New here & new to racing - tips, please!

[Jiffer]

What is the distance of the road stages? That could make a big difference, because the shorter the ride, the more likely riders will stick together, which changes the dynamic of the ride.

I have only done three road races and I was pretty much scared out of my mind at all three! I SUCK at hills, so I lost the group every time as soon as the first real hill came. If you are decent on the hills, you will have a much better possibility of hanging with the group.

Whoever is in the front of the pack will set the pace, unless someone passes and changes it.

The races I did were in the 25-30 mile range. Starting out, all riders were pretty much together, like I said, until the first hill. The pace was never too hard. Just cause you're racing, it doesn't mean everyone rides at interval speed the whole time. OUCH! However, on one of the races, it appeared the front riders were doing something my husband had warned me about. They'd take off and go super fast and the whole group would speed up, then they'd slow down. And then do it again. From what I understand the main reason they do this is tire people out so that they will eventually be dropped.

One thing that was REALLY weird to me on my first race was being surrounded by like 20 women and NO ONE WAS TALKING!!!! Having done a lot of group rides, I was just used to a lot of chatter, but this was no joy ride, this was a race.

I did wonder if, in a race, people would bother to call out things in the road like glass. I found out they do. In general, my three race experiences were good as far as the sportsmanship and friendliness of other riders.

The ride will likely get split into groups. I ended up with one other rider during the last 10+ miles of my first race. We took turns drafting each other in the strong headwind. When it got close to the end and I was pulling, I decided to up my pace and see if she'd hang on. She did. DARN! I knew we'd eventually sprint it out to the finish line, but I wasn't going to be the one to stand first. I knew I only had so much in me to sprint, but the second she stood to sprint I did as well and we were neck and neck to the line. It was actually pretty exciting (even though the leaders had already come in a long time before). I didn't really know who crossed the line first until I saw the results because it was that close.

On another race, I found myself riding alone for a good portion once that big hill came. I had passed a gal barfing on the side of the road and knew one rider was dropped before the climb, so I knew I was ahead of at least two. Then I passed one more on the climb. My big goal for the rest of the ride was to stay ahead of her. I am great on the descents and did my best to get as much distance between her and I as possible. Then I was basically alone for 15 miles on windy roads with rollers. It was hard gauging how hard I had to ride to stay ahead of her. Every time I looked I didn't see her, but tried to keep my pace up just in case.

Well, about a mile from the end that woman went and PASSED me! UGHHHH!!!! I was so frustrated. We took turns pulling to the end and she actually "asked" me, "You wanna sprint it out to the end?" I was shocked she actually asked and I didn't really answer. The next thing I know she's standing and sprinting. I took off after her, but she was a far better sprinter.

Later she told me I was her carrot. She had spent the whole time since I passed her trying to catch up. Well . . . at least I was someone else's inspiration.

My big goal with every race was to NOT come in last! I sustained that goal with the first two races, but sadly not so much with the third. (Unless you count the 2 DNF's as coming in behind me).

So there are a couple of my race experiences. I decided after the third that there wasn't really a lot of point to me racing until I was stronger on hills. And then I was set to start trying some time trials the following season, which would probably suit me much better, when my health forced me off the bike.

I agree you need to do some group rides to get used to riding with other people. Practice drafting behind people you feel you can trust. Experienced people who ride steady and are used to pulling and drafting. In my club I have come to learn who I like to draft and a couple of people I tend to avoid drafting. I know triathletes aren't allowed to draft, so this may take some getting used to. But if you do draft, it can make a big difference in giving you more energy and stamina to finish the distance. If you pull, try to only pull for short distances (whatever seems reasonable that everyone else is doing). Don't feel like you have to pull for long periods, though, even if others do. And don't keep pulling just because you "feel okay doing it". You are expending more energy than you realize.

Be aware of people who are drafting behind you and don't slow down suddenly without warning, or swerve or do anything that might cause them to bump your wheel.

When starting out in those three races, I quickly learned I hated being blocked into the middle of the group. I made my way to the outside of the group and tried to stay there. However, if there is a "do not touch the line" rule, you have to be careful about that. Sometimes you can touch the middle line and get away with it, but if there are officials watching in a car behind you, they can disqualify you for it.

Good luck!