enter some races see how you do.

I agree, the best way to find out is sign up in a cat 5 race and see what happens.

I remember years ago when I first entered college I road with some hard core guys and could keep the pace line. I entered my first cat 5 race got my head handed to me. But, it gave me a race under my belt, and I got serious and learned to train to race. I joined a team and went on to do some hard core racing. Most importand was learning to train the right way. Learning to peak when I wanted to do specific races. Since I never made it to Europe I guess I didn't learn it well. But I had a blast along the way and still race some today.

You may want to get a book called Cyclist Training Bible by Joe Friel. It's a great source of information for someone considering racing, or just improving training skills. It's avialable at many LBS or large book retailers.

Good Luck!

Racing is a totally different feeling. You race outside your comfort level for hours and hours. Then there are various surges in effort throughout the race, which makes interval training come in handy.

Racing is so freakin fun. Just put your head down and GO!!!!!

It would be easier to determine if you are racing material with clarifying those average speed units. Is it 33Km/Hr or 33 MPH?
That would make all the difference:)


Cheers

Sorry, I didn't realize you were writing from Canada.
I ride in Florida, so roads are flat. Having said that, a decent Cat3 rider can hold 27-28 MPH (45 Km/Hr) for about 45 minutes to an hour.
That can be pretty intense, so don't pay too much attention to your speed, and start racing in Cat5! It's fun, and if you're young enough, the sky is the limit with some dedication.

humm i think the ottawa bike club has races, i think ill find out more information and train this winter. hehehe this will be fun.

Hah, we'll find out about that!!