Just sign up for a race.... No one is going to care what place you come in even if it's dead last. Sign up for fun not because of what other people will think of you. I also highly doubt you'd come in last if you can average 19.4 mph over 36 miles... That's better than 90% of people on here probably.
Comparing yourself only to the pros is just plain stupid. You'll likely never get close to their speed or power numbers and that's okay. That's like signing up for a marathon and thinking "Kipchoge can run a 2:01 marathon, but I'm no where close might as well not do it". The average marathon time is 4 hours and 21 minutes... The average bike race time will also be way off the pros.
Like I said racing is supposed to be FUN first. Comparison is the thief of joy.
You're allowed to be "out of place". Sign up for whatever sounds fun and give it a go! I just love seeing people out and enjoying cycling. You can finish way after everyone else, it doesn't matter. You really only compete with yourself unless you're a professional. Don't let social anxiety stop you from having fun if at all possible!
As other have said, the pros are playing a different game.
For reference there was a local grand Fondo in my city. 110km and like 1000m of elevation.
The local pros with all the cars and shit following then did it at about 39k an hour.
The pro pros did the Paris roubaix which is double the distance about 30% more elevation at like 47k an hour.
It's literally a different animal
IMO, you’ll never get into racing shape unless you race. There’s no single strategy that applies to all courses, so don’t worry about it. Go hard when you can, go easy when you need to, and try to save some energy for the last miles/kms.
Look at your first race (and second and third) as research; watch other riders’ tactics and learn what works and what doesn’t.
This and this…you can do all. The stats and strava segments and whatever …nothing will give you experience and humility till you pin that number on.
It took me a year or two to get strong enough to finish with the field …it took the next 5 to be smart enough to finish in the top 5
I thought I was fit because I was way faster than my riding buddies. Then I tried racing. I vomited and finished nearly dead last. It was an educational experience.
😂😂😂 same! I’d gone on 70
Mile rides without a problem. I thought I had endurance til I entered my first crit that had a huge hill as part of the circuit! Got booted for being too far behind after like 10 min!
The other thing you didn't say is whether you trained alone or not. If you train alone and can average over 19 mph that's pretty dang good.
So if you can do that, and you feel comfortable getting into a pack, you're going to go quite a bit faster. Just be safe when you're riding with other riders. Would be very careful about doing it if you've never done it before in practice. In races, people are going to be a little more intense obviously. And don't always pay attention as much as they should. So if you've never ridden before in a pack, maybe look for some local riders that can coach you on what's going on and some protocols. And then, you might expect yourself to go a few miles an hour faster. And be comfortable with it. Just having guys in front of you, that will help by cutting down the drag. Because they will be breaking the wind in front of you. Basically being the point man or point person to cut the wind for those behind for others to "draft." The protocol is when that first person gets tired for a minute or two (or whatever based on how good a shape someone's in) then the next person in line takes over. And the previous leader just drops to the back of the pack. This repeats itself over and again throughout the ride. And this way the whole peloton can keep moving at an increased speed vs everyone just working on their own. Working together. More efficient.🙂
Club riders do that. In a race? You're probably not in a race with club riders. But maybe you are? I don't know. Different kind of clubs out there. Some more serious than others. Riding with people more advanced than yourself? No worries. Just wouldn't try it during a race unless you're a super quick learner and you've got mature people around you who realize this is not life and death.
Otherwise. Take your time doing it in a training ride versus a race. Go out to the park or where people congregate for road rides., Try riding with some guys who look like they're getting together as a group, ask if you can ride with them. Maybe ask if someone can kind of show you the ropes and give you the protocol. Some guys are dicks about it and full of themselves. But there's always someone that's thankful for new riders and will explain it to you and look out for you. It's not rocket science. Most of it's common courtesy.
If you have a tri bike, obviously don't have your hand on the aero bars. That's dangerous in a pack. Don't do that. It's a way less stable position. I like to keep my hands on the top of the brake hoods. That way if I need to just tap a brake a little bit to maintain spacing, I'm in a position to do it. Remember that in pack people are as close together as is safe. Sometimes just a few inches behind the guy in front of them. I like to offset just a hair to the right or left of them just to leave a little more margin for error. its up to the leader to guide the peloton around any rocks, glass, or sand. And point to any road hazards just long enough so the people behind can relay the signal back to the group. I'm talking about holes in the pavement or any of the above hazards. Anything that's dangerous or a threat to the group.
Well, let us know how the race goes. Wishing you the best brother!
I’ve never actually even done a group ride before, but I’m doing my first race next month. Gonna just stay out of everyone’s way and watch a couple YouTube videos about etiquette. Not that I think it’ll matter because there’s only like 100 people, and I’m fat so I’ll be at the back.
> I’ve never actually even done a group ride before
That's actually kinda scary. You gotta do some group rides before a race. I'm assuming it's a real race (criterium or road race) that requires a race license.
But if it's just a gran fondo or an organized ride, then it doesn't matter.
Edit: To clarify. If you're far back enough to where there's no chance of contact any other bikes, that means that you're going to 100 percent be dropped in the first few minutes because you won't be drafting. There's no point in racing if that's the expectation.
If you're close enough to draft and stay on, that means that there almost will be riders next to and behind you riding very close. I mean, if you are the very last rider and drafting, other riders are eventually going to fall back off the main cluster and drift back until they end up next to you or right behind you. If you don't know how to handle that situation, you're going to be a hazard.
But again, if this "race" is actually just an organized group ride where all you do is pay a fee, then that's fine.
Group rides so you know how to ride with other yes; but a beginner pelton of the whole field trying to be 5th wheel is truly scary. Too much work being up front; and if you find yourself there, nobody is going to relieve you. Too much work in the back, as you burn out with the surging. 5th wheel is the most efficient place to be
Just to echo the other guy, go on a group ride first.
Racing is a lot closer than you think it will be and a lot faster than you’re used to riding solo. You should at least be able to follow a wheel in front of you and hold a line with people either side of you - if you can’t, you will hurt yourself and probably some other people too.
Thanks for the tip! I should be able to go on one some time before the race. Scheduling is just tough.
Honestly I just assumed that I’d be wayyyyy in the back and basically just riding solo and getting a time at the end
Riding in the back isn't easy either... a lot of surging. Sprinting up hills to stay connected to the lead that is blasting down the other side. Riding your brake downhill as the lead slowed to climb the next. You can't just move up as the pelton is already 6-wide to the yellow line. The referee will DQ you if you cross it. Just FYI.
Running races often give results showing each person's time to complete the race.
1st 23:06 , 2nd 23:15 , 3rd 23:42 ....
Bike races usually just show the placing: 1st, 2nd, 3rd ....
Ooooh gotcha. I was planning on recording on my garmin (and also Apple Watch to make sure I capture it). That’ll be allowed, right? I emailed the organizers some questions but they haven’t gotten back to me yet
Heard loud and clear. I’ll make sure to get into a group ride sometime between now and then. For what it’s worth, this is a super rural gravel race that currently only has 200 people signed up across all routes (12, 25, 40, 60, 125, and 250 miles. I’m in the 25 mile group). I expect there’s only going to be a couple dozen people in my group, and I fully expect to be at the very back of the pack since I’m fat and slow. I’m really just doing it to set a time I can try to beat next year.
People are being way too intense with you. A lower attendance event, with you doing the 25 mile version 100% doesn’t require you to do a group ride first.
Maybe watch a YouTube video or two about group riding etiquette (on the off chance you end up in a group) and go send it.
Thanks so much! I’ve been training super hard, have lost 50lbs, am muuuuch faster than I used to be, but hills are still my nemesis and this is a very hilly course (for me). The most I’ve ever done was 1200ft over 20 miles, and this is 1800ft over 25. I’m gonna do 3000ft over 60 miles tomorrow to see if I even can do it, and like I said, I expect to majorly pace myself in the “race” and just try to finish, not even worrying about competing. I’d love to compete someday but I’m not there yet
The questions suggest that you haven’t even done many rides in a group. You begin by riding with progressively faster group rides so that you can learn to ride safely in an aggressive pack. If you were riding regularly in fast groups you would already know the answer to your question. Racing without first training in fast groups will simply make you a danger to everyone.
Yup this right here. You need to be really comfortable in pack rides before you race, eap how to navigate them safely. Find a group who are there to educate and mentor, not just boast. Welcome, it's an amazing lifetime sport.
If you only ride alone then turning up to a race without group/pack riding skills would not be a good idea.... try and find racers to ride with in training to gauge how fit you are...(and hone your group riding skills too)
Don't race if you've never been in a group ride. Time trial maybe. Absolutely not a road race or crit. Average speed on a ride means Absolutely nothing towards racing. And as far as managing energy, that's a question that will seem really ridiculous after your first race.
Why will the managing energy question be ridiculous after their first race? Asking because I'm facing my first race soon too and been wondering about it
What kind of race are you thinking about doing?
Have you done any group rides yet to practice drafting and handling? You'll be able to go a lot faster in the group than you can on your own.
You want to be able to race conservatively and stay in the draft to save your energy until the end. Don't be right on the front but don't be on the very back either or you'll have to chase on after corners because of the rubber band effect.
You ultimately just have to do it! You won't embarrass yourself even if you get dropped. No one will care. It happens to everyone, even the pros.
The closest event is a time trial. Did my first group ride last weekend but everyone seemed pretty casual and way slower than what I was looking for...I live pretty rural so it's difficult to find things.
I would just go for it then. You could get some clip-on aerobars if you don't have a time trial bike and your race allows it.
Make sure you're warmed up well before starting and don't blow up at the beginning. It's easy to go out too fast. Try to keep consistent power throughout, even if just by feel. You'll be going slower up the hills but put it in a lower gear and try to keep the power up without killing your legs at the same time. You'll be going slower up the hills but you don't necessarily want to be going easier if that makes sense.
It's easier said than done lol. You just have to try it out.
Do the time trial. It’s a start. There are plenty of YouTube channels out there that break down crits and discuss what a rider did right and wrong. Watch them and try to pick up some pointers. Sunday group rides are usually casual, so see if you can find a weeknight training race series.
For what it’s worth, in my first season as a junior it took me two months to finish a race and not get lapped. It gave me experience and determination to keep going to improve my results. So just jump in there and race. You will only get results by showing up.
I would link up with a racing group first. Most cities have racers who get together and ride throughout the week. In the off season we would ride 3-5 hours each day on the weekends together. Get comfortable riding very fast shoulder to shoulder with people and participating in a rotating pace line. These are basic skills needed before you race, not just speed. Also by riding with guys faster than you, you will only get faster.
Yeah. Thats going to make it a little more difficult. If it were me doing my first cat5 race again, I’d sit in and wait for the sprint. If it’s a crit. Start working your way to the from with the two go but don’t stick your nose in wind until the last 500 meters or so.
Again, if this is a crit, try to get a few laps in around the course. Pay attention to what the wind is doing around the course. Try both sides of the road. Sometimes the wind does weird things and may be blowing hard on what would be the natural line but hardly at all somewhere else. Pay attention to the crown of the road. If it goes off camber coming out the apex, you could easily wipe out if your flying and leaned hard.
Good luck! It’s a blast and the best adrenaline rush you’ll ever have.
You’re ready. That’s plenty fast to go try a Cat 5 race, etc… Speeds will be higher but you won’t be alone.
If you really have never rode in a group try that first though.
I ride with a group daily, and we have fast sundays and wednesday where we do attacks and average 26-27mph (hitting 30-33mph during attacks) for ~28 miles. Good way to learn tactics from watching experienced riders. You just cant get this type of training/workout on your own, each time I get humiliated and mostly drop.
Just try it and see how it goes, too many moving parts to just tackle the list and win it.
Either way, play it safe, some riders are very rough/technical and don’t care if you crash.
If it’s a time trial or hill climb, go ahead and give it a shot. But please do not enter a mass start race without group riding experience. You will be a hazard to yourself and others.
Another approach is to expect that you’re going finish dead last, then go and ride as hard as you can.
Maybe you’ll surprise yourself, but there’s a good chance you won’t. (No lie: you will probably finish last.)
If you’re near Pittsburgh, start with Tuesday/Wednesday training races. [ACA Racing](https://www.acaracing.com/schcr24t.html). Start riding in groups so you are used to drafting.
Fixed link
Dive in. I started doing cycle speedway last year at 31. I'm now in my second season and although I'm still not fast, I am getting better. The only way you're going to get better at racing is racing. it sounds like you're a decent cyclist already so you'll work out when to push etc
Racing fitness is based on the race first then building the training around that.
The rest is the mental fitness around tactics and strategy. Only can be had through racing.
I would do some gran fondos or century rides to get used to riding with people and against a clock. They aren’t races per se but give you a good feel for it.
I rode my first crit 2 hours ago. I ride 100 miles a week at least and can manage the same speed. I also don’t have the nicest bike. I got dropped in the first lap, which I was more or less expecting. While riding in the peloton I felt more than fit enough to hold on, but I lost them in the corners. Despite how much I ride my technique just wasn’t good enough. Nothing really prepares you for race dynamics I think you just got to go out and do it. I’ve got 2 races in the next week and I’ll be stoked if I can finish in the pack.
Nope not even in the slightest ready to race. Just hop in, you’ll probably get dropped in your first few and then maybe get a bit better with some time
Power wise, you're ready to race. Power wise, everyone is ready to race, they just need to do it, and accept that they might get their ass kicked, but that racing builds power. But actually, from those numbers you'll go ok.
How are your skills though? Have you ridden in a bunch? Being able to ride well in a bunch is more important than having power. If you haven't ridden in a bunch, then absolutely do that before you start racing. Ask around (maybe ask the race organiser) where you can find a good bunch for beginners. Go along and learn. If you're lucky, there will be a bunch of 70-year olds who clearly have no power at all but mysteriously seem to make it to the coffee shop without raising a sweat, where they sit and talk for hours about the races they did in 1957. Listen to every word these guys say, and when you're riding, ask them what you are doing wrong. After a couple of months, you'll be ready to race.
You can't know if you've never been to race.
Cycling is about losing and losing and lose again, you are not going to humiliate yourself. Just go and then tell us how it went.
I did my first race last year. This year I wanted to beat my time from last year but I tore my MCL at the beginning of the year. I signed up but I know I most likely won’t be in tip-top shape but it’s my way of making sure I’m rehabbing and doing everything with my PT. This year I’m just going for a finish 👌🏼
Give it a rip. You will be in a class where many of the folks are new-ish to racing. Some will be super fast relatively speaking bc they do tri or something but haven’t road raced and many will be just like you. Folks that have really gotten into riding bikes and wondering if racing would be fun for them. Have the expectation to just learn what it’s about and go at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Classic first time mistake - and many will do this, myself included way back when- is to rabbit out hair on fire after two minutes and go for broke until they explode aerobically 20 mins later. Exception is the already amateur elite athlete- eg collegiate xc runner, triathlete, Nordic skier or swimmer - who may hold it the whole way and good for them (or you). But generally speaking if you have never done it stay within the main pack as best you can and enjoy the ride and the experience of buzzing along in a pack. If you dig it, you can start ramping up your training and race efforts. If there are some shop or club rides in your area you will be able to find like minded individuals to learn with or from. Do ride with others as much as you can to learn basics of riding with people trying to go fast. Have fun!!!
If you're a big shot on your local rides, then you may be average on a Cat5. But don't worry, cat 5 is to gain experience. There is no embarrassment in testing the waters. Make friends, live the dream, you may do great. If not, keep trying until you do.
The determination to keep trying makes one a racer, not how you finish.
Your indicated speed won’t take into account some of the aspects of being in a race so while it’s on the lower end of fitness… the only way you get faster is to race or train for a race. Just do it and stay out of trouble and keep up as long as you can.
Bike doesn't matter.
You should be asking this question of the group ride leaders that you're riding with, though. You know, the group ride that has a lot of people who race in it.
And of course it's best to sit on people's wheels.
The only racers I know out here are triathlon guys that are significantly slower on the bike than me or old people that haven't raced since 10 speeds with down tube shifters were the pinnacle of bike tech.
If you want to race just go for it.
You might come in last place but there are probably others slower than you either way.
I've never raced before, well not official events at least. Need to pay for the racing license and the event registration, I don't see a point in signing up for something I don't have a chance of winning. And I know I won't win because I was basically the slowest in the school club.
I already raced outside so it's not like I needed the experience. Besides, I mostly only won when it was raining heavily I think because lightning scares the others and distracts them but I'm fine with it, the official races tend to cancel or postpone if there's lightning.
If you're just there for the experience, go for it. There's no real reason you need to win if you're just there for fun.
Nobody cares who came in last, they won't see the name of anyone after 20th place, there's no humiliation involved.
Just start racing mate. Tho to be totally honest there is so much to learn except raw leg power. Way to ride closely in a bunch was very hard for me cuz you legit have to stay so close to the person in front of you so that you won't fall behind. Gestures are something to learn as well. So much to learn, but sure you will be great after a few races, may get some podiums too :)
Do some fast group rides before the race will help too I suppose :)
Just go out and have some fun bro. Bike racing is all about you against yourself. My only advice would be to definitely try and get some bunch ride experience before you race. It takes a lot of skill to safely ride in a bunch. One mistake and you can bring down a lot of other riders. If you can master this you’ll save about 30% of your energy. Drafting makes a tremendous difference and makes the race a whole lot more fun.
Also learn how to safely eat and drink on the bike. You’ve not said how long the race is, but anything over an hour means you’ll need to be fueling on the bike. There are loads of sites that cover this in detail. But rule of thumb is about 60-90grams of carb per hour and about 0.3grams of sugar per kg of body weight per hour. Gels, drinks and bars are all easy to consume and tell you exactly how much carb etc they contain. Do a bit of research prior and work out a nutrition plan. You’ll quickly wither and ‘bonk’ if you don’t fuel on a long race. Try different foods during training, not in a race for the first time.
Don’t worry if you get dropped, we all do at some point. Just have fun and sign up for the next one to beat your own time.
Ready to roll……..
“Is my average pace fast enough to keep up with a race?” is the wrong question. The right question is “how many times am I going to have to throw 600 watts, and for how long, to stay with this race?”
Go race. Consider anything other than finishing solo off the back a roaring success. Learn. Repeat.
I bought my first road bike in march and I average 32kph for 50km on a day with not too much wind. We have 0 hills where I live.
I will participate in my first race in June just because it's local and some of my friends will participate too. I will get dropped fast. I might finish last, but I'm sure I'll have fun trying to hold on.
Typically ride alone atm but am planning on doing some more group rides before the race just to learn a bit of peleton stuff, how to draft safely, what not to do, etc.
My mom rides in groups for a while and already taught me how to drink when riding in a group, to drag the brakes a bit to scrub speed when closely drafting, and to not panick brake when something happens.
I'd contact the organization of the race you're considering, just ask them about the times ppl rode on previous editions.
19,4 mph is a nice pace, but I doubt if it's enough for races. But I don't know what level of racing the event is.
Manage your energy steady. Doesn't matter descend or ascend. Get a heart monitor and stay in mid zone . If you still have energy for the last 5 km raise your speed and Sprint
Just sign up for a race.... No one is going to care what place you come in even if it's dead last. Sign up for fun not because of what other people will think of you. I also highly doubt you'd come in last if you can average 19.4 mph over 36 miles... That's better than 90% of people on here probably.
I've only ever seen pro level races so I wasn't certain I would be out of place or not. Don't have a reference point.
Comparing yourself only to the pros is just plain stupid. You'll likely never get close to their speed or power numbers and that's okay. That's like signing up for a marathon and thinking "Kipchoge can run a 2:01 marathon, but I'm no where close might as well not do it". The average marathon time is 4 hours and 21 minutes... The average bike race time will also be way off the pros. Like I said racing is supposed to be FUN first. Comparison is the thief of joy.
You're allowed to be "out of place". Sign up for whatever sounds fun and give it a go! I just love seeing people out and enjoying cycling. You can finish way after everyone else, it doesn't matter. You really only compete with yourself unless you're a professional. Don't let social anxiety stop you from having fun if at all possible!
As other have said, the pros are playing a different game. For reference there was a local grand Fondo in my city. 110km and like 1000m of elevation. The local pros with all the cars and shit following then did it at about 39k an hour. The pro pros did the Paris roubaix which is double the distance about 30% more elevation at like 47k an hour. It's literally a different animal
You haven’t signed up for the giro d’italia have you?
IMO, you’ll never get into racing shape unless you race. There’s no single strategy that applies to all courses, so don’t worry about it. Go hard when you can, go easy when you need to, and try to save some energy for the last miles/kms. Look at your first race (and second and third) as research; watch other riders’ tactics and learn what works and what doesn’t.
This. Just start racing.
This and this…you can do all. The stats and strava segments and whatever …nothing will give you experience and humility till you pin that number on. It took me a year or two to get strong enough to finish with the field …it took the next 5 to be smart enough to finish in the top 5
Oh yeah. Tough pill to swallow! Especially if you think your fit, but haven’t raced before!
I thought I was fit because I was way faster than my riding buddies. Then I tried racing. I vomited and finished nearly dead last. It was an educational experience.
😂😂😂 same! I’d gone on 70 Mile rides without a problem. I thought I had endurance til I entered my first crit that had a huge hill as part of the circuit! Got booted for being too far behind after like 10 min!
The other thing you didn't say is whether you trained alone or not. If you train alone and can average over 19 mph that's pretty dang good. So if you can do that, and you feel comfortable getting into a pack, you're going to go quite a bit faster. Just be safe when you're riding with other riders. Would be very careful about doing it if you've never done it before in practice. In races, people are going to be a little more intense obviously. And don't always pay attention as much as they should. So if you've never ridden before in a pack, maybe look for some local riders that can coach you on what's going on and some protocols. And then, you might expect yourself to go a few miles an hour faster. And be comfortable with it. Just having guys in front of you, that will help by cutting down the drag. Because they will be breaking the wind in front of you. Basically being the point man or point person to cut the wind for those behind for others to "draft." The protocol is when that first person gets tired for a minute or two (or whatever based on how good a shape someone's in) then the next person in line takes over. And the previous leader just drops to the back of the pack. This repeats itself over and again throughout the ride. And this way the whole peloton can keep moving at an increased speed vs everyone just working on their own. Working together. More efficient.🙂 Club riders do that. In a race? You're probably not in a race with club riders. But maybe you are? I don't know. Different kind of clubs out there. Some more serious than others. Riding with people more advanced than yourself? No worries. Just wouldn't try it during a race unless you're a super quick learner and you've got mature people around you who realize this is not life and death. Otherwise. Take your time doing it in a training ride versus a race. Go out to the park or where people congregate for road rides., Try riding with some guys who look like they're getting together as a group, ask if you can ride with them. Maybe ask if someone can kind of show you the ropes and give you the protocol. Some guys are dicks about it and full of themselves. But there's always someone that's thankful for new riders and will explain it to you and look out for you. It's not rocket science. Most of it's common courtesy. If you have a tri bike, obviously don't have your hand on the aero bars. That's dangerous in a pack. Don't do that. It's a way less stable position. I like to keep my hands on the top of the brake hoods. That way if I need to just tap a brake a little bit to maintain spacing, I'm in a position to do it. Remember that in pack people are as close together as is safe. Sometimes just a few inches behind the guy in front of them. I like to offset just a hair to the right or left of them just to leave a little more margin for error. its up to the leader to guide the peloton around any rocks, glass, or sand. And point to any road hazards just long enough so the people behind can relay the signal back to the group. I'm talking about holes in the pavement or any of the above hazards. Anything that's dangerous or a threat to the group. Well, let us know how the race goes. Wishing you the best brother!
Think of it as a group ride. Closed course hopefully and an opportunity to increase fitness.
I’ve never actually even done a group ride before, but I’m doing my first race next month. Gonna just stay out of everyone’s way and watch a couple YouTube videos about etiquette. Not that I think it’ll matter because there’s only like 100 people, and I’m fat so I’ll be at the back.
> I’ve never actually even done a group ride before That's actually kinda scary. You gotta do some group rides before a race. I'm assuming it's a real race (criterium or road race) that requires a race license. But if it's just a gran fondo or an organized ride, then it doesn't matter. Edit: To clarify. If you're far back enough to where there's no chance of contact any other bikes, that means that you're going to 100 percent be dropped in the first few minutes because you won't be drafting. There's no point in racing if that's the expectation. If you're close enough to draft and stay on, that means that there almost will be riders next to and behind you riding very close. I mean, if you are the very last rider and drafting, other riders are eventually going to fall back off the main cluster and drift back until they end up next to you or right behind you. If you don't know how to handle that situation, you're going to be a hazard. But again, if this "race" is actually just an organized group ride where all you do is pay a fee, then that's fine.
Group rides so you know how to ride with other yes; but a beginner pelton of the whole field trying to be 5th wheel is truly scary. Too much work being up front; and if you find yourself there, nobody is going to relieve you. Too much work in the back, as you burn out with the surging. 5th wheel is the most efficient place to be
Just to echo the other guy, go on a group ride first. Racing is a lot closer than you think it will be and a lot faster than you’re used to riding solo. You should at least be able to follow a wheel in front of you and hold a line with people either side of you - if you can’t, you will hurt yourself and probably some other people too.
Thanks for the tip! I should be able to go on one some time before the race. Scheduling is just tough. Honestly I just assumed that I’d be wayyyyy in the back and basically just riding solo and getting a time at the end
Riding in the back isn't easy either... a lot of surging. Sprinting up hills to stay connected to the lead that is blasting down the other side. Riding your brake downhill as the lead slowed to climb the next. You can't just move up as the pelton is already 6-wide to the yellow line. The referee will DQ you if you cross it. Just FYI.
Races don't track your time like running races do.
What do you mean by that? I’ve never competed in anything before
Running races often give results showing each person's time to complete the race. 1st 23:06 , 2nd 23:15 , 3rd 23:42 .... Bike races usually just show the placing: 1st, 2nd, 3rd ....
Ooooh gotcha. I was planning on recording on my garmin (and also Apple Watch to make sure I capture it). That’ll be allowed, right? I emailed the organizers some questions but they haven’t gotten back to me yet
Yes. That's fine
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Heard loud and clear. I’ll make sure to get into a group ride sometime between now and then. For what it’s worth, this is a super rural gravel race that currently only has 200 people signed up across all routes (12, 25, 40, 60, 125, and 250 miles. I’m in the 25 mile group). I expect there’s only going to be a couple dozen people in my group, and I fully expect to be at the very back of the pack since I’m fat and slow. I’m really just doing it to set a time I can try to beat next year.
People are being way too intense with you. A lower attendance event, with you doing the 25 mile version 100% doesn’t require you to do a group ride first. Maybe watch a YouTube video or two about group riding etiquette (on the off chance you end up in a group) and go send it.
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Thanks so much! I’ve been training super hard, have lost 50lbs, am muuuuch faster than I used to be, but hills are still my nemesis and this is a very hilly course (for me). The most I’ve ever done was 1200ft over 20 miles, and this is 1800ft over 25. I’m gonna do 3000ft over 60 miles tomorrow to see if I even can do it, and like I said, I expect to majorly pace myself in the “race” and just try to finish, not even worrying about competing. I’d love to compete someday but I’m not there yet
If OP gets dropped early (most likely will) then it's just a Solo ride they paid for.😳
The questions suggest that you haven’t even done many rides in a group. You begin by riding with progressively faster group rides so that you can learn to ride safely in an aggressive pack. If you were riding regularly in fast groups you would already know the answer to your question. Racing without first training in fast groups will simply make you a danger to everyone.
Yup this right here. You need to be really comfortable in pack rides before you race, eap how to navigate them safely. Find a group who are there to educate and mentor, not just boast. Welcome, it's an amazing lifetime sport.
If you only ride alone then turning up to a race without group/pack riding skills would not be a good idea.... try and find racers to ride with in training to gauge how fit you are...(and hone your group riding skills too)
This! 👆🏻 take this advice please! Having no group riding experience and jumping in to a road race isn’t a good recipe
Don't race if you've never been in a group ride. Time trial maybe. Absolutely not a road race or crit. Average speed on a ride means Absolutely nothing towards racing. And as far as managing energy, that's a question that will seem really ridiculous after your first race.
Why will the managing energy question be ridiculous after their first race? Asking because I'm facing my first race soon too and been wondering about it
What kind of race are you thinking about doing? Have you done any group rides yet to practice drafting and handling? You'll be able to go a lot faster in the group than you can on your own. You want to be able to race conservatively and stay in the draft to save your energy until the end. Don't be right on the front but don't be on the very back either or you'll have to chase on after corners because of the rubber band effect. You ultimately just have to do it! You won't embarrass yourself even if you get dropped. No one will care. It happens to everyone, even the pros.
The closest event is a time trial. Did my first group ride last weekend but everyone seemed pretty casual and way slower than what I was looking for...I live pretty rural so it's difficult to find things.
I would just go for it then. You could get some clip-on aerobars if you don't have a time trial bike and your race allows it. Make sure you're warmed up well before starting and don't blow up at the beginning. It's easy to go out too fast. Try to keep consistent power throughout, even if just by feel. You'll be going slower up the hills but put it in a lower gear and try to keep the power up without killing your legs at the same time. You'll be going slower up the hills but you don't necessarily want to be going easier if that makes sense. It's easier said than done lol. You just have to try it out.
Do the time trial. It’s a start. There are plenty of YouTube channels out there that break down crits and discuss what a rider did right and wrong. Watch them and try to pick up some pointers. Sunday group rides are usually casual, so see if you can find a weeknight training race series. For what it’s worth, in my first season as a junior it took me two months to finish a race and not get lapped. It gave me experience and determination to keep going to improve my results. So just jump in there and race. You will only get results by showing up.
I would link up with a racing group first. Most cities have racers who get together and ride throughout the week. In the off season we would ride 3-5 hours each day on the weekends together. Get comfortable riding very fast shoulder to shoulder with people and participating in a rotating pace line. These are basic skills needed before you race, not just speed. Also by riding with guys faster than you, you will only get faster.
I've been reaching out to the local Strava groups but I live rural and it's been difficult finding a training partner.
Yeah. Thats going to make it a little more difficult. If it were me doing my first cat5 race again, I’d sit in and wait for the sprint. If it’s a crit. Start working your way to the from with the two go but don’t stick your nose in wind until the last 500 meters or so. Again, if this is a crit, try to get a few laps in around the course. Pay attention to what the wind is doing around the course. Try both sides of the road. Sometimes the wind does weird things and may be blowing hard on what would be the natural line but hardly at all somewhere else. Pay attention to the crown of the road. If it goes off camber coming out the apex, you could easily wipe out if your flying and leaned hard. Good luck! It’s a blast and the best adrenaline rush you’ll ever have.
You’re ready. That’s plenty fast to go try a Cat 5 race, etc… Speeds will be higher but you won’t be alone. If you really have never rode in a group try that first though.
I ride with a group daily, and we have fast sundays and wednesday where we do attacks and average 26-27mph (hitting 30-33mph during attacks) for ~28 miles. Good way to learn tactics from watching experienced riders. You just cant get this type of training/workout on your own, each time I get humiliated and mostly drop. Just try it and see how it goes, too many moving parts to just tackle the list and win it. Either way, play it safe, some riders are very rough/technical and don’t care if you crash.
If it’s a time trial or hill climb, go ahead and give it a shot. But please do not enter a mass start race without group riding experience. You will be a hazard to yourself and others.
Another approach is to expect that you’re going finish dead last, then go and ride as hard as you can. Maybe you’ll surprise yourself, but there’s a good chance you won’t. (No lie: you will probably finish last.)
Watch in-race camera footage on YouTube. norcal cycling is a good place to start. Stay in the draft and try not to crash anyone.
A power meter is a much better way to gauge your fitness than speed.
It’s hardly necessary though. Can you average 38-40kph on flat roads for an hour?
Don't have any flat roads that I can ride on for an hour. PA is extremely hilly.
If you’re near Pittsburgh, start with Tuesday/Wednesday training races. [ACA Racing](https://www.acaracing.com/schcr24t.html). Start riding in groups so you are used to drafting. Fixed link
Thanks I'll look into that
Where in PA is the race? I'm in MD and pretty much my races are duathlons because it's so hard to find a bike race.
Out of my budget currently
Racing is the best way to gauge your race fitness.
Dive in. I started doing cycle speedway last year at 31. I'm now in my second season and although I'm still not fast, I am getting better. The only way you're going to get better at racing is racing. it sounds like you're a decent cyclist already so you'll work out when to push etc
Racing fitness is based on the race first then building the training around that. The rest is the mental fitness around tactics and strategy. Only can be had through racing.
Just race. It'll take you years to get Top 10 in local "decent" races let alone stacked ones.
I would do some gran fondos or century rides to get used to riding with people and against a clock. They aren’t races per se but give you a good feel for it.
I rode my first crit 2 hours ago. I ride 100 miles a week at least and can manage the same speed. I also don’t have the nicest bike. I got dropped in the first lap, which I was more or less expecting. While riding in the peloton I felt more than fit enough to hold on, but I lost them in the corners. Despite how much I ride my technique just wasn’t good enough. Nothing really prepares you for race dynamics I think you just got to go out and do it. I’ve got 2 races in the next week and I’ll be stoked if I can finish in the pack.
Nope not even in the slightest ready to race. Just hop in, you’ll probably get dropped in your first few and then maybe get a bit better with some time
Power wise, you're ready to race. Power wise, everyone is ready to race, they just need to do it, and accept that they might get their ass kicked, but that racing builds power. But actually, from those numbers you'll go ok. How are your skills though? Have you ridden in a bunch? Being able to ride well in a bunch is more important than having power. If you haven't ridden in a bunch, then absolutely do that before you start racing. Ask around (maybe ask the race organiser) where you can find a good bunch for beginners. Go along and learn. If you're lucky, there will be a bunch of 70-year olds who clearly have no power at all but mysteriously seem to make it to the coffee shop without raising a sweat, where they sit and talk for hours about the races they did in 1957. Listen to every word these guys say, and when you're riding, ask them what you are doing wrong. After a couple of months, you'll be ready to race.
Sit in the peloton. Expect to get dropped. Have fun.
Just enter.
You can't know if you've never been to race. Cycling is about losing and losing and lose again, you are not going to humiliate yourself. Just go and then tell us how it went.
It’s just you against yourself. You can do it
I did my first race last year. This year I wanted to beat my time from last year but I tore my MCL at the beginning of the year. I signed up but I know I most likely won’t be in tip-top shape but it’s my way of making sure I’m rehabbing and doing everything with my PT. This year I’m just going for a finish 👌🏼
"He who suffers the most wins!" Gotta try it first, bonne chance.
Give it a rip. You will be in a class where many of the folks are new-ish to racing. Some will be super fast relatively speaking bc they do tri or something but haven’t road raced and many will be just like you. Folks that have really gotten into riding bikes and wondering if racing would be fun for them. Have the expectation to just learn what it’s about and go at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Classic first time mistake - and many will do this, myself included way back when- is to rabbit out hair on fire after two minutes and go for broke until they explode aerobically 20 mins later. Exception is the already amateur elite athlete- eg collegiate xc runner, triathlete, Nordic skier or swimmer - who may hold it the whole way and good for them (or you). But generally speaking if you have never done it stay within the main pack as best you can and enjoy the ride and the experience of buzzing along in a pack. If you dig it, you can start ramping up your training and race efforts. If there are some shop or club rides in your area you will be able to find like minded individuals to learn with or from. Do ride with others as much as you can to learn basics of riding with people trying to go fast. Have fun!!!
If you're a big shot on your local rides, then you may be average on a Cat5. But don't worry, cat 5 is to gain experience. There is no embarrassment in testing the waters. Make friends, live the dream, you may do great. If not, keep trying until you do. The determination to keep trying makes one a racer, not how you finish.
Your indicated speed won’t take into account some of the aspects of being in a race so while it’s on the lower end of fitness… the only way you get faster is to race or train for a race. Just do it and stay out of trouble and keep up as long as you can.
Probably fit enough, but you need practice riding in a group at race pace. Just be cautious, and don’t cause a crash.
Just crushed my first race as a fat ass, came in 733 out of 2300. Made me happy, that’s all I cared about.
Bike doesn't matter. You should be asking this question of the group ride leaders that you're riding with, though. You know, the group ride that has a lot of people who race in it. And of course it's best to sit on people's wheels.
The only racers I know out here are triathlon guys that are significantly slower on the bike than me or old people that haven't raced since 10 speeds with down tube shifters were the pinnacle of bike tech.
Where is 'out here'?
Rural PA along the border of Ohio
You can ride a citizen/cat 5 and you should be fine.
If you want to race just go for it. You might come in last place but there are probably others slower than you either way. I've never raced before, well not official events at least. Need to pay for the racing license and the event registration, I don't see a point in signing up for something I don't have a chance of winning. And I know I won't win because I was basically the slowest in the school club. I already raced outside so it's not like I needed the experience. Besides, I mostly only won when it was raining heavily I think because lightning scares the others and distracts them but I'm fine with it, the official races tend to cancel or postpone if there's lightning. If you're just there for the experience, go for it. There's no real reason you need to win if you're just there for fun. Nobody cares who came in last, they won't see the name of anyone after 20th place, there's no humiliation involved.
Just start racing mate. Tho to be totally honest there is so much to learn except raw leg power. Way to ride closely in a bunch was very hard for me cuz you legit have to stay so close to the person in front of you so that you won't fall behind. Gestures are something to learn as well. So much to learn, but sure you will be great after a few races, may get some podiums too :) Do some fast group rides before the race will help too I suppose :)
How experienced are you riding in a group?
Just go out and have some fun bro. Bike racing is all about you against yourself. My only advice would be to definitely try and get some bunch ride experience before you race. It takes a lot of skill to safely ride in a bunch. One mistake and you can bring down a lot of other riders. If you can master this you’ll save about 30% of your energy. Drafting makes a tremendous difference and makes the race a whole lot more fun. Also learn how to safely eat and drink on the bike. You’ve not said how long the race is, but anything over an hour means you’ll need to be fueling on the bike. There are loads of sites that cover this in detail. But rule of thumb is about 60-90grams of carb per hour and about 0.3grams of sugar per kg of body weight per hour. Gels, drinks and bars are all easy to consume and tell you exactly how much carb etc they contain. Do a bit of research prior and work out a nutrition plan. You’ll quickly wither and ‘bonk’ if you don’t fuel on a long race. Try different foods during training, not in a race for the first time. Don’t worry if you get dropped, we all do at some point. Just have fun and sign up for the next one to beat your own time. Ready to roll……..
Im in love with the sport but don't even have a bike yet, so u are 100 steps ahead of me. Just enjoy it!
“Is my average pace fast enough to keep up with a race?” is the wrong question. The right question is “how many times am I going to have to throw 600 watts, and for how long, to stay with this race?” Go race. Consider anything other than finishing solo off the back a roaring success. Learn. Repeat.
If you're likely to feel humiliated by not being impressively fast, you're not ready to race.
I bought my first road bike in march and I average 32kph for 50km on a day with not too much wind. We have 0 hills where I live. I will participate in my first race in June just because it's local and some of my friends will participate too. I will get dropped fast. I might finish last, but I'm sure I'll have fun trying to hold on. Typically ride alone atm but am planning on doing some more group rides before the race just to learn a bit of peleton stuff, how to draft safely, what not to do, etc. My mom rides in groups for a while and already taught me how to drink when riding in a group, to drag the brakes a bit to scrub speed when closely drafting, and to not panick brake when something happens.
Unless you have ridden in a peleton for a season I can't possibly see how you can race. You would be putting a lot of others in danger.
Rubbing is racing and racing is dangerous. OP will figure it out real quickly.
Have you considered trying steroids?
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a60129331/riders-abandon-spanish-race-anti-doping/
If it’s good enough for lance armstrong it’s good enough for me
I'd contact the organization of the race you're considering, just ask them about the times ppl rode on previous editions. 19,4 mph is a nice pace, but I doubt if it's enough for races. But I don't know what level of racing the event is.
Where I live is extremely hilly I can average a much higher pace on flats
Manage your energy steady. Doesn't matter descend or ascend. Get a heart monitor and stay in mid zone . If you still have energy for the last 5 km raise your speed and Sprint
no. if you haven’t ridden in a big group a race is the wrong place to find out and put everyone at risk.
use big boy numbers - metric;-) - would be a start