first race tips

[jamma]

Just wanting some extra tips for my first race apart from don't go near the back or attack from the start.

If your going to comment saying i shouldn't race because of my speed please don't comment

 

[screenman]

What type of race?

Best advice is stay safe and have fun.

 

[Roadrider48]

Never raced mate, but good luck all the same.

 

[HarryTheDog]

If you are a rider of limited ability like myself, hide in the wheels, draft the living daylights out of everyone. If you find yourself on the front, get off the front and back into the wheels. Races ebb and flow, do NOT lose that wheel in front, hold on as long as possible even if it means going into your anearobic zone, once you lose contact you will be lost, with any luck the speed may slacken and you will then get your breath back. Its near the end of the season the others will be race fit and wont know who you are probably so you can get away with it.
You will learn where your weaknesses and strengths are. I am a very short uphill sprint specialist. High speed flats or long hills are not my thing. Good luck and remember its your first race, your position at the end of the day is not that important.
I take it that its a crit race by the way.

 

[S-Express]

If it is your first race and you are coming from a relatively low fitness base, then don't be surprised if you get dropped. Try to stay in the first third of the group if you can - if you can't manage that, then just hang on for as long as you can and try to remember the effort you were putting in just before you got dropped. Then go out and replicate it on your training rides.

IF you do get dropped - DO NOT pull out. Just ride the remaining race distance at your own pace, or with other dropped riders (you won't be the only one). 'Finishing' a race is psychologically very important, IMO.

 

[screenman]

Remember all you have learned in fast group riding, keep others safe as well as yourself. Push down hard on the pedals before you do any out of the saddle effort, failing to do so can bring others behind you down.

 

[Roadrider48]

Remember all you have learned in fast group riding, keep others safe as well as yourself. Push down hard on the pedals before you do any out of the saddle effort, failing to do so can bring others behind you down.

Is that a sign of getting out of the saddle?

 

[screenman]

Is that a sign of getting out of the saddle?

As you stand you slow down very quickly, this makes those behind you hit the brakes or your back wheel in as some race situations. It was one of many things taught to me over 45 years ago.

 

[Roadrider48]

As you stand you slow down very quickly, this makes those behind you hit the brakes or your back wheel in as some race situations. It was one of many things taught to me over 45 years ago.

But what is the reason for it?

 

[screenman]

But what is the reason for it?

As you stand your weight goes forwards pushing the bike backwards

 

[Hacienda71]

If it is a road race call out oncoming traffic and potholes. Hold your line through corners, don't be tempted to try to gain position in the bunch down the inside line into a corner.
Let people know you are there, I will sometimes put my hand on a rider to stop them chopping (cutting me up). Not a push just a gentle hand to say I am here.

 

[Roadrider48]

As you stand your weight goes forwards pushing the bike backwards

I understand that mate, but from a racing point of view, what is the advantage?

 

[screenman]

I understand that mate, but from a racing point of view, what is the advantage?

None apart from the fact that you can take a bunch of riders out.

 

[jamma]

What type of race?

Best advice is stay safe and have fun.

Its a crit race

 

[ayceejay]

When you come to a bend/corner use the experience you have gained from riding in a group during training to position yourself to accelerate out of the bend.