Go Back  Bike Forums > The Racer's Forum > "The 33"-Road Bike Racing
Reload this Page >

New to Racing? Here's a tip or two

Notices
"The 33"-Road Bike Racing We set this forum up for our members to discuss their experiences in either pro or amateur racing, whether they are the big races, or even the small backyard races. Don't forget to update all the members with your own race results.

New to Racing? Here's a tip or two

Old 05-17-08, 01:11 PM
  #101  
botto 
.
Thread Starter
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by umd
Hmm, what if you think your team leader may have gone down and will need your wheel, or other support?
team radio.

there's only two things that happens when you look at a crash: you become part of it, or you cause another one.
botto is offline  
Old 05-17-08, 06:28 PM
  #102  
waterrockets 
Making a kilometer blurry
 
waterrockets's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin (near TX)
Posts: 26,170

Bikes: rkwaki's porn collection

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Liked 91 Times in 38 Posts
Originally Posted by umd
Hmm, what if you think your team leader may have gone down and will need your wheel, or other support?
I still think it's more dangerous to look anywhere but at the race in front of you in the moments after a crash. If you're worried about your leader, what do you think about giving up some position until you find him or you don't find him. If he's down, you'll go out the back about as fast as is safe anyway.
waterrockets is offline  
Old 07-03-08, 11:12 AM
  #103  
flyefisher
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 293
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Also if you are in a successful breakaway, don't attack to get a prime. You will risk the integrity of the break and probably prompt the rest of the members to drop you.
flyefisher is offline  
Old 07-03-08, 11:50 AM
  #104  
botto 
.
Thread Starter
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by flyefisher
Also if you are in a successful breakaway, don't attack to get a prime. You will risk the integrity of the break and probably prompt the rest of the members to drop you.
correct.

can't remember if it's already been suggested, but sitting in, then attacking after a prime is a tried and true tactic.
botto is offline  
Old 07-03-08, 12:06 PM
  #105  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by botto
correct.

can't remember if it's already been suggested, but sitting in, then attacking after a prime is a tried and true tactic.
Oh man! I thought I came up with that on my own. (But it's good to know that it's tried and true and not tried and false.)
caloso is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 05:35 AM
  #106  
indianatrails
driving sucks
 
indianatrails's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Michi-indy-ana
Posts: 75
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Here's one of those "they never told me" things I learned last night: Getting dropped seems to be more of a rookie mistake, a mental lapse, not necessarily blowing up physically. Sure it may FEEL like you blew up because even falling a handful of seconds off the back takes agonizing effort to close.

Fight to stay right on someone's wheel in the pack, but make sure they are doing the same. If they're letting a gap open, find a way around them, pronto, now, immediately.

Whew, thanks, I feel much better now about getting dropped.
indianatrails is offline  
Old 08-15-08, 09:48 AM
  #107  
pgoat
Batüwü Griekgriek
 
pgoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Great thread. thanks!

Two dumb questions from someone who wants to race but has always been too chicken:

1. How feasible is it to start racing (Master's, etc) at 45?

2. Should I basically expect to crash if I race? I do not anticipate being strong enough to stay up front, especially if things go uphill (at which point you can paint me red and hang a lantern from my ass).
__________________
Originally Posted by jsharr
People whose sig line does not include a jsharr quote annoy me.
pgoat is offline  
Old 08-15-08, 10:02 AM
  #108  
umd
Banned
 
umd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by pgoat
1. How feasible is it to start racing (Master's, etc) at 45?
If it is an open masters field, they will crush you. You are better off doing an open 5s race. If it is a 45+ 5s race, or 45+ 4/5, you should be ok as long as you can hang with face-paced group "training" rides.
umd is offline  
Old 08-15-08, 11:09 AM
  #109  
YMCA
starting pistol means war
 
YMCA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 3,150

Bikes: Cervelo R3

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by pgoat
2. Should I basically expect to crash if I race? I do not anticipate being strong enough to stay up front, especially if things go uphill (at which point you can paint me red and hang a lantern from my ass).

And to answer your 2nd question, I'll say, "yes, at some point".
But never fear, I've crashed ~ 50x and only had 3 of any significance.
YMCA is offline  
Old 08-15-08, 11:53 AM
  #110  
merlinextraligh
pan y agua
 
merlinextraligh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,275

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1428 Post(s)
Liked 697 Times in 353 Posts
Originally Posted by pgoat
Great thread. thanks!



1. How feasible is it to start racing (Master's, etc) at 45?
Most places they won't let you race Masters 45 as a Cat 5. And even if they do, you don't want to. Much better chance of being competitive as a Cat 5.

I'm 49, Cat4. Around here, I find the Cat 4 races a lot easier than the Masters 45.

Ideally, find Masters 35 Cat4/5 races. This way you're racing against people of similar experience and maturity. Not always easy to find though.

Once you put in your 10 races, you can upgrade to 4's and then race either Masters or Cat4.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Old 08-15-08, 12:02 PM
  #111  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Most places they won't let you race Masters 45 as a Cat 5. And even if they do, you don't want to. Much better chance of being competitive as a Cat 5.

I'm 49, Cat4. Around here, I find the Cat 4 races a lot easier than the Masters 45.

Ideally, find Masters 35 Cat4/5 races. This way you're racing against people of similar experience and maturity. Not always easy to find though.

Once you put in your 10 races, you can upgrade to 4's and then race either Masters or Cat4.

Or both. As I'll do Sunday. Back to back (although I may regret that.....)
caloso is offline  
Old 08-16-08, 04:31 AM
  #112  
pgoat
Batüwü Griekgriek
 
pgoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks guys - That is kinda what I was figuring - in other words, "Masters" = "guys over 40 who are pretty kick ass", yes?

I have no illusions about placing in my age group or working my way up to Cat 1 (or past Cat 4, for that matter), but wanted to know what to expect at the entry points, given my age (and the fact that I suck!). Cat 5 is fine with me. I'll be starting with that fast group ride first of course (Currently I am at the "try and stay with the old lady on the Raleigh three-speed" stage - at least when things go uphill)
__________________
Originally Posted by jsharr
People whose sig line does not include a jsharr quote annoy me.

Last edited by pgoat; 08-16-08 at 04:37 AM.
pgoat is offline  
Old 08-16-08, 04:34 AM
  #113  
pgoat
Batüwü Griekgriek
 
pgoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: the crashing - I'm not worried about losing a little skin (it can be part of my weight loss program); was more concerned with my old bones and potentially missing work, etc.

Also slightly worried about trashing my bike, but then again, the perfect excuse to go buy a new one, yes?
__________________
Originally Posted by jsharr
People whose sig line does not include a jsharr quote annoy me.
pgoat is offline  
Old 08-16-08, 04:49 AM
  #114  
botto 
.
Thread Starter
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by pgoat
Great thread. thanks!

Two dumb questions from someone who wants to race but has always been too chicken:

1. How feasible is it to start racing (Master's, etc) at 45?

2. Should I basically expect to crash if I race? I do not anticipate being strong enough to stay up front, especially if things go uphill (at which point you can paint me red and hang a lantern from my ass).
if you're brand new, and in NYC, i'd recommend you become a member of CRCA, and do their club races.
botto is offline  
Old 08-16-08, 10:07 PM
  #115  
pgoat
Batüwü Griekgriek
 
pgoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
cool! Thanks botto
__________________
Originally Posted by jsharr
People whose sig line does not include a jsharr quote annoy me.
pgoat is offline  
Old 08-27-08, 07:57 PM
  #116  
Pablo.
...
 
Pablo.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: nyc
Posts: 978
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by botto
if you're brand new, and in NYC, i'd recommend you become a member of CRCA, and do their club races.
+1. Joining any club will be to your advantage, and the CRCA is a good one to join.

PS: I did one of their races Sunday, and because it's such a large club, team work/tactics are unheard of. Granted, it was a 5 race, but at one point, some guy was chasing his own team mate.
Pablo. is offline  
Old 10-18-08, 06:52 PM
  #117  
rjs0702
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 144

Bikes: Scott SR20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What are the kinds of different races to enter? All I know of are crits and CX. What else is there?
rjs0702 is offline  
Old 10-18-08, 08:57 PM
  #118  
umd
Banned
 
umd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by rjs0702
What are the kinds of different races to enter? All I know of are crits and CX. What else is there?
road races, circuit races, time trials, stage races, track races...
umd is offline  
Old 10-18-08, 09:35 PM
  #119  
rjs0702
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 144

Bikes: Scott SR20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by umd
road races, circuit races, time trials, stage races, track races...
WHat are circuit races, time trials and stage races? Also, how do I find out about these diff. types of races? Are they held locally? Websites?
rjs0702 is offline  
Old 10-18-08, 10:03 PM
  #120  
umd
Banned
 
umd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by rjs0702
WHat are circuit races, time trials and stage races? Also, how do I find out about these diff. types of races? Are they held locally? Websites?
Please at least make an attempt to search for answers first...

A circuit race is like a crit but on a longer course, maybe a few miles. There is usually no free lap rule. A time trial is no drafting, you against the clock. Funny looking bikes. A stage race is a combination of several different races, where there is a winner of each stage, and a winner of the overall general classificiation. Think Tour de France. The stage races that we do are usually a time trial, a road race, and a crit or circuit race. Sometimes there may be more than one of a type of stage. They are typically done over several days and you must finish each stage to move onto the next. A variation is an omnium, where you don't have to do every event.
umd is offline  
Old 12-24-08, 01:16 PM
  #121  
startedspyder05
Senior Member
 
startedspyder05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Mankato, MN
Posts: 263
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I've just purchased my '09 license and I'll start up at cat5 this spring. I'm very excited, and figured I'd share that...super pumped.
startedspyder05 is offline  
Old 01-25-09, 06:11 AM
  #122  
kensuf
My idea of fun
 
kensuf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 9,920

Bikes: '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '02 Kona Lavadome, '07 Giant TCR Advanced, '07 Karate Monkey

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 59 Times in 36 Posts
If you're going to use your training wheels in a wheel pit, don't leave specialized armadillos on them during your race.
kensuf is offline  
Old 01-25-09, 06:24 AM
  #123  
botto 
.
Thread Starter
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by kensuf
If you're going to use your training wheels in a wheel pit, don't leave specialized armadillos on them during your race.
why not?
botto is offline  
Old 01-25-09, 06:28 AM
  #124  
kensuf
My idea of fun
 
kensuf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 9,920

Bikes: '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '02 Kona Lavadome, '07 Giant TCR Advanced, '07 Karate Monkey

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 59 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by botto
why not?
they don't roll so well when the field's doing 50kph.
kensuf is offline  
Old 01-25-09, 06:48 AM
  #125  
botto 
.
Thread Starter
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by kensuf
they don't roll so well when the field's doing 50kph.
what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
botto is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.