Originally Posted by
bruce19
Racers in the heat of competition are usually racing at 10/10ths cause that's how they win.
Indeed, and a Closed Course is the Only Place to test those limits.
One good reason to pin on a number is to take advantage of an actual race course with traffic controls.
One will never experience how that C&V race bike or state-of-the-art Uber$$$-bike
actually does handle without pushing into a decreasing radius left hand corner at full chat. Pure suicide on the road, pure exhilaration in a good field.
Once one has the skills, reactions & experience honed in competition training miles are a doddle and one becomes a better & safer rider. If one does choose to race join a quality local club & participate in the "new rider" and weekly training events until you have the paceline skills, speed & reactions to safely negotiate the racing environment. There will be crashes, learn how to minimize the risk and good luck. When riding on the road stick w/ your teammates, foreign jerseys should be excluded exept by invitation. Stay away from everyone else.
-Bandera