The Racing Thread..
Discussion
Tom1312 said:
May be a silly question, but how fast are the Cat4 chaps over a single stage road race?
Really interested in having a go, but can't actually find how fast they are and what I need to set as my goal.
It's a difficult question to answer, but I felt the same last year when I was going to try my first. I'm only 3 races in now after realising I wasn't as fit as I thought and being hit by a car.Really interested in having a go, but can't actually find how fast they are and what I need to set as my goal.
I average 19-19.5mph over 20-30miles solo. In a race of castle combe, which is a big circuit with minimal gradient I average 26-27.5mph in a race.
For me, at 67kg this translates to 220-250watts average usually, although FTP isn't everything, there can be a lot of sprinting or punchy efforts in a race.
It is exhilerating and good fun though, I'd encourage trying it. My races are around 60 minutes at the moment.
Assuming your weight is correctly input, I found Strava's estimate to be relatively accurate for solo rides where the wind wasn't a factor.
The easiest way to find out is obviously to just get stuck in. I wouldn't be too concerned about not being strong enough. I suspect 90% of the field are thinking exactly the same thing!
The easiest way to find out is obviously to just get stuck in. I wouldn't be too concerned about not being strong enough. I suspect 90% of the field are thinking exactly the same thing!
Personally, I found the estimated was way off. As was shown when I invested in a powermeter. But I do like the fitness & freshness chart on strava if you are a premium member.
My first race I was at a 33 and got dropped, above 50 and i'm alright now. Always wondered what everyone else's figures at like though.
My first race I was at a 33 and got dropped, above 50 and i'm alright now. Always wondered what everyone else's figures at like though.
Tom1312 said:
May be a silly question, but how fast are the Cat4 chaps over a single stage road race?
Really interested in having a go, but can't actually find how fast they are and what I need to set as my goal.
Only one way to find out! Really interested in having a go, but can't actually find how fast they are and what I need to set as my goal.
Fitness is only part of it ... you also need to know when to use your fitness and when to use your head. Its no good expending all your energy to have nothing left for the final gallop if you want to be in with a chance. There are races where you can sit on, make others work and then take them at the end. And the varied circuits have an big part to play ... if you're lighter, then you'll have a better chance on the lumpier circuits.
For instance in two E/1/2/3/4 races I was in recently, over virtually the same distance, one pan flat, one with a couple of small lumps = 27mph vs 25 mph, and 287w np vs 339w np ... one I sat in until the sprint and the other, I was in a 4 man break which stayed away and got caught on the final uphill sprint. Pretty sure that most 4th Cats could have sat on the flat race .... doubt a lot would on the lumpier circuit (I'm just an average 3rd Cat BTW, who is past his sell by date
)My advice, JFDI
Tom1312 said:
True.
As you say, I should just have a go.
I'm based in Essex, so what's the best way to get involved?
Words if warning, I dint have facebook.
Get your BC membership and race license, have a look at the calendar and see whats on in your area and get booked. Not sure if your part of club but if you are, see what others are doing and can recommend .... crits are a good way to start and can be good if you're young, although can be fraught with danger. Tend to be 30 mins/45 mins/1 hour and pan flat so can result in a 45 man bunch sprint. Many riders don't know how to ride in a bunch unfortunately. As you say, I should just have a go.
I'm based in Essex, so what's the best way to get involved?
Words if warning, I dint have facebook.
I'm up in Yorks and we have a few closed circuits around (York and Teesside are the closest) but also luckily a decent number of E/1/2/3/4, 2/3/4 and 3/4 road races rather than closed circuit.
Tom1312 said:
True.
As you say, I should just have a go.
I'm based in Essex, so what's the best way to get involved?
Words if warning, I dint have facebook.
Hi, Where in Essex are you based?As you say, I should just have a go.
I'm based in Essex, so what's the best way to get involved?
Words if warning, I dint have facebook.
At the Ford test track in Dunton they are doing a few races this year. The first two have been cancelled, but there is supposed to be one next Thursday (25th). Only £5 if you are a British Cycling Member, or £10 if not.
I've never done any road based racing before and thought it would be a good way to start, plus it's only 6 mile ride away from my house.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/1...
More Midlands XC racing tomorrow, down near Bridgenorth. It's the furthest away, so there's a two and a half hour drive first before the race. Never been there before, so no idea of the course, just going to turn up and hope the ratio on the single speed is appropriate. What could possibly go wrong?
Gruffy said:
Great result. I just signed up for Round 4 - my first time racing. Main objective is to simply avoid any crashes and get some racing experience before ToC the following week.
are you my new lead out man ? it's a pretty hairy circuit. i find the outside of the track 10x less dangerous than the inside. come say hi next weekend so i can sit on your wheel.
my starva for those interested: generally between 2.18-2.22mins per lap. first one was quick and the last was a very quick 2.05. 391W
i am 77/78kg.
https://www.strava.com/activities/984353823
Edited by z4RRSchris on Sunday 21st May 17:23
Ha, I really don't know about that. I know what I'm capable of on paper, but I've never raced before and I'm not making any assumptions about how it'll go. All my training has been with ultradistance in mind, so I won't be beating myself (too much) up if I get dropped. The outside of the track sounds like my kind of place
I'm 79kg at the moment so your file is very useful. Is your heart broken or are you a teenager? Mine doesn't go into the 200s. At least, I don't think so. Maybe that'll change on Saturday!?
Will you be in the same colours as last week? I'll look out for you. I'll be in blue/white/orange kit on a dark Canyon (
I'm 79kg at the moment so your file is very useful. Is your heart broken or are you a teenager? Mine doesn't go into the 200s. At least, I don't think so. Maybe that'll change on Saturday!?
Will you be in the same colours as last week? I'll look out for you. I'll be in blue/white/orange kit on a dark Canyon (
Gruffy said:
Ha, I really don't know about that. I know what I'm capable of on paper, but I've never raced before and I'm not making any assumptions about how it'll go. All my training has been with ultradistance in mind, so I won't be beating myself (too much) up if I get dropped. The outside of the track sounds like my kind of place
I'm 79kg at the moment so your file is very useful. Is your heart broken or are you a teenager? Mine doesn't go into the 200s. At least, I don't think so. Maybe that'll change on Saturday!?
Will you be in the same colours as last week? I'll look out for you. I'll be in blue/white/orange kit on a dark Canyon (
You wont get dropped, no chance. I'm 79kg at the moment so your file is very useful. Is your heart broken or are you a teenager? Mine doesn't go into the 200s. At least, I don't think so. Maybe that'll change on Saturday!?
Will you be in the same colours as last week? I'll look out for you. I'll be in blue/white/orange kit on a dark Canyon (
Im 30, HR only goes into the 200's when i am emptying the tank. 208 is my max max. anything about 190 and im dying.
I would advise against putting those shiney new wheels of yours on, there were crashes last time and some of the riding is pretty suspect.
I will be in the same blue rapha top. I have a black and white lapierre.
z4RRSchris said:
You wont get dropped, no chance.
Im 30, HR only goes into the 200's when i am emptying the tank. 208 is my max max. anything about 190 and im dying.
I would advise against putting those shiney new wheels of yours on, there were crashes last time and some of the riding is pretty suspect.
I will be in the same blue rapha top. I have a black and white lapierre.
Those are the only set of round wheels I have. They replaced the set that got pringled the last time I flew with the bike. Im 30, HR only goes into the 200's when i am emptying the tank. 208 is my max max. anything about 190 and im dying.
I would advise against putting those shiney new wheels of yours on, there were crashes last time and some of the riding is pretty suspect.
I will be in the same blue rapha top. I have a black and white lapierre.
Suspect riding throughout or largely limited to the opening and closing laps? I'll probably turn up quite early so I'll try and find you for more crash horror stories.
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