miljam

I'm 34 years old, been riding for 10 years on and off and I'm determined to start racing this year. I have a race-training ride this saturday with a group and frankly I'm a bit intimidated by what I might experience out there. We're going to do some race simulation and some sprint work. I'm definitely not new to cycling. I have spent a lot of time out on the road and some time riding in groups, but never at high speed and my training this year is still in the foundational period until the beginning of Jan. I'm prepared to accept whatever fate hands me on Saturday and I'll keep training, but do the more experienced folks have any tips to help me make it through?

Thanks!

botto 

my one tip is to take advantage of the brand new search engine (you're about the 3rd person to ask this in the past 2 weeks).

patentcad

Only an idiot would start racing @ age 34. That's how old I was when I started, so I know.

jcbenten

Go fast. Of course, this is from someone who only goes fast downhill.

jkizzle

find a group of guys willing to teacher you race technique like when to sprint, attack, sit in. the rest will probably all come in the many race experience itself, or at least thats what i am banking on.

miljam

Well, thanks for the encouragement,patentcad. I suppose I'm going to hear that alot this year =)

bdcheung

Join a team. Ask lots of questions. Get yelled at. It's the quickest way to learn.

patentcad

The guys that yelled at me the most always became my best racing buds.

kukusz

These kind of buds?

curiouskid55

Protect your front wheel.

Snuffleupagus

You need a Look 595 with Record and Boras, and an SRM to be truly competitive. At a minimum.

miljam

dang - I just took the banana seat off. I figured that might be enough, but I'm hearing that's not so....

Snuffleupagus

Put the banana seat on the TT bike. You can get a really nice effective seat tube angle.

jsigone

Are you going to be racing with Ranchos? I just joined with them as well, I've done a few rides with them back around thanksgiving. All you can do is jump in with the group and do what you can, they are cool guys.

esammuli

I ride with Ranchos from time to time. Fun group of guys, plus they have a good variety of routes for the Saturday ride.

jsigone

Did you ride with them around thanksgiving wearing the UCLA kit? I'm the one on celeste bianchi.

esammuli

yup, thats me. I rode with them a bunch over the summer plus a few times over Christmas. My parents live in Escondido.

patentcad

Those are *****, my racing buds were ****phobes. Considering the NY City locale, that's saying something. I personally count a number of gay people as friends. Homophobes are idiots. Which makes their prevalence in bicycle racing rather predictable.

miljam

jsigone - yes with the Ranchos. Guess I'll see you out there on Saturday? I'll look out for you -

Bobby Lex

Do you realize you're already almost three weeks into the month of January?

Buy a calendar. Otherwise you may peak three weeks AFTER your big race.

Bob

carpediemracing 

This guy started sort of in the same boat, difference is that he shared stuff he did on his blog:
https://suitcaseofcourage.typepad.com...101/index.html

He linked to mine but he comes from the actual "I'm starting racing and this is what I experienced" kind of viewpoint.

Good luck, hope that helps,
cdr

c4s6

nobody else will...

daytonian

miljam

Ha! Well, I'm doing this new reverse training program. You peak and work back from there...I'm not sure it's working out so well..

seppomadness

Good luck. Hope you have a lot of fun. Lower grades = generally well rounded people who are fun to be around. Higher grades = higher percentage of total ****heads.