Not very smart, please help

[TheWorstCyclist]

Alright basically I'm riding my first race in about a months time, got all my membership sorted and im looking at the signup for it through the British Cycling.

This is a closed circuit race, done on the preston park cycle track, and on the duration it says ' Approx. 45mins +5laps'.

Now I have no idea what this means. At first I assumed that meant that it would take roughly 45 minutes, and it would be five laps, but looking up the length of the cycle track, its only 600m the whole way round, meaning they clearly don't expect it to take 45 minutes to do 3km.

Could I please get any help on understanding this from some people more knowledgeable than myself (trust me, not hard)?

 

[helston90]

From what I understand you ride for 45 minutes to suitably tire people and/ or see if a break forms. Once 45 mins are up its a 6 lap race to the finish.

 

[rich p]

I didn't realise they raced there in the winter. The first normal scheduled race is in mid April AFAIK.

 

[Smokin Joe]

From what I understand you ride for 45 minutes to suitably tire people and/ or see if a break forms. Once 45 mins are up its a 6 lap race to the finish.

^^This^^

 

[palinurus]

they clearly don't expect it to take 45 minutes to do 3km.

@helston90 gives the correct answer (unless this is the annual race meet for the world's most tactical sprinters)

Good luck, and here's hoping your username will be out of date very shortly.

 

[midlife]

Time trial it off the front.......You won't win but if you can't sprint for toffee (like me) it's your only chance

Shaun

 

[TheWorstCyclist]

shoot... That makes so much sense. Thank you to everyone for the help. With luck I'll be back to tell you how it went soon.

And yea rich, brand new for the new season. Racing starts in january. They're running cat 4, cat 3 and e/1/2/3 races starting on the 15th january, with another one only two weeks later. Might be worth a gander seeing as you're brighton based. Maybe I'll see you there. Look for the lad on the black btwin who looks mildly confused at all times.

 

[rich p]

shoot... That makes so much sense. Thank you to everyone for the help. With luck I'll be back to tell you how it went soon.

And yea rich, brand new for the new season. Racing starts in january. They're running cat 4, cat 3 and e/1/2/3 races starting on the 15th january, with another one only two weeks later. Might be worth a gander seeing as you're brighton based. Maybe I'll see you there. Look for the lad on the black btwin who looks mildly confused at all times.

I hope the weather's kind to you. I train there sometimes and the south side can get a bit frosty and mossy!

 

[TheWorstCyclist]

I hope the weather's kind to you. I train there sometimes and the south side can get a bit frosty and mossy!

cheers for the tips mate. Gotta go have a look at the course soon before the race, make sure I have an idea what im getting myself into.

 

[oldroadman]

Tips for a first race. Don't go mad, conserve your energy. A race is not won by bashing away all the time. Watch how better riders ride. Hold your line, look what is happening around you, no sudden moves, don't overlap wheels, no sharp braking except in an emergency, don't start panicking if someone touches or lightly bumps you, just keep it steady.
There are no corners at Brighton, it's a very ancient "track" of about 550 metres and roughly a rectangle with shallow banked bends. Aim to finish in the peloton and don't for goodness sake sprint for silly lower places if outside the first half dozen. that's where the trouble can happen. If you are cooked by the last few laps just ease back a bit. Finally, don't expect to be placed to the nth degree, the judges will do their best but are not infallible.
Gear a bit lower rather than try to push a big gear, spinning at a nice 90/100 cadence causes less fatigue. Enjoy if you can, it never gets easier but you do (eventually) get faster and stronger. And the very best of luck, you'll be hooked and years of races are ahead...

 

[Buddfox]

From what I understand you ride for 45 minutes to suitably tire people and/ or see if a break forms. Once 45 mins are up its a 6 lap race to the finish.

This is correct... BUT listen to what the commissaire says on the start line! They may change it, depending on how many riders there are, if other events have over-run etc.

 

[oldroadman]

This is correct... BUT listen to what the commissaire says on the start line! They may change it, depending on how many riders there are, if other events have over-run etc.

Not entirely, the idea is that you RACE for 45 mins + laps, it's not an easy/steady but brisk pace ride followed by a 5-6 lap dash. Or at least some people race, others hang on as best they can - or not.
And correct, listen to the pre-race brief carefully.