Road Bike Racing - How do you do it??

I am planning to start racing this season and I have been gathering advice form all over on a bunch of subjects. This one is probably has an obviouse answer "Just do it", but I have to ask it anyway.

How do you Pee in a race?? I am not such an expert bike handler that I can ride no hands in tight quarters (I am actually still quite tentative about it in any circumstance. I think the idea of dropping my brand new bike has something to do with it!!) so I am unsure how to relieve myself on the bike without getting myself and the guys behind me soaked. Being an older geaser it isn't a two second gush any more either.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Bill

Since you're a new racer, you won't be doing any races long enough that you can't hold it.

Pros do one of two things: They either pull off the side of the road when there's a gang toity. Or if they have to go while in motion, they wait for a stretch of empty road, move away from the pack, turn their hips to the side and go. Usually they'll have a teammate push them.

Go beforehand. You'll make it through the race; don't worry.

Only pee while riding if you have a team mechanic. Then he can clean the urine off your bike for you. :eek:

CHEERS.

Mark

I am planning to start racing this season and I have been gathering advice form all over on a bunch of subjects. This one is probably has an obviouse answer "Just do it", but I have to ask it anyway.

How do you Pee in a race?? I am not such an expert bike handler that I can ride no hands in tight quarters (I am actually still quite tentative about it in any circumstance. I think the idea of dropping my brand new bike has something to do with it!!) so I am unsure how to relieve myself on the bike without getting myself and the guys behind me soaked. Being an older geaser it isn't a two second gush any more either.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Bill

Bill, as these guys said, CAT V races do not last more than and hour, tops, usually. Since you'll be sweating, you probably will not have to stop...if you do, you'll never catch up.

Since you are starting out, when someone in front of you hits the brakes and 10 or 15 guys pile into him, it's the other side you'll have to watch out for...

As Bill Cosby said, first you say it, then you do it. ;)

If you are an "older geezer" and are doing masters races, be aware that most masters classes are not subdivided into categories, just broken in age groups, like 45+, 55+, 65+, etc. So you might end up racing against a 55 year old guy who used to be a CAT I racer. Just because they are older, does not mean they are slow. In my area, the masters races are some of the most hotly contended ones.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

[Thread hi-jack]
A lot of the races around here no longer let Cat 5s of any age in the masters group. But the older Cat 5s bring a degree of sanity to the Cat 5 event, so I think it's a good thing.
[/Thread hi-jack]

I was in a similar situation last year, and asked the forum whether I should ride with the masters or cat 5s (before finding out I didn't have a choice). Most said ride with the masters... stay clear of the crazy 5s. Except one guy who suggested I'd probably have a lot more fun with the 5s (thanks, ba-dg-er!).

Here's the thing. The masters are fast, most have been racing for years and are clique-ish, and will recognize the novice in their midst immediately. So, with all due respect, and it's no reflection on your capabilities, when they go, they will drop you like a bad habit. So, you'll wind up grinding out the remaining 50 miles alone or with 1 or 2 others. Not what you've been spending all that time on the trainer for.

The cat 5s are overly eager, sketchy, make dumb mistakes, but you'll probably have a lot better time. And you'll more likely be able to hang with one of the breaks, if not the lead group, and actually get some experience racing. If you can stay in the front 20% of the group, you'll stand a better chance of going with a break, and 80% of the sketchy riders will be behind you. In addition to Roadwarrior's guy who hits the brakes, beware of wrecks at the finish. If there's a pack finish and you're back in the pack, just ride in with 'em and watch the finish. Watch out for the guys in the back who decide all of a sudden they want to improve from 27th place to 22nd. :rolleyes:

Sorry... you asked about peeing! ;)