HI,
I was just informed about a race my cycle club is holding.Its an open race.So i will be up against the "big boys). But im realy going just to see what a race is like. And its a 1.8 mile route w/2 inclines.30 someod laps to total 63 miles. Anything i should know?Rules,technique,etc.How should i train for it in the next week and a half?

nah. just go out there and ride. you'll knock em dead.

Don't worry, you probably will get caught up in a horrible crash, and not have to worry about riding the entire 63 miles. 30 years from now, you'll be able to show people the scars from this crash, and tell them about all the titanium pins in your body, because of it.
Remember, crashing builds character, and shows that you aren't a sissy.

You probably won't need a water bottle.

specifically for this race. I personally will take the day before races off totally. Watch your hydration and diet closely pre-race. I'm sure you will do just fine. My first crit with pro riders I was lapped by them fairly easily, it was a pretty low key event so no riders were pulled, if this happens to you no big deal, just make sure to yield to them if they are lapping you. This should be a good learning experience for you mainly. The more you do the more comfortable you will be. You've got to start somewhere. Good Luck.

OK ya i figured it was too late to train. BUt one more question:
What do i bring in my jersy pockets?
Usually i take:

Cell phone
Energy gel(1)
Tool kit
1st aid packet
ID
Money


And on my bike:
Mini pump
(2) watter bottles
computer

Do i need anything else? What can i loose?
Thanks!!!!

You can ditch the phone, first aid kit, and tools since there will be people around and it's a relatively short course. However, for a 60+ mile race, you're going to need to eat during that distance (as well as keeping well-hydrated). I would say at least 300 easily digestible calories, and maybe twice that if you've not done a good job of pre-race nutrition. Eat what has worked for you in the past, and it's far better to finish the race with some extra food in your pocket rather than run out and bonk. Consider taking something that will really give you a sugar kick - I find that a 3 Musketeers candy bar digests really fast. If you start seeing spots, you need something fast, not a high protein bar. If this really is a race (not just a ride where the fast guys go hard), it will be a VERY interesting experience for you.

OK ya i figured it was too late to train. BUt one more question:
What do i bring in my jersy pockets?
Usually i take:

Cell phone
Energy gel(1)
Tool kit
1st aid packet
ID
Money


And on my bike:
Mini pump
(2) watter bottles
computer

Do i need anything else? What can i loose?
Thanks!!!!


No phone, no tools, no money (leave that in the car, presuming you drive)- they can always ID you from your race number if something happens- no pump.... you'll always be less than a mile from the start, no matter where you are in the course anyway.

I'd put something a bit stronger than water in one of your bottles if you think you can hang for even part of the race- 63 miles is relatively long. I'd probably need something for dizziness if you have only a 1.8 mile course ;) A few Gus...

ya i figured 63 miles is a long crit. Um its an open qualifier. So no age categories. And no i dont drive(yet).Gels are what work for me but.how many should i bring?And no pump? So in turn to extra tubes either??

What club and race? Just curious as I recall you are in the same general area.

consume about 8 oz h20/gatorade every 15-20 minutes as a general rule, I usually use a cliff shot for every 1-2 hours on the bike. Don't wiegh yourself down with too much, Filtersweep had good advice.

Its run by USI i think

Its something like the empire state games or something. N e way, the members of the club said it was a "semi safe" race. And i should go just to see what its like to race.

what are the odds that this guy is a troll?
you think?
on the off chance that he's not . . .
dude, I don't know where this race is or who has "open" senior races, but if you have no experience and think you're going to hang on for 63 miles on a 1.8 mi circuit, and actually do it, you're talented enough to carry the Queen of Sheba in your jersey. So, don't sweat it.

I know our state has a "states games" race. It is not a USCF sanctioned event, but most folks in the state like to go to it. The distance is similar and they do have a "citizens" field that does not require a license and is a rather tame, lowkey affair. There is also a seperate race for licensed racers. It is on the other extreme and is a very high speed tough affair which had a major go for broke sprint finish last year with a major pileup on the finish line.

what are the odds that this guy is a troll?
you think?
on the off chance that he's not . . .
dude, I don't know where this race is or who has "open" senior races, but if you have no experience and think you're going to hang on for 63 miles on a 1.8 mi circuit, and actually do it, you're talented enough to carry the Queen of Sheba in your jersey. So, don't sweat it.

Yes it is the "state games" ....But from what ive heard the club is tellin me to get a day liscense.I think this race is some sort of qualifier. And i never said i think ill hang on for the 63 miles. Heck im figurin ill get lapped 63 times.lol jkjkjkjk Ill do the best i can. And pray i dont fall.lol

The empire state games qualifiers are open field. As in, pro through 5, but you do need a license. They are pretty competitive from what I've heard, and are typically won by experienced racers in the 1, 2 or 3 categories. If you do well in your regional qualifier you can go on to the state championships, which are also open field once you're qualified.

This would probably be one of the worst ways to start out racing. Most of these guys will be fitter, faster, better bike handlers and much older. Not only that, but they have probably trained specifically for this event, and you don't even know much about it. I would advise you to try racing in either the junior category or cat 5 at another local race. At least then you'll have a chance of sticking with the field for a few miles, while the ESG guys will spit you out the back in 5 minutes. I don't know who is trying to get you to do this race, but it doesn't seem like a very good idea.

Silas

There are a couple of kids who are 17-19 years olds in it. I think 5. And i dont think that the people in the club would be tellin me o do it if they though i would be dropped in the first 2 miles. But ill think about that.

what are the odds that this guy is a troll?
holy cow dude, settle down! look at the kid's avatar, he is JUST A KID! Don't you recall being enthusiastic at that age? If you're this jaded, then I strongly suggest taking a deep breath, take a step back from the monitor, and mebbe go ride a bit. Sheesh.

I've done the Bluegrass State Games back when I lived in the Midwest, and yes, they tend to do all cats / open cat racing. It's not sanctioned; it's an independently licensed / insured organisation. Plus I've done all-cats open races my veryownself at the hands of my very very favourite race promoter ever, Tym Tyler. Sending off 300 racers cats pro men thru Cat 4 women/juniors in one bunch, boy that's a fabulous idea.... (not). The 40 rider yardsale / ditch surfing adventure a' la' George Hincapie's Paris Roubaix 2002 (?) that occurred in the first mile during what was nominally a 'parade lap' is a vivid memory (it poured rain that day).

What is UP with these forums lately? I've not seen so much bitterness since the last time I watched a Denis Leary special.

To the OP - just go do it and ignore the negativity on parade here. Yeah, you'll probably get schooled, but that's not the point. The best training for racing is racing, and you'll learn a ton more by doing it than by sitting around in here reading all the coulda, shoulda, woulda stories (word: this is why I've not been posting much lately; I've been training a bunch, the forums kinda suck lately - oh, and I like my job, too).

filtersweep is right on the mark. Take food and water with you in your jersey pockets for the race, but leave everything else behind. There are a ton of people here in Boulder who ride to races, and I'm assuming this is what you plan to do. Here's a tip: find a good messenger bag or daypack to carry to the event, and put some extra food and recovery drink in for hitting your refuel / recovery window after the race. Get a luggage tag for the bag and put your name, contact info and phone number in waterproof marker on the luggage tag card. Leave your phone, keys, wallet, spare tubes, pump etc... in there, then ask someone from the race organisation or the promoter to look after it for you. If there's a chase vehicle or wheel truck, ask if they can toss your bag in there. This is what everyone in Boulder does with their valuables - sometimes the registration tent ends up looking like an REI / Chrome / Timbuk2 rummage sale. Just don't forget to pick up your stuff before you leave.

The Front Range is the only place I've lived where every Saturday / Sunday you'll see full-bore racers all kitted out and riding to races with a messenger bag / daypack plus spare wheelset strapped on. The Sidi daypacks Excel carries make the best bags for this IMO (stout, practically waterproof, plus they've got plenty of external attachments to strap a wheelset to).

Good luck man, and ignore the haters. For what it's worth there's a couple of fifteen-year-olds here racing in the Senior Men's 3 and even P/1/2 fields who can lay down a good schooling on their own. Google the 5280 and/or RMCEF juniors / espoirs squads if ya don't believe me. These dudes certainly didn't get where they're at by listening to people telling them no.

awright, awright. I've calmed down now. I'm humbled. I'm cool. We just don't have anything like that around here. Even the local Cat 5 fields are pretty aggressive actually, what with the "Lance effect," and no one, but no one, who hasn't spent a fair amount of time mixing it up with racers is going to be hanging around for very long even in a Cat 5 field, let alone an open free for all. Now, with formerly regional Team Snow Valley with its UCI license, we are seeing a bit of what you all out west see a lot more of -- smackdown by a pro on the odd Wed night training race.

thak you

be prepared for two things about racing -- it's exhilirating, and it hurts.

get all of your stuff ready the day before. That way you won't have to think about it.

eat three hours before the race.

warm up. mostly easy, but get in a couple of hard, minute or two efforts. Some guys do a lot more, although if the race is 60 miles, it may not start that fast, and, even if it does, it should settle down.

Avoid the brakes to the extent possible.

Cardinal rule -- kill yourself to stay with the pack. If you let a gap form you are done. May as well burn it all up to stay with the pack, because if you get dropped, there's no point in having anything left in the tank. It's no good to you then.

And, last, do as I say, not as I do.

Have fun.

Six or seven years ago I did an open class "State Games" in Mississippi. According to the local USCF official/lbs owner, people with licenses officially were not allowed by the USCF to enter. I had raced once or twice but only as a citizen, so I was free to race.

The organizers used the same loop that of the MS/AL district road race a few weeks prior that I had done.

Most, if not all, of the USCF racers did stay away. The top triathletes in the state, however, were there. Suprisingly, they weren't as strong as I thought they'd be, and I chased them down a few times.

It was an easier race than the Cat 5/citizen on the same course. If his race is like mine, then that explains why his club members are encouraging him to do that race. (Though 60+ miles is a lot for anyone's first race.)

ill let you know how the race goes/ and what it was like.

thanks for all the help!!