So you want to do your first road race...

[bertusras]

Okay, so I've really been enjoying the road bike the past couple of months, and think that it's time to start entering events. Since the Carnival City Macsteel National Classic extended its entry I've been thinking about doing that one as a start.

 

What do I need to do to get ready? (and can it all be done in one day?)

 

1) Apply for CSA Membership, which is R150, plus the R50 Levy for Gauteng North?

2) Register and buy a Racetec chip, for R140?

3) Enter the race on CycleEvents?

 

Now I think that covers the administrative issues. As for the actual race.

 

I'm quite comfortable doing 100km solo, so I don't foresee issues doing a 100km race, even though the pace will definitely be hotter, although, I'm probably going to be starting dead last. I'm also confident riding in, around and between other cyclists, however I've not been in groups much larger than 8 or 10 people. Not sure what it's going to be like at the back.

 

Some pointers would be awesome, even though I'm sure it's been debated to death already.

[Brickleberry]

I paid no levy for gauteng north? Once entry is out the way . Just make sure you have a spare tube and some snacks . Don't over think it, go have fun. I have heard it's a great race . I'm broke till Friday or I would have been there for sure

[Rocket-Boy]

I generally found that if you are starting at the back there wont be groups, and definitely not groups that will be going at your pace.

[bertusras]

I paid no levy for gauteng north? Once entry is out the way . Just make sure you have a spare tube and some snacks . Don't over think it, go have fun. I have heard it's a great race . I'm broke till Friday or I would have been there for sure

 

Strange, it was forced on me now. Anyways it's done. Battling to enter the race now, because they're forcing a CSA Membership on me, not sure why, but I've queried it.

 

I generally found that if you are starting at the back there wont be groups, and definitely not groups that will be going at your pace.

 

Yeah I'm afraid that might be the case, but hopefully there's some people like me who're willing to form a little train and get some speed going.

[eccc whippet]

i use to start right at the back of every race...big mistake...try get as close to the front of the batch...rather get dropped and jump onto a slower group...than try catch up.

 

some pointers i got from a more experienced rider...if you do get dropped...make sure you keep looking back for the next group and pick up speed as the group goes past rather than trying to catch up once they have gone past.

 

use the bunch to save as much energy as possible...during the shova i waited for a bunch jumped on...thought it was going a little too slow...decided to go it solo again...dropped the bunch and went ahead on my own...it was just a matter of time and they caught me and left me behind...i used too much energy on my own and couldnt jump back on.

 

make sure you have enough fuel and water to keep going...if you stop at watering holes you get left behind.

 

make sure you dont change anything just before the race...eating habits...bicycle components...nothing...if you do need a service do it a week before.

 

there is tons more info...i am sure more experienced riders will share.

[J∆kk∆ls]

If you really want to mess with people. 

Lead them to the finish in a time they would never have expected.

Then when you see them at the next race having done no extra training, watch them get dropped by the faster group. 

[bertusras]

i use to start right at the back of every race...big mistake...try get as close to the front of the batch...rather get dropped and jump onto a slower group...than try catch up.

 

some pointers i got from a more experienced rider...if you do get dropped...make sure you keep looking back for the next group and pick up speed as the group goes past rather than trying to catch up once they have gone past.

 

use the bunch to save as much energy as possible...during the shova i waited for a bunch jumped on...thought it was going a little too slow...decided to go it solo again...dropped the bunch and went ahead on my own...it was just a matter of time and they caught me and left me behind...i used too much energy on my own and couldnt jump back on.

 

make sure you have enough fuel and water to keep going...if you stop at watering holes you get left behind.

 

make sure you dont change anything just before the race...eating habits...bicycle components...nothing...if you do need a service do it a week before.

 

there is tons more info...i am sure more experienced riders will share.

 

This is some solid advice, thanks! I'll definitely try get as far up front as possible! Don't want to spend too much time early chasing after some decent riders.

[leeubok]

i use to start right at the back of every race...big mistake...try get as close to the front of the batch...rather get dropped and jump onto a slower group...than try catch up.

 

some pointers i got from a more experienced rider...if you do get dropped...make sure you keep looking back for the next group and pick up speed as the group goes past rather than trying to catch up once they have gone past.

 

use the bunch to save as much energy as possible...during the shova i waited for a bunch jumped on...thought it was going a little too slow...decided to go it solo again...dropped the bunch and went ahead on my own...it was just a matter of time and they caught me and left me behind...i used too much energy on my own and couldnt jump back on.

 

make sure you have enough fuel and water to keep going...if you stop at watering holes you get left behind.

 

make sure you dont change anything just before the race...eating habits...bicycle components...nothing...if you do need a service do it a week before.

 

there is tons more info...i am sure more experienced riders will share.

Eish this road racing business sounds complicated! On a mtb you just pedal until your legs can't anymore. Oh yes and try not to fall off or go OTB

[Honkdonk]

Take my entry.. I cant do it anymore...

[eccc whippet]

Eish this road racing business sounds complicated! On a mtb you just pedal until your legs can't anymore. Oh yes and try not to fall off or go OTB

at the beginning of last year i thought it cant be that complicated to ride a bike...get on pedal as fast as you can...stay fat and build my legs...then loose weight and bingo i would be much faster...so i started riding a mtb and entered the 40 km races....eeeish that is all i am gona say...if you have followed my progress from 130 kg you will know why.

 

i got a road bike to train for mtb races...turns out i enjoy the road bike more than the mtb...so this year i set a few goals enetered a few road bike races and started putting in some effort...boy have i learnt a few things since then.

 

from hand signals

 

to bunch riding...how and when to use the bunch and when to use mother nature to get better results on a day riding in a group...for example you dont always have to be in the front to have the fastest time on a stretch of road  

 

power to weight...cadence...heart rate...wheels...components.

 

when you start trying to improve your abilities...it gets interesting.

[bertusras]

Take my entry.. I cant do it anymore...

 

Serious? Let me know your banking details and transfer process please!

[leeubok]

at the beginning of last year i thought it cant be that complicated to ride a bike...get on pedal as fast as you can...stay fat and build my legs...then loose weight and bingo i would be much faster...so i started riding a mtb and entered the 40 km races....eeeish that is all i am gona say...if you have followed my progress from 130 kg you will know why.

 

i got a road bike to train for mtb races...turns out i enjoy the road bike more than the mtb...so this year i set a few goals enetered a few road bike races and started putting in some effort...boy have i learnt a few things since then.

 

from hand signals

 

to bunch riding...how and when to use the bunch and when to use mother nature to get better results on a day riding in a group...for example you dont always have to be in the front to have the fastest time on a stretch of road

 

power to weight...cadence...heart rate...wheels...components.

 

when you start trying to improve your abilities...it gets interesting.

That sounds very interesting Isetech. I'd probably cause a moerse crash if I had to try ride in a bunch right now! But I actually wouldn't mind getting a road bike and doing a few races.. However, where I live there's just no chance of doing any road riding so the only time I'll get on a road bike is during the race. I've done the Amashova twice and 94.7 once. But on a mtb.. 

[CASSIE1975]

Sounds like you have it all sorted Bertus...just make sure you drink enough and you also had a good breakfast and maybe some Gu / energy stuff in between...whatever helps you along the way for energy...each person uses their own poison...

 

Good luck and just enjoy it out there...each race will teach you something new.

[Frosty]

Okay, so I've really been enjoying the road bike the past couple of months, and think that it's time to start entering events. Since the Carnival City Macsteel National Classic extended its entry I've been thinking about doing that one as a start.

 

What do I need to do to get ready? (and can it all be done in one day?)

 

1) Apply for CSA Membership, which is R150, plus the R50 Levy for Gauteng North?

2) Register and buy a Racetec chip, for R140?

3) Enter the race on CycleEvents?

 

Now I think that covers the administrative issues. As for the actual race.

 

I'm quite comfortable doing 100km solo, so I don't foresee issues doing a 100km race, even though the pace will definitely be hotter, although, I'm probably going to be starting dead last. I'm also confident riding in, around and between other cyclists, however I've not been in groups much larger than 8 or 10 people. Not sure what it's going to be like at the back.

 

Some pointers would be awesome, even though I'm sure it's been debated to death already.

you can pay for all the above online when do the entry and save some money too.

 

chip is R120 if you buy if through the event link

 

CSA Membership is R120, and only goes up next month.

 

Entry fee is R210 (65), R300 (103) or R320 if your are a licensed cyclist.

[Frosty]

Strange, it was forced on me now. Anyways it's done. Battling to enter the race now, because they're forcing a CSA Membership on me, not sure why, but I've queried it.

 

 

Yeah I'm afraid that might be the case, but hopefully there's some people like me who're willing to form a little train and get some speed going.

It shouldn't force you, as there is an option to pay a R35 day licence.

[Frosty]

Take my entry.. I cant do it anymore...

only saw this after replying to the OP.

 

If anyone wants to buy/sell an entry, it can only be done at registration.

 

If the OP decides to take this entry and buys a chip, it will be R140. We negotiated the price before they had their increase.