Looking to get into road racing - advice please
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm looking to get into road racing and need a little advice on how to go about this, and I have a few concerns as well.
From what I gather it's a case of join British cycling and also pay for a race licence, which totals a little over £100. I'd become a 4th cat rider which, I think, means I can enter regional A and B races. So is it just a case of join British cycling, find some events I fancy doing and just turn up? Do I need to be a member of a club? There is a club near me but I didn't get on with how they ran their rides.... Though the people were nice enough (mostly).
I'd also be concerned about being well and truly dropped.... But is this something I should just ignore and JFDI?
I used to run to a pretty competitive level but due to health reasons I'm unable to do that, hence the switch to cycling a lot more now. My fitness is good, my FTP is low (219W, although I think I'll beat that next time I test it) but being less than 54kgs I'm over 4W/kg which means I'm ok up steep climbs but not particularly suited to dead flat courses.
I've done numerous sportives in the past but I'd like to do something a little more competitive, as I do miss my running days.
I'd prefer Road races, which appear to be 50+ miles, over time trials. Over these races are there ever food stations.... Or is it a case of bring what you need for on the go.
Many thanks in
Ross
I'm looking to get into road racing and need a little advice on how to go about this, and I have a few concerns as well.
From what I gather it's a case of join British cycling and also pay for a race licence, which totals a little over £100. I'd become a 4th cat rider which, I think, means I can enter regional A and B races. So is it just a case of join British cycling, find some events I fancy doing and just turn up? Do I need to be a member of a club? There is a club near me but I didn't get on with how they ran their rides.... Though the people were nice enough (mostly).
I'd also be concerned about being well and truly dropped.... But is this something I should just ignore and JFDI?
I used to run to a pretty competitive level but due to health reasons I'm unable to do that, hence the switch to cycling a lot more now. My fitness is good, my FTP is low (219W, although I think I'll beat that next time I test it) but being less than 54kgs I'm over 4W/kg which means I'm ok up steep climbs but not particularly suited to dead flat courses.
I've done numerous sportives in the past but I'd like to do something a little more competitive, as I do miss my running days.
I'd prefer Road races, which appear to be 50+ miles, over time trials. Over these races are there ever food stations.... Or is it a case of bring what you need for on the go.
Many thanks in
Ross
Sub 54kgs?!??! sweet jesus, you'll be getting Lenny Henry on your doorstep soon...
You will be able to enter most cat 4 races with a provisional licence which comes free with a bronze, silver members iirc. You dont need to be in a club or team to enter a race. Most cat 4 races are about an hour or so and can avg anything between 38-45 kmh. As far as race categories go, You tend to get 4ths only, 3/4s and then E/1/2/3 so there is plenty of scope to get experience and test yourself.
I'd look at criteriums first, most race circuits hold events so they are worth hunting down. They just seem to be better organised imho though purists hate them and everyone moans that they are full of crashes but its like junior formula motor racing. Its fun, it hurts and you may be surprised by the pace and intensity of this "first level" of racing in the 4s but its still enjoyable for the competitive buzz. Your weight wont be an issue in a peloton but I dont know many races that feature notable climbs which you could exploit, certainly not in the SW where i am.
There are loads of open road races for 4s though there are often combined with 2/3s so the pace and tactics will be evident. If you just want to go for it, most are loops so if you get dropped you can bail and not worry about being miles away from anywhere.
Keep an eye on the old guy with mismatched wheels and an old Caad8 frame, he will always be fast....
You will be able to enter most cat 4 races with a provisional licence which comes free with a bronze, silver members iirc. You dont need to be in a club or team to enter a race. Most cat 4 races are about an hour or so and can avg anything between 38-45 kmh. As far as race categories go, You tend to get 4ths only, 3/4s and then E/1/2/3 so there is plenty of scope to get experience and test yourself.
I'd look at criteriums first, most race circuits hold events so they are worth hunting down. They just seem to be better organised imho though purists hate them and everyone moans that they are full of crashes but its like junior formula motor racing. Its fun, it hurts and you may be surprised by the pace and intensity of this "first level" of racing in the 4s but its still enjoyable for the competitive buzz. Your weight wont be an issue in a peloton but I dont know many races that feature notable climbs which you could exploit, certainly not in the SW where i am.
There are loads of open road races for 4s though there are often combined with 2/3s so the pace and tactics will be evident. If you just want to go for it, most are loops so if you get dropped you can bail and not worry about being miles away from anywhere.
Keep an eye on the old guy with mismatched wheels and an old Caad8 frame, he will always be fast....
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 9th March 13:46
Thanks Pablo. Ive never been heavy but I used to be around 58kgs but Dec 2014 I had quite major surgery and my weight went down to 47kgs in hospital, I've put some back on but I've stabilised at 53-54 for some months now. I'm only 5ft 5, too.
I'll have a look at the weekend I think. Helpful post though, but a 24 average seems quite high.... But last year (as said, I'm definitely fitter now) I did do a 103 mile Sportive at a 17.5mph average and nine of that was in a big group, never more than a handful of other riders.
I'll have a look at the weekend I think. Helpful post though, but a 24 average seems quite high.... But last year (as said, I'm definitely fitter now) I did do a 103 mile Sportive at a 17.5mph average and nine of that was in a big group, never more than a handful of other riders.
The best advice is to find a club, get used to riding in bunches, ideally in a chaingang or similar. The reason there are so many crashes at low level is because many people are skipping the cub stage and just turning up thinking because they've got a few gold times on a sportive that they're now up to scratch. Not only are they usually very surprised how hard it is, but they also are a liability riding in close quarters with other people.
I don't mean to scare, but people have died in bike races, there used to be races near you at Mountbatten in Pompey, but a death put paid to that. I think you now have to do a course before you can race anyway, certainly you do to race in any of the leagues near me, but if your area is different, you should seek out a club and some rides anyway. They'll also be a great place to advise on where is best to go locally.
In terms of fitness, I think you just have to get stuck in, BUT you will find it hard at your size, bearing in mind that the hardest circuits hill wise still are rarely hard enough to get rid of larger riders with enough clout to get round. But if you have a sprint, or get into some moves etc you can get out of 4th cat that way, at least on the road (4th cats I think are now banned from racing on the road in Surrey League for example) you can find some courses that will suit you better as they will be more attritional.
I don't mean to scare, but people have died in bike races, there used to be races near you at Mountbatten in Pompey, but a death put paid to that. I think you now have to do a course before you can race anyway, certainly you do to race in any of the leagues near me, but if your area is different, you should seek out a club and some rides anyway. They'll also be a great place to advise on where is best to go locally.
In terms of fitness, I think you just have to get stuck in, BUT you will find it hard at your size, bearing in mind that the hardest circuits hill wise still are rarely hard enough to get rid of larger riders with enough clout to get round. But if you have a sprint, or get into some moves etc you can get out of 4th cat that way, at least on the road (4th cats I think are now banned from racing on the road in Surrey League for example) you can find some courses that will suit you better as they will be more attritional.
I'd echo what ok go says - for your own safety and that of others make sure you're comfortable riding in close proximity to others. Club chain gangs are ideal for honing your handling and confidence whilst also being very good training runs.
Just get stuck in and see how you fare. I think you'll find it tough at that weight/power but sandbagging is an art so they say ;-)
Just get stuck in and see how you fare. I think you'll find it tough at that weight/power but sandbagging is an art so they say ;-)
Thanks for the advice chaps.
I have ridden with the group on several occasions when there have been 20+ riders and have picked up reasonably quickly the etiquette and how to ride. But more experience would never hurt.
I'm not sure what to do with the weight thing really, I could almost guarantee that if I put on a stone, I'm not going to increase my power by the equivalent amount..... So maybe I'm doomed as a cyclist?! At least with the power meter I can at least see progress on my own.
Maybe I should just stick to doing sportives? I have generally done the "epic" ones, but maybe I could do the standard ones, which tend to be around 60 miles, and just push hard on those and try to find some other riders or a group to ride with?
Thoughts?
I have ridden with the group on several occasions when there have been 20+ riders and have picked up reasonably quickly the etiquette and how to ride. But more experience would never hurt.
I'm not sure what to do with the weight thing really, I could almost guarantee that if I put on a stone, I'm not going to increase my power by the equivalent amount..... So maybe I'm doomed as a cyclist?! At least with the power meter I can at least see progress on my own.
Maybe I should just stick to doing sportives? I have generally done the "epic" ones, but maybe I could do the standard ones, which tend to be around 60 miles, and just push hard on those and try to find some other riders or a group to ride with?
Thoughts?
I think people skip the "club stage" for a number of reasons, they think clubs are too cliquey, the internet has weakened the need to join a club to meet people, the club rides are not at convenient times etc. I know the answer should be join a club, meet people, get advice, ride in a group etc but for a lot of people who have busy work/home lives thats just not possible these days. I know people have had fatal accidents at races and there are cat 4 riders who have brought down an entire bunch but there are also dozens of races that go by without incident because people communicate, cooperate and ride to finish.
Why not throw an entry in for this 40 minute 4th cat only closed circuit race?
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/1...
Looks like the Velo Club Venta do a summer series at the Wichester park and ride too which again has a 4th cat only race. I'd say thats worth a look.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/1...
I would only do sportives for fun/social, I've only rarely found people who push hard during one. They are certainly no substitute for racing and I've witnessed some terrible riding at sportives which had it not been for other riders staying alert would end in serious injury.
If all that fails to inspire, go to the Calshot Velodrome and embrace track cycling....
Why not throw an entry in for this 40 minute 4th cat only closed circuit race?
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/1...
Looks like the Velo Club Venta do a summer series at the Wichester park and ride too which again has a 4th cat only race. I'd say thats worth a look.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/1...
I would only do sportives for fun/social, I've only rarely found people who push hard during one. They are certainly no substitute for racing and I've witnessed some terrible riding at sportives which had it not been for other riders staying alert would end in serious injury.
If all that fails to inspire, go to the Calshot Velodrome and embrace track cycling....
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 9th March 20:17
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 9th March 20:19
As a similar build, all be it a bit heavier at 63kg I would say you will struggle in certain road races.
I'd echo what pablo says, circuit races can be good - but they are tough for us little guys. If you can find a town/city crit race with 4th cat only, that would be good and a hilly circuit even better.
Another idea is maybe handicap races. Just make sure you do no work, leave it for the teams.
Getting to 3rd shouldn't take too long and if you can find some hilly road races, then 2nd is possible fairly quickly.
Smaller guys are up against it in the UK as hilly races are so few and far between.
Check out the Angela Davies RR in August in Aberystwyth, it is hilly and challenging.
I'd echo what pablo says, circuit races can be good - but they are tough for us little guys. If you can find a town/city crit race with 4th cat only, that would be good and a hilly circuit even better.
Another idea is maybe handicap races. Just make sure you do no work, leave it for the teams.
Getting to 3rd shouldn't take too long and if you can find some hilly road races, then 2nd is possible fairly quickly.
Smaller guys are up against it in the UK as hilly races are so few and far between.
Check out the Angela Davies RR in August in Aberystwyth, it is hilly and challenging.
I wouldn't definetly find a chain gang first. They're usually much harder than a 4th cat crit (assuming there are a few strong riders to give you a kicking) so they'll give you a good idea of what to expect. I've learnt so much about racing from club mates I would definetly look into that more, although there's also a fair amount of out dated mumbo jumbo to weed out too.
Be prepared to get dropped, set your expectations low and if you enjoy it keep at it. The fitness and results will come.
Be prepared to get dropped, set your expectations low and if you enjoy it keep at it. The fitness and results will come.
Join a club, we struggle to get new members, well not struggle but its hard work as people think its elitist or cliquey, which couldn't be further from the truth, propper down to earth strong riders
You will soon improve and realise where your weaknesses are, I thought I was ok when I joined, but soon realised my poor areas
You will soon improve and realise where your weaknesses are, I thought I was ok when I joined, but soon realised my poor areas
I'd echo what others said about joining a club first and getting used to group rides. Even if you can find a fast group ride to test yourself out on.
Im a 4th Cat myself over in N.I. and it sometimes feels chaotic, nearly always ends up in a bunch sprint and its a take your life in your hands moment, with people changing lines, slowing down and giving up in front of you. These sprints usually happen on fairly narrow country roads with 60/70 riders battling for position. Seen a few crashes but nothing major so far.
Not sure I can fussed with racing this year, with all the travelling around the country. Got to the stage where I preferred the training to the racing.
Im a 4th Cat myself over in N.I. and it sometimes feels chaotic, nearly always ends up in a bunch sprint and its a take your life in your hands moment, with people changing lines, slowing down and giving up in front of you. These sprints usually happen on fairly narrow country roads with 60/70 riders battling for position. Seen a few crashes but nothing major so far.
Not sure I can fussed with racing this year, with all the travelling around the country. Got to the stage where I preferred the training to the racing.
Thanks everyone for your useful input. I think I'll miss racing this year, maybe join my local club for a fee group rides and do a few more sportives but try to push a bit harder on them. I enjoy doing them, that's the main thing!
I'll see what happens with my numbers and my pace over the summer and go from there.
Guess I'm just not built for cycling in the UK! Shame I can't run well any more but unfortunately these things happen.... Though I'm only 27
I'll see what happens with my numbers and my pace over the summer and go from there.
Guess I'm just not built for cycling in the UK! Shame I can't run well any more but unfortunately these things happen.... Though I'm only 27
I too have been looking into races this summer as I'll be spending some time in the UK and wanted to see what road races there were. I found a few on the British cycling website but it's a bit of a slow process trying to find hilly ones. From what I gather if you want hills you will just have to travel around. I assume too I would have to race in cat 4 having not road raced in the UK before so would be much in the same boat as the OP. It would be great to get a list of hilly cat 4 races together, I would be more than willing to travel around.
Alternatively if you fancy some sun and climbing take a holiday down here in the Canaries. This year the Subida de Guayadeque is on the 16th April and finishes with this climb: https://www.strava.com/segments/7185439
Alternatively if you fancy some sun and climbing take a holiday down here in the Canaries. This year the Subida de Guayadeque is on the 16th April and finishes with this climb: https://www.strava.com/segments/7185439
E65Ross said:
Guess I'm just not built for cycling in the UK! Shame I can't run well any more but unfortunately these things happen.... Though I'm only 27
I wouldn't get too hung up about your size... We had someone of similar stature in our club, and he was pretty successful as a veteran road racer. I know you said you were less interested in TTs, but you'd have a natural advantage in hillclimbs for example.If you've got a big engine (or can train yourself to get one), that will be the main factor in how successful you'll be, not whether you are 55 or 75kg.
With respect, I wouldn't go looking for hilly circuits as your introduction to racing. Riding up a hill at your own tempo is quite different to chasing a split over a hill with your eyeballs hanging out.
It's only March so I wouldn't write the year off just yet. Have a look for some go race events to dip your toe in the water and then see what happens.
It's only March so I wouldn't write the year off just yet. Have a look for some go race events to dip your toe in the water and then see what happens.
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