Racing advice

[aka0019]

Firstly sorry for no doubt repeating a thread taht has been posted a million times before! I did use the search function but couldn't find much.

Basically I have been cycling for about 4 months which I know isn't long but I do approx 100+ miles a week and would say i'm quite fit. Oh and this is on a road bike by the way.

I am very keen to get into racing but haven't a clue where to start. I understand I will need a license but don't know what races i can take part in etc etc. I would just like to compete in something rally amatuer to start with and see what happens.

Thanks for any advice
Andrew

 

[iLB]

first thing you should do is join a club, get used to riding fast in a group, see how fit you really are compared to them (racers and non racers) just to give you an idea of where you are fitness wise. after that the people at the club who do race will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do with licenses, and will be able to point you in the direction of suitable events

so in short, join a club

 

[I am Spartacus]

Not absolutely essential to join a club... look for EOL entry on line events on Google etc...
You pay more than the standard advanced entry and you are not always guaranteed a start.. but this gives you a 'day licence' or whatever to compete.. just to test the waters before you really start to commit yourself more and more to racing.. to be honest .. organisers more than happy to take your money and let you loose out there!

 

[aka0019]

Thanks both of you for the advice. I am already a member of club but haven't yet been out with the racers. I cycle 100+ miles a week though and am quite fit so feel that I would be ok with them. Like you say though 'ilovebikes' I won't get to know until I do actually go out with them. I just thought I would see what people's advice was on here. Next step is go out with the faster lot then!

Thanks again
Andrew

 

[itisaboutthebike]

Hunt out the local 'chaingang' and tag along with them to assess your fitness. Again someone in you club will be able to advise where they meet.

Sometimes there are 2 in some areas - a fast one and a 'slower' one (I'd suggest the slower one to begin with - if you're at the front all the time try the faster one ! ).

Like people have said - best to get used to riding in a group first.

I'm sure people will pour scorn over me for saying this (and I don't time trial or race myself these days) - but may be worthwhile riding a few evening 10 or 25 mile time trials - if only to asses your fitness. If you can do a '10' in 24/25 mins and a '25' in just over the hour then I'd say you will be ok in 3/4 cat racers.

 

[montage]

Hunt out the local 'chaingang' and tag along with them to assess your fitness. Again someone in you club will be able to advise where they meet.

Sometimes there are 2 in some areas - a fast one and a 'slower' one (I'd suggest the slower one to begin with - if you're at the front all the time try the faster one ! ).

Like people have said - best to get used to riding in a group first.

I'm sure people will pour scorn over me for saying this (and I don't time trial or race myself these days) - but may be worthwhile riding a few evening 10 or 25 mile time trials - if only to asses your fitness. If you can do a '10' in 24/25 mins and a '25' in just over the hour then I'd say you will be ok in 3/4 cat racers.

If you can do those times you should have the ability to win a 4th cat race

 

[I am Spartacus]

If you can do those times you should have the ability to win a 4th cat race

I second that opinion

 

[Young Un]

Just some advice for when you do enter a 3rd/4th cat race:

DO NOT ride at the back of the bunch, always stay in the front third of the bunch otherwise you WILL fall off in a crash caused by some fat 4th cat racing on a 5 grand dura ace equiped bike, who has all the gear but no idea. In all three crits I have been to there has been a crash in the back third of the bunch. Don't let this put you off racing though as it is great fun, just stay at the front/near the front.

 

[I am Spartacus]

I agree with the well intentioned tactic 100% but unfortunately that begs the question sometimes of how the #### in eck do you get yourself in the 1st 1/3rd....................pant suffer..

 

[montage]

Just some advice for when you do enter a 3rd/4th cat race:

DO NOT ride at the back of the bunch, always stay in the front third of the bunch otherwise you WILL fall off in a crash caused by some fat 4th cat racing on a 5 grand dura ace equiped bike, who has all the gear but no idea. In all three crits I have been to there has been a crash in the back third of the bunch. Don't let this put you off racing though as it is great fun, just stay at the front/near the front.

**** it....make a solo break from the word go.

 

[Young Un]

I agree with the well intentioned tactic 100% but unfortunately that begs the question sometimes of how the #### in eck do you get yourself in the 1st 1/3rd....................pant suffer..

You get a very good start, and ride to the best of your ability whilst still remaining with a cool head, and you take every gap that appears, and don't be scared to brush up the inside of people/clang bars

 

[monnet]

All good advice. And here's my tuppence.

1) Get involved with chaingang's, they will really help you assess and improve your fitness and speed.
2) A licence is necessary for British Cycling events. It's all a bit tricky too, but here goes: A full licence is about £32 with silver membership (which is another £30 odd). You can race on a day licence which is usually £10 (or £5 with silver BC membership but not a full licence). If you get a BC silver or gold you get a provisional licence - subject to day licence fees this will allow you to race on closed circuits and some of the other entry level races.
3) See if there is a TLI league near you. They are generally pretty good fun, handicapped races and certainly cheaper than BC events and you don't usually need a licence for them (although some are run under BC auspices so check the details carefully).
4) Stay away from any clowns who don't know how to handle a bike. You'll soon recognise the wheels to follow - as others have said, they'll be in the top third of the field. I've ridden a few 2/3/4 cat crits andthe presence of 2nd cats puts off alot of 4ths meaning the riders are usually fairly predictable (it's a double edged sword though as it ruins any chance I have of getting a place!). After these some of the 3/4th cat races terrify me.

It's great fun and if you think you're fit now, after an hour long crit or a 40mile road race you'll start to reconsider your ideas of fitness!

 

[itisaboutthebike]

If you can do a '10' in 24/25 mins and a '25' in just over the hour then I'd say you will be ok in 3/4 cat racers.

If you can do those times you should have the ability to win a 4th cat race

Blimey - things must have got easier since I used to race !(I packed in in '91) - mind you there was no 4th crap back then........it was mostly 1/2/3 races with the odd 3rd/junior race thrown in round our area.

 

[I am Spartacus]

Blimey - things must have got easier since I used to race !(I packed in in '91) - mind you there was no 4th crap back then........it was mostly 1/2/3 races with the odd 3rd/junior race thrown in round our area.

Not an encouraging attitude you have there Mr itisaboutthebike...
I take it you won so much you retired with your Far East bride to a caravan park in Goole?

 

[I am Spartacus]

Apologies in advance to Goole and the Far East