1st Year Racing
01-11-04, 02:12 AM
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1st Year Racing
I have been riding pretty much my entire life and have just recently considered racing, what I would like to know is what can I expect my first year racing, in other words what should I train for if I want to place in races so that I can move through the categories fairly quickly. Assume I have all the time needed to dedicate to cycling that I would possibly need. I have also been using the techniques in the book "the ultimate ride" for the last 2 months, and am hoping to race in the first race of the year, so I have about two months left before I see what fitness level I am at comparitavely to the experienced racers.
01-11-04, 01:46 PM
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I think you'll get a much better response if you re-post this in the "racing" section of the road cycling forum.
My advice, if you don't already ride with a racing group or fast rec group, start now. You don't mention if you have any group riding experience but start there. Also, if you have a local racing club that offers a beginner racing program, sign up and don't skip any classes. You'll learn a lot about what to do and not do which will save you lots of aggravation out on the road. Depending on your riding skills, and those around you, you will have a pretty good chance of crashing although not everyone does.
Most riders who first try racing and have a recreational level fitness base are in for a rude awakening when it comes to true race intensity. Unless you are an extremely strong rider and or genetically gifted, prepare to suffer (good suffering!!) for the first season as most Cat5s do. It's been said that you have to be in excellent condition to even suck at racing.
Don't be to hard on yourself if it takes time, it does for almost everyone. It may not seem like much to place in a field sprint, but doing it in a criterium after sitting at your anaerobic threshold for 45 minutes is a whole different ball game. The same could be said for cranking it up in a road race after 60-70 miles.
With all that being said, you should give it a shot. Just make sure you go about it the right way giving yourself the best chance of success.
My advice, if you don't already ride with a racing group or fast rec group, start now. You don't mention if you have any group riding experience but start there. Also, if you have a local racing club that offers a beginner racing program, sign up and don't skip any classes. You'll learn a lot about what to do and not do which will save you lots of aggravation out on the road. Depending on your riding skills, and those around you, you will have a pretty good chance of crashing although not everyone does.
Most riders who first try racing and have a recreational level fitness base are in for a rude awakening when it comes to true race intensity. Unless you are an extremely strong rider and or genetically gifted, prepare to suffer (good suffering!!) for the first season as most Cat5s do. It's been said that you have to be in excellent condition to even suck at racing.
Don't be to hard on yourself if it takes time, it does for almost everyone. It may not seem like much to place in a field sprint, but doing it in a criterium after sitting at your anaerobic threshold for 45 minutes is a whole different ball game. The same could be said for cranking it up in a road race after 60-70 miles.
With all that being said, you should give it a shot. Just make sure you go about it the right way giving yourself the best chance of success.
