cannondale
05-17-02, 10:10 AM
I'd like to do one race maybe in August. I've never raced a road bike before. The question is what type of race should I do? Crit, Stage race, Road Race, Hill Climb?
Cannondale
Cannondale
Road Cycling - First time race - which one should I do?
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velo
05-17-02, 06:05 PM
cannondale,
Unless you're amazing, I'd suggest to stay away from the stage race, right off the bat.
If you're looking to learn about how to race, I would probably suggest a crit. and then a road race. A hill climb will not do you much good when it comes to race tactics.
A crit. will be shorter and allow you a better chance to sit in and not get dropped. This way, you can watch what is going on in the pack, and have a go for it yourself. A road race might be a little harder to do this, because they're longer and thus, everything happens in slow motion, and it will be easier to get dropped from.
But, no matter what, racing is the best way to gain racing experience. I'm glad you're willing to try it!
Good luck,
velo
Unless you're amazing, I'd suggest to stay away from the stage race, right off the bat.
If you're looking to learn about how to race, I would probably suggest a crit. and then a road race. A hill climb will not do you much good when it comes to race tactics.
A crit. will be shorter and allow you a better chance to sit in and not get dropped. This way, you can watch what is going on in the pack, and have a go for it yourself. A road race might be a little harder to do this, because they're longer and thus, everything happens in slow motion, and it will be easier to get dropped from.
But, no matter what, racing is the best way to gain racing experience. I'm glad you're willing to try it!
Good luck,
velo
jmlee
05-18-02, 09:54 AM
Velo's advice probably counts at least double to mine (since she races currently and my last one was about a decade ago).
Nevertheless, I might reverse the logic on the criterium vs. road race on the basis of the criterum's speed, especially in the corners. One way to evaluate the question would be to ask yourself which is stronger, your bike handling skills or your endurace. The former would put you in the criterium and the latter would put you in the road race. In either case, do plenty of group rides to get yourself prepared for peloton riding.
All that being said, I got my start with racing in local training criteriums. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening we did 25 miles on a circuit with 4 90-degree corners. Although it was a bit scary at first, I got a lot of good advice from the experienced racers--who of course had every interest in my being able to race safely. I got the hang of it pretty quickly and moved up from the C category to the B cat., both because I was strong enough and because I wanted to get away from some of the squirrelly riders among the Cs. In the criteriums, my bike handling skills improved quite quickly. So perhaps Velo is right after all.
Cheers.
Nevertheless, I might reverse the logic on the criterium vs. road race on the basis of the criterum's speed, especially in the corners. One way to evaluate the question would be to ask yourself which is stronger, your bike handling skills or your endurace. The former would put you in the criterium and the latter would put you in the road race. In either case, do plenty of group rides to get yourself prepared for peloton riding.
All that being said, I got my start with racing in local training criteriums. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening we did 25 miles on a circuit with 4 90-degree corners. Although it was a bit scary at first, I got a lot of good advice from the experienced racers--who of course had every interest in my being able to race safely. I got the hang of it pretty quickly and moved up from the C category to the B cat., both because I was strong enough and because I wanted to get away from some of the squirrelly riders among the Cs. In the criteriums, my bike handling skills improved quite quickly. So perhaps Velo is right after all.
Cheers.
RainmanP
05-18-02, 12:37 PM
Cannondale,
If you haven't done so already, find a group in your area that does regular training rides you can get into. Bike racing is not like a running race. If you haven't learned basic group riding skills you can be a danger to yourself and others. It will make you feel much more comfortable when you go to the line. Good luck!
Regards,
Raymond
If you haven't done so already, find a group in your area that does regular training rides you can get into. Bike racing is not like a running race. If you haven't learned basic group riding skills you can be a danger to yourself and others. It will make you feel much more comfortable when you go to the line. Good luck!
Regards,
Raymond