Just signed up for my first-ever road race...
 

It's on February 3rd (so that gives me 2 weeks). Catagory 5, 36 miles. I've never raced before, but am looking for something to get my competitive side going on a bike.

So, how does it work? What can I expect? What should I bring with me? How should I prepare? What is Cat. 5 like? What's the typical speed?

Any and all advice anyone can offer would be of great help, and appreciate.

theres this thing, called the search function, as well as several other threads currently active that have your answer.

For example, right next to this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380059