Race with or without a team?

[BalaRoja]

Thanks aicabsolut & Eden for your enlightening comments on cycling teams.

Mentoring and getting advice from people would be excellent. It would seem that more experienced riders can be a great source of knowledge and insight into so many things, be it tactics, training, or intangibles in racing.

I can understand the issue of trust perhaps with an independent or unattached rider - presumably other rides simply don't know you or your skills or competence in getting around a race course.

While I've hardly been in the situation personally, from what I've seen in some parts of the country - there are surely events with few women and that alludes to aicabsolut's point about the lack of teammates or participants.

Regarding commitment - would you be expected to compete in a certain number of races, after joining a team?

[Eden]

While I've hardly been in the situation personally, from what I've seen in some parts of the country - there are surely events with few women and that alludes to aicabsolut's point about the lack of teammates or participants.

Regarding commitment - would you be expected to compete in a certain number of races, after joining a team?

Around here we certainly are not suffering from a lack of participation - we are getting to the point where, at least early in the season, we are filling cat 4 fields and have separate cat 3 fields in a good many races. I'm on an all women's team so having teammates around is certainly not an issue for me. We have about 80 members, the majority are 4's, there are a handful of us 3's and a pretty good 1,2 team

As far as commitment goes - it totally depends on the team. Some teams are more strict than others. Some require a commitment to race, some require participation in team rides, others have no formal requirements at all.

[aicabsolut]

Yeah, it can be all over the place in terms of commitment, but frequently, they want you to pay some membership dues, show up to something (races, group rides, team social events), and volunteer at races they host.

Ask around at your LBS or if you know any racers to see what your options are. Then, sometime this fall, go on a group ride with several teams. See who you get along with and if you like their group dynamic. Tell them that you are thinking of racing and want to get to know the team. Ask them about the size of the women's team (for a mixed group) and what they are about (what categories, and do the women actually show up to races?).

That, plus location of their training rides, will help you figure out who you mesh with. You want to have a good experience your first year racing, but don't feel pressured to find your team for life. When you get some more experience and get to know more people in your racing community, you may want to change teams the next year, and that's ok.

[smilingcat]

+1 with aicabus and Eden,

Go on a club ride and see how it feels. See where you are in your conditioning... Lot of clubs require you to volunteer at the races and other events. Like sign-up... if you don't mind the extra hours you may have to commit, being attached may be for you.

Being unattached and new to the "scene" you might be viewed as a leper.

Ride in a group and train with the boys. You'll learn about bike handling in a pack even on a weekend training ride or mid week evening training ride. You need to learn to "jump" coming out of the corners... so its bit more than just riding hard and fast.

Lastly don't lose the sight of fun even in racing.

enjoy and lots of luck. Remember only one person gets to win

[BalaRoja]

Thanks Ladies for the informative responses.

I think I'll surely want to spend some time talking to different people, checking out various groups, and getting a sense of where I might fit in best.

The women's fields here seem to be varied - some events have huge contingents while others are fairly sparse based on what I've seen.

[aicabsolut]

Where do you live (you don't have to be specific...state or region can help). Some people on here might be familiar with the teams in your area to at least give you some names to look for.

[BalaRoja]

Where do you live (you don't have to be specific...state or region can help). Some people on here might be familiar with the teams in your area to at least give you some names to look for.

I am in the san francisco bay area. If anyone knows of teams here or has personal experience with them, then I'd appreciate your comments