Do you race your bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 66
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do you race your bike?
Hi,
Im looking to train for a cycling sport as I have the urge to compete, but im not sure which one I want to go for.
Im looking at Time Trials, Road Racing, Criterium's and Triathlon's.
I have been to watch each one recently and I thought they all looked good, but I want to get good at one sport rather than average at all of them...
At present I just do my training to get quicking over a 50 or 60 mile ride that I do at weekends, im not training for anything specific if you know what I mean. Sometimes I go out on group rides which can be a laugh but I want to compete.
Do you race in one of these sports, if so why did you chose that sport and what's it like?
Im looking to train for a cycling sport as I have the urge to compete, but im not sure which one I want to go for.
Im looking at Time Trials, Road Racing, Criterium's and Triathlon's.
I have been to watch each one recently and I thought they all looked good, but I want to get good at one sport rather than average at all of them...
At present I just do my training to get quicking over a 50 or 60 mile ride that I do at weekends, im not training for anything specific if you know what I mean. Sometimes I go out on group rides which can be a laugh but I want to compete.
Do you race in one of these sports, if so why did you chose that sport and what's it like?
#5
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,780
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1145 Post(s)
Liked 775 Times
in
513 Posts
Get a racing license, do a variety of types of races, focus on the ones you like best.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#6
Still can't climb
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
every ride is a race.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,258
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I suggest you read: Roadie, the misunderstood world of a bike racer.
should give insight as to why you're average for only riding weekends.
should give insight as to why you're average for only riding weekends.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#9
Still can't climb
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Posts: 902
Bikes: 2008 fetish illustre
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
1 Post
It's really fun to do multi-day races though. These almost always mix time trialing with a longish road race and crit. It's a nice assorted bag of suffering.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: St Paul, MN
Posts: 698
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I highly recommend cyclocross.
It's a great introduction to bike racing. The speeds are lower because you're racing on varied terrain, and it's an individual's race, so you don't need to be on a team to do well. The odds of "getting yelled at" are low, and you get to play in the mud. Plus, it's grueling and gritty, and you will suffer a lot. What could be more fun?
It's a great introduction to bike racing. The speeds are lower because you're racing on varied terrain, and it's an individual's race, so you don't need to be on a team to do well. The odds of "getting yelled at" are low, and you get to play in the mud. Plus, it's grueling and gritty, and you will suffer a lot. What could be more fun?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,862
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2951 Post(s)
Liked 3,092 Times
in
1,411 Posts
Hi,
Im looking to train for a cycling sport as I have the urge to compete, but im not sure which one I want to go for.
Im looking at Time Trials, Road Racing, Criterium's and Triathlon's.
I have been to watch each one recently and I thought they all looked good, but I want to get good at one sport rather than average at all of them...
At present I just do my training to get quicking over a 50 or 60 mile ride that I do at weekends, im not training for anything specific if you know what I mean. Sometimes I go out on group rides which can be a laugh but I want to compete.
Do you race in one of these sports, if so why did you chose that sport and what's it like?
Im looking to train for a cycling sport as I have the urge to compete, but im not sure which one I want to go for.
Im looking at Time Trials, Road Racing, Criterium's and Triathlon's.
I have been to watch each one recently and I thought they all looked good, but I want to get good at one sport rather than average at all of them...
At present I just do my training to get quicking over a 50 or 60 mile ride that I do at weekends, im not training for anything specific if you know what I mean. Sometimes I go out on group rides which can be a laugh but I want to compete.
Do you race in one of these sports, if so why did you chose that sport and what's it like?
I tend to do well (an d enjoy) crits and flat/rolling road races. Some of that is because I just don't have the time to spend the long days in the hills that it would take to become a good climber.
Read the sticky, put together a training plan, ride lots, and sign up for a race. By the time the race is over, you'll know whether you like it or not.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 494
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I do not race but if I ever will it'll be time trials. No interference from other riders, no drafting, no other trickery - you're on your own. Seems more fair to me.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Newmarket NH
Posts: 265
Bikes: BMC Team Machine SLT01
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I highly recommend cyclocross.
It's a great introduction to bike racing. The speeds are lower because you're racing on varied terrain, and it's an individual's race, so you don't need to be on a team to do well. The odds of "getting yelled at" are low, and you get to play in the mud. Plus, it's grueling and gritty, and you will suffer a lot. What could be more fun?
It's a great introduction to bike racing. The speeds are lower because you're racing on varied terrain, and it's an individual's race, so you don't need to be on a team to do well. The odds of "getting yelled at" are low, and you get to play in the mud. Plus, it's grueling and gritty, and you will suffer a lot. What could be more fun?
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,862
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2951 Post(s)
Liked 3,092 Times
in
1,411 Posts
#20
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,780
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1145 Post(s)
Liked 775 Times
in
513 Posts
Am I supposed to clean my mountain bike ? I just give it a quick tune-up every 20 years or so.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#21
Tiocfáidh ár Lá
Road Race = Criterium = Time Trial = The sport of bicycle racing. Typically you will see events called Omniums which include the three races in one event. Your best bet for training is to find a group that trains for racing and ride with them. Also, the sub forum as mentioned for Road Racing is a better place to go for questions and answers on this topic.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 494
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts