My first race!

[alison_in_oh]

I finally did it, entered and finished a race, and it was a blast.

It was the biggest women's field they've ever seen with 14 riders in all combined categories. The course was 5 laps of a 4 mile circuit with a rolling backstretch, several tightish turns, and at least one significant hill (see the elevation profile at http://pdqcleveland.org/CCRRprofile.gif).

I hung with the lead group for several laps, but after an attack on that hill pulled away I was left with a chase group that I proceeded to pull around the next lap, but again on the hill I got dropped -- I think I blew up at that point because I had NOTHING at the top, and the finish was almost immediately after the hill: I placed 8th, 19 seconds behind the rider ahead of me. There were 11 finishers, so I didn't place dead last.

For the curious (from the "what speed does well" thread), I averaged just under 18 mph over rolling to hilly terrain. The leaders weren't much ahead of me and I didn't feel outclassed on anything but the climbs -- and there I felt pretty average for the group. I average in the high-mid 16s on solo training rides of ~30 miles over similar terrain, I can cruise at ~22-23 for long periods on the flat and my top-end speed in a sprint is about 28.

I highly recommend that anyone who enjoys riding hard and fast try it out -- it wasn't nearly as intimidating as I'd feared, and dare I say it, I'm looking forward to my next race!

[CycleGiant3]

Congrats Alison for finishing and having the guts to do it. Did you enter solo? I have to admit i am a little nervous entering my first race by myself. I enter running races all the time, but for some reason, it seems like it would be very different to enter a road race. I am going to enter into a charity ride first to see how it feels to ride with a massive group of people. Again, great job!

[alison_in_oh]

Congrats Alison for finishing and having the guts to do it. Did you enter solo? I have to admit i am a little nervous entering my first race by myself. I enter running races all the time, but for some reason, it seems like it would be very different to enter a road race. I am going to enter into a charity ride first to see how it feels to ride with a massive group of people. Again, great job!

I was super-nervous, but fortunately I didn't have butterflies or anything by the time I got to the line!

I knew someone who was there, but she wasn't quite in race shape and stayed at the back of the pack (and dropped after 3 laps). So aside from a few pleasantries with her, yeah I was alone. However, I had a few friends in the various men's races going on simultaneously with mine or just after. So it was nice seeing friendly faces.

My bike handling wasn't as expert as I would have liked, but riding in group training rides recently has really honed my skills. If you don't do group rides, I recommend it; and if you do and can negotiate a paceline or other close-quarters situations, you'll probably be fine!

[BikeMomma]

All this talk of racing is making me want to get out there and race again. I might be ready by the end of this season. We'll see....

Sounds like you had a real blast! Good for you! When's the next one?

[KkAllez]

Way to ride! Great average, too.

[alison_in_oh]

Thanks, guys! I look back and can't believe I did it -- almost like NOW the butterflies are making their appearance!

Sounds like you had a real blast! Good for you! When's the next one?

Well, there's nothing local for a while. But DH mentioned something about going to Beaver, PA next weekend! And he informs me that I WILL be racing at the Raccoon Rally in late June! Eep!

[smurfalicious]

Yay! That first race feeling is pretty neato, even if it's not your most spectacular performance. I think road racing would be super cool, a whole lot easier than passing, and getting passed on singletrack. The lack of women does get depressing though, so good for you! Bring friends next time! Race number two for me will be in June, in Yreka, CA. Yay! You planning your next race yet?

love and cookies
-smurf

[CorsairMac]

Way to go Alison! sounds like you rode well and had a blast doing it! Good on you!!