"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - First race tips

My first race is the San Bruno Hill Climb on New Year's Day. Due to problems with transportation, I can only get there maybe 20 minutes before the start. Do you guys have any tips on training, nutrition, the actual climb, etc? Thanks

20 minutes before? That is gonna hurt for a hill climb.

Do you guys have any tips on training, nutrition, the actual climb, etc? Thanks

No. None whatsoever. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380788)

training - too late to worry about that, there arent any magic bullets, you've either trained or you havent
nutrition - dont eat too much before the race, it's 3.5 miles, you need no fuel or fluid during the race
climb - read the race flyer, go ride it ahead of time
warmup - ride your bike to the race instead of relying on some half-baked transportation plan that can only get you there 20 mins ahead of time
tips - heres a tip or two: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380788

Since it is your first race, I suggest you have execution objectives with a performance goal. What I mean by an execution objective is to attempt to do the right stuff to enhance performance and gain experience by what goes wrong. Showing up 20 minutes early is not enough time. You are already behind in the warmup and your nerves are going to be strained. Your performance will be subpar of what was possible.

Here is the deal summarized as others have said in your OTHER post on the same matter.

Pre-ride the course as many times as possible. This is the best training you can do in the limited time.
Show up early, register, pin on your number correctly, observe what others are doing and warmup (preferably on a trainer) but the road is okay if it is not too cold. For a short race, a long warmup is required.
Try not to eat anything substantial two hours before the race but obviously eat a good breakfast.
Keep hydrated.
Show up at the starting line warmed up and ready to race.

I will be there a couple of hours early and on the trainer for an hour. Good luck.

If you pin your numbers on before you get there, 20 minutes is plenty of time (depending on how you normally warm up). I'm really not going to get any better if I hit more than 10 minutes of warmup (I've won crits on that).

Sit on Pizzaman's wheel.

Tie a rope on to the guy with the Blue Ridley.

If you pin your numbers on before you get there, 20 minutes is plenty of time (depending on how you normally warm up). I'm really not going to get any better if I hit more than 10 minutes of warmup (I've won crits on that).

He won't get the # until he's at the race and waits in line. There will also be a long line for the bathrooms. Check the ncnca.com forums, there is a carpool forum - maybe you can get lucky.

If you're going to have trouble getting there on race day, I wouldn't bother pre-riding this climb but try to find a profile for it if you can.

See you there :thumb: This is my favorite way to start the new year.


and staying on pizza mans wheel is a great way to get 2nd place :D

Sit on Pizzaman's wheel.


Hey I am on Pizza Man's wheel for 30 seconds.:p

Aren't you taking a bike with you? Have your ride drop you off so you can ride the rest of the distance at a warm up pace and still get there with as much time in advance as you want.

If you pin your numbers on before you get there, 20 minutes is plenty of time (depending on how you normally warm up). I'm really not going to get any better if I hit more than 10 minutes of warmup (I've won crits on that).

Most people need more than that. Especially for a short hillclimb where you don't get much benefit from sitting in the pack.

Sit on Pizzaman's wheel.

A couple years ago a guy who just won 4 golds at the masters world track championships set the pace for about the first 1K. He's about 1.5 times my size and a better wheel to follow if you can get it. I don't know if he;ll be there again, but look for the rainbow stripes on the sleeve :D

Another recommendation. I don't know where you're coming from, but if you won't be able to arrive until 20 minutes before the start, you should at least try to get a real good warm-up at home before you leave, either on a trainer or around your neighborhood. Even if you have to sit in a car for 1 hour before arriving, getting warmed up before you go will get the blood flowing in your muscles.

Good luck!

I am taking the train to get to the race, which explains the poor timing. I will ride the 6 miles to the train station as a sort of warmup. I haven't ridden in several weeks, so I think I have to make up a lot of ground. How does Old La Honda compare to San Bruno because I am thinking of training on OLH. Thanks.

I am taking the train to get to the race, which explains the poor timing. I will ride the 6 miles to the train station as a sort of warmup. I haven't ridden in several weeks, so I think I have to make up a lot of ground. How does Old La Honda compare to San Bruno because I am thinking of training on OLH. Thanks.

OLH is shorter but steeper 3.3 compared to 3.5 miles for San Bruno. The difference is in the beginning of the climbs. OLH is steep most of the way where as San Bruno is flatter at the beginning, steep at the end with a couple of fast spots. I think training on OLH is a good idea.

... I haven't ridden in several weeks, so I think I have to make up a lot of ground...

Don't worry, you've got this whipped.:roflmao2:
In all seriousness, good luck. Don't eat too much, warm up, don't blow up, don't get too nervous, learn from your experiance, and most of all, enjoy yourself.

Biggest problem will be not whooping it up too much the night before.