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27-06.-2006, 12:09 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1
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New to racing
I'm new to cycling...and a little apprehensive to join a race. I feel that I can hold my own during training rides. What average speed should I be able to hold before I consider joining a race...what about distance?
Thanks! |
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27-06.-2006, 02:29 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Richmond, VA & Quahog, RI
Posts: 1,567
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Re: New to racing
Racing is more about bike handling than speed. You should feel comfortable being close to other riders in group rides before you head out to a race. If you have been training with others and feel the speed is good and can handle a bike halfway decently, then go ahead and sign up for a local race. Be prepared to see some squirrely riders at the entry level/cat5 race. Ya gotta start somewhere. You might get lapped (many of us did early on), but hang in there. It's like having children, you're never 100% prepared.
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27-06.-2006, 12:28 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: new jersey
Posts: 309
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Re: New to racing
A cat 5 (entry/beginner level) race is usually in the 23-25mph area around this area. Sometimes higher around 27-29mph, depending on what teams show up, what the course is like, etc. Final sprints can go 35+mph very easily.
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27-06.-2006, 08:57 PM
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#4 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Normandy, France
Posts: 344
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
Point being that average speeds are usually a fair bit higher than you'd achieve on your own in training or small groups - riding in a bunch give you lots more shelter, so that even if you struggle to maintain 30kph solo, in a bunch you could easily be riding along at 40kph for less effort. |
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28-06.-2006, 01:34 AM
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#6 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Normandy, France
Posts: 344
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
I'm a sprinter, so that sounds perfect to me... :-) Seriously though, if it's too slow, ride away and win it! Or at least shake it up a little. |
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28-06.-2006, 06:12 AM
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#7 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 121
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
Ironic thing, no crashes in my Cat 5 race last Saturday even though we had a big field of 55, and some pretty poor road conditions. On the other hand, t there was a crash in the Cat. 4's, and another in the Cat. 3's. My team tent looked like a MASH unit for a while. In 12 races I've done this year, I've only actually seen 1 crash and heard of 1 other crash in the Cat. 5's. Everybody talks about how much "safer" it is in the higher Cats., but think about last last couple of TDF's and other pro races you've watched. Ulrich crashes into his team car, Tyler Hamilton crashes and breaks his collarbone, Armstrong crashes in the Tour of Switzerland, yada yada yada. My point is, cycling involves crashing at every level. Cut the Cat. 5's a little slack, willya. Bob |
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28-06.-2006, 06:28 AM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 296
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Re: New to racing
I attended my first Cat 5 race this last Sunday. The pace of the leaders was somewhere around 24-25 mph, I was considerably off-pace at 20 mph but still finished respectably and crash-free.
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30-06.-2006, 11:11 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 888
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Re: New to racing
Cat 5 races typically aren't very tactical. That's my experience, but I've only entered in two races...
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01-07.-2006, 05:34 AM
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#10 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Richmond, VA & Quahog, RI
Posts: 1,567
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
If you can get a couple of guys to work together in cat5s, you''ll rule since most guys either hang back waiting to sprint or jump of the front and get cooked using virtually no teamwork. When you move up to 4s you usually have a few larger teams that employ tactics like attacks, blocking, etc. |
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10-07.-2006, 05:14 AM
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#11 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 888
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
They allowed you to finish? In my race today, but was pulled out once I was about to get lapped. On a side note, if I don't finish a (Cat 4/5) race, does it still count towards the 10 race minimum? |
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10-07.-2006, 07:12 AM
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#12 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: new jersey
Posts: 309
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
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10-07.-2006, 07:47 AM
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#13 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 121
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
To upgrade from 5 to 4 you need "experience" in 10 mass-start races. You do not need to finish any of them. Bob |
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11-07.-2006, 12:10 AM
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#14 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 296
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
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04-08.-2006, 03:25 AM
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#15 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Posts: 79
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Re: New to racing
Quote:
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