Frist Road Race Ever!!

[Wahine]

Well, I've committed to my first ever road race, (non-TT format). It's 39 miles... that's not an issue for me as I've been riding a long time. Racing is not new to me, I've been racing triathlon for years. But road racing is a whole different animal.

Words of advice and encouragement appreciated.

Right now I feel like I might puke from nerves. Funny that, seeing as I've been racing Tri for 13 years. This has got me totally nervous.

[NbyNW]

Very cool! You've mentioned that you were working at improving your cycling times in tri, so maybe this helps further that goal.

I bet you'll wonder afterwards what you were so worried about.

When is the big day? How did you choose the particular race you've entered? Will we be able to follow the race online?

[salsabike]

And where is it?

You are so determined. I bet you'll do great.

[crazycanuck]

Wahine, you're just one amazing Yoda

I'm sure you'll do amazingly well at the race!!!

RoadRaven might have some ideas...

[OakLeaf]

How fun! When is it? Good luck!!

Don't be shy about sucking wheel!

[redrhodie]

Stay up front! Can you tell I don't race?

[SheFly]

Congrats on taking the plunge!

Remember that road racing will be significantly different from what you are used to in Tris and TTs. There is a lot of strategy involved, and drafting is your best friend. My first year of racing, I didn't understand that concept - would pull the entire pack around for the whole race, and then wonder why I got beaten at the end. Don't be me

Some words of advice - be steady and hold your line in the race. Don't make any sudden moves. Remember that you can have incidental contact without going down - protect your space on the road - elbows out ! If you are on/near the front, do not take a drink, and do not stop pedalling - keep your pedals turning, even if you aren't putting any pressure on them. You need to remember that everyone behind you is actually going faster than you are.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Can't wait to hear more about your "first time"

SheFly

p.s.
You do know about no clip-ons or anything, right? Your bike has to be a standard drop bar road bike. Also, no sleeveless jerseys, and you can't have a seat bag or frame-mounted pump...

[Eden]

One of the biggest differences that, I think, people from the tri world are often unprepared for is that a road race tends to surge and ebb. Tri racers tend to be used to a steady effort and they are often swinging between frustrated because the pace is too low and hanging on to the back when the pace suddenly becomes very high... Be mentally prepared for that and you'll have won 1/2 the battle.

Warming up isn't a very common practice for tri -folks? (but then you've done TT's and probably know this..) For road racing, especially when the race is short, it is essential. Bring a trainer if you have one or warm up on the road. If you aren't ready to put out max effort right away you can be dropped needlessly - so get in at least about 20 min of warm up and make sure that you put a couple of hard efforts in there (get the legs burning!)

That's about all I can think to add to She Fly's very good advice - oh and watch your cornering - you won't be alone through the corners, so be aware of where everyone else is around you, unless you are first through the corner follow the line(s) of the people in front of you and never dive for the inside of a corner to try to move up (you will probably be cutting off someone taking a good line through the corner if you try this, you could cause a crash and you definitely won't win yourself any friends in the peleton).

Good luck!

[aicabsolut]

If you are on/near the front, do not take a drink,

I disagree with this. In women's races, it is best to be near the front. It saves your hands from a lot of braking, and it gets you away from some sketchiness. If you can keep on pedaling while you drink, then do it. When I'm ON the front, I will do all sorts of things...grab a snack, swap bottles. If I have to stop pedaling for a couple revolutions to get at the seat tube bottle, for example, I still try to keep things steady. I'll move a little to the side or I'll glance around to see what others are doing. When I'm in the pack, I am less likely to be moving my hands around unless I KNOW the wheel I'm on well. BTW, it is good practice to be able to ride around with a bottle/food wrapper hanging from your teeth in case a surge or big slowdown happens when you are unprepared. Always get your hands back on the brakes/shifters (you should have one there anyway) before messing with putting your stuff away.

This may seem obvious, and I'm sorry if I'm lecturing, but a girl last weekend took down half my field (luckily, I was in front of the wreck), because she tried putting her bottle away before hitting the brakes when a big slowdown occurred. She overlapped wheels, the girl in front of her had to do some evasive maneuvering after tapping the wheel in front of her, so bam! Out went the front wheel. She did not have both hands on the bars (nor either one at the hoods).

[DDH]

Best wishes and luck coming to you from me. I bet you will do great!!!

[gingerale]

Congratulations on committing to it and the best of luck!! I have no words of advice since I've never done anything like this. But I just wanted you to know I'm so impressed and I can't wait to hear your race story.

[Wahine]

Thanks to everyone for your responses!!

Jocelyn - that's wy I'm tryign road racing, to get some different types of riding in to improve my bike splits on triathlons.

Salsa - The race is just east of Salem OR.

Shefly, Eden and aicabsolut - I really appreciate the pointers you've given. Lots of good stuff here. Some of it I knew and some of it totally new to me. The ebb and surge is why I'm doing this, I think it'll shock my system in a different way that'll help with my overall speed and power for triathlon. I've been practicing pacelines and riding in some bigger groups but I'm still nervous about the pack thing and I'm thankful for all your input.

As for doing great. Thanks for the vote of confidence ladies, but really the point of this race is some good training. I plan on sucking a lot of wheel and letting the people around me determine my pace. My goal is to stay in the group and hopefully finish with the group. Oh, and not crash!!

[alpinerabbit]

Oh, and not crash!!

Yeah, that. Reason why I don't even think about it.

[Andrea]

If the pace feels really slow, attack like heck.







Ok... maybe not in your first race, unless you're just feeling saucy.

[ASammy1]

Go Wahine, go! I have nothing to add that the wonderful peeps of TE haven't already mentioned. I just want you to know that we are rooting for you.