New here & new to racing - tips, please!

[jessicamarie]

Hi ladies!

I got on a bike for the first time in 10 years last December after a torn ankle ligament (klutz!) forced me to hang up my running shoes for a few months. I fell in love! There are still situations where my lack of experience and great handling skills make me scared out of my mind, but I am really enjoying it.

My boyfriend got me into triathlons this spring, but I'm toying with the idea of a cycling race in a few months with two road race stages and a TT stage. The TT doesn't scare me - we do those in training - but the only groups I've ridden in have been small and casual.

Do you have any tips for a first race? Any handling skills I should be sure to work on beforehand? What should I expect?

Thanks!

[ehirsch83]

Jessica,

You are in Tampa- which race are you looking at?( Ocala stage race I assume from what you described).

I would advise going out on some group rides in your area- like San An. They will give you a feel of what the race will feel like. Especially since the 1st day of Ocala is hilly and San Ann is in the hills and will give you the race speed and group feeling.


the faster A group rides will get you ready for what racing feels like

[jessicamarie]

You are right, I am thinking about Ocala. I've been up to San An a few times by myself, but I am looking into the group rides now! Thanks for the direction!

[ehirsch83]

And actually both days of Ocala are hilly- I forgot that they 2nd day is now in the same location as the first!

[Cynedra]

Just be careful riding in San Ann because some of the cyclists give the rest of the cyclists a bad name. That being said, a lot of the drivers give the rest of the drivers a bad name there too.

[ehirsch83]

You could do Gaither also. Not sure what other group rides are over there. Just so you get the feeling of being with a group at higher speeds and turns,etc.