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!