First Cat5 Road Race tomorrow...not sure what to expect

This is probably all the advice you will need based off of your post. 

If you are riding comfortably with 1-3's you will be fine.  My only real advice is to dress appropriately for the weather and try to get in a 20 minute warmup.

As a new Cat 5 I'm finding it's not about FTP at this point.  It's about being at the right place at the right time.  400FTP and 30 wheels back going into the final stretch isn't going to help at all.  I was extremely worried about not being able to hang, and that hasn't been the case at all.  I can hang in all day but can't seem to get myself in the right spot at the right time, that's the learning experience.

If it's a circuit or crit make sure you are near the front when things start to heat up (usually 2nd to last lap or so), if you're too far back hanging out comfortably at that point it'll be too late when the field surges to try to make up ground.  You might be able to power by people but there will be people moving in front of you and around making it tough to make your way back up.  Haven't done a road race yet so can't give any actual experience on that.

Race # 1 for me this year I was near the front coming into the last turn, but I scrubbed too much speed and had to sprint to make up ground to then sprint again for the finish, bad positioning.  Race # 2 I was just too far back going into the 2nd to last turn, I was moving up to get into position but someone undercut me in the turn and I had to scrub speed and rinse repeat from race 1, sprint to catch back up, to then sprint again for the finish.

Oh and keep your head on a swivel and pay attention to what's going on in front of you, if something happens behind you don't turn to look, just keep going.

Finally be prepared to get hooked, basically now I only ride my tri bike a week or so before any upcoming tri's every other ride is on my road bike.

Experience is the best advice.  Not much anyone can say can really prepare you.

The only thing I might add is that many beginners look at the wheel in front of them and then are taken by surprised if the guy brakes or has to move around something.  Keep your eyes up, looking both at the guy in front of you as well as on what is happening up ahead.  If you do this, you can more easily anticipate what is going to happen, which will help both with safety and positioning.

Have fun!

Thanks for all the tips.  Unfortunately the 5s don't start until 1130, so I have all morning to sit around and wait.  I'm heading out now to watch the rest and see how it goes.  Should be a fun learning experience one way or another!

1130, that's awesome, we always start at 0800. 

Very humbling ride today!  I broke away and tried to solo most of the route, but only made it ~15 miles on my own before the group caught back up.  This was definitely NOT my plan going in, but the group was very squirelly, and I was feeling frisky.  There were many lessons learned today, but I had a good time and still finished strong. 

Cat 5 seems to have a very interesting mix of riders. 

Good effort!  I almost made the trip for the Coldspring race myself.  Didn't want to drive the 3ish hours there and then the same trip back.

The 5's are a bit of a mixed bag.  In my experience there's always a few riders who are very strong, and they are just there due to inexperience.  And it's hard to get away in a 5's race because the pack does not like to see anything get away.

For guys who can sustain a good amount of power like yourself, the best option is to find some guys similar to yourself and see if you can get away as a group.  If that doesn't work, my opinion is to try to break in the last mile or 2.  Or at least try to get the sprint started early.  It's hard to do much against guys who can produce a ton of power but only for 8 seconds...

so my question is.....whens your next road race?? Do you plan on doing anymore??

Cat 5 is a conundrum, lotsa fast guys, some slow guys, usually shakes out pretty quick!!

Congrats on the finish, and remember, it is better to die off the front taking a chance than to never have been in the position. Pack field finishes are kinda boring!!

Hmm...considering the local Wednesday night crits.  That would be the fastest way to get out of Cat5 and into the 4's so I can help out my teammates!  

I enjoyed the race and definitely plan on doing more...but it reinforced that I like duathlon/triathlon more! 

Road racing did the opposite for me. I found out I like bike racing more!