Hipcycler

I have no idea why I am writing this here this morning guys, other than perhaps that I am looking for some encouragegment I guess. This isn't supposed to be how my first race was going to happen. It's supposed to be a sunny morning with my wife at my side, her sister and my brother-in-law there with his fancy camera to take photos and support me as I take off on my first-ever road race tomorrow.

After two weeks of wonderful, warm spring weather and training, it is now 42 and cloudy with light rain outside. Tonight, when I have to load up the truck with the bike and all my gear, the forecast is for showers mixed with FLURRIES into tomorrow morning. The race starts at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. The temperature at start time will probably be around 42 degrees.

I almost feel like not doing it at all now. I certainly will not if it is raining or snowing. I can't add slippery conditions to the danger mix with my hip situation.

On the bright side, my brother-in-law's homemade design pickup truck bed rack was delivered last night and it looks great. In fact, I'll go take a picture and post it here later this morning.

Meantime, I better go pack every layer, glove, balaclava I have to race in tomorrow. Yuck.

PIX ADDED:

stealthbiker

Definitely sucks - I have a time trial tomorrow as part of a relay race. Weather sounds similar to yours. Look on the bright side - At least you're not doing a triathlon with an open water swim!

Corsaire

If you happen to slip on the wet roads, make sure to spin around up in the air before hitting the ground making sure you don't hit the same side of the hip.

Corsaire

DVDaze

Hey, cheer up man! Think of the race as your own little Spring Classic and just go out there and revel in the misery! You'll do alright! This is part of what makes bicycling a cool sport is that it is not always bright skies and flashy jerseys, sometimes it is cold, ugly and unpleasant.

Go for it!!

Hipcycler

Hmmmm.....yeah.....sort of like Paris-Nice conditions this year....yeah, that's the ticket.
They did it, so can I.

stealthbiker

Too True! Revel in what makes you tougher than the next guy!

galen_52657

I would skip this one. Cat 5 pack in bad weather.... crash derby....

alison_in_oh

Sorry, man. I too was getting geared up to do a first race this weekend. But 40s and snow/rain mixture? No way, josé. My sweetie ain't going and neither am I. We might not even be riding this weekend.

Corsaire

Wise words.

Rowan

Eliminate from potential randonneur list... transfer to wussy fair-weather roadie list.

galen_52657

Discretion is the greater part of valor...

After a certain age, it is more important to show up for work on Monday in one piece and be able to ride than claim you had a good race with your jaw wired together after sliding down the road on your arse......

55/Rad

Not to mention a brand new Klein Reve with a bunch of road rash.

I would approach this as if you are going to race - you need to be mentally prepared also - and make it a gametime decision.

55/Rad

lotek 

yah but will alot of the other cat 5's will probably bail because of the weather?

alison_in_oh

Hey, I resemble that remark. I can handle wet. I can handle cold. But wet and cold is a no-go combination, especially for racing -- paying good money to suffer and get my ass kicked would be misery enough, no need to throw ick weather into it too.

DXchulo

More wise words from galen. This does have the potential to be a crash fest, and sometimes it's just not worth it. The first race is hard enough without having to worry about crappy weather. Part of me wants to say "never give up," but you want your first race to be as smooth as possible. Once that first race is in the books then you'll feel ready to handle bad conditions, but right now it's probably just too much.

Wake up, see what the weather's like, and make your decision then. You never know....a lot of times things just have a way of working themselves out.

Shifty

Pretty early in the season, I'd say that you should save your debut for a nice day, OR start the race and drop out if the course seems to risky. Either way, it's not unusual for spring races.

lotek 

Nice pickup bed rack by the way.

Marty

tomcat

almost misread that line as......"Nice rack by the way, I've got a pickup with a bed."


tommy

531Aussie

crap weather usually means:

< n = > P victory

ImprezaDrvr

IF it wasn't for the aforementioned Cat 5 pack on wet roads, I'd say do it. But that's the compelling reason to skip out. You get enough guys in those packs that don't ride in packs or are getting their group cherry popped as it is. Add water to the mix and it's bad news.

OTOH, it'd be hard core to do it as your first race. Besides, it's going to be in the mid 40's, right? Could be a lot worse.

Hipcycler

More torn that ever now!
Keep the thoughts coming....

I have a complete kit packed up, and as Rad said, am approaching this as if I am going to do it for now. After work I'll load up the new Klein. We have to drive 40 miles tonight to stay overnight at our weekend lake house, which is only about 15 minutes from the race site.

I'll wake up tomorrow morning and have to make the call then. If the weather is only questionable I may go. If it is raining and or flurries, I may can it.

On the one hand it would be a heck of a way to debut, to be able to talk about my first race being under tough conditions. Fewer people may be there too.

On the other hand, I'll never forgive myself if something goes terribly wrong and I mess myself up and the new bike up because I was too stubborn to just say no!

Good thing I don't have more hands or I'd be writing even more about this going back and forth....

geneman

You've waited this long, what's another week/month until the weather gets better? Swallow the fact that you're not going to race tomorrow (can be hard to do given the build up), identify another race on the calender to ride in, and prepare even harder for it.

Mark

fore0121

Short and to the point:

There will be other races.
f

55/Rad

What kind of race is it?

55/Rad

lotek 

Good question.
If its a tight Crit course, I think I'd pass.
Road race average roads, not too many
tight corners I'd consider it.

Marty