One Wheel

I did my first race last week, and I've clearly got no shot of going pro but I had fun and want to do better next time. I spent nearly the whole race off the back, but there were a few other stragglers. Once somebody was sitting on my wheel for a few minutes, passed, and dropped me like I was sitting still. 2 other times (once with the same guy who had passed me earlier) I was the one passing and riding off into the sunset. At least in my mind (I don't have a power meter) I was bumping power up significantly to pass, and then backing off slightly to pull. I'm sure the other guy was trying the same. What am I doing wrong? Do I just need to get more experience to know how to adjust power, or is there something else I can learn? Or is the onus on the person being passed to catch on?

TMonk

You always need to save something in the tank for catching on to riders passing you and for some mental awareness. Unless you're going all-in on a sprint or winning move in the final lap(s), you gotta pay attention to how you are feeling and to where the field is, and to what the field is doing. So next time you are on the attack, settle in and then dial it back the tiniest bit so you can use your head a bit. Remember to stay low and stay smooth - this will help you keep some level of speed. A lot of the issues that newer racers have is due to putting too much gas into the wrong moves - you gotta use your head a bit and keep some cool.

Steve B.

Helps to train with group rides that move quick. This trains you to respond when others pick up the pace, stand for hills, etc…., then you get accustomed to being in a group, learn etiquette of position, etc…. When racing, the closer you are to the leaders, the less accordion effect of fast/slow takes place. That tends to happen more at the rear as people react to the big group in front of them. But you need to learn to be comfortable in a crowd.

One Wheel

Thanks! The first time I got passed (other than being dropped by the field) was at the top of a climb about 5-6 miles in to a 28 mile race. In my head I should have been able to drop in right behind the guy who passed me and use his draft (especially into a stiff headwind) to hang on his tail with similar power to when I was the one in the wind. Considering that I did pass him again about mile 25, maybe it wasn't an entirely bad move to not dig deep to hang on his wheel.

Dagnabbit! I want to learn to race by reading a book! I'll keep trying to seek out group rides. I'm in a rural area, and what few group rides there are happen when I'm busy milking cows. I did feel reasonably comfortable in the group, and felt like I was doing a pretty good job following wheels until most of the field took off up the first hill at a pace that I could have followed for 30 seconds to a minute before completely blowing up.

Maybe my issue is just fitness, more than tactics or pacing. The race was just over 28 miles and took me about 1:47, of which I felt a little weak only in the last 4-5 minutes. I bet if I lose 10 lbs and add 40 watts, for a 3w/kg FTP, I'll be able to hang with the cat 5 bunch next year.

Steve B.

Bike racing is HARD !. Period, no doubt about it. I raced for a few years in the NYC area and in New Mexico. I still think that Pro bike racers are the most fit athletes in about any sport. 5 hrs a day, 6 days a week for 3 weeks in 90 degree weather in Italy, France and Spain, plus all the one or multi-day events starting in February. If you find you like it, just keep doing it.

One Wheel

Honestly at this point if I can get to the point of finishing in the bunch with most of the Cat 5 field I'll be pretty tickled. I can't help but think dropping 10 lbs from the bike would help too, but I've got a lot of work to do before it's worth that investment.