Cat 4 race

notanotherhill

Just on the point of Cat 4 races being dangerous guys, dont forget that everyone has to learn sometime.....

Mettan

NapoleonD wrote:

I aim to do my first BC race on 1st March 09, it is the Clayton Velo spring classic and is, IIRC 56miles.

In addition to any others, how about the Eddie Soens Memorial race? - 50 miler, flat, circuit, Aintree, 3 min handicap - good experience (even if the Elites lap you at 30 miles).

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... _Soens.asp

Kléber

Of course. We need to be careful not to sneer at bad bike handing, we've all been there. Just bear it in mind, and if do crash, it's often just some grazing but perhaps don't turn up at your first race with carbon rims. If you're in doubt, join a good club and ride with some members to get a feel for riding with others.

Monty Dog

Anyone with a winter's experience of fast club runs should have the experience of bunch riding to be able to handle their first race. However, sometimes riders get a race head on and try and gain places by cutting-up the inside of the bunch on bends or going up the middle of the bunch, which can cause problems for others. When riders are tired or get overly competitive they start taking irrational risks - their little experience often doesn't make them aware of the consequences of their actions until its too late. The likes of the Surrey League hold beginners days to induct people in the ways of the bunch. The majority of crashes are fairly minor - just grazing and paintwork scuffs, but suggest you don't start racing with carbon wheels and bars for your first season and as I said in my original post, first race objective is to finish, the next is to get in the main bunch for the finish and finally after a while to start contesting the finish and the points.