
General advice
1. Stay near the front
2. Stay out of the wind
3. You save more energy riding 5 or more riders back than you do being second wheel
5. Some race circuits can be ridden from the back. But generally the more twisty, turny and hillier they are the closer you should be to the front.
6. Watch out for gear changing numpty's on hills during Road Races (see 1)
7. Try not to let everyone know you're the strongest right from the get go
8. Stay calm and ever ever so watchful
9. Stay clear of dopey riders who seem slow to react or who don't ride smoothly
10. Don't swear and cuss other riders (your an agreeable

11. Practice drinking form your bottle (not at the race)
12. Practice racing line turns (be safe though!) (not at the race)
13. Ride in appropriate gears. Excessive spinning and big gear munching will tire your legs
14. Recce the circuit if you can
15. Get to the race early and be ready (its much better psychologically!) Did I tell you the one about the ACC rider who refused to start a race cause he only had 10 mins to spare rather than the normal 30 mins
16. Be Positive, no matter the situation and T R Y T O R E L A X
17. Find your self a mantra to get you through the difficult parts of the race. Here's my one "POWER POWER I'VE GOT POWER!!
18. Everyone gets dropped, there's no shame in it. Come on the forum and we'll give you LOVE



19. Ignore those racers with the flash blingy bikes - it don't mean a thing!
20. Have FUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Here's some situations you may find yourself in.
Scenario 1
Lets say theres a 5 man break up the road with one ACC guy in the break. If there's a few of you and the man up front is pretty strong (George, Paul, stu, Keith etc) sometimes blocking (slowing the bunch down by riding tempo at the front) may help the break gain some valuable seconds. Otherwise I would look to jump on the back of any groups or indiviuals trying to get acroos to the break.
Scenario 2
Its gonna be a bunch sprint. ACC's fast man/woman is in a good position and you and a few others are feeling strong both physically and psychologically I would lead out the fast man or perhaps help string things out to prevent any Cancellara types going for a long one.
Scenario 3
There's 3 or 4 or you in a 6 man break and the finish is approaching. One by one each man except perhaps your sprinter should attack the break and all other ACC team member should sit on the back of the non ACC riders who will follow the attack. Once the attack has been caught then another ACC rider attacks until hopefully the non ACC guys is too tired to chase or weakens significantly
Scenario 4
There's 3 of you in a break and with 2 other non ACC'er but one of them is refusing to work (might be a lazy sprinter). Sit in front of him/her and allow the other 3 to pull away. Once a gap opens up he/she will generally try to close it. Jump on his/her wheel and repeat if necessary. Remember though if he/she is genuinely knackered this tactic may fail and you' may get dropped.
Scenario 5
You've managed to get yourself into a break but your not feeling great. Do as little work as possible. No one can force you to work although peeps will invariably give you a lot of verbal grief.
When to attack!
1. After a break has been brought back
2. After some confusion (a shouting drama)
3. On a hill sometimes near bottom. middle or as you crest it.
4. On a downhill (not always expected - see Rob Hayles or Toks Adesanya

5. When a strong riders are near the front (they may come with you!)
6. Roll away (sit out front and wait and see. If no chase appears - get going)
7. To get rid of or shake up hangers on and hence you can see who really fancies it
8. If you're feeling strong especially in the final 3rd of the race and you think you could do it solo.
9. The bunch is just about to real in a break (sometimes things slow down a touch)
10. Final lap or so - if like me you can't sprint and there are no team mates what have you got to lose
When not to attack!
1. Generally - in the first 3rd of the race. In variably everyone has fresh legs and you'll get brought back. In more than 100 plus races I've only known an early break to stay away (first few laps or mins) just a handful of times. But hey - ya never know, right Marek

2. When you've got Team mates in a break up the road
Cheers I better get ready for work now
