Specific Race Questions...

[Eden]

Yeah - no feeds for 4's, generally the races aren't long enough, though sometimes if you do a combined field race and all the cats are doing the same course the 4's have the same access to feeds *BUT* unless you actually have someone in the feed zone specifically for you all you usually get is water and that is if there is a neutral feed at all....

Indeed Oregon does have a velodrome - Alpenrose and it is in Portland. There are also plans to build a new one. Seattle and Vancouver (Canada) also have velodromes. Vancouver's (Burnaby)is and indoor track and has racing year round. Seattle's (Marymoor) is a very long track. It was refurbished in the 90's to host the Goodwill games.

[BalaRoja]

A few things popped into mind...

1 - From my conversations with other rides, when unattached and participating in events - you have to wear a plain jersey (no artwork, no lettering, no words, no manufacturer names, etc). Is this generally true? Now please bear in mind that I wasn't thinking of showing up in a Team Tibco kit, , but it seems like you can't wear anything that even says Castelli or Team Estrogen or Primal or that has any kind of drawings or art, etc.

2 - Speaking of unattached, I've been told to expect a surcharge on my registration fee for every race. Has anyone actually experienced this? Ostensibly it is to encourage riders to participate in clubs. Personally though it seems a bit wrongheaded, as there are no clubs locally that I really want to be a part of - in NorCal sure, but not here. Yet you have to pay extra for not wanting to join clubs that aren't a good match for you anyway?

3 - What kind of tires do you all race with? For training - indoors/outdoors - I use what I like to think of as a 'tank' tire Kind of a heavy, thick thread, never flats it seems, and definitely has horrendous rolling resistance. I've thought of using some Michelin Pro 2/3 tires but am worried about flatting. I'm thinking there's a sort of tradeoff that you make: less rolling resistance but more likelihood of flats . Do you all race with the fastest tires and puncture resistance be darned? :-)

4 - If the field is small and they start the women 3/4's at the same time as the men 4 & 5's - is it bad form to try and draft the guys to get some extra speed if you can manage it? Basically they are going to run women 3/4's on the road race course at the exact same time as the male 4/5's. I'm sure the guys will be flying but if you can hang on to their draft.....well, is it OK?

5 - Have any of you tried wearing a skinsuit? I've got a TT as part of the stage race and the only tops I've got are the common, club-cut jersey's. A skinsuit should cut down on drag a bit and save you a little bit of time. If you've got one or worn one, can you suggest a good place to get one? I find plenty of 'tri' suits online but not many skinsuits.

[Eden]

Whew...

1. Generally race organizers are pretty lenient with beginners. Even if you showed up in a Tibco jersey they'd probably just warn you and let you ride (you'd just look like a total chopper ). I never see the girls do it, though I see the cat 5 boys do it all the time. At a stage race they might be a bit more stringent - especially if Tibco actually shows up.... Though technically the rules say plain jerseys only, if your jersey has a logo for the manufacturer on it or a picture no one will care - especially if its not a current team. [funny aside story..... once at a local race I saw a dude in a full on Health Net pro kit - I though to myself who's the poseur and how'd he get past registration - turned out it actually was Tyler Farrar]

2. Though they are allowed, I've never seen anyone actually do the unattached surcharge. I think this is allowed because teams pay USACycling a fee each year - that pays for stuff like the insurance that is provided to the race organizers and the riders. (did you know that at any USACycling sponsored race if you crash there is supplemental insurance that will pay the bills your own doesn't ? This is why you want the official to know and to take a report if you crash and are hurt). I don't know if the organizers get charged extra for unattached riders or not, but around here at least no one bothers with the extra $5 - I think they feel it would discourage participation and be a bookkeeping hassle.

3. Get race tires and don't worry about flats. You'll want the faster tires and there will be a wheel car. At small races, especially if there is a small field it might be "wheels in, wheels out" - which means that you need to provide your own wheels and you'll only get a change if you've provided one. At a stage race I've never seen anything but neutral support (which means you get a wheel no matter what) - though sometimes they do have a lottery and if you get picked you have to put wheels in or find someone who will put them in for you. If you have anything less usual (like 650 wheels or Campy gearing) you really should put in your own wheels - otherwise it will be highly unlikely there will be anything for you in the wheel car. In the event you get a flat and for any reason cannot get a change someone will bring you in - so you need not worry about being stranded anywhere.

4. If you are starting in the same field as the boys, they are fair game.... unless all the girls make a gentlewoman's agreement before hand then its game on.

5. I wouldn't worry too much about a skin suit for your first race. TT bars are the #1 thing to have - if you don't have clip on's or haven't practiced with them go for that first. #2 TT helmet. A cheap, well free, thing to do is leave your gloves off..... saves more time than having an aero wheelset..... You can get a skin suit with no labeling - I've seen them on the Northwave web site (yeah the guys who make shoes) and Tri items would be OK as long as they have sleeves - you can't go sleeveless at a road race. Of course any of these things are only going to save seconds, if that - maybe only 10ths..., on a short course and in the 4's at TTs strength tends to decide things more than any kind of aero equipment. It's no use worrying about shaving 10ths or 100ths of a second when you are behind or ahead by minutes....

[BalaRoja]

Whew...

1. Generally race organizers are pretty lenient with beginners. Even if you showed up in a Tibco jersey they'd probably just warn you and let you ride (you'd just look like a total chopper ). ........ [funny aside story..... once at a local race I saw a dude in a full on Health Net pro kit - I though to myself who's the poseur and how'd he get past registration - turned out it actually was Tyler Farrar]

LOL! That's a great story about Tyler. And yeah, I guess the boys do like their pro kits a bit more. I've seen many a Team Astana/Disco/USPS/KOM/Maillot Jaune jersey on group rides

2. Though they are allowed, I've never seen anyone actually do the unattached surcharge. I think this is allowed because teams pay USACycling a fee each year - that pays for stuff like the insurance that is provided to the race organizers and the riders. (did you know that at any USACycling sponsored race if you crash there is supplemental insurance that will pay the bills your own doesn't ? This is why you want the official to know and to take a report if you crash and are hurt). I don't know if the organizers get charged extra for unattached riders or not, but around here at least no one bothers with the extra $5 - I think they feel it would discourage participation and be a bookkeeping hassle.

I appreciate the details. It makes more sense now and gives me a better idea of why they 'would' (even if they don't obviously) charge a bit more. I'll think better of cycling promoters nationwide because of this tidbit :-)

3. Get race tires and don't worry about flats. You'll want the faster tires and there will be a wheel car. At small races, especially if there is a small field it might be "wheels in, wheels out" - which means that you need to provide your own wheels and you'll only get a change if you've provided one. At a stage race I've never seen anything but neutral support (which means you get a wheel no matter what) - though sometimes they do have a lottery and if you get picked you have to put wheels in or find someone who will put them in for you. If you have anything less usual (like 650 wheels or Campy gearing) you really should put in your own wheels - otherwise it will be highly unlikely there will be anything for you in the wheel car. In the event you get a flat and for any reason cannot get a change someone will bring you in - so you need not worry about being stranded anywhere.

Woah, I had no idea. I'm glad you mentioned that. This is going to be a smaller event I think - certainly compared to the likes of races you've talked about close in the washington. So it sounds like I ought to bring an extra wheel or two (one with & without a cassette). I'll see if I can confirm with the promoter and/or contact person for the event.

4. If you are starting in the same field as the boys, they are fair game.... unless all the girls make a gentlewoman's agreement before hand then its game on.

Ok, ok, that's interesting. I pretty much do group rides exclusively with men (there aren't any women's rides here whatsoever, so what choice do I have?) and find I can hang on pretty well if I can just stay near the front and draft in close. Nothing like going 23mph while doing 150 watts behind some 6'3" windbreaker!

5. I wouldn't worry too much about a skin suit for your first race. TT bars are the #1 thing to have - if you don't have clip on's or haven't practiced with them go for that first. #2 TT helmet. A cheap, well free, thing to do is leave your gloves off..... saves more time than having an aero wheelset..... You can get a skin suit with no labeling - I've seen them on the Northwave web site (yeah the guys who make shoes) and Tri items would be OK as long as they have sleeves - you can't go sleeveless at a road race. Of course any of these things are only going to save seconds, if that - maybe only 10ths..., on a short course and in the 4's at TTs strength tends to decide things more than any kind of aero equipment. It's no use worrying about shaving 10ths or 100ths of a second when you are behind or ahead by minutes....

I've got clip-ons and have been practicing on them several times per week. It truly does take time getting used to the position and you notice different muscle groups seem to get fatigued. I'll keep my eyes open for an affordable TT helmet as you suggested. Worst case, I may just put one of those helmet covers for cold weather that I got from TE, over my regular road helmet.

Thanks so much for all the tips Eden. Much appreciate it all

Thanks

[aicabsolut]

For your kit, you can always order something like this "unattached" kit: http://unattachedrider.com/skinny.htm Just having anything "race cut" will help you avoid that bib number sail situation you are worried about.

While you're a cat 4, the race promoters will not charge you an unattached fee. Same with men's cat 5. Maybe they can, but I've always seen an exception for these categories. Although the fee encourages club participation, I guess they want to create more of an incentive for new racers to show up.

I like my Michelin Pro3s. I kind of liked the old Pro2s better, because they were less susceptible to cuts, but they dry rotted faster. The handling is great. They are awesome in wet conditions. I use them all the time. I used to be able to buy them 1/2 price through the Team Michelin deal for collegiate racers, but that program is discontinued. One advantage to being on a club that is sponsored by a shop is that they have a "shop night" where you can stock up on things like good tires at a low price.

Another commonly used clincher that is good for training and racing are the Conti GP4000s.

[smilingcat]

now I'm really confused.

is it Crit or TT you are racing? I thought it was a crit... Then all of sudden, talk of skin suit, TT helmet...

I assume it is still a crit, drafting guys, wheel in/wheel out...

Have fun at the race!! It's about having fun right??

[aicabsolut]

The skinsuit question was related to a stage race that included a TT stage.