New To Racing.... well, never raced !

babyshambles

I am awaiting delivery of my first road bike and I want to find out about road racing, what are the best events and where can I find these.

I live in Essex and London and dont want to drive for hours. Dunno if there are standard route lengths, but would like to start out on the 20-30 mile (or is it all KM's these days?) distance.

Any help would be appreciated.

Are the races frendly whilst being competative or are only the hard core speed demons only welcomed at these sort of events?

I have done a few bike events (london-southend etc) on hybrid, but they are more fun rides, i want something a bit more competative.

Any advice welcomed.

Thanks

aarw

i'd highly recommend joining a club first that hopefully run some club races, at the very least you should go out on a few fast club runs to gain experience of riding in a fast moving bunch.

Bronzie

For a taster of bunch racing, I'd suggest searching the British Cycling events calendar for "Go Race" events. You don't need to blow £65 for a full licence to enter, just a £12 (or even FOC from your local club) Bronze membership will cover you to enter these.

There are some planned for the Ford test track at Dunton near Basildon - see the Heron Cycle Sport or Ciclos Unos events. Now, the standard of riding in these can only be described as "variable" so watch out for yourself.

If you get the bug, you can then enter full 4th cat races - you'll either need a full BC licence (£65) or day licence (£10) but if you plan to ride regularly, obviously the full licence works out cheaper in the long run.

Generally, racing is very friendly, but if you do something wrong, you'll probably get yelled at - but in general it's nothing personal, just heat of the moment stuff. It's certainly a steep learning curve though, so bear that in mind.

In terms of fitness - well, even lowly 4th cat races can be pretty quick. I thought I was fit until I actually tried racing, but the good news is that even if you get dropped first few weeks, you eventually get up to speed after a few weeks of suffering. :P

I'd also strongly advise you to join a local racing club - the depth of knowledge, advice and assistance in most clubs will bring your riding ability on in leaps and bounds.

Best of luck with it.

babyshambles

Thanks for the responses, i think i'll def try out the Dunton ones as there are a few arranged and its only about 30 min away. So looking at the site, it would seem that a 4th cat is the lowest competition level??

I'm going to feel like a right nerd strolling in last, :roll: but, it will at least let me know what level I am and something to aim for.

Bronzie

Yes - 4th cat is the lowest right upto the heady heights of E (elite)

Don't worry about coming last on your first outings. Concentrate on learning how to handle your bike in a group, staying rubber-side down and picking up tips on how to race smart (ie don't sit on the front for 10 laps because you feel strong and then wonder why you get dumped out the back door when the pace kicks in).

dennisn

aarw wrote:

i'd highly recommend joining a club first that hopefully run some club races, at the very least you should go out on a few fast club runs to gain experience of riding in a fast moving bunch.

That's two votes for club racing. This is the place to start if there is anything like it
available in your area. This will give you a taste of how it all works and is really good training that will help you improve and get stronger. I think I can safely say that the
first experience you will gain is how to get blown off the back of the group. Happens to
everyone but sooner or later you'll be the one blowing the newer guys out the back.
Stick with it. Racing is loads of fun.

Dennis Noward

DaveyL

dennisn wrote:

aarw wrote:

i'd highly recommend joining a club first that hopefully run some club races, at the very least you should go out on a few fast club runs to gain experience of riding in a fast moving bunch.

That's two votes for club racing. This is the place to start if there is anything like it
available in your area. This will give you a taste of how it all works and is really good training that will help you improve and get stronger. I think I can safely say that the
first experience you will gain is how to get blown off the back of the group. Happens to
everyone but sooner or later you'll be the one blowing the newer guys out the back.
Stick with it. Racing is loads of fun.

Dennis Noward

Oo-er missus!

babyshambles

I went along to a club in London on my old hybrid bike (with partner on her hybrid) as they said that will be fine for a while, but it seemed most of them were more interested in eating cakes than riding. I'm quite sociable (as is partner who is also awaiting her bike) but when we want to ride for sport rather than leisure, we like to get on with it and to challange ourselves.

They were a funny bunch and the women seemed very put out when my girlfriend was bombing past the femail road bikers on her hybrid. We were not showing off, but the route was ten times easier than the routes we were used to doing.

We felt they were quite patronising because we did not have all the gear!!! I used to play good standard of tennis and found similar types in clubs and it was always the ones who were not as good. So I took my tennis to leagues and competitions rather than the club scene.

Maybe I just picked the wrong club.

Bronzie

Maybe a bit of a trek for you, but I think there are organised training sessions at Hillingdon every Thursday - this would be a great way to pick things up before committing to a proper race. The new facility at Hog Hill (Essex somewhere but not sure where) is likely to have similar sessions once it's fully open.

Another alternative is to try track racing at Welwyn outdoor velodrome - training on Monday nights (see the post in the Track section). Less to concentrate as there are no corners, hills, gears or indeed brakes :shock: - but you pick up the basics of riding in a group all the same - you can hire bikes at the track.

ricadus

Hog Hill is in Hainault, so perhaps would be a local venue for you:

http://tinyurl.com/3gqp8q

*edit* ....Er, the satellite view is showing it in its undeveloped state – there is a cycling circuit there really, occupying the fields next to the little bit of woodland.

Bronzie

ricadus wrote:

there is a cycling circuit there really

Opens 24th May according to:
http://www.veloriders.co.uk/phpBB2/view ... hlight=hog

Delayed due to newts. Only in the UK :roll: . The French would've just eaten 'em. 8)

Tom Butcher

I'd try all the local clubs before committing - in fact if you are fit and confident you can try a few local chain gangs before joining a club.

babyshambles

ricadus wrote:

Hog Hill is in Hainault, so perhaps would be a local venue for you:

http://tinyurl.com/3gqp8q

*edit* ....Er, the satellite view is showing it in its undeveloped state – there is a cycling circuit there really, occupying the fields next to the little bit of woodland.

having considered local clubs throughout my local areas, I clicked on your phoenix site and that is exactly what I am looking for.

I will train for a month and join up to this.

Now, I haved done quite a few 60milers (+amsterdamn, paris & french tours) on a very heavy old hybrid with MB tyres (stop laughing) and average time is 3:45, so I am really hoping to cut that time down considerably on proper road bike with road tyres....

I would like to know if I should have the new speedometer set up in KM or MPH - whats the norm??

There is so much to think about, guess i'll be posting a lot until my new baby is delivered by the cycle stork

JackPozzi

Another vote for finding a decent club before going out racing, I started about 18 months ago and the experience of riding in a group has definately been of help since I've started racing, not to mention all the advice you can pick up from other members.

Just a quick note as well, I noticed that someone mentioned a ciclos uno go race series at Dunton, you don't mention how old you are but that series is for the over 40's only.

babyshambles

I had a look on the site and most did say 40+ but there were a few with no mention of age so I assumed "open to all", i'll call te organiser beforehand. I'm 32 although can get away with 28 ... i wish !!

deltadawn

babyshambles wrote:

I am awaiting delivery of my first road bike and I want to find out about road racing, what are the best events and where can I find these.

I live in Essex and London and dont want to drive for hours. Dunno if there are standard route lengths, but would like to start out on the 20-30 mile (or is it all KM's these days?) distance.

Any help would be appreciated.

Are the races frendly whilst being competative or are only the hard core speed demons only welcomed at these sort of events?

I have done a few bike events (london-southend etc) on hybrid, but they are more fun rides, i want something a bit more competative.

Any advice welcomed.

Thanks

babyshambles,

How exciting for you to be contemplating your first race! I saw your post and just wanted to wish you good luck! (The guys on this forum seem pretty knowledgeable and since I'm not from the UK, I'll let them give you the racing advice. ) Let us know how it goes.

Regards, Dawn