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Seriously thinking about turning up and doing the cat 4 at these events just to dip a toe in the road racing water
Fairly confident in a big group and can hold mid 20mph speeds pretty comfortably over reasonable distances (eg avaerged 19.2mph over 92 miles at the White Horse Challenge at the w/e). Is this going to be enough to get me started or are there are other things to think through first
Any inputs / experiences to share
Castle Combe; the only place in the world to have a continual headwind on a circular course 😯
Going to start racing soon too.
The input I've had from my club is that the cat4 races they've been in are about 27mph average. Never half wheel as this can lead to crashes and stay as close to the front as possible to avoid losing a wheel out of the corners. HTH.
Mulletus - what do you mean by 'half wheel'
27mph average - ok. That is faster than I thought but still probably just about do-able though may well see the contents of my stomach in the first few attempts
Mulletus - what do you mean by 'half wheel'
When you're in the peleton make sure that you front wheel isn't overlapping the rear wheel of the riders in front of you. If they suddenly change direction and catch your wheel it could end in carnage. Stay directly behind the wheel.
Thought that but wanted to check - thanks
Out of interest where are you thinking of doing your first race?
I'm having a crack at it tomorrow. It's 4th cat only but the summer series is handicapped with e/1/2/3/4 so the elites will definitely catch the 4th cats.
I've been told a lot of 4th cats are a ruddy danger at castle combe. Not being able to corner and not sprinting in a straight line (yes, i'm a 4th cat but don't do these things)
Could you let us know how you go Tricky?
I may be a danger if I join 😳
Just come back from the race. Was much much easier than the road race i did on Sunday. Lots of riders who don't know how to corner or hold their line very well. No organised riders going off the front. Found it very easy to stay in the bunch and a lot of it was about positioning.
Found myself boxed in many times when a few going on the outside. Only realised on the 2nd to last corner it was the last lap so started to make my way to the front. Managed to get around 15th (i think). About 150 riders rode!
Prefer road racing with Hills if i'm honest. Weedles out the weaker riders as there is no where to hide. Maybe it would nbe different in 3rd cat with some better organisation to split the group
Good experience though and my 2nd race done
garmin data from the race (again forgot to start tracking until 2 or 3 laps in)
http://connect.garmin.com/player/80781886
EDIT: I'd say give it a go Taz..Quite easy to stay in the bunch
Thanks Tricky - much appreciated.
Will you be back?
Pretty sure I will give it a go in the mid May event.close enough to Bristol for a punt.
You up for it this thursday Taz?
i've been told it's now changed to separate races so there's no handicap (or elite riders destroying everyone)