First Race tomorrow :D
Discussion
Cat 4s tend to get a little excited at the start. Expect the first few laps to be really fast, stick with it, it will calm down and settle. Next tip......do no work on the front, none, if you are still there at the end try to hide out in the group, if you get shouted at to work, play deaf......do no work on the front. During the race try to stay in the front third, find a wheel that's consistent, not eratic and nervous and concentrate on staying with this rider or similar group of riders. Keep your wits about you, be mindful of your space but don't keep on looking behind you, concentrate on your line and that of the rider you are marking.
Lastly if you get dropped dont stop, do the whole race on your own if you have to or find a group to work with.
Finally practice clipping in as quick as you can, it will make a big difference at the start. Good luck and enjoy it.
Lastly if you get dropped dont stop, do the whole race on your own if you have to or find a group to work with.
Finally practice clipping in as quick as you can, it will make a big difference at the start. Good luck and enjoy it.
If there are barriers at the start, get yourself on them clipped in early before the start.
Don't jump out of the group without letting anyone around you know first, you can bring every one down that way.
Stay in the first 3rd of the group, if there is a break just watch and learn, breaks dont always stay away, see who the strong riders are and mark them, when they go, you go (if you have the energy)
It'll all be over in a blur in your first race, enjoy it!
Don't jump out of the group without letting anyone around you know first, you can bring every one down that way.
Stay in the first 3rd of the group, if there is a break just watch and learn, breaks dont always stay away, see who the strong riders are and mark them, when they go, you go (if you have the energy)
It'll all be over in a blur in your first race, enjoy it!
Op,
I've never raced, but read about lots last year (pre child) before i realised that a baby and riding a bike are nverer going to go together!
There's lots on bike radar amateaur race forum, and this clip: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C38Jp16FMtw was given the nod by many that seemed to know.
Hope you get on dead well, or failing that simply don't crash. oKGO aside, we'll all be pretty impressed if you even stick with the bunch to the end, never mind placing!
I've never raced, but read about lots last year (pre child) before i realised that a baby and riding a bike are nverer going to go together!
There's lots on bike radar amateaur race forum, and this clip: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C38Jp16FMtw was given the nod by many that seemed to know.
Hope you get on dead well, or failing that simply don't crash. oKGO aside, we'll all be pretty impressed if you even stick with the bunch to the end, never mind placing!
Whilst doing no work is a great way to secure some points, if you're starting in late August then I'm guessing you aren't that bothered about getting promoted to 3rd this year. If you're feeling strong enough then you might as well go for it and have some fun. 4th cat is your best chance to feel like a hero and if you get spat out it really doesn't matter, you'll come back stronger next time. You can race clever next year!
okgo said:
Have a read of my blog if you want. The first few posts cover exactly that 
First season racing it's called.
I've spent most of the evening reading your blog when I should be studying. It's a great read! First season racing it's called.
I've done a few crits this year with less than spectacular results. Just makes me want to come back harder next year and have a proper crack at racing.
Hope you don't mind but I've requested to follow you. Always good to compare training with someone faster.
Edited by Ponk on Wednesday 20th August 23:17
Good luck. Would save energy sitting in the middle to near the front of the pack and get into a break or start one with a lap or 2 to go. Its a learning experience but a really good one!
Had my first Cat4 race (Madigan GP, for any NI PH'ers) at the start of the month there, relentless rain and wind was going well and in the top 10 before the descent to the finsh and pop went the front tyre. Luckily there was a clubmate driving behind to watch the race and gave me a lift to the car park to save me a 3mile walk in the pouring rain.
Had my first Cat4 race (Madigan GP, for any NI PH'ers) at the start of the month there, relentless rain and wind was going well and in the top 10 before the descent to the finsh and pop went the front tyre. Luckily there was a clubmate driving behind to watch the race and gave me a lift to the car park to save me a 3mile walk in the pouring rain.
Ponk said:
I've spent most of the evening reading your blog when I should be studying. It's a great read!
I've done a few crits this year with less than spectacular results. Just makes me want to come back harder next year and have a proper crack at racing.
Hope you don't mind but I've requested to follow you. Always good to compare training with someone faster.
I've done a few crits this year with less than spectacular results. Just makes me want to come back harder next year and have a proper crack at racing.
Hope you don't mind but I've requested to follow you. Always good to compare training with someone faster.
Edited by Ponk on Wednesday 20th August 23:17
No worries.
Birdthom said:
Whilst doing no work is a great way to secure some points, if you're starting in late August then I'm guessing you aren't that bothered about getting promoted to 3rd this year. If you're feeling strong enough then you might as well go for it and have some fun. 4th cat is your best chance to feel like a hero and if you get spat out it really doesn't matter, you'll come back stronger next time. You can race clever next year!
The point is a very subtle one - it's fine to do work, what's not a good idea is doing it for other people. By all means try and mix things up a bit by trying for a break, but never ever ever do a single pedal stroke on the front of the bunch. If there is already a break off the front, then you have only 2 options:1. Bridge across, but to do this you have to cleanly gap the bunch by sprinting off the front.
2. Wait and let some other mug drag 45 riders across the gap. Thank you very much sir!
Thanks everyone,
No chance of getting points at this point - The guys I know who've done that can leave me for dead. I'm getting closer and closer to them but there's still a definite and obvious difference when they put the hammer down.
I've been putting it off on the grounds of thinking I'm not fast enough but I will find out tonight. Hopefully a bit of rain will slow things down a little.
Wanted to try and get a taster session or two in before the end of the season. Then it's CX racing, cross training and Audaxes over the winter before hitting next year hopefully with a bit more pace and some idea of what I'm getting in for.
I'd say I wont mind getting spat off the back - but I will mind and I'll try like hell not to.
A bad nights sleep, KFC for dinner and a busy day at work isn't ideal prep however! (I'm getting my excuses lined up in advance)
No chance of getting points at this point - The guys I know who've done that can leave me for dead. I'm getting closer and closer to them but there's still a definite and obvious difference when they put the hammer down.
I've been putting it off on the grounds of thinking I'm not fast enough but I will find out tonight. Hopefully a bit of rain will slow things down a little.
Wanted to try and get a taster session or two in before the end of the season. Then it's CX racing, cross training and Audaxes over the winter before hitting next year hopefully with a bit more pace and some idea of what I'm getting in for.
I'd say I wont mind getting spat off the back - but I will mind and I'll try like hell not to.
A bad nights sleep, KFC for dinner and a busy day at work isn't ideal prep however! (I'm getting my excuses lined up in advance)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This was the write up for my first race earlier this year!
This was the write up for my first race earlier this year!
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