timmyquest

1st race of the season--2nd ever--this weekend.

45 Min Cat5/4

I've been working hard.

I don't want to get thrown out the back.

I'm not sure that's not going to happen.

procrit

If you've been working hard, lighten up a LOT this week, rest the last 2 days, and you'll do fine. If you aren't as fit as the next guy, at least be a lot more rested. That's worked for me.

botto 

races that last 45 minutes? thank god those days are long behind me.

timmyquest

That's actually my biggest concern.

The Cat 5 race is only 25 mins (i think)...i wanted to do that but it filled up long before i even knew about the race. So then PSI convinces me to race in the 4/5...now i'm dreading that 45min effort.

Scummer

TQ, don't make the mistakes I did and always try to move up in the field. As long as you're tucked in the field you'll be fine. The headwind on the back stretch was killer last year and most likely will be the same this year.

The S-turn after turn 3 of the track can be somewhat intimidating.. so good luck.

And the cat5 is 35 min.. not much of a difference really.

ridethecliche

I think botto means that it's wicked short...

FWIW, if you hide a lot and hunker down behind someone bigger than you, you'll be able to conserve a lot of energy. Work to find the draft and stay there.

timmyquest

He could have also been hinting at the wicked shorter time of my life than that i have dedicated to riding--than his old ass.

Some day the young deer grows into a big buck...someday

gsteinb

Yours are shorter?

botto 

give this college student a bottle of grain alcohol.

45 minutes isn't an effort.

Scummer

If you're overweight and slow as hell like me it definitely is an effort.

timmyquest

It is at this stage in my game...i think. I hope i'm wrong.

mmmdonuts

How long are your training rides?

timmyquest

Depends on what i'm doing.

When i do intervals i'm probably on the bike for 30-40mins
My most common ride lasts about an hour, depending on intensity.
I try to do a 40-50mile ride at least once a week.

I first got on the road (ie off the trainer) 11 day's ago...i've put in 250 miles during that time.

Once the sun stays out a little longer i would imagine my rides will go a little longer too.

aperez8264

If it's your second race, then a 4/5 race WILL be an effort. My advice is to suck as much wheel as possible. If you do get spit out the back, don't fret too much its only your second race. Keep training as long as you keep working hard you'll be fine as the season goes on.

mmmdonuts

Sounds like it's time to pay the price, so to speak. If it's chilly make sure you warm up well and do a couple of short intense efforts before the race. Not too hard or too long but you don't want to get caught cold if the race starts out fast. Tuck yourself into the pack until you get a feel for things. If you're in survival mode for this one then just go along for the ride.

ridethecliche

Hm. I'm not planning on making 'jungle juice'. I don't drink that stuff. It burned my throat the first time I had it. Then again, I took a straight shot of it. I thought I had mono or strep, turned out that my throat was just burned. Whoops...

Thanks for the shoutout though. (I'll settle for a beer the next time you're here).



I'd say that it depends on the race. Some short crits can be brutally painful and anaerobic. I've started doing better with that, but it isn't some people's cuppa tea.

dmb2786

cry about it.

timmyquest

I am.

slim_77

I've heard that if you race for 45 min unprepared you can actually come close to breathing through your arsehole.

johnybutts

Protip: if you fall off the back, don't quit pedaling or quit, keep going hard until you're pulled.

kudude

what's the course like? Not technical can mean cakewalk for sitting in, even with a low amount of power. How comfortable are you drafting close/not giving up a wheel?

timmyquest

The course

I'm a wheel sucking pro...

MONGO!

Chances are you will get spit out the back, when you do, grit your teeth and go like hell to get back on.
That's your race, right there, no point saving anything at that point 'cos getting dropped = race over.

Sprint for all your worth, get in the pack and recover.

kudude

I only see 2, maybe 3 (depending on the quality of cornering in the pack) corners that there will be the 'slow down, hammer to get up to speed accordion' on that course.

Have at the wheelsucking and you'll be fine.

slim_77

kinda -- reading the crosswind will play a big factor in addition to your wheelsucking. Last year there was a strong wind from the south that was not too fun up the back side.

Those 2 or 3 turns you see are nice and wide and not very sharp so there will not be much slowing there. follow the leader through the turns, stay out of the wind and you'll be fine