pgjackson

Tomorrow I will be riding in my first road race. It's the 26 mile Bulldog Race on Camp Pendleton. I've ridden the entire course a couple of times and on Tuesday I was within 4 minutes of the winning time in my age group in last years race. I figure riding with the group should shave off a big chunk of that time. Plus it was pretty windy on Tuesday.

Questions:

1. Since it's only 26 miles, pretty much a sprint the whole time, should I bother to take my tube changing kit? I figure I should make the bike a light as possible and if I get a flat, the race is pretty much over for me.

2. The course has over 800 feet of climb (the majority on a big ass hill at the turn-around point)...I assume the peloton will break apart once we hit the hill. Should I break apart on my own or still try to draft off of someone?

3. Is there anything special I should do to prepare my bike?

Homebrew01

1. Is there a wheel van ? If so, a "neutral" van has wheels anyone can use. "Wheels in, wheels out" means you have to give them a spare set to be used. If no van, I guess carrying a spare might make sense.

2. You'll have to decide that based on how the race goes and how you feel.

3. Make sure everything works properly, and tires properly inflated (100-110)

4. Get a decent warm up since it's short.

5. Don't forget your shoes, helmet, license etc..

6. Get there early

Read this: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...s-a-tip-or-two

MrClyde

I will be carrying enough to change a flat. If you're still there after the climb, the additional weight will not make much difference.

They do the start in waves, so if you do break away or get dropped, you still might be able to draft with some other riders. Last year it was POURING rain at the start, so I wouldn't read a lot into the times. There was major running water across the roads in a couple spots on the way out.

From the start, the first couple miles are gradual downhill into a (normally) headwind. In our group, a few tried but could not get away. I wouldn't waste any energy there. After the first turn, the rollers will drop some, so make sure you're not at the tail there. On the return, there was a tailwind back to the finish, so keep that in mind too.

I plan on sitting in near but not at the front until the climb, then see what happens.

MrClyde

What age goup are you? Civilian or Military?

I'll be in the Clyde group, Fuji Roubaix bike probably black and blue jersey.

caloso

On climbing: the Fat Guy Fade is a time honored tactic for racers like me. As you approach the hill, get yourself to the front, maybe even a little off the front if you can do so without digging yourself into an anaerobic hole. When you hit the hill, find a rhythm that works for you. The good climbers will slide by you and you'll drift through the pack. Keep your rhythm and say a little prayer to La Madonna del Ghisallo that you reach the top before slide off the back of the train.

LowCel 

One thing often overlooked, never do anything new on race day. Whether it be food, drinks, or equipment never try something new the day of a race no matter how great anyone says it works.

2ndGen

Well then!

You better "get some" Marine!
Oorah!

merlinextraligh

By this time Saturday you will understand how completely irrelevant, and clueless this statement is.

Races have their own dynamics, they aren't time trials.

Go race, have fun, learn.

pgjackson

When I rode the century last month, when I was alone I was chugging along at about 16mph...when I jumped in on a pace line it was normally around 20-25mph. I figured that if I averaged over 17mph on the course by myself, riding with the peloton would increase the speed.

pgjackson

Military 40-44 (I'm 42). Black Felt.

LowCel 

I thought that my first race as well. There will be times when the pace drops to 15 or so for no reason, other times it will accelerate to the point that you are seeing stars. Average speed for a race means absolutely nothing.

Don't get me wrong, I wish you the best and hope you are right. Just don't go into it thinking that a win is going to be easy.

pgjackson

I thought the rain was in 2009. Crap.

MrClyde

Cool, maybe I'll see you there tomorrow.

No, it was raining in 2010. I was there, snorting rainwater up my nose, unable to read my Garmin and loving every minute of it.

pgjackson

Man, I was feeling all good about myself and being so close to the winning time from last year.

This year looks like no rain, just a cloud of nuclear fallout.

Beaker

Don't sweat it. Thing is, it's really hard to know what you're truly capable of in a race without, you know, doing a race.

My prediction- you'll be back here tomorrow telling us it was hard work but the most fun you've had on two wheels. Enjoy

awesomejack

You never know how you'll do until you race. I did my first two races the past two weekends, I thought I would do alright, I knew I would be dropped. Turned out, I got dropped in the first 5 miles each time, and never saw anyone else from my group again

pgjackson

Well...change of plans. My wife fell down tonight and probably broke her ankle. It's at least a really bad sprain. I can't leave her alone in the morning to take care of the kids if she can't walk. Looks like the ride is off. Maybe next year.

merlinextraligh

That's a drag. Hope it's not broken, and she heels fast.

I bet you can find other races in your area, rather than waiting for next year.

revchuck 

You made the right choice, though it's bummer that you can't make it.

Have you told your wife yet that her new name is "Grace"?

Beaker

Bummer, but good call.

+1 for merlinextraligh's point. Find another one, doesn't matter if you don't know the course as well.

mvnsnd

You made the right call. Family first. There will be other races.

HMF

You can take a spare tube and patch kit if you want to, but just know that it's only purpose will be to get your back to the Start/Finish line without having to walk your bike. There's no way you're going to catch up to the peloton after even the fastest of changes, not without help. Buy a cheapo second set of wheels and put'em in the truck, or ride Gatorskins.

Sorry to hear about your wife.

pgjackson

I'm still really bummed. I was really looking forward to this race and actually thought I might have a chance to place in my age group. The wife is doing much better today (thanks to some codine). Looks like its just a sprain, but last night you would have thought someone cut her leg off... My wife is an avid runner, so she's bummed as well. She was supposed to be running 6 miles with her girlfriends this morning (she ran a 1/2 marathon last weekend). I told her this was God's way of tellling her to stop running so much and take up cycling. Anyway, stuff happens.

max power

Wife got hurt and you missed your race? i'd say God made all the right things happen after some crap comment like that

zzzwillzzz

since god is non-existent/ineffectual, have you bought her a bike yet? when i sprained my ankle playing basketball, cycling was the best thing for it, it felt so much better after a ride.

max-settle down