Advice for my 1st "race"

[silkman]

I am a novice cyclist who cycles alone once a week. My best was 50km in 2h45 riding alone.

I'm told riding in a group is easier.

I have never ridden in a group race and wanted to give the Tour of Durban a shot- my aim is to do at least 70km.

What do I need to know about riding in a group?

Any advice on what to take in my water bottles- I currently only drink water.

What to have for breakfast/take along the route?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[scotty]

Why are you planning on only doing 70km. Regards what to take on the bike try taking an energy drink but one you know you will be OK with and have trained with, don't try anything new on race day. In the race there are also WP with water, coke and energade/powerade along the route. For 100km races i start off with 2 weetbix biscuits and a slice of toast about 2 hours prior then i take 1 bottle energy drink and 1 bottle water, a banana and and energy bar or jelly babies during the race.

[JJDT]

I am a novice cyclist who cycles alone once a week. My best was 50km in 2h45 riding alone.

I'm told riding in a group is easier.

Riding in a group is easier but this needs some practise and on a race day you need some basic skills and you do not want to experiment this idea.

 

I have never ridden in a group race and wanted to give the Tour of Durban a shot- my aim is to do at least 70km.

You will be able to do the full distance, there are a lot of people who will encourage you. Try to find a few guys who rides the same pace and stay with them and this will aid you in finishing the race.

 

What do I need to know about riding in a group?

Do some research on group riding and find some guys to ride with in order to practise this skill.

 

Any advice on what to take in my water bottles- I currently only drink water.

What to have for breakfast/take along the route?

Again no experimenting on race day this will have a nasty experience. Water imo will not give you the energy to last. For starters try maybe Energade or Powerade and on your training start experimenting with gels and energy drinks.

As for food the same apply for above no experimenting. A good neutral food is a banana and maybe try an energy bar. There is some nice topics in Training & Nutrition and food has been discussed, on your training ride experiment with the various food sources to verify which works best.

 

Good luck with the race and may you have a good one.

[rouxtjie]

Go and have a good time...forget group riding and time...actually leave your garmin at home.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

In this months Bicycling magazine they have an article on 101 tips and tricks.

1 of the more interesting tips is that the average person can handle a race 3 times further than their average training ride without being too uncomfortable.

I tend to agree with that statement.

[silkman]

Thanks for the pointer and encouragement everyone- appreciated. My personal aim is 70km but after reading the replies- think I'm gonna give the full distance a shot.

[Brogue]

• Keep left
  
• Pass right
  
• Hold your line
  
• Stay safe
  
• Enjoy the race.
  

[Eugene]

When riding with people around you.........the most important thing is to hold your line.

[Brogue]

When riding with people around you.........the most important thing is to hold your line NEVER shove your front wheel through the driver's window of a parked minibus in anger, irrespective of the provocation.

 

Fixed

[Lynnie_the_Snail]

Have fun, once you have done your first race you will be dying to do your next one... and do what Brogue said...

[Ratty]

I am a novice cyclist who cycles alone once a week. My best was 50km in 2h45 riding alone.

I'm told riding in a group is easier.

I have never ridden in a group race and wanted to give the Tour of Durban a shot- my aim is to do at least 70km.

What do I need to know about riding in a group?

Any advice on what to take in my water bottles- I currently only drink water.

What to have for breakfast/take along the route?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I would recommend drinking 32GI rather than plain water, but as the others have said, first try it on a few training rides.

 

Also some energy bars / banana's / peanut butter sandwich's etc are good to take on the route as you will be riding for quite a few hours.

 

Ride at a pace you are comfortable. We have learnt the hard way trying to keep up with a group going faster than we are used to, eventually getting dropped and having no energy left for the rest of the race.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

The only advice I give a noob is hold ur line, dont worry about stats, peanut butter sandwiches and energade works fine, spend time in the saddle, make sure your bike works and go for bike fitment before spending money on anything else, I wish someone told me about the latter first up. 100km will tell you if you not setup correctly.

 

Ride the bike!

[Morwa]

1. Enjoy the race.

2. Finish the race.

3. Don't start to fast!

4. Enjoy the race!

[Joe Low]

When riding with people around you.........the most important thing is to hold your line.

 

But dont worry if you forget, there is no shortage of takers who will keep reminding you to hold your line, whether you are holding it or not.

 

Otherwise, in a group:

• Be predictable
  
• Dont overlap wheels
  
• Dont spit / clear nostrils
  

[Wyatt Earp]

I have been told, and have witnessed it for myself, you should ride as hard as you can "all the time" especially the first 5 k's.

[scotty]

But dont worry if you forget, there is no shortage of takers who will keep reminding you to hold your line, whether you are holding it or not.

 

Otherwise, in a group:

• Be predictable
  
• Dont overlap wheels
  
• EDont spit / clear nostrils
  

Also when taking and replacing a drink, don't show everyone in the group by waving the bottle around. I always chirp, no thanks I have my own.