Originally Posted by
vision646
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Does it change any of your minds if I tell you I've never ridden with a group (or any other rider for that matter)? So I've never had any experience in a pace line or anything like that.
Get some group rides in. Learn how to corner smoothly. No swerving even if there's a pothole or bump coming up. No sudden braking.
Originally Posted by
teamtrinity
I'm in the same boat as the OP in that I'm thinking about doing my first bike races this year. So...get some group riding in. Will do...as I'm terrified that I'll get taken out by a stupid rider...so I'd like to make sure I'M not the stupid rider! Also...I'm sorta nervous that I'll get SMOKED. I'm not too much faster than the OP. The fastest I've EVER managed for a solo effort on a hilly 30 mile route that I do is 1.5 hours. I usually do it just a hair slower than that...averaging around 18.2 to 19.5 mph. My sprint speed is PATHETIC...I top out at around 29.9 mph at the end of my route on my "sprint".
I've read on these boards and others that even the cat 5 guys are very very strong riders...just stupid/inexperienced. Will I at least be able to hang on to the back of the pack? Or will I likely be riding by myself way behind the pack?
Average speed is not the important factor. It's the accelerations, surges, closing gaps ....
It's quite common to get dropped in your first few races.