Road Bike Racing - 1st PP race questions

So who's doing the Al Toefield race this Saturday? It will be my first race and I was wondering what to expect in terms of field size. I can hold ~20mph solo across the course (down to ~16 on the hill) so I think I'm ready to give it a spin.

So who's doing the Al Toefield race this Saturday? It will be my first race and I was wondering what to expect in terms of field size. I can hold ~20mph solo across the course (down to ~16 on the hill) so I think I'm ready to give it a spin.

the field size will be large....i'd imagine close to the limits set on the website. are you cat 5? the last one i did had about 50 riders in the cat 5 field. good luck! you'll probably find it is quicker than you think. let me know how you do though. i'm going to do the last race in august.

the field size will be large....i'd imagine close to the limits set on the website. are you cat 5? the last one i did had about 50 riders in the cat 5 field. good luck! you'll probably find it is quicker than you think. let me know how you do though. i'm going to do the last race in august.


Yeah I'm a cat 5. I'll be at that last race in August as well. That's the one that I was originally going to ride, I just decided that I've lost a bunch of weight (178-148) and I'm feeling like it's time to get my feet wet. So timm, I'm really confused about how the start happens. Do all of the fields start together? If so how do you line up. This is my first race and I'd really like to start towards the front of the field to keep away from any crashes (with that many riders it seems to be inevitable). Any tips? I'll certainly let you all know how it goes and my wife should be taking some pictures as well. Thanks.

I will be there watching. What time dos the first race start?

Yeah I'm a cat 5. I'll be at that last race in August as well. That's the one that I was originally going to ride, I just decided that I've lost a bunch of weight (178-148) and I'm feeling like it's time to get my feet wet. So timm, I'm really confused about how the start happens. Do all of the fields start together? If so how do you line up. This is my first race and I'd really like to start towards the front of the field to keep away from any crashes (with that many riders it seems to be inevitable). Any tips? I'll certainly let you all know how it goes and my wife should be taking some pictures as well. Thanks.

they send the different fields off at 1 minutes intervals. each field has a pace car or motorcycle that you are not allowed to pass. it seemed confusing to me at first, but once i was there it was pretty straightforward.

the checkin is a little messy, so i would get there early. if you are buying a one-day pass, you'll have to fill that out, bring it up to the table along with a release form, and they'll give you a number. after you attach the number (have your wife help you with this...it has to be done in a certain way so that the numbers show on your right side and point down - they'll tell you all this though). then you proceed to the start line. since your in the cat 5 group you'll just go to the end of the group.

when they are ready to start you...they'll countdown on the megaphone and you're off.

I will be there watching. What time dos the first race start?

early. 6:45.

sweet, does the parking get bad?

they send the different fields off at 1 minutes intervals. each field has a pace car or motorcycle that you are not allowed to pass. it seemed confusing to me at first, but once i was there it was pretty straightforward.

the checkin is a little messy, so i would get there early. if you are buying a one-day pass, you'll have to fill that out, bring it up to the table along with a release form, and they'll give you a number. after you attach the number (have your wife help you with this...it has to be done in a certain way so that the numbers show on your right side and point down - they'll tell you all this though). then you proceed to the start line. since your in the cat 5 group you'll just go to the end of the group.

when they are ready to start you...they'll countdown on the megaphone and you're off.

Thanks Timm. I already registered on racelisting, so I just have to get my one day liscense and hand in the release.

So exactly how fast is this group going to be? If I can pull ~20 solo will I be able to hang with the group or am I gonna get dropped real quick?

Thanks Timm. I already registered on racelisting, so I just have to get my one day liscense and hand in the release.

So exactly how fast is this group going to be? If I can pull ~20 solo will I be able to hang with the group or am I gonna get dropped real quick?

hummm....you should be okay for a while. i found i was doing 2-3 mph faster than i normally would have on my own. however, i would estimate the group to be averaging at least 25. it might be quicker though. but then again, it's hard to tell, because the speed surges whenever someone tries to break away. since it's such a short course, everyone will chase down anything. my advise to you would be to stay closer to the left side of the group, rather than the right side. i got bottled in several times being on the right side and was squeezed in on the turns. that was a little scary. however, i couldn't keep up with the group for long, so i rode by myself for a while and had all the room i needed :o .

GOOD LUCK!! it will be exciting, and you'll love it i'm sure.

sweet, does the parking get bad?

not too sure...i rode my bike down to the race last time. the parking lot seemed full though, but i'd imagine you could park along the streets and be fine. the nice thing is that because it's a loop you can pretty much watch the race from anywhere in the park.

Timm, how early should I get there? Thanks.

Timm, how early should I get there? Thanks.

it should be 20-25 mintues to check-in. i would actually plan on getting there near 6:00. i know that's probably too much time, but i figure with the check-in, a little time to warm up and strech, attaching the number, checking out the bike, you're better off with a little extra time.

you'll have to let me know how it turns out! i'm excited for you...too bad i'll be watching stage 13 of the TDF at the theater, otherwise i'd be in the race as well.

it should be 20-25 mintues to check-in. i would actually plan on getting there near 6:00. i know that's probably too much time, but i figure with the check-in, a little time to warm up and strech, attaching the number, checking out the bike, you're better off with a little extra time.

you'll have to let me know how it turns out! i'm excited for you...too bad i'll be watching stage 13 of the TDF at the theater, otherwise i'd be in the race as well.

I'll be posting a race report on Monday, hopefully with pics and all. Tonight's a shake down of my new kit and adjusting the bike. Oh btw, I forgot to mention, you should head over to Paragon on Broadway and 18th St. They're having a massive clothing sale. I got a new pair of $130 Descente Aero X Pro bibs for ~$80. Certainly worth the trip, it's all 20-40% off.