Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Georgia Cup TT - Miss Bumble Goes to the Races

A friend of mine is riding in the GA Time Trial Series...and I figure, what the hay?? So I am in. I will be riding in the race next Saturday, who knew??

Anyway - Here's a link to the race in case y'all want to come join me:
http://www.georgiacup.com/races.php?series=tt&id=16


Any advice for the newbie?... I am enterd in the Athena category. I guess it is a bit humiliating but I suppose if they look at me they knwo I am over 150 so why not? (175ish)

OK- Hope I don't make a complete fool of myself.

Nothing foolish about getting out and having fun.

When I first started losing weight and running 5K's and doing mini triathlons and such I was always stone cold last. I also always found that 95% of the participants would stick around and cheer me in. I think most people realize that right after the winners bracket everybody else is just challenging themselves or having fun.

The winner may have run the race faster but he did not run the race harder than me.

John

I think that's freakin awesome! No advice here, I'm a super newbie.
When you started riding, did you ever expect to be entering races?
Whether or not that was your plan, bravo. Have fun, and I personally can't wait to hear all about it.
-James

This is awesome! You will both love and hate it, lol.

Best advice I can give you is to ask your friend to help you position your saddle nose down to allow you to slide a bit more forward and ride towards the nose and try and stay in the drops. I don't know how long the course is, but don't start full out. Start out about 75% and build up as you go, hoping to peak just past the halfway point or a bit later depending on how strong of a motor you have. You will probably be faster spinning max cadence in a lower gear than mashing full on in your highest gear.

It's called the Race of Truth for a reason. It's you against the course. Forget about anyone else in your division, you are riding for your own time. In the end, it all comes out in the wash. It's also very addictiong to the right personality.

DO NOT throw a set of clip on sero bars on there the night before and try and ride the course. It takes practice to use aeros and we don't want to read a Bee cash report.

You go girl! It's all about fun, if it turns into a suffer fest, just spin your way home and have someone take a pic at the finish line!

EDIT: If someone loans you a TT helmet, remember the pointy ends goee to the back:p

Go fast? :D

Seriously, get a good warm-up as your legs will cramp up and slow you down if you don't. When you first start, go a little easier than you think you should be. Then, as you approach the halfway point, go faster. Then, the last quarter, go really fast.

Take lots of cold water. Have some already prepped for you at the finish (i.e.: in a bottle, ready to drink).

In the meantime, practice fast group rides, specifically pacelines. They will teach your body how to handle speed and effort.

Know how quick your body recovers from a hard effort (how many days). Go for a short ride the day before with 1 or 2 hard accelerations and paces, just to remind your legs what it's like to spin fast w/power.

Most of all... have fun & don't crash.

BTW, TT'ing doesn't allow drafting.

Good luck. Race report when finished. :thumb:

Go fast? :D

Seriously, get a good warm-up as your legs will cramp up and slow you down if you don't. When you first start, go a little easier than you think you should be. Then, as you approach the halfway point, go faster. Then, the last quarter, go really fast.

Take lots of cold water. Have some already prepped for you at the finish (i.e.: in a bottle, ready to drink).

In the meantime, practice fast group rides, specifically pacelines. They will teach your body how to handle speed and effort.

Know how quick your body recovers from a hard effort (how many days). Go for a short ride the day before with 1 or 2 hard accelerations and paces, just to remind your legs what it's like to spin fast w/power.

Most of all... have fun & don't crash.

BTW, TT'ing doesn't allow drafting.

Good luck. Race report when finished. :thumb:

THANK YOU! Practise....well all I really have here in Chicago (I work here live in ATL) is the gym. So I plan on riding Tues-Thursday on a Stationary Bike. My best has been 18MPH for 1 hr...so I will try and get that up...and think about if it were a TT what would I do? So tomorrow AM i iwll push it..and then maybe Wed just spin and Thursday push again...

Go Bee go!

My advice: keep the rubber side down and have fun!

This is awesome! You will both love and hate it, lol.

DO NOT throw a set of clip on sero bars on there the night before and try and ride the course. It takes practice to use aeros and we don't want to read a Bee crash report.


Note to self - No Aero Bars....Got it!! Thanks for all of the advice

A little trick I saw while watching the local TTs
If you have a camelback and are comfortable using it, it seems to be a more aerodynamic option than water bottles on the frame (you can take the cages off if you'd like.) Wear it over a technical tshirt and under your jersey for the maximum aero benefit. It also prevents fumbling around for the water bottle (like I do). Will it shave off minutes? Doubtfull but it couldn't hurt!!

Stay hydrated & have fun!! Oh yea, and don't forget the sun screen!!

+1 on the camel back. Reaching for, and drinking from, bottles will cost you time.

Hmmm... Have not worn the camelback in a long time - so It woudl be a risk! Maybe Friday I coudld go out for a quick ride and try it when I get home. Definitley a good idea. That way I would not have to thinkabout drinking and just ride!

Hmmm... Have not worn the camelback in a long time - so It woudl be a risk! Maybe Friday I coudld go out for a quick ride and try it when I get home. Definitley a good idea. That way I would not have to thinkabout drinking and just ride!

If you're not comfortable with it or consider it a risk - don't use it. As in any long ride or event, "Nothing new on race day!" Go with what ya know......

Ride fast, ride safe, have fun!

25km is only 15 miles. I wouldn't even bother carrying water, just make sure you're hydrated before you start.

25km is only 15 miles. I wouldn't even bother carrying water, just make sure you're hydrated before you start.


It's a 19mile race I believe....

It's a 19mile race I believe....

No offense, but since this'll probably take 45-mins or more, I would take water.

No offense, but since this'll probably take 45-mins or more, I would take water.


Yes - Me too... I am prone to migraines...and dehydration is awful. I don't know how the 5K racer do it when they run for a mile and then get water...I drink a ton. And because ido so the Camel back may be a good option, but not one to try on race day...so likely I will bring water bottles and maybe try out a camel on Friday when I get back to the city...if it is awesome...I may use it for the race.

Hey I am still the only one in my category! Hope the other fat bikers stay home :twitchy:

Hey Guys- So I need a coach yelling in my ear to urge me on.. I just finished a kick butt workout on the bike at the gym. I wanted to see how long it would take to ride 19 miles. Previously my best on the bike at the gym: 111710 was 18+ miles and hour. (I work out in the gym since I do not have a bike at my client's location, Chicago during the week...)

So today I competed 19 miles in 59 min 23 seconds. Covered in sweat, did not throw up though.. and it is a bits scary to go that hard! But awesome. And I am not the fastest rider or athlete really... takes a ton of effort to move these legs.


OK below is the Time Trial course... whaddya think? WIll it be easier/harder than the stationary bike?
111709

You are awesome!!! Get out there and have fun this weekend! It's always good to hear about Athenas racing. Watch out though. This could be an addiction!!

Hey I am still the only Athena registered...a dubious honor.
I may just win!

MY friend is ridining in the 40-45 group and an Iron Man (woman) just signed up - bet she wishes she could join my group!

It's offical!! I Am a bike racer!! Wow it was cool to bein a Time Trial. I will post a ride report later....Just wantd y'all to know the Bee did it!

More later..pics too.

Woohoo! You GO Missbumble.

That is totally awesome, I can't wait for the ride report

It's offical!! I Am a bike racer!! Wow it was cool to bein a Time Trial. I will post a ride report later....Just wantd y'all to know the Bee did it!

More later..pics too.

No teaser like "I WON, more to come later".

It's offical!! I Am a bike racer!! Wow it was cool to bein a Time Trial. I will post a ride report later....Just wantd y'all to know the Bee did it!

More later..pics too.

Talk about a cliff hanger teaser, sheesh:roflmao2: