scrappers2000 said:Hi everyone! I am a college student in Houston, TX about to race my first cat 4. race this saturday. I have done alot of my training/riding on my own and would love it if i could get people's advice on what to expect in terms of speed/pace and helpful tactics. I've read the postings on men's races and appreciate all of the help i've gotten from those, but was hoping someone could let me in on the same facets in womens racing.
The race is 25 miles long and i was told to expect some gradual ascents and descents, a couple sharp climbs and headwinds part of the way. I would greatly appreciate anyone's comments/advice/tales of their first race. 🙂Thanks! Erin🙂
Hi There, Erin. First, my comments are generic and not specific to women's racing (since I am a man). I think the first thing you should do is define your objectives for this first race. My suggestion is that you should have two objectives: (1) don't crash; and (2) don't get dropped by the lead group. To avoid crashing, don't under any circumstances overlap your front wheel with the rider you are drafting. If she swerves for whatever reason, you'll go down in a heartbeat. Be especially careful if you are following closely and she starts up a hill. If she gets off the saddle for the climb (highly likely), she will momentarily decelerate and you will overlap her wheel. You might also want to stay on the outside as you approach any sharp turns. You'll have to make up some ground after the turn, but you are less likely to get boxed in and crash. It's impossible to predict how the race will shape up tactically, but watch the other riders in the first 5-10 miles and try to identify the strongest, most experienced riders. They will ride in a straight line, smoothly accelerate, have no difficulty with the pace, be very stable in the saddle, and their heads and shoulders will be very steady. If two or more of them get in front and start pulling away, try to go with them. If they aren't in the break group, ignore the break and stay with the peleton. The logic is, "If these strong, experienced riders aren't worried about the break, then I shouldn't be." If you find yourself at the front, pull off and let someone else take the lead as quickly as possible. I think you should consider the race a success if you don't crash and a HUGE SUCCESS if you are with the lead group at the end. Good luck and be safe.
