This will be my first year racing, and I am thinking about doing the Parkside Training Series in Kenosha, Wi these next few weekends as my first couple of races. What exactly does "Training Series" mean and how will these differ from regular criteriums? Also, has anyone done these before and have anything to say about them? And will I get stomped at them?

'Training Series' generally means a series of no frills races (usually weekly)...low entry fee, low prize list, somewhat more relaxed, but still pretty fast and competitive. They provide bike racers an opportunity to hone their race legs and skills (riding in packs, cornering, tactics, etc.).

They are generally no different than regular criteriums or circuit races in terms of the course, though the races are usually a bit shorter than 'regular season' races.

I can't comment on the Parkside Series but in general training races are a great place to gain some racing experience. Most series will have a beginner race so that you are not thrown in with a bunch of cat 2's, and 3's ripping your legs off.

That being said there's a decent chance that you'll get dropped in your first race or two or three. It happens to just about everyone so don't get discouraged if you get blown out the back. Get out there and gain some valuable experience in the training races and ask questions of the veteran racers. They'll be happy to help you learn. Most importantly, remember to have fun.

The differences are very subtle. A training race will typically be a little shorter. It'll have a smaller field. It is usually cheaper to register. There probably won't be a finish line camera unless they are giving out good prizes. They are typically early in the season (like now in my area) or on a weeknight during the summer.

There are two training races in my area this time of year. Each one holds a 4/5, Pro/1/2/3, 35+, and a women's race. During the summer, there are two per week on weeknights. Those only do an A and B race. Women usually race with the B group.

Many riders use them to experiment with different race strategies. Some prefer them because they are a little less hardcore than the real races on the weekends.

It's a great way for a new rider to ease into bike racing.

The differences are very subtle. A training race will typically be a little shorter. It'll have a smaller field. It is usually cheaper to register. There probably won't be a finish line camera unless they are giving out good prizes. They are typically early in the season (like now in my area) or on a weeknight during the summer.

There are two training races in my area this time of year. Each one holds a 4/5, Pro/1/2/3, 35+, and a women's race. During the summer, there are two per week on weeknights. Those only do an A and B race. Women usually race with the B group.

Many riders use them to experiment with different race strategies. Some prefer them because they are a little less hardcore than the real races on the weekends.

It's a great way for a new rider to ease into bike racing.



our training series that's going on now is longer and faster than the race that's held there "in season". funny how that happens. the only difference is that the races are A(1/2/3), B (3/4/5), and C (5, juniors, womens all separate) instead of categorized.

Prize list? Then it isn't training.

Entry fees pay for insurance and organizer's expenses. There are no prizes, nobody keeps the results. At the end of the year, all the money left over is given to Junior/Espoir bursaries to support their cycling.

Prize list? Then it isn't training.

Entry fees pay for insurance and organizer's expenses. There are no prizes, nobody keeps the results. At the end of the year, all the money left over is given to Junior/Espoir bursaries to support their cycling.
I did "training series" races the last two weeks ad have to admit they don't quite embrace the training theme. Avg. turnout has been about 75 riders in the 1/2/3 race where the top 3 split $200. The race is 44 miles and they had a finish line camera. These races cost $25 to enter which is steep for a training race, IMO.

Typically, the midweek training series that I do during the season offers prizes totalling about $50 for the 4/5 race. Winner gets $20, second gets a saddle bag or something, third gets a handfull of energy food. Socks and the like for any primes. Not that this stuff is a big draw or anything but I've gotten some worthwhile nick-nacks. Entry fee for these races is $12.

“Training race” at Parkside simply means early in the season. They are ABR sanctioned (no Cat5) and very laid back compared to the mid-season USCF races. Turnout is very weather dependent.

Parkside is run on a campus road (U of WI at Parkside) with one small hill and no corners that can’t be taken almost flat out. It is about a 1-mile squarish lap and most of the races are 45 minutes plus 2 laps. At the start/finish there is a nice big roofed in area for setting up your trainer, etc. There is also an indoor, windowed bridge over the road where you can set up and still watch the other races if it’s really cold.

I was at two of the weekends last year and did the 50+ and Cat4 races and was dropped in all four. The weather was in the 60s and there were between 20 and 40 in each race. These were the first races that I had run that I wasn’t dropped in the first corner so I was really enjoying myself. I did some pulls and even went off the front a couple of times grinning from ear to ear.

I can’t think of a better place in the Chicago-Milwaukee area for your first few races. I think ABR races and stock bike night (road bikes – no shifting) at the Velodromes are the best places for the beginning racer to get experience. Don’t know your age/fitness, but I would expect to get dropped, which is no big deal. They very seldom (never?) cut anybody so, even if you get dropped, you can hook up with a couple others and have your own race. If family/friends want to come and watch, they can see everything from the indoor bridge.

Hope to see you at Parkside (Forecast= High of 50 with rain off and on all day.)

TF

I'm not familiar with the area down there to know my way around. Is there a web site with directions and times? Or at least an address? I'm no where near ready to start racing this early in the season, unless the race is for the first on into the ambulance under cardiac arrest. :eek:

Sounds like a good place to bring my camera along and practice up on that hobby as well.

Anyway, days, times, location, and what not. I'm hoping to make it down to the velodrome this year, but since I'm over an hour away the weeknight series might be a bit difficult to make.

Thanks for any info.

Mike

Here is the Flyer for the Parkside Training Series

http://www.ambikerace.com/2004/flyers/spring04parkside.pdf

Hope to see all of you who can make it there!

Here is the Flyer for the Parkside Training Series

http://www.ambikerace.com/2004/flyers/spring04parkside.pdf

Hope to see all of you who can make it there!
I'll try to make it down there. Should be fun.

The Tradzone Series? I think it must be the weather, seems that for all of the races, except the first one, the weather has been really mild. Everybody cranking up the speed early this year. My team had a practice race last Saturday and it was also cranking, lots of fitness early this year.

our training series that's going on now is longer and faster than the race that's held there "in season". funny how that happens. the only difference is that the races are A(1/2/3), B (3/4/5), and C (5, juniors, womens all separate) instead of categorized.