"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Random questions

I looked at some races and getting a license today, and it made me come up with a few questions...

1) Do to a TT do you HAVE to have a TT bike? all I have is a Scott s20, could I just slap some aero bars on it and enter or what?

2) I am taking it it's mid-season or so and was wondering, would it be worth it to even purchase a license this year or just pay for a one day license and wait til next year?

3) Am I only limited to crits, centuries, and other "regular" rides? Since I don't have a TT or CX bike?

I don't exactly know what the rules are as far as entering different types of races with just a road bike and am curious if there are even any rules about that?

1)no you don't need a TT bike
2)how many races do you plan on doing? If you plan on doing more than 6, buy a license.
3)As I already said in #1, you can do a TT on a road bike, but not a cx race.

Thanks man, I was just curious. I'd hate to go on out there and be the only guy with a road bike at a TT race and just look stupid. As far as how many races, not more than six I could imagine, because I don't have a CX bike so I won't be able to race that this year, though I really want to. Also...CT is where its at compared to MD.

Thanks man, I was just curious. I'd hate to go on out there and be the only guy with a road bike at a TT race and just look stupid. As far as how many races, not more than six I could imagine, because I don't have a CX bike so I won't be able to race that this year, though I really want to. Also...CT is where its at compared to MD.

A lot of TTs have "Merckx" classes where only regular road bikes are allowed. I've raced TTs with a road bike, definitely not as fast as a TT bike, but if you do well then you'll get props. You can always run clip on aero bars which will make a big difference over regular drop bars. A lot of people have TT bikes, but a lot don't. I doubt you'd be the only one on a road bike.

The one day license is $10, the year is $60, so if you're doing less than 6, probably best to just do one day.

And I'm going to college in MD, so more excited about that than the state itself.

The girls there are hot, but other than that haha... But when I went to CT it was pretty fun and a lot better scenery and places to ride or run, with hills. I guess I'll just get some aero bars and a one day pass the day of. Oh, and are there any races that aren't crits or TT's, but not quite a century either? I know there are stage races, but anything like how a paceline works where a bunch of people would race so many miles to a finish line?

The girls there are hot, but other than that haha... But when I went to CT it was pretty fun and a lot better scenery and places to ride or run, with hills. I guess I'll just get some aero bars and a one day pass the day of. Oh, and are there any races that aren't crits or TT's, but not quite a century either? I know there are stage races, but anything like how a paceline works where a bunch of people would race so many miles to a finish line?

They are called road races. There are a few circuit races here & there too.

For TTs, your bike is just one factor. You need to learn to warm up correctly, and how to pace yourself for each course. There's a lot to it, so don't get hung up on equipment just yet.

you are going to a time trial and worried about looking stupid?


:wtf:

Just to be contrarian, you might be able to get away with a road bike in an early season CX race if you can fit a skinny knobby tire. The Kenda Kwick is labled a 30mm tire, but it's closer to 28mm. It's not ideal, but you'll get a taste of it without having to spend any dough.