New to racing

[Monsieur Remings]

Okay, was going to wait until next year due to Etape commitments later on this year, but I've bought my race license at last and will be going from there, obviously as a Cat 4.

What things are good to know and how many of you out there are still racing and erm...over 40?

One thing I got told was, and I bought them for time trialling this season anyway which I have done a bit of before, that you couldn't race on the road with anything over 52mm? Is this correct? 60mm for time trialling only then or is this incorrect? (I know that both front and back they're quite cumbersome but looking at some of the road race courses, a lot seem to be fairly flat so could be useful if allowed).

How many of you race alone as in might be members of a club but have a club where not a lot of folks race?

Yours inquisitively...

 

[VamP]

Get out there and race. There are tons of over 40s racing so don't feel worried on that score. As a cat 4 the races that are open to you are all pn closed tracks, and will be more often than not bunch rides with sprint finishes. Group riding skills, ability to position yourself in the bunch, keeping up with sudden accelerations and a strong sprint are teh attributes that will allow you to succeed. The type of wheels you use will have virtually zero impact.

A lot of people are in clubs, but not an insignificant number are not. Including me. Clubs are good for honing your group riding skills, but I can't make the timing work, so have to train solo. Chaingangs are good for racing though.

 

[HLaB]

It wasn't a race, rather a TT but plenty of plus 40's were kicking my Proverbial butt the other night, I'm 36. One of the best in our club is in his 50's. I've also know quite a few road racers that are in their 40s and 50's. I'm not sure what you mean in your post Monsieur you bought a 60mm what ? for TT's and greater than 52mm isn't allowed for racing. Its probably obvious in racing circles but I'm .com

 

[VamP]

It wasn't a race, rather a TT but plenty of plus 40's were kicking my Proverbial butt the other night, I'm 36. One of the best in our club is in his 50's. I've also know quite a few road racers that are in their 40s and 50's. I'm not sure what you mean in your post Monsieur you bought a 60mm what ? for TT's and greater than 52mm isn't allowed for racing. Its probably obvious in racing circles but I'm .com

He's talking rim depth.

I would imagine 60mm is pretty lethal in a pack.

 

[HLaB]

He's talking rim depth.

I would imagine 60mm is pretty lethal in a pack.

Thanks, that makes sense

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

I may be able to add a little bit... I'm slightly younger (34) and made my competitive road debut this season. I'm a veteran of a whole two races, so the depth of my wisdom might not be all that much!

I believe that you're correct on rim depth, but as already mentioned, if you're racing 4th-only events you're likely as not going to be on circuits. Often that means airfields and the like, which are traditionally built in exposed places that get windy and to be honest those 50mm wheels will end up acting like sails in a crosswind anyhow. Another point to consider is that 4th's races can be a bit "crashy" for want of a better word. Don't race anything that you can't afford to replace. It might not (and probably won't) happen, but best to be prepared.

I wound myself up and up about my first. Am I fast/fit/strong enough to go out there? Ultimately you'll have your doubts right up until crossing the line of your first race; however your gut instinct should be a good indicator. Before my first, I was able to ride my 23 mile commute (23mi/1500ft) at a 17mph average, I was doing regular interval sessions through the week, with longer rides at weekends, including club/bunch riding. I never expected to be contesting points, but I wanted (and expected) to stay with the bunch.

Here's my first race. Well, most of it - I forgot to start my Garmin until part-way into lap 3. Just shy of 25mph average, up to 36 (on the final lap). Some of my clubmates hit over 40mph on that last lap. In the middle of the bunch, maintaining position and staying sheltered, it was almost too easy. For fear of sounding arrogant (and I hope that I don't) it wasn't hard to maintain that average, because I wasn't really doing any of the work! On the second lap, I went wide on the first bend and found myself 2nd wheel, just as the guy at the front decided to sit up. I learned a few lessons whilst being front man, and all of them hurt! That said, I'd heartily recommend that you try a spell on the front if you can. It's an eye opener in more ways than one! Ultimately, I lacked the top end power to make it to the front and contest the sprint at the end, but it's all part of the learning experience.

I'm in a club, but I struggle to make it to a lot of rides because of real life getting in the way. Similarly, my club is very race-oriented, but we kind-of lose out because of that. I, and a few of the other 4th-Cat's, find that racing in our club is more focussed towards people racing at the higher levels (2nd cat and up) and as a result of that we've been left to sort a fair bit out for ourselves. We have a splintergroup chaingang that's focussed to our ability and runs all year round. We're still getting our heads around race skills and tactics.

At the end of the day, it's good fun. It's a different kind of riding and really good fun. Just get out there and have a go: After your first race you should have a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses and be able to address them.

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Oh, and here's the link to the write-up I did of the race:
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/popping-my-big-fat-4th-cat-cherry.97563/

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Nice one folks, some very interesting pointers. I'm 39...honest...but just wanted to know either way, though my experience of club riding tells me that 50 is not 'old.'

The first road race I'm doing, hopefully, is Cat 3/4 so not on a circuit which I'm glad of to be honest. I'll keep the 60mm (rims) for time trialling.

I agree with you regarding training VamP; I'm finding that, in part, because the focus this year is an endurance event that riding long solo rides is the best option but I do want to give a few road races a try, fully expecting to be dropped but figuring that it's the taking part that counts...this season anyway.

And thanks SandwichMonster, very interesting insight and when I get a chance will read your write up.

In regard to the club, they're a good bunch but find that I can't get out with them as often as I'd like and furthermore that because my focus is endurance, a club run may be 60 miles in a group (where you're protected when you're not up front) and I'm regularly doing 70-80 plus miles on my own. I agree it's invaluable for group riding but thanks folks, some reassuring stuff.

Any more for any more?

 

[VamP]

3/4 races are generally more likely to splinter, meaning it's all the more importnant to try to maintain a position up at the front of the pack. I ended up falling off the back of a snapped bunch in my first race, also a 3/4, where I kept bridging up to the last wheel in the breakaway group, only for that wheel to fall off the back of the group. Managed to get back on three or four times, and then it was game over.

Don't let that put you off however, every race, regardless of outcome, is valuable experience, in fact, I have learnt more from the races where I struggled or made mistakes. Plus racing is great training.

 

[oldroadman]

Don't, please, use deep section rims for road racing. Everything said above is correct, and they are very, very,inflexible. Either a traditional rim (shallow) or something like a Mavic Krysium is good.
Have a look at the UCI website (www.uci.ch) or the BC website, for a list of approved wheels. A lot of stuff that TTer and Triathletes think is essential is not permotted, mainly for safety reasons. Starting out, having a load of fancy kit will not help, and be expensive to replace when it breaks (you will do that, and fall off, it's part of learning) But, it will be the best buzz, one you get round a race going OK.
One last thing - 3/4 races are usually better, and safer, and if you get an earful from an experienced rider, take it on board and learn. It will probably save you money and skin somewhere along the line!

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Thanks Oldroadman, very glad I only spent what I did on the carbon deep sections. Anything above what I did spend could not be justified for time trialling alone, although I do enjoy riding them.

Some very good points too and ones that will make a lot more sense once I start. And VamP, getting dropped won't bother me this season, I'm not going to give up because I'm not winning, just want to give it a go and take it from there, improve my general riding, stay fit etc. Good points again.

 

[lukesdad]

There are some good public road races for Cat 4 s in Wales. Slightly biased but have a look at the cardigan street races in august perhaps something to aim for and make a weekend of it. ( I ll be one of the gobby ones shouting the orders )

 

[black'n'yellow]

Cardigan event is not happening this year unfortunately, but there's plenty of 3/4 crits coming up at Llandow and Pembrey over the spring/summer. If you're in Clevedon, then you're pretty well placed - also look for circuit races at Castle Combe, Ludgershall, Sundorne (Shrewsbury) and even Hillingdon - there's also a few down in the SW as well, although that's a bit out of my area. All event details can be found on the BC website.

Age is no barrier, by the way. I'm 49, a 3rd cat and I'm a comparitive nipper compared to some others in the bunch...

 

[black'n'yellow]

Just to add, I mainly race on a set of 50mm carbon tubulars - as far as I can tell, a good percentage of club racers are now using similar wheels. There's no particular advantage to deep sections in a bunch race, but there's no particular disadvantage either. In the wet I prefer my DA C24 clinchers, as the braking is a bit more predictable. From a racing pov, an 'inflexible' wheel is generally a good thing - flex is the last thing you want if you are climbing, sprinting or accelerating..