Newbie to road racing

[Dombo]

I recently joined the club and am tentatively interested in trying a road race. What is the form and is there a category for total newbies in their 40s - I have only done the odd mtb race and a few 17mph Club runs.

Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

[George]

Hi Dombo

The first sort of races I tried were the Hillingdon 4th cat races, I was spurred on by AJay to go along and now have the racing bug.

4th cat races are the first level for anyone who's new to racing.

The Hillingdon races are a good starter event, pretty flat and a short lap, you should be able to stay in with the peloton round there.

Crystal Palace criteriums are a differnt story they are much harder, the lap is shorter and there is a killer climb which you do about 30 times

Here is the Imperial Racing website, they run the events at Hillingdon.

http://www.imperialracingteam.com/imper ... /index.htm

[Stu Merckx Man]

dombo,

this saturday at hillingdon is a 'go ride' race, basically a friendly race , you don't get any points for winning or anything, that would probably be the perfect race to start with....

Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Springfield Rd, off Uxbridge Rd
U16,U14,U12,U10,U8 30 mins 1pm
Go Race cat 4 25km 1.45pm
2,3,4 50km 2.45pm
Ian Chatfield, 020 8561 9382, ian.chat@btinternet.com
http://www.westdraytonmbc.co.uk


cheers,
stu

[quote]I recently joined the club and am tentatively interested in trying a road rac

[carl f]

Hi dombo i'm in the same situation although not quite 40,i've heard about the cp crit! try hillingdon its supposed to be 'easier',gonna try out some time trials this year if you wanna join us newbies
See you sat if your out
Carl

[Matthew Ives]

Hi Dombo,
I started racing last year too and like George it was of because Ajay's constant nagging
Anyway, as George says, Hillingdon is a perfect place to start .
I'd recommend you go out with the 19mph group on saturdays and if you can keep up with them, you should be fine to at least ride along in the bunch at Hillingdon.
Oh, by the way: don't worry about the age thing.
I'm 44 and can still just about hold on to the bunch.

[Andrew G]

Hello Dombo,

This is my first season as well. A veteran of exactly one race .
This cherry-popping experience happened at Chertsey, which is a nice interesting circuit. It's about 2 miles in length with a couple of small lumps on it, but big ring stuff.

I don't know if the lumps put you off as I'm not sure what type of rider you are, you could be a mountain goat. I certainly am not and I got round in the bunch comfortably of a very sort 8 lap race.

The next Chertsey ones are:
[quote]or those of us who enjoyed racing at Chertsey MOD circuit last Sunday, and the week before, I've noticed there are 3 more there this year. I think I'll probably do them as I thought it was a nice circuit and easy to get to.

Sat 14/4
Sat 5/5
Sat 2/6

Each date also has a 3rds race and an E/1/2 for those more rapid.

[Paul on the Pearson]

Howdy Dombo,
Like Andrew I'm a weary, battle scard veteran of just one race! So as some one new to this racing lark I,m in no position to regail you with amusing anecdotes concerning hard men of the road, great sporting feats of human pain and suffering or any other tales of high jinks or offer you the benefit of my vast experience, Lucky you, but I would suggest you try a few club runs with the 19 group and I found doing a time trial, in my case ACC,s presidents 10 to get a taster of what riding at near threshold feels like, its also good training. My first(and only)race was at Chertsey which is a great course with a bit of variation in the terrain.
Basically just give it go!
Good luck
See you saturday
Paul on the Pearson

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Surrey League handicaps are an excellent introduction to road racing, starting off in small groups of similar ability.
They are on Thursday evenings around Surrey/Sussex.
Contact me if you're interested

paul.tunnell@landg.com