Interested in racing

[Mr Haematocrit]

im interested in having a go at this racing lark and not sure what kit I require other than the appropiate licence.
Can anyone advise?

 

[black'n'yellow]

licence, bike, the usual cyling kit - that's all you need. Fitness helps too...

In fact, you don't even need a licence to get started. Go for a day licence, or just look for a 'go ride' event...

 

[Buddfox]

Do you not also need to be a member of a club? Open question, I don't know the answer, but I thought that had to go on the entry form?

 

[black'n'yellow]

you don't need to be, no. Being a member of a club is beneficial in lots of ways, especially if you plan on racing, but it's not mandatory. There's usually a few privateers in most races...

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I gathered the fitness helps, I went and watched cat4 racing and its pretty compeditive imho.
Think im going to start doing some structured training rather than just riding. Does it always end in a sprint?
Do you race black'n'yellow?

 

[black'n'yellow]

I gathered the fitness helps, I went and watched cat4 racing and its pretty compeditive imho.
Think im going to start doing some structured training rather than just riding. Does it always end in a sprint?
Do you race black'n'yellow?

I race on a 3rd cat licence and most of my cycling these days is geared around road & circuit racing, tbh. By implication, racing is competitive, but a lot also depends on the race classification and type. 4th cat circuit events usually end in a gallop, 3/4 events usually have a bit more of a racing dynamic to them. Easiest thing to do would be to enter a race anyway, regardless of how fit/unfit you think you might be - at least then you will get a taste for it and get a better idea of the kind of areas where your fitness might need to be developed.

Chaingangs are another way of developing speed, although it's possible to ride well enough in races without them providing you can push yourself hard enough on your own. Just take a deep breath and dive in..

 

[Ian H]

Fitness and sound bike handling group skills. 4th cat races are notorious for crashes. It gets better as you move up the categories. Club runs are good practice.
.

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Don't race anything you're afraid to crash...

This thread may help with some ideas.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Don't race anything you're afraid to crash...

that's the wrong attitude! If you want to race, race. If you're worried about crashing, then you're better of being a spectator....

 

[oldroadman]

Fitness, bike handling, and peloton etiquette. Far too many people are unaware of how to corner in a group, what not to do like change direction or brake suddenly, all the skills us "old lags" learned with a club. Try going out with a club first, get the idea of riding close and safe, and learn the skills, which will help in your early races. One golden rule, never, ever, ride close to anyone who is/has recently been a triathlete. Most (sadly) have the bike handling skills and knowledge of a plank.
Good luck...

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

that's the wrong attitude! If you want to race, race. If you're worried about crashing, then you're better of being a spectator....

It was a little tongue-in-cheek... I think the OP has a rather tasty Di2-equipped Venge and I know how I would feel putting that in the middle of a 4th-Cat mix-up!

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Fitness, bike handling, and peloton etiquette. Far too many people are unaware of how to corner in a group, what not to do like change direction or brake suddenly, all the skills us "old lags" learned with a club. Try going out with a club first, get the idea of riding close and safe, and learn the skills, which will help in your early races. One golden rule, never, ever, ride close to anyone who is/has recently been a triathlete. Most (sadly) have the bike handling skills and knowledge of a plank.
Good luck...

Can I click like on this more than once please?

 

[Nosaj]

Another +1 for learning the etiquette first with a club, eg learn what through and off is and how to do it .

Racing is very different and reqires a whole lot more than just being able to ride fast, you have to ride very fast in a very tight group, be able to corner and hold your line, be able to hold a wheel, be able to respond to frequent changes in pace

Don't let any of this put you off as they are immense fun.

My first introduction (and a very good one to) to racing was my clubs road race at Hog Hill (traffic free road circuit), we only used the bottom circuit which is flat and we had a few old hands with us to keep it all in order and keep the bunch together to the bell (in this instance the race was 1/2 hour plus 3 laps - the 3 laps being the bell) then all hell broke lose, I remember looking at my speedo a couple of times and each time it was reading either 26 or 27mph. All of this whilst trying to stay a few inches at most off the wheel in front. Ok this was with guys who I ride with at the weekends and most had a good idea of what they were doing but I am not too sure if I would have wanted to do it with someone who has only ever rode solo - not by any means saying that the solo rider would be unable to do it but if they were going off and right, when everyone else was going off left you get the picture.

 

[black'n'yellow]

most of this stuff can be picked up on the go. I'm all for joining clubs, but providing you are reasonably intelligent, with adequate spatial awareness and competent bike handling skills, you won't have too many problems working out what's going on around you.

I would hate people to be put off racing or feel 'shut out' simply because they think there is some kind of 'black art' or 'rite of passage' to be earned before you are allowed to line up. The experienced riders can usually compensate for the newbies anyway - it works both ways.

Every race is different anyway, so there's no guarantee that whatever you 'learn' on a club ride (which won't be much, incidentally) will apply on the circuit. The only way to gain racing experience is to race.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Thanks for the info guys, I have decided I'm going to give it a go and I will let you know how I get on
I think I perfected the art of crashing when I first got SPD's so I should be OK in this area.
I do group riding at weekends so am generally ok in a group and use rollers a lot so can ride in a reasonably straight line, I hope this stands me well.. Looking forward to it now.