Starting To Race

[crawfordguard]

Hey guys, just a little background on me - I'm 19 years old, live in Southern California and I ride 5 to 6 days a week. I am dying to get into racing but I have no idea where to get started. I'm thinking that crit races would be the best place to start out but I'm not quite sure. Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[ProdigalCyclist]

Probably the best way to get started is to check around in some of your local bike shops and see which one has a Team, or Club... Being that you're just getting started in to racing you'll probably be looking for a club. Also, go here http://www.usacycling.org/road/ you can search local clubs there. And you can also get your racing license there as well.

As for type of race to start out on... Crits are good because if you get dropped you aren't a million miles from nowhere.... but keep in mind.... In a Crit you must be able to handle your bike well, you must be comfortable riding in amongst a lot of other riders in close proximity (through corners etc) Crits often (especially with new riders) become a whole bunch of sprint intervals as they rubberband off the back because they freak out in the corners and think that riding in the back is safer, somehow.

I'd actually suggest a Road Race to start out, even if you get dropped, they have the course well marked so you aren't going to get lost. And often times a RR is more than one lap around the course, so if you get dropped badly and you want to pull out, you wont have to go the whole distance solo.


If you get a chance.... follow a riders return to the bike after a 15+ year "off-season" http://theprodigalcyclistca.blogspot.com/

 

[An old Guy]

crawfordguard ---

I think you should start by going on group rides. When you can comfortably ride with a fast group, you can consider racing. Someone in that fast group can help you get involved in racing.

 

[ProdigalCyclist]

The old guy has a good suggestion...

But the way to find that "large group of riders" to ride with is finding a Club.... like I said above.



If you get a chance... Follow a riders return to the bike after a +15 year "offseason" http://theprodigalcyclistca.blogspot.com/