3rd Cat/4th Cat riders
Discussion
Fourth Cat is surprisingly fast and if you don't get dropped in your 1st race you're doing very well. It's not just about being able to maintain a decent pace it's being able to go with the breaks. It doesn't sound like you have the experience if only done a few group rides - are these rides steady or do people attack each other, race up hills and for sign posts? Have a go if you fancy it.
I was out today with a local team, they finished number 1 in the North East on points last year. We were pushing hard up hills and had a few high intensity efforts to aid training.
It was my first ride with them and when we got back, that's when I was asked. I'm just really nervous and have no idea of the standard.
We averaged 18.9mph over a very hilly 76 mile. There was plenty of us to share the effort on the flat and we all did stints at the front.
What distance are the races normally at?
It was my first ride with them and when we got back, that's when I was asked. I'm just really nervous and have no idea of the standard.
We averaged 18.9mph over a very hilly 76 mile. There was plenty of us to share the effort on the flat and we all did stints at the front.
What distance are the races normally at?
3/4th cat races are hit and miss. The speed is usually very up and down where as higher category are faster but less changes in pace.
Every race is different though. Sometimes they can be quite dangerous as there are inexperienced racers.
I don't do all that many road races, stats from one last year here though. It was mostly flat with mountain finish and very wet which slowed average speed. Overall it was a slow race. HR and speed very up and down as you can see.
Expect an average speed between 35-40kph. Distances are usually 100-120km.
Every race is different though. Sometimes they can be quite dangerous as there are inexperienced racers.
I don't do all that many road races, stats from one last year here though. It was mostly flat with mountain finish and very wet which slowed average speed. Overall it was a slow race. HR and speed very up and down as you can see.
Expect an average speed between 35-40kph. Distances are usually 100-120km.
This is a 3/4 race I did last year - closed circuit but a hilly one:
http://app.strava.com/activities/17523071
Avg of 23.4 mph - went up the hill at an average 24.5 mph at the fastest lap which was a bit brutal (similar to dark hill, Richmond park if you know it).
I also did a handicap which averaged 24mph with a fastest lap at 27mph.
Just go for it. If you get dropped, you get dropped! No issue.
http://app.strava.com/activities/17523071
Avg of 23.4 mph - went up the hill at an average 24.5 mph at the fastest lap which was a bit brutal (similar to dark hill, Richmond park if you know it).
I also did a handicap which averaged 24mph with a fastest lap at 27mph.
Just go for it. If you get dropped, you get dropped! No issue.
OP sounds like you will be a contender well enough able to mix it in the pack. I stopped racing early 1990s, but I doubt realities have changed much in that time. My 1st few races were very much a steep learning curve, although by that stage an experienced rider and time triallist.
IME races always began (first 15 miles or so) at break-neck speed to blow the chaff out from the wheat, getting rid of the more dangerous novice element early doors, get through this stage and you should at least finish. Hills were also an opportunity to achieve that effect so brace yourself for that. Most important lessons I learned was to stay in the front 15 riders (safer and you'll have a say in what gets up the road) and never get left stranded on the front for any extended period which at RR speeds will have you blow a gasket unless you're Wiggo. It can be very tight for space in the pack, just ride rock steady and keep your front wheel from touching anything.
Road racing was a shock to my system, no sort of group training/chain gangs ever got close to it, and it was more exciting than anything I'd done before or since. Do it and you won't look back.
IME races always began (first 15 miles or so) at break-neck speed to blow the chaff out from the wheat, getting rid of the more dangerous novice element early doors, get through this stage and you should at least finish. Hills were also an opportunity to achieve that effect so brace yourself for that. Most important lessons I learned was to stay in the front 15 riders (safer and you'll have a say in what gets up the road) and never get left stranded on the front for any extended period which at RR speeds will have you blow a gasket unless you're Wiggo. It can be very tight for space in the pack, just ride rock steady and keep your front wheel from touching anything.
Road racing was a shock to my system, no sort of group training/chain gangs ever got close to it, and it was more exciting than anything I'd done before or since. Do it and you won't look back.
4th only - easy. You'll be capable already from what you have been saying.
It takes very little to stay with a 4th cat bunch, very little indeed.
Conversely to faustvr, my training rides (when we are going for it) are harder than most of the races I've done, chaingangs are a good intro. It really depends who you can ride with, but sounds like you have some quick guys to push you along.
It takes very little to stay with a 4th cat bunch, very little indeed.
Conversely to faustvr, my training rides (when we are going for it) are harder than most of the races I've done, chaingangs are a good intro. It really depends who you can ride with, but sounds like you have some quick guys to push you along.
Edited by okgo on Sunday 13th January 16:54
Thanks again... Still not sure really.
My main points are:
- There's supposedly lots of crashes, I'd rather not race if this is the case?
- One hour at 24/25mph in a chaingang seems very fast and I doubt I could do that, is that really the case?
- Are breaks successful? I don't fancy a sprint finish... 20+ riders in a small space stood up riding hard can't be good for noone?
My main points are:
- There's supposedly lots of crashes, I'd rather not race if this is the case?
- One hour at 24/25mph in a chaingang seems very fast and I doubt I could do that, is that really the case?
- Are breaks successful? I don't fancy a sprint finish... 20+ riders in a small space stood up riding hard can't be good for noone?
My main points are:
- There's supposedly lots of crashes, I'd rather not race if this is the case?
Yes it is the case.
- One hour at 24/25mph in a chaingang seems very fast and I doubt I could do that, is that really the case?
Yes that is what is good prep (1 hour or so - though, not 3!) for a 4th cat crit.
- Are breaks successful? I don't fancy a sprint finish... 20+ riders in a small space stood up riding hard can't be good for noone?
Rarely at 3rd or 4th level do breaks ever work from what I've seen, they do on occasion, but sprint finish much more common, no not safe, see point one
See here for stupid riding - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj5DPI9qrVA
See here for common idiocy in bunch sprint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x-2uelweSg
See here for general sort of crash from overlapping wheels etc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5qsykYlu8c
Not wanting to put you off, but go in with your eyes open, and please for the sake of everyone get some practice riding in a big group, the last thing the sport needs is more people who have seen Wiggins on the telly and think they're up to it having never ridden with more than one person, they are often the people that cause some of the above.
Points taken okgo... Thanks.
Just to say, I've been riding before I knew who Wiggins was, so no, I'm not one of 'them'.
I've done a little riding in big groups, with Elite and Cat 1 riders so hopefully picked up some good habits of them. Not for years but for a few month now anyway. It's not my ability to ride in a group that's my biggest concern, it's other people, like you say.
I might go and watch one this month.
Just to say, I've been riding before I knew who Wiggins was, so no, I'm not one of 'them'.
I've done a little riding in big groups, with Elite and Cat 1 riders so hopefully picked up some good habits of them. Not for years but for a few month now anyway. It's not my ability to ride in a group that's my biggest concern, it's other people, like you say.
I might go and watch one this month.
What the f
k is wrong with people??http://app.strava.com/activities/37244084
There's the ride for Saturday - not sure what you can tell from it but looking back there were a few sections we averaged 24mph+ on flat so I might give it a go.
There's the ride for Saturday - not sure what you can tell from it but looking back there were a few sections we averaged 24mph+ on flat so I might give it a go.
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