Becoming a more serious rider

acciaio said:

I have decided that I would like to really do better and possibly do a race before the season ends.

When I was doing rides before work, I would feel fine during the day, but would typically feel very tired when 8/9pm comes around. Is this typical?

And the last thing on my mind... I don't feel sore after a long or a fast ride. For example, when lifting weights, my arms or legs would feel sore the next day. With cycling, that never happens, although they burn during the ride at times 🙂 Does this mean that I'm not doing something right?

If your only goal is to enter a race then just enter a race -- you'll be fine and might get more motivated. Everything else you've asked is pretty typical of cycling.

To give you an idea, I'm a mediocre cat4 and I ride 8-12hrs/wk (150-200mi).

Aren't you supposed to feel tired around 8-9pm and go to sleep. That's a good thing!

I say search out fater riders if you want to get faster. A decent group of cat1-2-3's will bring your speed up just by following a quick paceline for a few weeks. Simple as that.

I guess so, but recently graduating, I feel like I used to stay up much longer. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. YMCA, definitely a good tip on riding with other groups. I'm not sure how it's been in your experiences, but do you find that those riders are welcoming of a "new-comer"? I'm not all that concerned if I drop, but would they want someone tagging along who may not be up to caliber?

YMCA said:

Aren't you supposed to feel tired around 8-9pm and go to sleep. That's a good thing!

I say search out fater riders if you want to get faster. A decent group of cat1-2-3's will bring your speed up just by following a quick paceline for a few weeks. Simple as that.

acciaio said:

I guess so, but recently graduating, I feel like I used to stay up much longer. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. YMCA, definitely a good tip on riding with other groups. I'm not sure how it's been in your experiences, but do you find that those riders are welcoming of a "new-comer"? I'm not all that concerned if I drop, but would they want someone tagging along who may not be up to caliber?

The only thing that counts at "A" rides, is that you can handle your bike in a group and play by that groups rules. Doesn't matter if you can't handle the pace and get dropped. Nobody cares about that, just understand technique and such.

Where do you live? An urban area with lots of riders or a rural one with just a couple? Good to find the rides that do plenty of sections over 30mph and have cruising pacelines of 25+mph. it may seem fast at first, but what seems fast today, is usually moderate the next.

YMCA said:

The only thing that counts at "A" rides, is that you can handle your bike in a group and play by that groups rules. Doesn't matter if you can't handle the pace and get dropped. Nobody cares about that, just understand technique and such.

Where do you live? An urban area with lots of riders or a rural one with just a couple? Good to find the rides that do plenty of sections over 30mph and have cruising pacelines of 25+mph. it may seem fast at first, but what seems fast today, is usually moderate the next.

I do live in a rural area with a good number of clubs, but I'm stuck on trying to find the right club for me. Although, I guess I could join the one that my bike shop sponsors. They are to have a good cat 3-5 support and they also have several cat 1 riders.

30mph sounds like a killer, but I suppose that when you're drafting it's a tad easier. What I lack is the proper group riding techniques for advanced riders. The group I currently ride with is at a slower pace and not very competitive. I do know for a fact that the faster groups attack a lot and are extremely competitive when it comes to "training" rides.

You want to become "a more serious rider", so go to the groups that are more "serious". Doesn't mean they aren't having fun, or aren't welcoming to new riders, it's just that they want to go fast and get faster. Can't get better riding the same old paces, with the same ol' group, so search out your local "A" rides and join in.

Why not start doing time trials? You don't have to worry about cycling in a group and you can measure yourself against others in the club. Also, you will be able to monitor your progress by comparing results over the weeks. Finally, it will also give you a good hard workout!
Unless you get bitten by the TT bug, you don't need to spend any extra money or worry about being super-aero; you are racing against yourself!

Roy, also a good idea. Now that I have finally gotten my hands on an Edge GPS device, I can better track how I'm doing and ghosting other rides. I guess this is why I liked track and field when I was in HS -- competing against yourself.

@YMCA
Good point. I have just heard that around here, sometimes these groups get a little cocky and don't really care for newbies to join them. I'm sure, however, there is a group that does go out and doesn't care, i just have to find it.