MY First Race

Avs33 said:

This spring i'm going to race in my first road race. Actually it is in like two weeks. The distance is short I think only like 30 miles or so. Since it is my frist one I will be in the senior men 5 class. Anyway my training miles have been around 25-30 a week. I ride to work about 10 miles round trip and then a long ride on the week-end about 20+ miles or so. My question is should I be upping my miles as the race draws near? Do some speed stuff or just keep on keep'n on? I can't for get wieght training 3 times a week. Any good Advice?

At this point it is too late to change your conditioning very much. If you have never ridden the same distance as your race you may want to reconsider even doing it. Unless you do some other sport or are coming from a competitive background in another sport I believe you will be dropped in the first twenty minutes of the race, quicker if it is not flat.

Most people will taper their training so they ride lightly or less in the time leading up to an event. From your description, this isn't really feasible.

There are many good books on training for improving cycling performance and many excellent cycling coaches. If you don't want to get a coach, at least try a book on training like the Friel book. As for racing, try a time trial first until you are comfortable riding with a pack. There are clinics in most areas aimed at beginning racers which would be a better start than just trying a race with no experience. Or ride with or join a club. Many racing club rides are mini races in themselves ( not that I would recommend that you treat it as a race - traffic safety is paramount ) and you could use this as a rough gauge of your fitness.

Woofer said:

At this point it is too late to change your conditioning very much. If you have never ridden the same distance as your race you may want to reconsider even doing it. Unless you do some other sport or are coming from a competitive background in another sport I believe you will be dropped in the first twenty minutes of the race, quicker if it is not flat.

Most people will taper their training so they ride lightly or less in the time leading up to an event. From your description, this isn't really feasible.

There are many good books on training for improving cycling performance and many excellent cycling coaches. If you don't want to get a coach, at least try a book on training like the Friel book. As for racing, try a time trial first until you are comfortable riding with a pack. There are clinics in most areas aimed at beginning racers which would be a better start than just trying a race with no experience. Or ride with or join a club. Many racing club rides are mini races in themselves ( not that I would recommend that you treat it as a race - traffic safety is paramount ) and you could use this as a rough gauge of your fitness.

I did do 50 miles last year on my mtb what a long haul!!! Wasn't a race though just a charity ride. I just got my new road bike last month and have been putting on miles like crazy. I was looking at this race just to see what it is like.

At this point, no real use trying to change your training. I suggest that you try the race, just for fun, and DO NOT get discouraged by your results (or lack thereof). The first few races will be difficult and no one likes to see the group ride off ahead of you, but that is often what happens. At some point you will need to do more kms and integrate a certain amount of speed work (I assume that such a short race is a crit, so expect high speeds and a lot of sprinting out of each and every corner). Try to hook up with a team and/or invest in a couple of decent books (Friel's is not bad) to begin to get an idea of things. Best of luck and enjoy!

Powerful Pete said:

At this point, no real use trying to change your training. I suggest that you try the race, just for fun, and DO NOT get discouraged by your results (or lack thereof). The first few races will be difficult and no one likes to see the group ride off ahead of you, but that is often what happens. At some point you will need to do more kms and integrate a certain amount of speed work (I assume that such a short race is a crit, so expect high speeds and a lot of sprinting out of each and every corner). Try to hook up with a team and/or invest in a couple of decent books (Friel's is not bad) to begin to get an idea of things. Best of luck and enjoy!

Well then getting dropped in the first few miles don't sound to fun to me. The race course is a 11.2 mile loop around a lake. The class I would be in will make 3 loops around the lake. I would hope that this "novice" class I would stand a chance. The advice I have been getting isn't getting my hopes up. I quess maybe I should re think my First race and just stick with training the rest of the season? The race is actually ONLY two weeks away, but on the other hand it is the frist race of the season here in good old nebraska.(this place sucks for cycling).Any way liking all the input keep it coming please.

Avs33 said:

Well then getting dropped in the first few miles don't sound to fun to me. The race course is a 11.2 mile loop around a lake. The class I would be in will make 3 loops around the lake. I would hope that this "novice" class I would stand a chance. The advice I have been getting isn't getting my hopes up. I quess maybe I should re think my First race and just stick with training the rest of the season? The race is actually ONLY two weeks away, but on the other hand it is the frist race of the season here in good old nebraska.(this place sucks for cycling).Any way liking all the input keep it coming please.

Can you give us a race website?

I encourage you to try racing but I would also recommend that you be prepared. Going in unprepared would sour you on the experience.

Without knowing the profile of the course I will just make numbers up. You should preride the course in the upcoming weekend at the distance advertised or three laps. Reassess your plan after doing this. How long did it take you?

If the course is mostly flat, the average speed will be about 18-24 miles per hour, with surges to 34+. So you will need to be able to ride about 90 minutes to 110 minutes at tempo. This is not as hard as it sounds *if* you were already in shape because one is drafting most of the time. However, none of your training has prepared you properly for this amount of time in the saddle and probably not for this intensity. You should also be comfortable in a pack of 25-50 riders. You will want to be as close as you can comfortably get to the rear wheel of the rider in front of you without overlapping your front wheel with their rear wheel - if this happens slow down to unlap or overtake to pull even. Riders to your left and right will be within inches of your handlebars.

Avs33 said:

I just got my new road bike last month and have been putting on miles like crazy.

Dude, 35 miles/week is not putting on miles like crazy. 35miles/week is virtually nothing.

I love racing and encourage anyone who's interested to at least try several and stick with it because like you, most people haven't got the fitness to hang for their first several races.

If you've really only been putting in 35 miles/week, unless you've got gobs of natural talent, you will be dropped within 5 minutes. Go ahead and do the race and use it as a marker to how far you've got to go fitness wise. If you stick with it and up your training time to 5 to 10hrs/week, you should be able to hang with the cat 5 pack by the end of the year or next spring at the latest (assuming you train through the winter).

Let us know how it goes.

You sound really knew to this. What kind of riding are you doing now? I am willing to bet you ride like all new riders, and just push the same medium pace each ride. This is not going to help your racing. But yeh, it's only 2 weeks away, so you can't do much now.
racing requires very hard efforts with little or no recovery inbetween.
You really need to pick up a good book on training, maybe The Cyclist's training bible. There are lots of other easier to read books out there too, just take a look at the bicycling section in your bookstore.

Being a new rider, the best thing you can do is read all you can. There is even some great training advice on this forum, do some searches.

also, weight training will not help your racing, you need to be on the bike.

nebraskacycling.orgItemid,135Open ↗

I say go for it.If you do well or not let it be a bench mark to improve on.I did my first mtb race a couple of weeks ago and did allright, but the experience I gained is invaluable.Racing really lets you know what kind of shape your in and what areas you need to work on.Regardless of the outcome it is a huge adrenaline rush and such a blast.Have fun and give it your best.Good Luck!Jason

I'm still in between what to do . The wife thinks i'm crazy for trying it ou t with only two weeks to go. Just getting my bike last month. I'm going to call some shops today to find some local bike clubs to start with. Then I can see howe much work lies ahead.

I too am entering my first racing season (Cat 5) and I am very excited. First race in 3 weeks. I have been riding about 15-18 hours a week for the past month and a half (base miles). I have been riding with a cat 1 and am learning alot. I entered my first race late last year...I had been riding about 30 miles a day 5-6 days a week and felt like I was in great shape. I seriously thought I had a chance to win my race. Boy did I guess wrong. I was dropped within 4 mins. It was a great learning experience for me. I have since joined a club and have been learning from experienced riders. My advice, enter the race. It will be a quick lesson on how much you need to train if you want to race.

Avs33 said:

I'm still in between what to do . The wife thinks i'm crazy for trying it ou t with only two weeks to go. Just getting my bike last month. I'm going to call some shops today to find some local bike clubs to start with. Then I can see howe much work lies ahead.

I would also encourage you to race. Why not? It should be fun regardless. Who cares if you get dropped? I am not a racer either, so I don't speak from experience. Here is the dilemna (sp?) it appears that you are facing: You enjoy cycling and enjoy being fit and want to spend time with others "celebrating" that attitude. With sports like running, this attitude is all you need to enter road races, because the vast majority of people in the 5Ks or 10Ks or whatever simply run to celebrate their fitness and finish. Some people are there to be super competitive, but it's okay because everyone can coexist and have fun. You need to find the middle ground in cycling where you can have fun while at your current level. Unfortunately, most cycling races are nothing like running races in this regard. There is not much middle ground (if any). I suggest you do a couple things which may provide you with the satisfaction it seems you might want (this describes me as well).
1. Ride with a local club. Good comaraderie, still potential for as much "competitive spirit" as you feel like. Excellent fitness opportunities.
2. Look for charity rides. People do these just to finish and celebrate fitness (and raise money). Competition not important.
3. Train for a century or similar event. These often are full of people who just want to finish and celebrate their fitness.

Of course I could be wrong and you really want to be a hard core racer. If so, kindly ignore all my advice.🙂 It's definitely a different level of committment. I spend quite a bit of time on my bike and am still perfectly happy not racing hard core.

sgort2000 said:

I too am entering my first racing season (Cat 5) and I am very excited. First race in 3 weeks. I have been riding about 15-18 hours a week for the past month and a half (base miles). I have been riding with a cat 1 and am learning alot. I entered my first race late last year...I had been riding about 30 miles a day 5-6 days a week and felt like I was in great shape. I seriously thought I had a chance to win my race. Boy did I guess wrong. I was dropped within 4 mins. It was a great learning experience for me. I have since joined a club and have been learning from experienced riders. My advice, enter the race. It will be a quick lesson on how much you need to train if you want to race.

15-18 HR/Week? I wish I had that kind of time... Good for you though. I also am a Cat 5, but currently, I ride around 10 HR/Week and feel like I need 29 hours a day (school, internship:tax season is almost over thanks god, clubs, social life and training). Good luck this season. You ought to do well if you put that many quality hours.

Back to the topic. You ride 30 miles a week and want to race? I don't think it's gonna be worth it. If you were lucky and the pack decided to go slow, you will last until someone breaks away: since there is no strategy in Cat 5 race, the pack will immediately go on a chase; then you will be dropped. But more than likely you will get blown away since it's only 30 mile race.

If you want to feel what the 'suffering' is, be my guest and do it. It's going to be a good lesson. If you don't want to waste driving time, gas money and entry fee, just go to the fast local rides and see what it's like.

Best Wishes,

Soo-re

sooray02 said:

15-18 HR/Week? I wish I had that kind of time... Good for you though. I also am a Cat 5, but currently, I ride around 10 HR/Week and feel like I need 29 hours a day (school, internship:tax season is almost over thanks god, clubs, social life and training). Good luck this season. You ought to do well if you put that many quality hours.

Soo-re

I stay at home with my 2 year old son full time, so I usually do an hour on the trainer in the morning (while watching Thomas the train) and after my wife gets home I go out for an hour or two. On the weekends I ride with my club and I usually get 8-12 hrs. My wife is also supportive (for now) so I guess i am pretty lucky.

sooray02 said:

15-18 HR/Week? I wish I had that kind of time... Good for you though. I also am a Cat 5, but currently, I ride around 10 HR/Week and feel like I need 29 hours a day (school, internship:tax season is almost over thanks god, clubs, social life and training). Good luck this season. You ought to do well if you put that many quality hours.

Back to the topic. You ride 30 miles a week and want to race? I don't think it's gonna be worth it. If you were lucky and the pack decided to go slow, you will last until someone breaks away: since there is no strategy in Cat 5 race, the pack will immediately go on a chase; then you will be dropped. But more than likely you will get blown away since it's only 30 mile race.

If you want to feel what the 'suffering' is, be my guest and do it. It's going to be a good lesson. If you don't want to waste driving time, gas money and entry fee, just go to the fast local rides and see what it's like.

Best Wishes,

Soo-re

Maybe I wasn't clear on my miles. Ride to work 3 days a week. 10miles round trip, I can usally make it in about 10-15 mins One way. Long ride on the week-end At least 1hr last week-end traing ride 16.66 miles with a 20+mph head wind going out and I made it home in 1hr 3 mins. If my math is correct that is around 46.66 miles per week. Now what cha think?:p Oh yea where did this cat 5 stuff come from? The race director i e-mailed said the senior 5 class was for beginners and persons who do less than 10 mass starting events a year. So what's up. I'm starting to get a little miffed about all this. I'm feeling now I have to do this to prove somthing. To who I don't know but I think I could hold my own, if not so be it I would be so [censored] if I didn't do it and a had half a chance. I just want to finish in the group, besides this senior 5 class dosen't even pay$$$$ if you win or place for that matter.

man i'm trying to be supportive but 46 miles a week ain't sh$t,esp. nothing to brag about.If you want to race,just do it!

I did my first race last year. Finished in the middle of the pack. Had the time of my life. My race was a dual because I am a runner also. My bike times were in the top 30 out of 200 but my run times sucked. Found out what I needed to work on didn't I. I want to do some more duals and also some bike only races this year. Training even harder this year and planning on doing about six races. I also do some charity rides for fun. Your mileage is low as far as trainig is all that people are saying to be truthfull. But hey who cares, race and see what happens. If you finish good then great, with a little more mileage and more training with purpose (base work, speed work) you could maybe place. If your race goes like [censored] then you know exactly what you need to work on. Race it, see how it goes and have fun. Don't get discouraged by the responses or your race results. Race because you what to, not because somebody tells you to or to prove to something to somebody. Do it !!!
Good luck!!!

Avs33 said:

Maybe I wasn't clear on my miles. Ride to work 3 days a week. 10miles round trip, I can usally make it in about 10-15 mins One way. Long ride on the week-end At least 1hr last week-end traing ride 16.66 miles with a 20+mph head wind going out and I made it home in 1hr 3 mins. If my math is correct that is around 46.66 miles per week. Now what cha think?:p Oh yea where did this cat 5 stuff come from? The race director i e-mailed said the senior 5 class was for beginners and persons who do less than 10 mass starting events a year. So what's up. I'm starting to get a little miffed about all this. I'm feeling now I have to do this to prove somthing. To who I don't know but I think I could hold my own, if not so be it I would be so [censored] if I didn't do it and a had half a chance. I just want to finish in the group, besides this senior 5 class dosen't even pay$$$$ if you win or place for that matter.

Avs33 said:

Maybe I wasn't clear on my miles. Ride to work 3 days a week. 10miles round trip, I can usally make it in about 10-15 mins One way. Long ride on the week-end At least 1hr last week-end traing ride 16.66 miles with a 20+mph head wind going out and I made it home in 1hr 3 mins. If my math is correct that is around 46.66 miles per week. Now what cha think?:p Oh yea where did this cat 5 stuff come from? The race director i e-mailed said the senior 5 class was for beginners and persons who do less than 10 mass starting events a year. So what's up. I'm starting to get a little miffed about all this. I'm feeling now I have to do this to prove somthing. To who I don't know but I think I could hold my own, if not so be it I would be so [censored] if I didn't do it and a had half a chance. I just want to finish in the group, besides this senior 5 class dosen't even pay$$$$ if you win or place for that matter.

You ARE a cat 5. That is the category where everyone starts. Once you complete 10 races you *may* upgrade to 4.
I think its a good idea you do this race. However, be prepared to get shelled very quickly. If you think that riding 46.666666 miles a week at 16.66mph is preparing you racing, you are going to be in for a big suprise. Bike racing is very hard.

I still don't think you understand what racing fitness is. It is NOT the ability to ride at an average speed of 1x.xxmph. Average speed means nothing, especialling during training. I average about 16-17mph on most of my training rides, and I am able to place in the upper end of 1/2/3 races.
If you want to be able to hang in the race, just to finish with the field, even in cat 5, you NEED to be able to withstand constant surges, extremely hard efforts, sprints(out of corners), and you must also be comfortable riding closely with others and drafting.

And what is the deal with you complaining about the lack of prize money in A CAT 5 RACE??!! are you kidding me? you sound ridiculous. cat 5 is all about getting experience not making some dough. besides, racing is about racing, not prize money.

I highly recomend you do this race. You will learn a lot, as would be expected for anyone who hasn't raced before. have fun too

Avs33 said:

Maybe I wasn't clear on my miles. Ride to work 3 days a week. 10miles round trip, I can usally make it in about 10-15 mins One way. Long ride on the week-end At least 1hr last week-end traing ride 16.66 miles with a 20+mph head wind going out and I made it home in 1hr 3 mins. If my math is correct that is around 46.66 miles per week. Now what cha think?:p Oh yea where did this cat 5 stuff come from? The race director i e-mailed said the senior 5 class was for beginners and persons who do less than 10 mass starting events a year. So what's up. I'm starting to get a little miffed about all this. I'm feeling now I have to do this to prove somthing. To who I don't know but I think I could hold my own, if not so be it I would be so [censored] if I didn't do it and a had half a chance. I just want to finish in the group, besides this senior 5 class dosen't even pay$$$$ if you win or place for that matter.

Yeah, I get ya. I respect your decision and good luck with it. It was only my advice and if you'd like to race, I support that.

I would do a hardwork out on Tuesday and try to recover or maybe add an aerobic workout on Wed. or Thursday: assuming the race is on Sat. However, try to feel fresh by the race day. Drink a plenty, eat right, sleep right.

At the race, you might want to add an interval to kick your recovery system on. Just riding around the parking lot is not gonna help much. Watch what you are eating that morning. Drinking too much could cause you a problem.

Sit on somebody's wheel and try to learn as much as possible.

Let me know how you did!

Best luck,

Soo-re