Considering first road race

i am interested in any info on this as well!

I'm not that experienced (still a cat 5), but I have been in a few road races and crits this year.  I'll offer a little advice.

Don't hang on in the back of the pack if you want to do well.  Especially if the course has many turns and/or hills.  The back is going to be the place where you will have to deal with everybody braking in front of you, or slowing due to the hill.  This means you will be forced to slow down, then hammer to catch back up.  By the time you get to the line for the sprint, you'll be exhausted!

Get there early, and warm up.  When the race starts, get up to the front.  You want to be in the front 1/3 of the pack in order to avoid the "slinky" effect (described above).  If you're racing with 5's, the pack will always reel in the breakaway.  Cat 5's are always too anxious and excited to let somebody go solo.

Don't get frustrated if the pace is too slow or too fast.  You're forced to work with the group for the most part.  But if you want to push, get on up to the front and give a nice pull.  You will be respected for it, which in longer races can often be very beneficial if you don't have teammates.

If you make it to the last mile in the lead group, fight for position.  Position is more important than ability!  This is where I always screw up.  Chances are everybody with you can sprint at about the same level.  So if you can find yourself around position 4-7, you'll get great assistance from the sling-shot the paceline will offer.

Most of all, have FUN!  Leave a post to let us know how it went.  Good luck!

Let us know how you made out.  I have been entertaining the idea of doing some bike racing as well.

Since I assume you've already raced by now, I'll refrain from adding anything to the advice.

Rather, I just wanted to ask...  How did it go?

Awesome that you got out and tried it!

There is a bit of a knack to positioning and energy conservation in races, so it will get progressively easier as you start to incorporate what you learn each time.

But yeah, move right up there next time in to the top third. The back is the worst place to be.

Great job getting out there and enjoying a different side of cycling!  I find road racing and time-trialing complete opposites.  Road racing always seems to be "hammer hard", "recover hard".  Not exactly conducive to triathletes who spend all their time at a steady state.  I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it, and even better would like to try it some more.



Eh, I understand where you're coming from.  I think "survival of the fittest" definitely kicks in early, making sure to drop those who can't hang on.  I base this off of jumping up front and giving a really hard pull.  A hard enough pull to let the group know you can really ride.  I've seen guys use this idea to form relationships with other strong riders.  When other riders see that you're strong, they sometimes will discuss attempting to attack together.  Huge benefit if it can work, especially if you're not a good sprinter.  I've only seen this happen when racing with 4's though.  I have been left up front where they wouldn't let me off also, which can really suck.