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Questions on Bike Road Races

kimmydctkimmydct
in General Training Discussions
Hello there! I'm considering the Quabbin road race in April as some good pre-Quassy training. I've only done charity rides, not real road races so I have some questions.

I can either use my tri bike or my road bike (which has clipon aerobars too). It is a hilly race so the road bike may be better, but the tri bike has the power meter. (No, not easily interchangeable). I'd like power, but will I look like a tool on a tri bike? Also, I won't really be "racing" cuz I'm slow as molasses on hills, so I'm just doing it for fun.

Any thoughts on the above, or additional tips? I'm pretty sure folks ride in packs for these things but I fully expect a solo ride as I'll get dropped pretty quick on the first hill....

Thanks!

Comments

  • novaavantnovaavant
    Is this a USA sanctioned road race? If so you can only use a road bike with no aero bars at all. Aero bars are not allowed in road races. You will also need a racing license for USA cycling. If you have a link for the race we can take a look and probably answer some of these questions for you.

  • kimmydctkimmydct
    Yes, it is a usac race. Just got my license so I'm good on that front. Guess I could take the aerobars off of "Candy". image

    Here's the race:

    https://www.bikereg.com/Net/quabbin-reservoir-classic-road-race
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    What's your experience with riding in a group? 

    Highly recommend you do NOT ride with aerobars. Take them off. The group will instantly recognize you as someone they don't want around (assume you are inexperienced and therefore unsafe) and will drop you in a heartbeat...and you're now doing a solo ride . If they can't drop you right away, they'll let you do a lot of work at the front...then drop you .

     

  • kimmydctkimmydct
    I've ridden in groups on sat, am for the past purple of years but not super hardcore groups.

    I'll take the aerobars off the road bike and try to hold off getting dropped, but will happen on the first hill I'm sure....

    http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4771382
  • kimmydctkimmydct
    Lol, not purple years... Couple of years. What happened to the edit function on posts???
  • novaavantnovaavant
    Couple of thoughts for you:

    The race will be a lot faster than you think so don't get discouraged when you get spit out the back. It happens to everyone unless you're at the very front. Smaller groups will re-form so try and hang onto a couple of folks with your level of fitness and form a new group. It is always better (faster) to work together by taking turns pulling.
    Be ready to be self supportive. The neutral support truck with the extra wheels follows the lead group only. So if you expect to get dropped don't bother leaving any spare wheels on the truck you'll never see them the rest of the day. Do have a repair kit with you though in case you flat.
    I know they say their is a feed zone but bring an extra bottle (stashed in back of jersey) so you don't run short along with some nutrition.
    Roadies are a serious bunch so don't expect the giggles that you get in triathlon but you can still have a great time.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I would love to do a race like that someday. Just to see what the experience is like. I have no interest in crits but a road race like that looks like a lot of fun. I've never heard of any in my area...one of the major problems with bike races is that if your not in the community of bike racers (which seems to imply being on a team), then you just never find out about races.

    One question for the bike racing experts, what does it mean when the site says "Gearing 39x23 is all you would need. Most racers will only use 39 x 19"
  • Peter WickPeter Wick

    It is roadie speak for:

    "Aww, c'mon, don't be a wuss. The hills aren't that bad. You won't need no compact crank and riding a triple will DEFINITELY get you some snide remarks. Just put on your big boy chamois and use a standard crank with an 11-23 cassette (39x23 is therefore your easiest gear). The real cyclists won't even need the 21 and the 23 anyway."

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    Kim, that sounds like FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

    As others have said, DEFINITELY the road bike. And DEFINITELY take the aerobars off. No Compression socks and don't wear anything that says triathlon or Ironman!

    Have fun and stay at like the 5th-10th position at the very start. NEVER 1st. These things "usually" start not so fast so you "should" be able to keep up with the pack for the first 5 miles (especially since they are pretty much all downhill miles at the beginning according to the course map). If you can start near the front, then be very near the front (5th wheel) when you get to the first hill at mile 5 then you will fall backwards through the field on the climb. This is NOT a triathlon. So basically you should do a VO2 interval going up that first hill to stay in contact with anyone in the group you can. If you happen to still be in part of any group, then make your way as far forward in the field until the next hill and repeat the process. Make it your goal to stay in touch with ANYONE for each hill. Then when you "eventually" get dropped (which you will), recover your legs a bit and have a fun ride. It won't be solo though. There will be other people who have shelled themselves and are also "alone". Ride with other people whenever you can for as long as you can. Take a tube and a CO2, just in case.

    And Have Fun! I love these races and I think they really help you build fitness. Remember, the extra VO2 effort on the top 1/4 of the hill will pay back in spades if you are able to stay in touch with someone else. You can "recover" by soft pedaling at the back of the pack in the draft for a minute or two. But if you get dropped, soft pedaling means you will go backwards very quickly.
  • kimmydctkimmydct
    Lol@ Peter. Well, guess ill be getting some snide remarks cuz my road bike is a triple. Oh well.

    Thanks for the tips. Guess I won't wear my EN shirt. image
  • moetai@gmail.commoetai@gmail.com
    don't be surprise with the surges (the speed will go above 55kmh for more than 5k sometimes, and yes,that would be on the flat), and use brakes with caution when in the pack. If u go faster than the guy in front, slide (gently) to the side to catch the wind, it will slow u down nice and esay so u can get back in his wheel without braking.
    Get to the front of the pack before the hills, by the time the last rider passes u, u are almost at the top and can probably hang on to his wheel.
    And the most important advice: if u feel like u are reaching your limit, allow an extra foot between your front wheel and the rear whell of the guy in front, u will catch more wind but trust me, lactic acid tastes way better than asphalt.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Good stuff below.  My 2 cents from the few races I have done:

     

    • No aerobars (as noted)
    • NO Ironman or any tri-geek gear (as noted)
    • Take off any bento boxes, etc. Only accessory on the bike can be a seat bag.  Spare tube, O2, etc. in your jersey is preferable.
    • Stay mid-pack as much as possible and use the draft.  
    • NEVER get in the back of the pack - nothing worse than missing the jump and having to haul ass and catch the group.
    • Powermeter is basically useless except to see how easy you are going or to see your FT at 175%.  So really use RPE.  
    • If your heart is ready to explode . . . push harder.  :-)
    • Have FUN!  



    Though roadies can be *divas* at times, I find most are pretty cool.



    Stark

     

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