First Road Race!

[Rolls]

Did post about this yday, but my PC crashed!
Had my first ever road race at cyclopark in gravesend yesterday morning! Closed circuit, 4th cat only. Figured I'd write about it on here incase anyone else was thinking of starting up soon too!
Got there nice and early to sign on, and make sure I was warmed up... The sign on was a bit chaotic which left only 15 mins to warm up- so a couple of laps of the circuit really, and then jump on the start with everyone else waiting for the off..
Eventually everyone gets to the start line.. I was on the third row so to try and avoid any of the fun at the first few corners like these races are apparently quite bad for.. Get a good start, and am in the top 10 for the first lap - which goes off at a brisk, but manageable pace. All I keep on telling myself is hold my line, and don't do anything stupid! (Fortunately I know the circuit well as I've been to their race training a few times). Second and third laps and the pace jumps up - I just stay in the bunch trying to conserve energy as my only aim here is to not get dropped! Few guys get spat out the back, and I start to think ste- if this pace continues I'll be done for very quickly... Fortunately the pace calms down, and I can recover whilst sitting in the bunch (which has thinned out a little more). This continues until 3 or so laps to go, when the pace starts ramping up again. At this point I actually feel ok, and from race training I know that if I can find a bit of space I can sprint reasonably well! Last laps comes, and move up to 7th or so, but on the back straight the attacks begin, and I drop back a fair few places (obv being more confident etc here will only come with experience) . Last sweeping right hander before we head up the hill towards the line - towards the back off the bunch, but a guy starts to go in front of me, and I say to myself... Now or never... Stick on his wheel, and it seems that the bunch is slightly more pooped than I am - manage to get past a fair few people and can see the end - start to think about the possibility of a top ten! And then. Huge bang.. 2 guys up ahead collide, and go down, straight where I want to be.. Shhhhhiiiiiiiittttteeeeeee... Jump straight onto the grass to avoid, and keep on pedalling... Or trying to... Manage to avoid them, jump back on the track about 20 meters from the end, and end up finishing in 11th or so! Super happy with that considering - managed to avoid any real dramas, didn't feel completely out of my depth, and got the bug too... Just need to see when I can race next!
So - for those of you that are thinking of pinning on a number : go for it! Just make sure you're aware of your surrounds, and talk to people if you start getting squeezed.. The race trading did the world of good for me in getting a little experience in riding in a proper bunch at speed!

[okgo]

Good work. Cyclopark is a good circuit I think.

[Ponk]

Well done chap! Great write up too.

I'm planning to do a few go race crits in June to test my fitness before hopefully trying Hillingdon or Gravesend later in the summer. What did you find the most difficult/surprising about racing compared to say club rides? I'm expecting bunch riding and changes of pace to be my big challenges.

[stongle]

Nice One Rolls. Good result for first race, did you pitch up as a solo entrant or are you part of a club?

I've only done TTs there (and a bit of Race Training), but want to race so have a few questions (if you dont mind):

1. How was the wind there? it can be pretty brutal at times, did it play any part?
2. Did they run the full course with the tight hairpin at the bottom of the little slope; any issues there? Was it chaoric in the bunch or quite orderly through the turns (there has been alot of debate over the course at Gravesend as whether its simply too tight).
3. Bit more personal - what sort of power did you put out (I know you have a powertap ;-) ), I was thinking about having a crack at Hillingdon first (as its flat). My FTP is only 225-230 (Athelete Lab, not Strava / TR guestimate), but I'm overweight putting me just over 3 watts per kilo; but do ride quite aero (I'm small) - is this doable for Cat4, or do I need more?

Edited by stongle on Tuesday 6th May 09:20

[AyBee]

Nice write-up. I keep thinking about starting racing but then I'm put off by things like this:

Rolls said:

And then. Huge bang.. 2 guys up ahead collide, and go down

[anonymous-user]

Good work.

How the fook can people collide on the finishing straight at Cyclopark (long straight, uphill, wide, good surface) is beyond me....absolute muppets. Racing is great but some of the riders are just plain dangerous. Can't be assed with risking life and limb with some random chopper who decides to start slinging the bike around in a bunch sprint!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

AyBee said:

Nice write-up. I keep thinking about starting racing but then I'm put off by things like this:

Rolls said:

And then. Huge bang.. 2 guys up ahead collide, and go down

Don't be. Although it is, undeniably, a part of racing, it's a lot less common outside of 4th cat crits.

[Rolls]

Thanks for the kind replies! - was very pleased overal looking back now - and very happy to have a recovery day yday rather than going out on the bike..
Had a look at my strava info, average for the race was a touch under 38k/h, which is roughly where I thought it would be

Ponk said:

What did you find the most difficult/surprising about racing compared to say club rides? I'm expecting bunch riding and changes of pace to be my big challenges.

Hardest bit for me was keeping aware of everything that's going on around you, and people taking even the smallest gaps if you leave one in front of you. Apart from that, just the sudden (and then sustained) increases in pace that will have you hurting a bit!

stongle said:

Nice One Rolls. Good result for first race, did you pitch up as a solo entrant or are you part of a club?

I've only done TTs there (and a bit of Race Training), but want to race so have a few questions (if you dont mind):

1. How was the wind there? it can be pretty brutal at times, did it play any part?
2. Did they run the full course with the tight hairpin at the bottom of the little slope; any issues there? Was it chaoric in the bunch or quite orderly through the turns (there has been alot of debate over the course at Gravesend as whether its simply too tight).
3. Bit more personal - what sort of power did you put out (I know you have a powertap ;-) ), I was thinking about having a crack at Hillingdon first (as its flat). My FTP is only 225-230 (Athelete Lab, not Strava / TR guestimate), but I'm overweight putting me just over 3 watts per kilo; but do ride quite aero (I'm small) - is this doable for Cat4, or do I need more?

Edited by stongle on Tuesday 6th May 09:20

I ride as part of a mates clothing company - there are a few of us now that have started up (or re-started after a gap of 10+ years race wise) I'm completely new to the road race side of things - have done a fair few mtb's, but never road races before!
Wind was ok - nothing too bad to be honest - although i'm yet to ride down there in conditions that I'd consider to be windy
Full course - yeah - start at the bridge, up the hill and into the tight hairpin.. Here I made sure I was near the front as I figured if there is going to be an early spill, that's where it will be.. Don't think there was one, but wouldn't have noticed if there was to be honest!
Powerwise - couldn't say... - my bloody wheel died when I got there (no power readings on my garmin), and then my garmin didn't want to read anything either! Did at least get Hr + distance info from my garmin watch which I wore just in case...

As for the accident - yeah - was very odd.. As said, really impressive crashing there in particular!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

stongle said:

Nice One Rolls. Good result for first race, did you pitch up as a solo entrant or are you part of a club?

I've only done TTs there (and a bit of Race Training), but want to race so have a few questions (if you dont mind):

1. How was the wind there? it can be pretty brutal at times, did it play any part?
2. Did they run the full course with the tight hairpin at the bottom of the little slope; any issues there? Was it chaoric in the bunch or quite orderly through the turns (there has been alot of debate over the course at Gravesend as whether its simply too tight).
3. Bit more personal - what sort of power did you put out (I know you have a powertap ;-) ), I was thinking about having a crack at Hillingdon first (as its flat). My FTP is only 225-230 (Athelete Lab, not Strava / TR guestimate), but I'm overweight putting me just over 3 watts per kilo; but do ride quite aero (I'm small) - is this doable for Cat4, or do I need more?

Average power tells you about as much as average speed - i.e. nothing. It's the change in pace and power required to go with moves which will determine whether you get round. As a general rule once you're out the back you are unlikely to get back on in a crit.

[anonymous-user]

Rolls said:

As for the accident - yeah - was very odd.. As said, really impressive crashing there in particular!

AS RSE has said, it does get better out of, but is not limited to 4ths.

Just keep your eyes open and look at the other riders for signs of poor skills.

[stongle]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Average power tells you about as much as average speed - i.e. nothing. It's the change in pace and power required to go with moves which will determine whether you get round. As a general rule once you're out the back you are unlikely to get back on in a crit.

But I didnt ask about average power.... ;-) No worries, Rolls PM died so does'nt matter.

Just looking for a very, very rough gauge (from a real race, not someones internet fantasy). Fully intending to have a crack later in the season, but knowing this track (and from Rolls OP); I can start to have an idea of what might happen to me if / when I get fired of the back. Obviously Its a big step up from riding chain gangs; but I imagine you need at least 3.5watt/kilo to be competitive there (at 4th Cat).

[Rolls]

If you want an idea, without worrying about actual racing - got to the race training they do on Wed nights - i'll be there tomorrow at about 6:45!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

stongle said:

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Average power tells you about as much as average speed - i.e. nothing. It's the change in pace and power required to go with moves which will determine whether you get round. As a general rule once you're out the back you are unlikely to get back on in a crit.

But I didnt ask about average power.... ;-) No worries, Rolls PM died so does'nt matter.

Just looking for a very, very rough gauge (from a real race, not someones internet fantasy). Fully intending to have a crack later in the season, but knowing this track (and from Rolls OP); I can start to have an idea of what might happen to me if / when I get fired of the back. Obviously Its a big step up from riding chain gangs; but I imagine you need at least 3.5watt/kilo to be competitive there (at 4th Cat).

3.5W per kilo FTP? Might be fine. Might not. It's an average. It tells you nothing unless you are doing a threshold effort - like a 25 mile TT, say. W/kg is usually measured over an hour. Obviously for shorter periods your threshold will be higher. You could do 5w/kg FTP but if you're pinged off the back because you can't do 500W for 3 minutes then your 5w/kg ain't a lot of good for you. Point is the difference in crits is about short term efforts, more than the ability to put out xW/kg.

[okgo]

Impossible to tell, its about how well you ride the bunch, how the race is raced etc.

Generally the winner is the one who has the best sprint, not the fittest in low level crits.

[Rolls]

Stongle : should have said, if you have a look on my strava feed, (in the pistonheads club), you'll see the sort of drills (and power) for the race training I do.. Should have another ride uploaded tomorrow..

[okgo]

stongle said:

But I didnt ask about average power.... ;-) No worries, Rolls PM died so does'nt matter.

Just looking for a very, very rough gauge (from a real race, not someones internet fantasy). Fully intending to have a crack later in the season, but knowing this track (and from Rolls OP); I can start to have an idea of what might happen to me if / when I get fired of the back. Obviously Its a big step up from riding chain gangs; but I imagine you need at least 3.5watt/kilo to be competitive there (at 4th Cat).

At 230w you're going to be struggling I would think with all of the sprints out of corners and the drag.

Try to forget w/kg to an extent, it is misleading for most racing as it is, let alone flat circuit stuff.

Certainly try hillingdon, or if you can, Dunsfold would be even better for you.

[Ponk]

Rolls said:

I ride as part of a mates clothing company - there are a few of us now that have started up (or re-started after a gap of 10+ years race wise) I'm completely new to the road race side of things - have done a fair few mtb's, but never road races before!
Wind was ok - nothing too bad to be honest - although i'm yet to ride down there in conditions that I'd consider to be windy
Full course - yeah - start at the bridge, up the hill and into the tight hairpin.. Here I made sure I was near the front as I figured if there is going to be an early spill, that's where it will be.. Don't think there was one, but wouldn't have noticed if there was to be honest!
Powerwise - couldn't say... - my bloody wheel died when I got there (no power readings on my garmin), and then my garmin didn't want to read anything either! Did at least get Hr + distance info from my garmin watch which I wore just in case...

As for the accident - yeah - was very odd.. As said, really impressive crashing there in particular!

23-25mph was about what I was expecting. I can sustain 21-22mph for an hour as part of a small chain gang so hopefully I'm not far off pace wise.

Got a link to your race on strava?

[Rolls]

Sure : http://www.strava.com/activities/137220796

I actually thought it would be harder just staying in the middle of the bunch! Roll on the next one!

[Fourmotion]

okgo said:

At 230w you're going to be struggling I would think with all of the sprints out of corners and the drag.

Try to forget w/kg to an extent, it is misleading for most racing as it is, let alone flat circuit stuff.

Certainly try hillingdon, or if you can, Dunsfold would be even better for you.

Thanks for the write up Rolls, I'm just about to attempt a race for the first time, interesting to hear what you went through.

I'll be heading to Dunsfold this Friday. Okgo, are you suggesting it's a good starting place in general, or better for riders with lower overall watts but perhaps higher w/kg? I'm a lard arse, so my overall power is probably reasonable for a cat 4 race on the flat but who knows what my turn of pace is like! If there's a hill I could be fooked though! Only one way to find out.

[Rolls]

For those that were asking about power outputs etc...
Just had a look at my training session last week for which I did have power info: the "race" we do at the end each week saw an average of 279 watts : and that was sitting in, and not doing as much work IMO as was the case in the actual race on sunday!