botto 

team radio.

there's only two things that happens when you look at a crash: you become part of it, or you cause another one.

waterrockets 

I still think it's more dangerous to look anywhere but at the race in front of you in the moments after a crash. If you're worried about your leader, what do you think about giving up some position until you find him or you don't find him. If he's down, you'll go out the back about as fast as is safe anyway.

flyefisher

Also if you are in a successful breakaway, don't attack to get a prime. You will risk the integrity of the break and probably prompt the rest of the members to drop you.

botto 

correct.

can't remember if it's already been suggested, but sitting in, then attacking after a prime is a tried and true tactic.

caloso

Oh man! I thought I came up with that on my own. (But it's good to know that it's tried and true and not tried and false.)

indianatrails

Here's one of those "they never told me" things I learned last night: Getting dropped seems to be more of a rookie mistake, a mental lapse, not necessarily blowing up physically. Sure it may FEEL like you blew up because even falling a handful of seconds off the back takes agonizing effort to close.

Fight to stay right on someone's wheel in the pack, but make sure they are doing the same. If they're letting a gap open, find a way around them, pronto, now, immediately.

Whew, thanks, I feel much better now about getting dropped.

pgoat

Great thread. thanks!

Two dumb questions from someone who wants to race but has always been too chicken:

1. How feasible is it to start racing (Master's, etc) at 45?

2. Should I basically expect to crash if I race? I do not anticipate being strong enough to stay up front, especially if things go uphill (at which point you can paint me red and hang a lantern from my ass).

umd

If it is an open masters field, they will crush you. You are better off doing an open 5s race. If it is a 45+ 5s race, or 45+ 4/5, you should be ok as long as you can hang with face-paced group "training" rides.

YMCA

And to answer your 2nd question, I'll say, "yes, at some point".
But never fear, I've crashed ~ 50x and only had 3 of any significance.

merlinextraligh

Most places they won't let you race Masters 45 as a Cat 5. And even if they do, you don't want to. Much better chance of being competitive as a Cat 5.

I'm 49, Cat4. Around here, I find the Cat 4 races a lot easier than the Masters 45.

Ideally, find Masters 35 Cat4/5 races. This way you're racing against people of similar experience and maturity. Not always easy to find though.

Once you put in your 10 races, you can upgrade to 4's and then race either Masters or Cat4.

caloso

Or both. As I'll do Sunday. Back to back (although I may regret that.....)

pgoat

Thanks guys - That is kinda what I was figuring - in other words, "Masters" = "guys over 40 who are pretty kick ass", yes?

I have no illusions about placing in my age group or working my way up to Cat 1 (or past Cat 4, for that matter), but wanted to know what to expect at the entry points, given my age (and the fact that I suck!). Cat 5 is fine with me. I'll be starting with that fast group ride first of course (Currently I am at the "try and stay with the old lady on the Raleigh three-speed" stage - at least when things go uphill)

pgoat

Re: the crashing - I'm not worried about losing a little skin (it can be part of my weight loss program); was more concerned with my old bones and potentially missing work, etc.

Also slightly worried about trashing my bike, but then again, the perfect excuse to go buy a new one, yes?

botto 

if you're brand new, and in NYC, i'd recommend you become a member of CRCA, and do their club races.

pgoat

cool! Thanks botto

Pablo.

+1. Joining any club will be to your advantage, and the CRCA is a good one to join.

PS: I did one of their races Sunday, and because it's such a large club, team work/tactics are unheard of. Granted, it was a 5 race, but at one point, some guy was chasing his own team mate.

rjs0702

What are the kinds of different races to enter? All I know of are crits and CX. What else is there?

umd

road races, circuit races, time trials, stage races, track races...

rjs0702

WHat are circuit races, time trials and stage races? Also, how do I find out about these diff. types of races? Are they held locally? Websites?

umd

Please at least make an attempt to search for answers first...

A circuit race is like a crit but on a longer course, maybe a few miles. There is usually no free lap rule. A time trial is no drafting, you against the clock. Funny looking bikes. A stage race is a combination of several different races, where there is a winner of each stage, and a winner of the overall general classificiation. Think Tour de France. The stage races that we do are usually a time trial, a road race, and a crit or circuit race. Sometimes there may be more than one of a type of stage. They are typically done over several days and you must finish each stage to move onto the next. A variation is an omnium, where you don't have to do every event.

startedspyder05

I've just purchased my '09 license and I'll start up at cat5 this spring. I'm very excited, and figured I'd share that...super pumped.

kensuf

If you're going to use your training wheels in a wheel pit, don't leave specialized armadillos on them during your race.

botto 

why not?

kensuf

they don't roll so well when the field's doing 50kph.

botto 

what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.