Having a go!!

denkfaul

I also did my first race on Saturday in that horrific weather, and your experience sounds very similar to mine. I was in last position off the back of the pack half way around the first lap having not expected the initial pace to be so high, managed to get back on and mingle in the middle of the pack for a few laps before a split and falling back with a few others who I stayed with (sometimes just about holding on) until the end. It's great fun, there's lots to learn and we can only get better at it.

DavidJB

WIsh I could be arsed to road race this year

wallace_and_gromit

Finding the type of course (if you have enough races locally to be picky) that suits can have a massive impact.

At Cat 4 on a tight crit circuit (York Sport) I was out with the washing.

At Cat 4 on a wide, sweeping airfield (Dishforth) I was right at the sharp end.

At Cat 3/4 on a hilly road course I barely made it into the machine let alone being out with the washing, whereas on flatter road courses at the same level I was lower mid to upper mid pack, depending on how close the finish was to the last right hand bend. The longer the straight run to the finish the better as I was relatively a lot faster in a straightish line than in, through and out of tight corners.

Anyway, good luck to all as the season progresses!

simo105

Races today! Spat out quickly will post blog tomorrow

Richj

Good effort, it's all a learning curve and being able to stay in a bunch is as much about experience than fitness.

simo105

Better this week. will post blog when result is up

simo105

New blog on the race from yesterday, really enjoyed the race yesterday major improvement! If your considering racing then give it a go it's good fun.
https://parrycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/201 ... 3.html?m=1

imposter2.0

Good work. Although it sounds like your warm-up could be better, and I'm also wondering if your saddle could go up a bit.

simo105

Imposter wrote:

Good work. Although it sounds like your warm-up could be better, and I'm also wondering if your saddle could go up a bit.

Looking at getting a bike fit eventually, warm up wise I normally take the turbo but didn't this week. Again this is all a learning curve for me.

daddy0

I started racing a few years ago, also in my 30s (I'm 40 now). You might enjoy my blog:

https://cyclejames.wordpress.com/race-reports/

simo105

Last race of the series it's been a fantastic introduction to racing. http://parrycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018 ... 4.html?m=1

Mapaputsi

Really enjoying your write ups as a fellow newbie!

Just wondering about one thing on your last write up you said that as you were getting lapped by the front group one of the riders from your group jumped on the back of them? Surely that is not a legal move & the guy would have been in trouble if caught??

imposter2.0

Mapaputsi wrote:

Really enjoying your write ups as a fellow newbie!

Just wondering about one thing on your last write up you said that as you were getting lapped by the front group one of the riders from your group jumped on the back of them? Surely that is not a legal move & the guy would have been in trouble if caught??

I think it depends on the comm's discretion - and also on the circumstances. If you get lapped by a small breakaway, then obviously you need to stay right out of that, or risk a relegation or DQ. On the other hand, if the main group comes past, then most comms will be ok with you jumping on the back, as long as you stay at the back and don't get involved in the final sprint.

simo105

He did stay on the back of them, a didn't really hold on for long luckily. I'm not really sure on the rules but like what has been said if he doesn't get involved and sits on back then there probably ain't an issue.

paul2718

I reckon if you use a group that is lapping you to take an advantage you are likely to get disqualified. It's not a problem if you tag on the main group as it laps you and don't interfere, but otherwise not.

philbar72

if you are lapped, don't jump back on. easy.