Road Cycling - Am I wasting my time by racing?

I've got my first race coming up next weekend (http://indianabikeracing.homestead.com/Schedule.html), and I'm kinda worried. It's a 22 mile road race, followed by a 5-mile time trial on Saturday, then a 55 minute (?) crit on Sunday. I'm not sure that I'm ready, but everyone keeps telling me that a Cat 5/ Citien's race is very doable for someone of my skill level.

A little about me- I've been into cycling for about a year now, but have only recently considered racing. I ride a lot of miles per week (usually from 200- 250), but don't really concentrate on speed. I can usually average about 20mph on a long, solo ride (my personal best being 108 miles in a little over 5 and a half hours); but I always get dropped from the front on group rides. I've been told that these guys are all Cat 3 guys, as they usually spin up to about 28-30 mph. I can keep up for about 10 miles or so, but get dropped when things get choppy at stop signs and lights.

I know about keeping in a draft and staying up front, but not at the front. My concern is that I really don't sprint well. I can spin up to about 30 mph for about a half mile or so, but die quickly afterwards. It seems like in a citizens category race that there probably won't be any breaks and everything will come down to a sprint at the end. If you look at the link I posted for this stage race (it's the UBuildIt Stage Race on August 28-29 on that page), do you think I have a decent chance, or am I just wasting time and money?

i always raced (mtb, xc) for fun, never competitive. The money spent was an entertainment expense to me.

I say get a handful of races in before you give up.

I think you have an excellent chance. You never know until you give it a shot. I say go for it and never look back. Anybody that can spin 30mph sounds pretty darn fast to me. The olympic time trial winner was Tyler Hamilton doing 30 miles in just under 58 minutes, so there's your motivation. Go for it...

congrats on the weight loss...I'm a FFC (former fat chick) lost just over 100 pounds! But damn, you lost nearly 200 lbs, that's amazing!

I've got my first race coming up next weekend (http://indianabikeracing.homestead.com/Schedule.html), and I'm kinda worried. It's a 22 mile road race, followed by a 5-mile time trial on Saturday, then a 55 minute (?) crit on Sunday. I'm not sure that I'm ready, but everyone keeps telling me that a Cat 5/ Citien's race is very doable for someone of my skill level.

A little about me- I've been into cycling for about a year now, but have only recently considered racing. I ride a lot of miles per week (usually from 200- 250), but don't really concentrate on speed. I can usually average about 20mph on a long, solo ride (my personal best being 108 miles in a little over 5 and a half hours); but I always get dropped from the front on group rides. I've been told that these guys are all Cat 3 guys, as they usually spin up to about 28-30 mph. I can keep up for about 10 miles or so, but get dropped when things get choppy at stop signs and lights.

I know about keeping in a draft and staying up front, but not at the front. My concern is that I really don't sprint well. I can spin up to about 30 mph for about a half mile or so, but die quickly afterwards. It seems like in a citizens category race that there probably won't be any breaks and everything will come down to a sprint at the end. If you look at the link I posted for this stage race (it's the UBuildIt Stage Race on August 28-29 on that page), do you think I have a decent chance, or am I just wasting time and money?

I wouldn't hesitate, if you can spin up to 30 MPH, you might actually be able to shake things up a bit. Cat 5 I raced in never got much faster than 25-26 MPH pack speed, which you can do. Have fun and race hard.

Definitly go for it what have you got to lose?

I race cat4 and always place under 20 and ride about 200 miles a week on a good week. You should have no problem. You probably should put some intervals in your training though...

we sound equal in proficiency, except i was a soph in high school when you were born. you can't expect to dominate in your first race. there are little nuances that you will experience that will help you feel more comfortable for next time, but overall you belong with this group. except for the occasional sandbagger..... they say it is easier when you have a 'teammate' working with you, but it might be more of an issue with crit's, not as much with roadraces.

Go for it! You will definately enjoy it.

BTW, every time I read...

July 17, 2003- 340 lb. couch potato
July 17, 2004- First Century: 108.8 miles- 5 hrs. 39 minutes avg. speed 19.26(160lbs.)
...it truly blows my mind. Congratulations on changing your life around and getting into shape. All your friends must be amazed and inspired by what you have done.

Again, about the race, just do it. I did my first race this year and it is an absolute blast.

you are not wasting your time by racing. i've learned so much from my one race even though i didn't do that well. it's so easy to say 'screw it' and just settle for the group ride or solo ride. if you're really considering racing then i think you'd be wasting your time if you didn't at least try it. and it sounds like you're in pretty good condition as it is, maybe not for a win, but you might do better than you think.

Sit in with the main bunch as long as you can. Watch and learn.

Sometimes the fast group (who maybe should have moved up a category or two)will try to toast the field early, so's to have the finish to themselves. If you can go with them- good luck!

In early races, it's all about saving energy, because you don't have the experience to know when and how much to extend yourself. I remember a morbid fear of blowing up completely and walking in...........but it never happened-although I got dropped plenty of times by fitter/more savvy riders.

Don't be disheartened if it is tough: that's kinda the idea;-)

I race every once in awhile, just for fun im not the overly competitive type.

I say go for it. If you don't win then you know you need some more training. The most important thing is to have fun and try your hardest.

Good luck!

Give racing a try, but you'll wish you had done some intensity. Like others have suggested just watch and learn and try to stay with the pack. I used to race a little and last year after a lay off of a few years I did the Fort Ben race in the citizens category. My road friends who race masters and cat 2 scoffed but I knew I couldn't hang in any other category. Anyway, I was surprised at the strength of the citizens field. I expected to see pudgy guys on Schwinn Varsitys, but it was all younger fit dudes on expensive machines warming up on trainers. There is a long hill near the beginning which you have to climb 9 times. After three or four laps someone will try to break at the top of this climb. There really isn't any other place to make a break stick. There is a steep downhill with a sharp left turn near the end of the lap. You'll be hitting 30+ easy so be careful here if you don't have much pack riding skill. If you can keep from being dropped on that hill, you'll have a good time.

You've done a great job of shedding weight and getting exercise. Congratulations!

Try racing and see what you think. It may or may not be for you. The fitness requirements are different than recreational riding and the best way to find out where you need to change your training is to get in a race. If racing helps you to maintain your interest in fitness it will be well worth any time and money you spend on it.