DrPete 

So, now that my first season of racing has ended, I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to all the regulars on the racing forum who offered up their advice, encouragement, critique, and support throughout the experience.

I haven't exactly taken the racing world by storm, but I went from a 1-2x/week rec rider last year to a cat 5 this year, and ended the season with a cat up to 4, and great anticipation and motivation to make this the best winter of training I've ever had. Making the jump to racing is pretty intimidating and unnerving, and the value of an experienced racer's advice and encouragement is not to be underestimated.

So, at the risk of sounding cheesy, thanks to all of you here in the racing forum for helping me become leaner, faster, more experienced, and more motivated than ever to keep training and racing. Hopefully I'll have some stronger results to share with you by spring.

I know you're out there, all you new Cat 5's... throw a post on this thread and say thanks.

voltman

Have you gotten your ABH racing license yet?

DrPete 

No, not yet. I think that's still a good 12 seasons away. One thing at a time.

jazzy_cyclist

Hey, I'm not even a racer yet, but I do appreciate everyone sharing here, especially Dr. Pete. Thanks all.

jrennie

the start of my first year of racing(bikes at least) seems like such a distant memory, all 6 months ago. I have recived numerous pointers and tips from upper level racers and racers in my own class. It just shows the caliber of people you are dealing with when someone gives you advise on how to beat them. I try take the time to listen and thank anyone who might give me a pointer or critique while riding.

VosBike

thanks to all. BF has helped me go from green to (somewhat) mean in a short while.

WCroadie

Yes I too have recieved some valuable advice from you guys. The thread a few weeks ago about cornering was very helpful for me. Thank you!

Lithuania

This is too funny. I was thinking about making a post just like this. Yeah there is a lot of good advice and encouragement on this forum and it really helped push me into the sport i am now obsessed with.

thanks guys

jfmckenna

Hey DrPete what do you mean the racing season has ended? The racing season has just begun. Cyclocross. Come out and give it a try.

zimbo

I've greatly benefitted from the information in this forum, especially the race reports and training advice. I was originally not planning to race this year (intending to start next year) but I went out and gave it a try with mixed results (I got shelled in the first race, won the second race, crashed out badly in the third). But I had a blast and can't wait to train this winter for next year.

My most anticipated event this year was the North Carolina Bridge-to-Bridge Challenge last Sunday. I had been planning/training for this event for the last six months. Thanks to the information I've gleaned from the hundreds and hundreds of great posts around here, I was able to achieve a time goal that I thought would take me a lifetime to achieve. You can read all about it here but suffice it to say: THANKS EVERYONE. I love reading your race reports!!

--Steve

flythebike

And there is that big $$$ crit down in Greenville, SC. And yeah, time to play in the mud.

Lithuania

whats the big money crit in greenville? There is a cat 5 race? Yeah i could google but im lazy

DrPete 

Getting into cross = new bike purchase. That'll be tough to get spousal approval for in the wake of a wedding, but I guess I can try...

botto 

not worth it.

Lithuania

im going to look into riding a mountain bike at some cross events. I have a single speed cross bike too but i am not bad ass enough to try to race on that thing by any stretch.

CTAF

i thank you guys in advance
I do my first race in 2 weeks. I'l let you guys knwo how it goes.

jfmckenna

Here is the flyer, it's a PDF:

https://site.yachtingsoftware.com/Rac..._Race_2006.pdf

DrPete 

OMG! I would drive down to SC for that kind of prize money... Problem is I'll be riding through Provence at the time... Life is rough.

botto 

a piece of advice from this old salt - avoid big money crits. everyone decided they're a sprinter and the last laps are insane, and usually end in mass carnage.

but hey, you'll be in provence, riding along, looking for Cezanne.

DrPete 

I'm still much faster than my fiancee (who will be my wife by then--it's our honeymoon), so I'll have no choice but to ride with a backpack that I'll stuff with wine bottles from the vineyards along the way in order to slow myself down.

Does anyone know if a Tacx Tao can hold a standard 750mL wine bottle?

merlinextraligh

I did the Col de Galibier with 2 750ml bottles of wine in a backpack. Only to get to the top ,and find out there was a store selling the exact same wine maybe 100 vertical feet from the top.

DrPete 

Good to know--I think I might sneak out one morning and ride Mont Ventoux solo, but rest assured there'll be no wine coming with me on that beast.

merlinextraligh

bring a vest and some arm warmers. it can be very windy and cold on the top of Ventoux. The day we did it it was 85 at the start 50 on top. On the other hand on a hot day the portion above tree line can be very hot with no shade. And take a look at the Simpson memorial on the way down. And there is a bar about 1k from the top.

The depressing thing about Ventoux is the markers at each kilometer saying how many k to go and the average grade for the next k. 11k to go and 10% for the next K is not encouraging when you're already suffering.

And if you haven't made all your reservation yet the Hostellerie Le Phébus in Joucas is very nice.
https://www.relaischateaux.com/en/sea...aurant/phebus/

Lithuania

If I wasnt running a half marathon on the 14th i would really consider driving down there to get in another race.

hiromian

Comming forward sheepishly dragging feet, looking down at the floor mumbling thanks.

Ok not this time. I really want to say thanks. I read and re-read reports and advise and utilised it for training leading up to my first race. I came in 5th in that race. This first race was halfway through the season and in a way it was my first ever group ride. I owe it to BF members who opened my eyes.