Racing Tactics?

[WindingRoad]

So here's the story. I was racing a couple of weekends ago and there was a big wreck immediately in front of me. About 15 bikes went down, I'm literally doing bunny hops sideways on my bike to avoid arms. This wasn't even half way through the first lap. I see the front group take off and I'm eeking up this hill after losing all momentum. I'm trying to catch the front group and the wind decided otherwise. So the group behind me apparently falls into oblivion or something and I keep thinking they will catch up to me. Well they don't aside from a few riders. One much stronger than me and she continued on to catch the front group and another caught me and was completely spent at that point. So here I am 4 more laps to go and stuck between groups in the wind of death. I was alone until the last lap at which point I'm really low on energy. By the time people found me I had lost all my scrap. I finished with this group but had nothing to duke out a good finish.

My question is what is the best approach when the field gets broken up like this? Should I have just fallen back to the other group in the beginning or what? I was lost as for what to do being as I could see the front group pulling away from us after the wreck. I'm racing again this weekend and would like to figure out a better approach in case something like this happens again.

[Eden]

As a beginner I'd say just keep it up and chase - that will make you stronger. Going back to the slower group doesn't have many advantages, besides practice riding in a group. Sure you'll have companionship and maybe get a bit of sprint practice in at the finish, but overall you'll be serving yourself better by putting up a good chase.

I'd say only fall back if there's only a few people up the road, so you stand a chance of placing and you really think you won't stay away from the chasing group and you think you can out sprint the people in that group or if you are dangling just off of the front of the chasers. Otherwise stay out there and work as hard as you can for as long as you can - then one day you will find that you can bridge up to that fast group, while the people who are always conserving energy and sprinting for 12th place will still be back with the slow group.

[WindingRoad]

Thank you for your advice:
So at least if I put it on the line I've made my best effort and eventually I will get strong enough to bridge this gap. I'm glad to know I didn't made a huge mistake in not falling back. Honestly it's hard for me not to chase a group when they take off. Being behind this wreck was gut wrenching because I really wanted to catch them but was stuck on this stupid hill in large gear avoiding body parts and bikes.

On a random note:
I wonder if you or anyone else who races notices that while in normal everyday life they are relatively laid back and passive (me) but when it comes to racing a primal part comes out? It's a strange dynamic and I only notice the competitive part of me lashing out while racing. It kinda freaks me out though because I find myself planning, devising and tactically assessing people in the race. That is so NOT my personality. Is this normal or am I just going into some kind of adrenaline buzz. It's basically once the race starts and is in full swing I have a personality change. What's really odd is at the beginning before we take off I feel fearful (worry about wrecks and stuff like that) but once its off its almost like I'm mad or something?!?! I don't know what the deal is? Just something I've been noticing about myself as a new racer.

[Skierchickie]

I think that just means you are taking your racing seriously. And it's an appropriate outlet for your "inner competitor", as long as you don't become cut-throat. Some people have that competitive drive, and some people don't. As one of those pre-race stressing, kick myself afterward if I don't leave it all out there types (NOT to be interpreted as "good" or "fast" or anything like that), I approve.

Not sure about the anger part, though. If it is really just a strong drive to get out there and push, that's great. If it's actual anger, not so much. I encountered a guy in a ski race one time who wouldn't let anybody pass him (the trail was too narrow), even though there were several of us trying. Every time somebody would get out there and start hammering to pass him, he'd speed up and not squeeze over (which is proper etiquette) to make room. He was being a huge jerk - he said something like "as long as I'm in front, I'm ahead". Went on for quite a while before we all got around him. After the race, he apologized to somebody, saying "I don't know what gets into me". HE should not be racing. HE could not handle competition in a healthy way.

Have fun!

[Jiffer]

I haven't raced yet, but I "think" I'm going to attempt my first road race next month if I don't talk myself out of it. I have heard that some people can get nasty when they race. I'd say as long as you keep track of your "nasty", (don't be a jerk to other racers), and ride safely ... let the competitive nature drive you to do well.

Good luck at your next race!

[WindingRoad]

So I raced this weekend and I made sure I wasn't a jerk or anything. Things went pretty well I feel I'm making progress. As of this race I decided I need to emphasize training on hills. The race was about a 5 mile loop with one steep climb. I kept falling behind on the climb but then I'd still catch the front group out on the flats. Unfortunately the finish was at the top of this evil hill so I didn't place all that great but oh well. This particular race was my first race last year and it was really a tough course for me. It didn't seem quite so bad this year and I felt like I was able to work some of the other riders more. Will keep working at it.

[SheFly]

On hilly courses where you know you can catch the group on the flats, the best tactic is to be at the front of the group going into the hill, so that you can slide a little bit backwards on the climb, and not have to chase as much once over the top. I employ this strategy A LOT (I'm not a climber, nor have I ever played one on TV). When the finish is on the top of the hill, same strategy coming in - be at the front, and then you just need to try and push yourself through the final uphill pain.

As for the competitiveness - happens to me too. I don't get angry, but I am VERY competetive when on the bike. I can push myself to places in a race that I can't in a training ride. I look at this as a good thing.

And to your original question - I agree with Eden on this one, given the distances between the groups. If the group behind had been closer, I would have advised waiting so that you could work together. It sounds, however, that the groups were far enough apart that you did the right thing in just hanging on to chase. This, for me, is not always a bad thing as I have some good TT skills, and will chase as if my life depended on it. If there are parts of the course where you know the pack will slow to recover, when you are on your own, use those places to be really agressive - this should help you to bridge some time on each lap.

Congrats on getting out there! Sounds like you are doing well.

SheFly

[Andrea]

Thank you for your advice:
So at least if I put it on the line I've made my best effort and eventually I will get strong enough to bridge this gap. I'm glad to know I didn't made a huge mistake in not falling back. Honestly it's hard for me not to chase a group when they take off. Being behind this wreck was gut wrenching because I really wanted to catch them but was stuck on this stupid hill in large gear avoiding body parts and bikes.

On a random note:
I wonder if you or anyone else who races notices that while in normal everyday life they are relatively laid back and passive (me) but when it comes to racing a primal part comes out? It's a strange dynamic and I only notice the competitive part of me lashing out while racing. It kinda freaks me out though because I find myself planning, devising and tactically assessing people in the race. That is so NOT my personality. Is this normal or am I just going into some kind of adrenaline buzz. It's basically once the race starts and is in full swing I have a personality change. What's really odd is at the beginning before we take off I feel fearful (worry about wrecks and stuff like that) but once its off its almost like I'm mad or something?!?! I don't know what the deal is? Just something I've been noticing about myself as a new racer.

Good instinct

Keep at it & you'll get them soon enough.

Side note about waiting for a group: if you're confident that you can out-sprint everyone in the group, then, by all means, wait for them. If you have your doubts, then put your head down & stay in no-man's land between groups- either you'll catch the front group and go from there, you'll finish on your own and hold your spot in the placings, or you'll get caught anyway.

[RoadRaven]

Just endorsing what Eden and shefly have said.
They've said it clearly, well and it's sound...

...and thats all I have to say about that