Quote Originally Posted by liza View Post
I'd like to try a few races this summer. How fast do I need to be to survive/not come in last, at the beginning level? (I don't need to place but I don't want to be last). Cruising speed on a 35+mile ride is 18-22 mph, the fastest I've ever hit and maintained for any distance on the flats (with no hill assistance) is 27 (this wasn't for more than half a mile or so though and I was definitely working anaerobically). My cornering skills are not good at all. I'm trying to improve my shifting, i.e, actually using the big chainring, and generally doing a better job shifting during climbs.

Thanks for your advice...
Until I started racing I didn't understand how difficult a question this really is. Racing in a pack isn't like going out and just going as hard as you can at a steady rate. It's often not so much the speed that gets people dropped from pack races, but the surge and slow nature and being a good strong TT'er won't necessarily mean you can stick with the pack. Also, remember the speed you can do alone will be less than you can maintain in the pack if you ride smart so if some do post what sound like fast speeds its not impossible. In any case almost everyone who tries gets dropped their first time/ first few times out just because it can be nerve wracking to ride with so many other people.

I would suggest if you haven't, that you get in some group riding in before trying racing. You really want to know how to react and the things that you should not do before you get into a situation that is potentially dangerous. If you don't know how to paceline, what half-wheeling is, how to feather your brakes or stand on a climb without shoving your bike backwards you likely need more time on the road before mixing it up in a pack. If you want to do TT's there are few limitations or special training needed.

And keep working on using that big ring - I rarely am out of mine for most races, unless it is for a sustained, moderate climb.

I've actually written a ton here about beginning racing and I love to encourage people to give it a try, though I do stress safety.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=start+racing

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=start+racing

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=start+racing