Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - My first bike race

Today I did my first bike race and wow, I got destroyed. It was very fun and challenging. The pace wasn't so bad for my current fitness (24mph) but the slowing down and subsequent accelerating out of corners completely destroyed my legs.

It was a criterium type of race, 10km lap, 4 laps. With some NASTY 90 degree turns into narrow streets. Has anyone here raced before? Is it normal for the peloton to change speeds so often?

The accordian effect is very normal in the lower Categories. If you are old enough to race in the Masters it isn't so bad, but it is faster.

The key is to try and stay closer to the front for as long as you can so the elastic effect isn't so bad. Easier said than done, lol.

Very normal. Due to people attacking and trying to get away.. As they do that, others from the pack try to go with them, and eventually, the whole pack surges. Then, they realize the whole pack is there, so they stop going so hard and everyone slows down.

Very normal. Due to people attacking and trying to get away.. As they do that, others from the pack try to go with them, and eventually, the whole pack surges. Then, they realize the whole pack is there, so they stop going so hard and everyone slows down.

Nah, in the Crash 5's it's one sprint from one corner to the next, and then hit the brtakes like mad to make the turn, lol. Rinse, Repeat.

Nah, in the Crash 5's it's one sprint from one corner to the next, and then hit the brtakes like mad to make the turn, lol. Rinse, Repeat.

It was exactly like this. By the 3rd lap everyone was spent, there was no real breakaway, there was no real sprint to the finish. It was nothing like the race tactics I've read/seen.

Crash 5's LOL. Every corner there was a close call, followed by heavy arguing all the way up to the next corner, a group of 5-6 were still arguing 1hr after the race ended, no crashes happened though. A broken RD was all the weird action we had, I didn't see it happening, but it had to be a hell of a job to save himself from hitting the Tarmac.

In the end it was a ton of fun and I can't wait to do it again, although I'm still trying to convince my body I have to go out now for a recovery ride :o

edit: Masters are still 1 yr away

Fun, isn't it? I did my first crit race this year too. If you enjoy that kind of racing- try cyclocross. Same kind of all out, destroy yourself as completely as possible, hold nothing in reserve racing action.

There are those that will flame me for this, but in a Cat 5 Crit, forget team or race tactics. CAt 5 is to get your 10 mass sarts under your belt then Cat up. Cat 5 is about survival and realizing if it's something you want to do. Learn to sit in, attack, then attack again.

It sounds like you are hooked. I don't know what bike you are racing, but I recommend a nice disposable aluminum frame you totally wreck and shrug off for Crit racing. Save the good stuff for road racing!

A lot of Cat 5 racers are unattached. You pay $5 or $10 more to rqace unattached but it's only 10 races. Keep an eye on the guys who are smooth and run up front. Make friends with them. Go on some hammerfest group rides, get dropped, show up again the next week, and do it again.

Ultimately you want to find a team. Get to know the other guys, maybe someone will invite you to join.