Frist Road Race Ever!!

[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.

[Red Rock]

I just wanted to say congrats! May you have a great experience. As well as fun going as fast as you can.

Red Rock

[smilingcat]

Everything all the racers have said some are bit contradictory playing around with water bottle upfront...

One thing others forgot to mention. Braking, don't clamp down hard cause someone is always going to be riding on your wheel. If you do have to brake, feather the brakes and go easy.

On the tight turns lean your bike, put pressure on inside hand and press down on outside foot. And try not to lean too much of your body into the turns. Expect someone to jump coming out of a turn. Expect someone to jump on a climb or at the top of the climb.

Oh stay in your drops unless you want to lock up your handle bar with someone else and crash.

tuck behind a big strong rider and make your ride easier.

If you get a flat, sit-up, don't slam on your brakes. slow down gently and let everyone pass you.

Go to a pre-race meeting and make sure you understand the rules. Especially true with crits. check in, staging area, start area, free lap? any preems etc. It may seem like a lot to remember but it really isn't.

Lastly are you attached?

And most importantly have lots of fun.