2004 TREK Handicap Series - Brisbane

McTwistie

I have entered my first Road Race, starting this weekend. It is a 3 race series, held over 3 consecutive sunday's - starting this weekend. There are 2 categories, and in each, about 7 different levels. Race organizers are looking at 170 entries per level (Seems a LOT). That would be over 1000 per race !!

So I am MEN class C (lowest), and Category 1. Riding with Mens Class A, B - Woman A, Masters A, Junior U19.

I have never raced before, and only bought my Trek 1400 about 4 weeks ago. Before that, I was on a hybrid for 4 weeks. I have done a heap of saturday/sunday morning rides, all averaging between 50 and 70 k's, and usually also averaging between 30 to 35k's / HR. (Top speed 55 Km/Hr - Comfortable on 40). The first race is 61k. I have been reading up on the forums a LOT about races, and It has been invaluable !!

I have a race plan: With the wish list at the top, and MUST HAVE's on the end:

1. Win a Sprint
2. Top 3 in my category across a line (each lap has a prize for 1,2 and 3 across the line).
2. Stay with the main group
3. Stay with ANY group - Don't get dropped
3. Don't crash - either run into one, or cause one
4. Corner with confidence - Keeping my line
5. Finish the race. - NO MATTER WHAT

Advice is appreciated

__________________
Michael Cannard
Systems Analyst
mcannard@hotmail.com

Skillfull sailors never learn their art on a Calm Sea

tafi

Doesn't quite sound like the kind of race you would enter as your first.
But since it is your first race, your main objective should be to enjoy yourself, yes it is a cliche but too many people start with big dreams without ever knowing where their personal strengths lie.
You may haver been able to understand your strengths from your recent riding. If you can sprint then aim to do that for each of the primes. With only very little training behind you the shorter sharper efforts early on in the race will be best.
Though if QLD Cat. 1 C grade is anything like NSW C grade you'll be competing against a lot of club A graders and very fast finishers. It will probably be best to content yourself with surviving to the line and getting some skills along the way. Whatever you do, don't attack early.

McTwistie

MEN C, is the lowest category in the race as far as I can tell. Category 2 racing has the lower end - and I cannot join the masters category until after I turn 35.....

I have no plans on getting to the front, and if there are sprints/break-aways, I am happy to see them go, as long as I can stay with the main pack. I have to wonder though... For $20 per race, how serious/high level can it be ???

As it is an 8.8 km course, I am not sure if it is a There and back course, or a circuit. IF it's a circuit, then turns should be fine. If it's there and back, the turnaround does worry me. I am not that good at it yet, and many others may not be either. Just will be carefull, and keep an eye out. Hold my line, and go in as fast as I am confortable with - without hitting the brakes suddenly at any point. Unless I really feel lilke moving up, and having a sprint or two, I will just take it easy and be very predictable.

It's only 61km, and I know I can do that distance at a good pace. Sitting on 40km for the whole distance behind the pack does not bother me, and If there are a few sprints/surges in there, I will be fine. If it turns into some insane kind of sprint race, then fine - I will just do my best and enjoy the company It will certainly give me a story to tell.

Mike

__________________
Michael Cannard
Systems Analyst
mcannard@hotmail.com

Skillfull sailors never learn their art on a Calm Sea

Sprinter_989

On Sunday there will be-
2 Handicap Races (Handicap races are when the worst rider get a headstart on the better riders)
The 2 different races are Cat 1-Mens A,B,C, Woman A, Masters A, and Under 19's. You are racing against all of these categories(approx 90 riders)
And Cat 2 (approx 90 riders) which doesn't effect you.

You will be placed into a group according to your ability. And there will be a lot of groups chasing you.
Being a new rider you will probally be put in one of the front groups (limit)

To win the race you need to beat all riders who start in front and behind you to the finish line.

When you sign on you will be told a mark (for example 20 minutes) This is the amount of time you get on the back bunch (scratchies)

BTW I would do some turns in handicaps people get very pissed off if you just sit on all race.

If you have anything you don't unerstand post it asap.

Hope you have a good race

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SteveCan

Thanks heaps for the advice. I didn't realize this was a HANDICAP race - even though it's pasted all over the application form LOL

I was riding with a group up at Noosa, and they assured me I would be fine in C - Class, and perhaps even B-Class. Of course, I am just throwing myself right in here, but getting a head start (somewhere between 12 and 20 minutes), means that the first lap - c-class and whoever is with us will be sprinting for the line - and points/cash.

It means We/I can go out hard, get some points/cash and then do our best/die, or get a good pace, and hold it for a good race. I like the 2nd option at this point, but It all sounds very good.

The races up in noosa are the same, with the inclusion of D-Class as well. Thanks heaps for the info - it has relaxed me a lot now that I have a better idea what to expect.

Cheers

__________________
AllI ask for the is opportunity to prove that Money doesn't buy happiness. ;-)

Sprinter_989

No problem man,
Have Fun at the Race

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SteveCan

Ok. The race finished just over 2 hours ago. What an experience !! The format went exactly as the thread showed. The times went:

0:00 Scratch - Juniors ?
2:00 - Masters ??
4:50 - Womens A
6:00 - Men C
9:00 - U19 ??
11:00 - Men B
13:00 - Men A

I was in mens C, and left at the 6 minute mark. Race starts, and we take off. I was actually at the front as for some reason, I clicked in nicely and accelerated smoothly - (hough not crazily) up to around 40km. We hit the first turn And I dropped off the front to let the more experienced riders though safely on the turn. (This was only about 500 m from the start).

At this point, My plan turned into a big pile of green goo
Coming out of the turn, one of the guys starts shouting orders, and the group pulls together tight, and accelerated up to 50km /hr !!! The first km was up a slope of about 1 in 12/15 - Was not very steep, but was pretty long (to me anyway). These guys went nuts and attacked it like a kamikaze bombing pearl harbour. I lasted about half-way up, then had to ease up before I totally blew out.

It sucked, and it was awesome. I spent the next 2 laps getting passed and wheel-sucking where I could. Eventually I met up with one of the under 19's who looked pretty shell-shocked. We teamed up for a couple of laps, and were averaging about 32-35km. He couldn't keep it, and after dropping and waiting for him twice, I decided to push on alone - getting a brief wheel of the b-graders as they flew by.

By about half-way, a lot of the groups had melded into a single HUGE peleton - with about 60 or 70 people in it. Luckily, I met up with a guy who left at the 9 minute mark, and a 2nd guy. We kept up the last 2 laps together with me holding on for all I was worth, but managing it.

We finished the race together - I didn't even try to sprint for the line after wheelsucking off these guys for the last 1/2 a lap !! Funnily enough, after I settled down in the race, I felt pretty good, and even when on my own, was pushing an ok speed - just nothing like these guys were. One of the guys I was racing with was a club C-Grader - and said most if not all of the guys in this races mens C were A class clubbers or better.

I did finish - and not last. I had fun, and learnt a hell of a lot about what is needed to compete at this level. I also didn't cause or get involved in any crashes, (I didn't see one the whole day) so 3 of my aims were well met The peleton is an amazing place. It's vibrant - alive. People are shouting orders and the surges and movement makes it seem sapient. I loved that thing - even seeing it go past was amazing.

SO where am I now ?? There are 2 more races to go, but I realize I will much better spend my time on the road doing some serious training. I need to find a club where I can race at an equal level, and learn more about different types of training/nutrition etc. It was a great experience, and I will come down to the pimpama race to watch if I can.

What a day !!

Mike

__________________
AllI ask for the is opportunity to prove that Money doesn't buy happiness. ;-)