Trying a race

[andrew_rc46]

Just how fit do you need to be to join a race? What sort of riding happens on them? What distances do they do?

I'm not saying I'm going to start racing,I haven't even joined a club, but it's nice to dream/aspire to something.
I wouldn't even be bothered about finishing well (if I do one that is) in something like that, just finishing at all would be a great start.

 

[cyberknight]

A google says cat 4 average speed will be around 23-24 mph but obviously it depends on route/length etc etc .If you can average around 20-21 you could stay with the bunch ?
Best thing to do is join a club and get used to group riding first and work through to the faster rides as your fitness and confidence improves.
Pasted answer from the same question on another forum
"
Average doesn't earn much in a race.

Our fast club run does about 22-23 steady avg for 45 miles, which a lot of guys can hang with. In a race, there will be times when you are doing 18 and times when you are hanging on at 30+

Crits (which I am horrible at) highlight this even more - you will be flat out sprinting from every corner, yet your average wont be that much faster than a quick road ride."

 

[huwsparky]

I'm and novice and planning on doing 3 sportives next season. If I were you I'd train over the winter and do the same. A sportive can be as competitive or relaxed as you like and you won't need a licence to participate.

You can then decide weather you fancy being more competitive or not.

Personally I wouldn't bother starting thinking about racing until you can average 20mph solo minimum. Can't imagine it being too much fun hanging off the back after a few miles only!

 

[Beebo]

Just how fit do you need to be to join a race? What sort of riding happens on them? What distances do they do?

I'm not saying I'm going to start racing,I haven't even joined a club, but it's nice to dream/aspire to something.
I wouldn't even be bothered about finishing well (if I do one that is) in something like that, just finishing at all would be a great start.

do you mean a "race" or a "Sportive ride"
They are two very different beasts.

 

[vickster]

Sportives aren't races They are organised rides, where you pay to ride on public roads

As others have said, join a club

 

[andrew_rc46]

I

do you mean a "race" or a "Sportive ride"
They are two very different beasts.

I wouldn't know the difference tbh

 

[Beebo]

I

I wouldn't know the difference tbh

OK then, I guess you mean a sportive, which isnt a race, but does have a start and end over a signed route, on open roads with timing available. It allows 100's or 1,000's of riders to share a ride, but due to the number of riders they will start at different times, in waves, to allow a spread of bikes on the roads. No one wins or loses, but the organisers will often publish target times for the set route, such as Gold target under 4 hours, Silver target 4.00 - 4.45, Bronze target 4.45 - 5.30

Try a sportive, see how you get on. If you arent getting near the Gold target then stay away from racing!

 

[Dibdib]

As an alternative, I'd suggest maybe finding a local club 10mile timetrial. Many have "come and try it" events where you don't need to be a club member. You don't have to worry about tactics, or trying to hang on to the bunch - it's just you vs the stopwatch.... and then back again for you vs last week's time

 

[User16625]

Sportives aren't races They are organised rides, where you pay to ride on public roads

As others have said, join a club

What would they do if I just happened to be riding on their road at the same time as the sportive? Its a public road so its open to anyone on a bike. Better off just turning up and riding along.

 

[Dibdib]

What would they do if I just happened to be riding on their road at the same time as the sportive? Its a public road so its open to anyone on a bike. Better off just turning up and riding along.

For riding along the road? Nothing.

What sportive riders are paying for is a pre-checked and well-planned route, facilities at the start, food and drink at the feed zones, a goodie bag at the end. and so on. Personally I don't find it particularly good value for money, but other people obviously disagree.

 

[youngoldbloke]

What would they do if I just happened to be riding on their road at the same time as the sportive? Its a public road so its open to anyone on a bike. Better off just turning up and riding along.

Best turn round and go the other way - made me think of this advice sent in by Hacienda71 some time ago

How to stay safe around Sportivists. A Guide

We want cyclists to stay safe when cycling near other vehicles, especially larger ones, like sportive riders. The safety advice is simple, “Stay safe, stay away”.

The “Stay safe, stay away” advice applies to cyclists when cycling near to moving Sportive riders or approaching any stationary Sportivists on the road, at junctions, traffic lights, on climbs or at feed stations. It's important to stay out of the risk zone and get into a position where the sportive rider can see you over their Garmin.

Follow our tips below to find out how to protect yourself.Safety tips

Cycle sensibly and assertively to help yourself. Stay safe, especially at traffic lights, junctions, corners, straight roads, climbs, descents, and anywhere that might be a Strava segment.

* Recognise that sportive riders may not be able to see you, and are often oblivious to your presence.

*Never cycle up the left side of a sportivist riding in the middle of the road.

*Look out for sportive riders wandering left or right for no reason in front of you.

*If a rider comes up behind you, move forward enough merely to ensure you are in the sportivist’s field of vision and in no way to try and drop them.

*In front of a Sportive rider is often the safest place to be. When you need to overtake a large sportivist, do so on the right-hand side at speed, so that the rider can’t keep up with you.Be Aware

The risk zone area can be the full length and width of the road, with the sportivist unable to see anyone cycling beside them on the left, or the right.

*Both new and experienced cyclists have been hurt in collisions with sportivists. This often happens when a sportive rider veers left to stop on a climb, to look at the view, to take off his gilet, to put on his arm-warmers or turn into a feed zone, hitting innocent cyclists on the nearside.

*Don't assume any large gap between sportivists is safe. When veering across the road for no reason large riders often wobble over to the right before they swing sharply across to the left to stop.

*Don't risk your life by trying to pass sportive riders when they are stopped at junctions, they may simply be confused by the event direction arrows and could suddenly turn either left or right. Wait until they have moved on, and turn the other way.

“Stay safe, stay away” is dedicated to reducing sportivists danger to cyclists through the use of awareness and reliability trials.
Hacienda71, 8 Oct 2013

OP - Best join a club, learn how handle a bike, how to ride in a group safely, take part in club rides, audax rides, club TTs, then move on to racing ...........