"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - How long have you been racing?

Poll to see how long you've been racing

Not sure how to deal with time off from racing. Use your best judgment, so if you raced 5 years, took 10 off, and raced 5 years since, but you consider that first 5 years to not really count, do 5. Otherwise do 10.

Should we only count hours spent actually racing? Or all the time in between races, too?

I've tried to sell my wife on the concept that "if it isn't in the Garmin, it doesn't count", when looking at how much time I spend cycling. So far, she isn't buying that one.

Since 06... USAC member since 04.

Does MUP racing count?

(Now running for cover!)

I was digging through some old files a few weeks ago and found the promotional materials and MY ACTUAL RACE NUMBER!! from my first race. It was the downtown San Luis Obispo criterium on May 31, 1987. It was fun to look at the roster and see names in the pro field like Davis Phinney, Ron Kiefel, and Alex Steida.

I think since 2006 with about 5 races that year.

I don't know what number to provide. But this question/poll has helped think back to a couple of "first" races.

1) Almost 40 years ago, gulp, I had saved up and purchased my dream bike, a 3-speed (sturmey archer) English Raleigh with leather saddle bag, Brooks saddle (I think), and fenders. I think it was $75 +/-. I loved that bike and I felt in total command with it. Soon after, a neighbor friend got a Fuji "racing" bike. Long story short, I challenged him to a race along our neighborhood streets. I really thought my Raleigh and I could take Mr. Racing bike. It was fun, but he buried me.

2) About 35 years ago, I got wind of a bicycle relay race in a nearby town -- One bike, 4 riders. It sounded like fun. Three of us from the track team (we were New England champs and either all-scholastic/state or Junior Olympians) and a tennis team member formed a team and rode my brother's Fuji S10S -- my brother was into cycling. I knew the owner of a local sports shop and he sponsored us. He could print on t-shirts, so, we had a coordinated "kit."

We were different heights, so, we used a quick release (I think) for the seatpost. Crazy us, we were against some "real" cyclist wearing wool and "funny" shoes. I rode anchor and got the bike in 5th or 6th. I'm guessing that my leg was 2-4 miles in length. I caught the 3rd place rider soon enough and then he sat in my wheel. I knew nothing about drafting back then!

We approached a fork in the road, which turned out to be about 300-400 yards out from the line. I didn't know which way to go, so, I turned and asked the guy on my wheel "which way?" He wouldn't tell me. I slowed as I approached the fork, wanting him to pass, so I would know which way to go. He wouldn't pass, until the right time, when he got a good jump on me and created a good gap.

I was miffed (and in good track & field sprinting shape -- that was my 2nd event). I ramped it up and tore down that straight with teeth clenched and burning rage. I caught him with only a handful of yards to go. 3rd place trophy for us. 4th place ribbon for them.

My first "real" cycling race was as a collegiate grad student just over 20 years ago. Raced for a few years, then 10+ years off the bike, and then, to my surprise, racing again as of 2008.

I don't know how many total years of bike racing are comprised in all of that. 10, 11, 12, 40?

That's an easy one for me to answer. My first race was the Tour de Tuscaloosa crit on 3/24/12. It was fun and I learned a lot.

Mainly not to get behind anyone who doesn't shave his legs. I was the last one out b/c dufus in front of me didn't even have one foot clipped in when they said "Go!" I never saw the lead group after the first turn. Now I at least know to fight for the front of the line after the warmup lap. No more Mr. Nice Guy. :notamused:

Second race is this Saturday. 30 mile RR. Looking forward to it!

That's an easy one for me to answer. My first race was the Tour de Tuscaloosa crit on 3/24/12. It was fun and I learned a lot.

Mainly not to get behind anyone who doesn't shave his legs. I was the last one out b/c dufus in front of me didn't even have one foot clipped in when they said "Go!" I never saw the lead group after the first turn. Now I at least know to fight for the front of the line after the warmup lap. No more Mr. Nice Guy. :notamused:

Second race is this Saturday. 30 mile RR. Looking forward to it!

I like starting at the back.

I like bacon.

I like bacon.

The maple kind?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

Oh my word, hahaha!!!

I like starting at the back.

Why is that?

The Tuscaloosa course had its first turn at about 70 yards, into a steep downhill, then an easy climb to get to the suffer climb. I never could catch up, though could still see the peloton the first two laps. In lap 3, I tried to bridge on my own, went too hard, and was pretty cooked after that. Got lapped, and finished 20 out of 32. I had the most fun, though. Just wish I could have gotten a fighting chance to stay with the lead group. So hard to catch a peloton by oneself.

since 07

Why is that?

The Tuscaloosa course had its first turn at about 70 yards, into a steep downhill, then an easy climb to get to the suffer climb. I never could catch up, though could still see the peloton the first two laps. In lap 3, I tried to bridge on my own, went too hard, and was pretty cooked after that. Got lapped, and finished 20 out of 32. I had the most fun, though. Just wish I could have gotten a fighting chance to stay with the lead group. So hard to catch a peloton by oneself.

I like starting at the back too. The technical course, well, that favors a more forward start position. But I've found that if I'm not good it doesn't matter if I start at the front (name any race I did last year lol). If I am good then starting at the back is just as okay as the front (to wit - a race where there were 14 or 15 finishers out of 125, lots of turns, super steep hill).

What I specifically like about starting at the back - and I'm talking 30 feet behind the last row of riders - is that I can clip in very quickly, read the flow of the pack, and go through openings so I'm sitting perhaps 10th or so in 100 meters. I never get held up by someone unless the whole pack is taking its time getting going, and then it's a moot point anyway.

As far as how long I've been racing... this was from my second year of racing (the ad showed up about 5 or 6 years later):

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TbmplkIYLx8/RrxMQWXF1yI/AAAAAAAAAHY/C1s8yGkyPDM/s1600/100_2118.JPG

I like starting at the back too. The technical course, well, that favors a more forward start position. But I've found that if I'm not good it doesn't matter if I start at the front (name any race I did last year lol). If I am good then starting at the back is just as okay as the front (to wit - a race where there were 14 or 15 finishers out of 125, lots of turns, super steep hill).

What I specifically like about starting at the back - and I'm talking 30 feet behind the last row of riders - is that I can clip in very quickly, read the flow of the pack, and go through openings so I'm sitting perhaps 10th or so in 100 meters. I never get held up by someone unless the whole pack is taking its time getting going, and then it's a moot point anyway.

As far as how long I've been racing... this was from my second year of racing (the ad showed up about 5 or 6 years later):

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TbmplkIYLx8/RrxMQWXF1yI/AAAAAAAAAHY/C1s8yGkyPDM/s1600/100_2118.JPG

Damn you are old... :) Still the same position as well.

I as well like to start from the back and rarely rush to get to the front, I have learned patience and work my way up at the right time trying to avoid the nonsense up front.

gee cdr... I see they were still using left-side chainwheels in those days...

gee cdr... I see they were still using left-side chainwheels in those days...

Funny, right?

The fact that it's a flyer for G Fox (now gone) really dates it. My gf at the time worked there (Hartford) and got maybe 50 flyers for me. A teammate brought one over to me - it was a Labor Day flyer, and our club was marshaling the Greenwich Crit that weekend, and he bought the "other" newspaper as he lived north of New Haven, the Hartford paper (everyone bought the NY Times in that area).

I think I still have that front wheel (32h GP4), why I don't know.

I was digging through some old files a few weeks ago and found the promotional materials and MY ACTUAL RACE NUMBER!! from my first race. It was the downtown San Luis Obispo criterium on May 31, 1987. It was fun to look at the roster and see names in the pro field like Davis Phinney, Ron Kiefel, and Alex Steida.

Newb

Newb

Old man.

First USCF race was in 1986, I did a few 'citizen" races in '85. First race was a March training race at UW Parkside in Kenosha, WI. Went to Nats in Boise that year too. To be a junior again... Raced until 2000 then took a "few" years off and got back into cross 2 years ago and now back doing road this year. Nothing like being one of those crazy masters racers now - coach, team, goals, etc - too funny. It's fun though!

I like bacon.

Hey, that's my line.

83-86

Wine, Women & Song

11-present

First race was Charleston Criterium in 1974. Been racing on and off since then.

Old man.

Take a look at my life; I'm a lot like you were...

comparing the what's yer cat thread and this thread, I've come to a disturbing conclusion. No one has done this as long as I have and not advanced further.

Oh well, GET OFF MY LAWN.

That makes sense. Thanks, CDR.


I like starting at the back too. The technical course, well, that favors a more forward start position. But I've found that if I'm not good it doesn't matter if I start at the front (name any race I did last year lol). If I am good then starting at the back is just as okay as the front (to wit - a race where there were 14 or 15 finishers out of 125, lots of turns, super steep hill).

What I specifically like about starting at the back - and I'm talking 30 feet behind the last row of riders - is that I can clip in very quickly, read the flow of the pack, and go through openings so I'm sitting perhaps 10th or so in 100 meters. I never get held up by someone unless the whole pack is taking its time getting going, and then it's a moot point anyway.

comparing the what's yer cat thread and this thread, I've come to a disturbing conclusion. No one has done this as long as I have and not advanced further.

Oh well, GET OFF MY LAWN.

Hi,

Ha!

Started racing on Long Island in 1973 (unlicensed) doing Tuesday night training races. Got my first (ABLA) license as a 17 year-old Junior in 1974. Became a Cat 3 Senior in 1976 (because of my obvious stellar races as a Junior). Had enough points to be a Cat 2 in the mid-1980s but with my obvious talents, I figured why not keep sandbagging and be a dominant Cat 3. :rolleyes: BTW, a couple of weeks ago, I got my first top 10 in a regular USAC weekend race since the 1980s in a Masters 55+ race.

BTW, I did miss 2 or 3 years (I can't remember exactly anymore) due to a knee injury and having kids. Also, at least 5 years were pretty light -- like less than 10 races per year. I'm making up for those years now. :D

I started racing mountain bikes in 07 and had some pretty good success - I was about to move up to expert when I moved to North Carolina.

Then I did my first RR late in 07. It was an omnium. I flatted in the TT, was dropped and lapped in the crit within about 15 laps and then crashed in the RR and broke my frame. For some reason, I kept racing.

i think it's weird that I am veteran according to your poll (5-10 years) and only 25. i thought that would be the most common category.

i do realize that there are many regular posters in the 33 who have been racing about as long as I have been alive, however.

My first race was two years and 5 days ago. since that's over 2, I guess that puts me in the 2-3 bracket but I wold feel better about still being a cat-4 if I could just mark 0-2 years.