Been riding in some decent, quick, packs and am going for my first race next weekend. It ain’t the Tour, but I want to do the best I can.
Given:
The course is 30 miles total, dead flat, three corners. Might be windy
The winning pack rides about 30 MPH (typical time over last three years)
Riding solo I can maintain about 22/24 MPH
As a club race I expect they will start out hard. My question to the Johan Bruyneel’s of the forums is:
1) Do I sprint with them, and try to hang on to the peloton, but risk a burn out?
2) Do I hope they fade and race my own pace?
3) Not even bother and ride with anyone off the back who is at my pace?
I know if I fall off the pace it will be really hard to simply catch up: I doubt I can solo ride 30+ for any period of time at all. With the wind-effect of the peloton, MAYBE. What do you think? Go hard and risk a flame out? Hang back and try to ride with someone else who has been dropped? Treat it like a TT and ride my fastest 1 hr pace?
The yellow jersey hangs in the balance, Gentlemen…