Going racing, complete novice?
Discussion
I am toying with the idea of having a go...
I used to race National and regional level at BMX back in the 80's but that was 30 years ago, so i am now 45 and have a half decent level of fitness, but dragged the bike out after around a year thanks to having twins.
I have a full Carbon Tarmac Pro, thats 105 specced so its better than I.
My Local bike Club is the Solihull Cycle Club, how far and how fit do you have to be to start?
I used to race National and regional level at BMX back in the 80's but that was 30 years ago, so i am now 45 and have a half decent level of fitness, but dragged the bike out after around a year thanks to having twins.
I have a full Carbon Tarmac Pro, thats 105 specced so its better than I.
My Local bike Club is the Solihull Cycle Club, how far and how fit do you have to be to start?
I'd look into joining the local club. Go out with them a few times & see what you think? They'll be plenty of advice coming your way once you get involved I'd guess. Being a member of a club (especially a club that promotes races) can make it easier to get into races too.
As regards fitness...who knows? Try a local chaingang? Can you hang on ? Can you go through & work ? It'll give you an insight into bunch riding at speed also. If the chaingang is quite regimented you'll soon be put right if you're getting it wrong.
Plenty of people get rinsed out of 4th cat races (which is where you'll start) likewise plenty progress & move onto tougher races.
Don't discount TLI or LVRC races either, these (especially TLI) are less "formal" than BC events & are handicapped. LVRC won't contain any hotheaded young bucks & are generally a safer environment as more riders are experienced....crashes do happen tho as you'd expect.
A British Cycling Silver membership & race licence will be needed to enter ranking BC events...this cost about £70.
As regards fitness...who knows? Try a local chaingang? Can you hang on ? Can you go through & work ? It'll give you an insight into bunch riding at speed also. If the chaingang is quite regimented you'll soon be put right if you're getting it wrong.
Plenty of people get rinsed out of 4th cat races (which is where you'll start) likewise plenty progress & move onto tougher races.
Don't discount TLI or LVRC races either, these (especially TLI) are less "formal" than BC events & are handicapped. LVRC won't contain any hotheaded young bucks & are generally a safer environment as more riders are experienced....crashes do happen tho as you'd expect.
A British Cycling Silver membership & race licence will be needed to enter ranking BC events...this cost about £70.
P-Jay said:
Guess it depends if you intend to compete or win the thing - everyone's got to start somewhere, even for the second time - if you can do the distance enter it and see how you get on.
Good Luck!
Enter what though?Good Luck!
What discipline, whats the jargon and how far does whatever go on for?
Do you need a race license?
It will be for fun, at my age you cant compete with the youngsters!!
Although in Motocross and Squash i can go in the Veterans league now..
ETA i see some answers appeared already!
Disco You said:
Start riding with a club and go from there.
I think this is sensible advice. If you can hang on to a quickish chaingang you'll get a feel for the speed and group riding. My local club has access to a closed circuit which was ideal for preparation for crit racing. Most clubs do TT events/training if that's more your bag.My lad started racing last April in the Under 10s category and at the end of the summer he started cyclocross. I decided that being a MTB'er at heart that CX looks a good laugh so I gave it a go. I loved it. Sadly in January the season ended and I was twiddling my thumbs. I do have a road bike so started thinking about going into cat4.
At easter we went to a cycle race at Castle Combe and after the youth races in the morning there were senior races. We sat and had our butties and watched the first Cat4 race. All they did for an hour was sit wheel to wheel absolutely on it. The main group had about 50 in it. You really have to have absolutely nailed group riding skills to do that. I've been put right off it now.
Meanwhile I've seen the friday night summer series MTB races. That looks a bit safer in that you dont ride so close to everyone else.
Meanwhile I'm doing a sportive this weekend so I'll just ride however I please with no regard to anyone else on the road. Thats the idea isn't it?
At easter we went to a cycle race at Castle Combe and after the youth races in the morning there were senior races. We sat and had our butties and watched the first Cat4 race. All they did for an hour was sit wheel to wheel absolutely on it. The main group had about 50 in it. You really have to have absolutely nailed group riding skills to do that. I've been put right off it now.
Meanwhile I've seen the friday night summer series MTB races. That looks a bit safer in that you dont ride so close to everyone else.
Meanwhile I'm doing a sportive this weekend so I'll just ride however I please with no regard to anyone else on the road. Thats the idea isn't it?
TSCfree said:
I think this is sensible advice. If you can hang on to a quickish chaingang you'll get a feel for the speed and group riding. My local club has access to a closed circuit which was ideal for preparation for crit racing. Most clubs do TT events/training if that's more your bag.
I would prefer racing in a group, i used to race British Supersport 600, so i've swapped paint at some pretty high speeds! 
I've gone out on some club runs in the past and joined in for the sprints for signs and things, and also done the slip streamy thingy on the last few miles for the pub finish!
You need a licence, a provsional licence is free with BC membership but you will need to buy a day licence at the event unless yu upgrade when you join BC.
Look for closed circuit events which are on purpose built facilities like Hillingdon or race tracks like castle combe. Cat 4 races vary but can be pretty tough, many of them will be combined with cat 3 and they can be quite fast, just because its the bottom rung of the ladder doesnt necessarily mean htat the people in the race arent capable of holding their own in the higher categories.
Avg speeds at castle combe are about 38kmh but as many will say its the short sharp bursts of speed in the bunch to counter attacks etc that destroy you. There are rules governing race distances, i think cat 4 races on closed circuits can be 40 kms max so combe races last 50 minutes plus a lap, I'm pretty sure they are getting in about 11 laps before the bell.
Club rides in groups will help your confidence as others have said but its absolutely essential that you learn to hold your line at speed through corners, you can practice this on your own but it takes time to get comfortable and you really have to trust your tyres... you bike needs to be in top condition too, a dodgy mech destroys your confidence and if, for example, you need to look down to see if its shifted, you could cause chaos behind. I can imagine racing bicycles after motorbikes will be.... interesting...
Cat 4 used to have stupid rules about clothing but the organisers seem to have relaxed them these days, so you can wear what you want but you dont really want to turn up in full Team Sky kit...
Look for closed circuit events which are on purpose built facilities like Hillingdon or race tracks like castle combe. Cat 4 races vary but can be pretty tough, many of them will be combined with cat 3 and they can be quite fast, just because its the bottom rung of the ladder doesnt necessarily mean htat the people in the race arent capable of holding their own in the higher categories.
Avg speeds at castle combe are about 38kmh but as many will say its the short sharp bursts of speed in the bunch to counter attacks etc that destroy you. There are rules governing race distances, i think cat 4 races on closed circuits can be 40 kms max so combe races last 50 minutes plus a lap, I'm pretty sure they are getting in about 11 laps before the bell.
Club rides in groups will help your confidence as others have said but its absolutely essential that you learn to hold your line at speed through corners, you can practice this on your own but it takes time to get comfortable and you really have to trust your tyres... you bike needs to be in top condition too, a dodgy mech destroys your confidence and if, for example, you need to look down to see if its shifted, you could cause chaos behind. I can imagine racing bicycles after motorbikes will be.... interesting...
Cat 4 used to have stupid rules about clothing but the organisers seem to have relaxed them these days, so you can wear what you want but you dont really want to turn up in full Team Sky kit...
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st May 16:36
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