Road racing - need tips from a woman's perspective

[bluerider]

Hey there Blue (been meaning to say, excellent avatar!)

36/38km/hour is what the top women in my age cat average (39-45yrs) in a Time Trial

In a road race, of course, you might get a higher average because of the benefits of the pelaton.

Rolling terrain, specifically downhills can increase your speed of course... my fave downhill for speed is steep and straight - only about 200 metres but with some 500 metres stretching in front so you can slow down before the next corner... I have got over 60km/hour going down there... but mostly my downhills are windy and I keep myself to 35/40...

I can ride on the flat at about 40km, but not for very long. I have excellent power output but not much endurance... endurance is what I am working on.

Like you, Blue, I don't want to embarrass myself... or more importantly, don't want to embarrass my partner and our boys at the club... so have yet to do my my first club race... I think I'm almost ready... this summer I hope...

Thanks RoadRaven. The avatar was borrowed from a design from the Project One site at Trek. It's a design you can pick to customize your bike's paint job. If only I had the dinero for such finery...*sigh*

The times you post for flats is amazing. I can do that if I have a nice tailwind on my back...and it's downhill...LOL!

With your times, why don't you give it a go? I will if you will! My goal is to do one race this coming summer.

I agree, I think shame has deterred me from entering into races so far as well. The ladies who race locally here are amazing and to be in the same field as them would be a seriously humbling experience. But the thing is, I know that I'll probably finish last but just want the opportunity to finish!