Noob Questions for Gravel Race Strategy: The first 10 miles
04-17-24, 09:02 AM
#1
Noob Bee
Thread Starter
Noob Questions for Gravel Race Strategy: The first 10 miles
Hello all,
As I've been watching YouTube videos of high level racers recording their races (e.g. Goettl Media, or the wonderful Heather Jackson), I am wondering how you more experienced racers approach those first 10 or so miles? The prevailing wisdom is that you want to be up near the front before you get to selection points like transitions from tarmac to single track or an attritional climb. However, the risk of burning too many matches early or getting caught in a crash with all of the like-minded bodies around you may mitigate the advantages over dropping immediately into the chase group in the first few miles and working from there to pick off stragglers until an effort can be mounted to target the lead group (perhaps benefiting those who, as Ben Delaney puts it, orient towards "old-man steady-hard pace").
I know this is a question that is subjective to the particular rider, so I'm curious what wisdoms and experiences you all have on this to share.
Thank you!
Picture semi-unrelated. Only for attention.
As I've been watching YouTube videos of high level racers recording their races (e.g. Goettl Media, or the wonderful Heather Jackson), I am wondering how you more experienced racers approach those first 10 or so miles? The prevailing wisdom is that you want to be up near the front before you get to selection points like transitions from tarmac to single track or an attritional climb. However, the risk of burning too many matches early or getting caught in a crash with all of the like-minded bodies around you may mitigate the advantages over dropping immediately into the chase group in the first few miles and working from there to pick off stragglers until an effort can be mounted to target the lead group (perhaps benefiting those who, as Ben Delaney puts it, orient towards "old-man steady-hard pace").
I know this is a question that is subjective to the particular rider, so I'm curious what wisdoms and experiences you all have on this to share.
Thank you!
Picture semi-unrelated. Only for attention.
04-17-24, 09:38 AM
#2
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What are you goals for the race? Do you have the ability to race competitively and expect a high placing? How long do you expect the race to last?
For me, watching videos of the top racers is entertaining, but the reality is that I don't have the fitness to race at a high level, or be among the top finishers (even for my age group). My intent at races is to just do the best I can do with whatever fitness I have on that day. I try to make my bike efficient, I try to fuel myself well, and I try to ride intelligently. For a 5-6 hour event, I try to keep things moderate in the first couple of hours in order to have something left in the tank for the last couple. My very first race, I went out easier than I needed to, but it was a good learning experience. My second event, I went harder from the start, but at 20 miles in, I was starting to feel it in my legs. However, I never exploded and was able to keep a good pace to the end. It's really about knowing where your limits are, and what you body is capable of. At your first event, you're likely to get it wrong, no mater your level of fitness. Racing is always a learning experience.
For me, watching videos of the top racers is entertaining, but the reality is that I don't have the fitness to race at a high level, or be among the top finishers (even for my age group). My intent at races is to just do the best I can do with whatever fitness I have on that day. I try to make my bike efficient, I try to fuel myself well, and I try to ride intelligently. For a 5-6 hour event, I try to keep things moderate in the first couple of hours in order to have something left in the tank for the last couple. My very first race, I went out easier than I needed to, but it was a good learning experience. My second event, I went harder from the start, but at 20 miles in, I was starting to feel it in my legs. However, I never exploded and was able to keep a good pace to the end. It's really about knowing where your limits are, and what you body is capable of. At your first event, you're likely to get it wrong, no mater your level of fitness. Racing is always a learning experience.
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04-17-24, 04:21 PM
#3
Noob Bee
Thread Starter
What are you goals for the race? Do you have the ability to race competitively and expect a high placing? How long do you expect the race to last?
For me, watching videos of the top racers is entertaining, but the reality is that I don't have the fitness to race at a high level, or be among the top finishers (even for my age group). My intent at races is to just do the best I can do with whatever fitness I have on that day. I try to make my bike efficient, I try to fuel myself well, and I try to ride intelligently. For a 5-6 hour event, I try to keep things moderate in the first couple of hours in order to have something left in the tank for the last couple. My very first race, I went out easier than I needed to, but it was a good learning experience. My second event, I went harder from the start, but at 20 miles in, I was starting to feel it in my legs. However, I never exploded and was able to keep a good pace to the end. It's really about knowing where your limits are, and what you body is capable of. At your first event, you're likely to get it wrong, no mater your level of fitness. Racing is always a learning experience.
For me, watching videos of the top racers is entertaining, but the reality is that I don't have the fitness to race at a high level, or be among the top finishers (even for my age group). My intent at races is to just do the best I can do with whatever fitness I have on that day. I try to make my bike efficient, I try to fuel myself well, and I try to ride intelligently. For a 5-6 hour event, I try to keep things moderate in the first couple of hours in order to have something left in the tank for the last couple. My very first race, I went out easier than I needed to, but it was a good learning experience. My second event, I went harder from the start, but at 20 miles in, I was starting to feel it in my legs. However, I never exploded and was able to keep a good pace to the end. It's really about knowing where your limits are, and what you body is capable of. At your first event, you're likely to get it wrong, no mater your level of fitness. Racing is always a learning experience.
I look forward to getting it wrong the first day! 8AM in Hayward Wisconsin for the Hungry Bear Gravel Race! I predict I'll go out hard for 10 minutes on adrenaline and nerves and then get dropped like a rock tied to an even bigger rock.
04-17-24, 04:45 PM
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Thanks, my goals are to race competitively for sure, and would try for as high a placing as I can accomplish (and perhaps even someday threaten for a podium spot). That being said, while that is my goal and approach, I want to state that I don't hinge my success or enjoyment on winning or even doing well, but rather that I enjoy the competition and pushing myself to my best. I know that based on my fitness and abilities I'm nowhere near many other amateur racers even in my age bracket, but I enjoy pushing myself to hang with them.
I look forward to getting it wrong the first day! 8AM in Hayward Wisconsin for the Hungry Bear Gravel Race! I predict I'll go out hard for 10 minutes on adrenaline and nerves and then get dropped like a rock tied to an even bigger rock.
I look forward to getting it wrong the first day! 8AM in Hayward Wisconsin for the Hungry Bear Gravel Race! I predict I'll go out hard for 10 minutes on adrenaline and nerves and then get dropped like a rock tied to an even bigger rock.
Some thoughts about pacing from DJ and his brother, BHDJ...
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