First road race tonight, what should I expect?
It’s a hour long 4th cat/novices’ race on a closed road (a Ford test track) . So how much different from an XC race?
One's chalk, and one's cheese.
🙂
An XC race is won by the best rider, a road race (particularly a 4th cat one) is more of a 'last man standing' affair, with the winner usually a sit in sprinter who will then take out half the field with their horrendous riding in the last 200m.
Stay near the front, pay attention, don't do ANYTHING suddenly, and be prepared to watch some idiots in action!
there will be more tarmac and less dirt, can't see there being any roots rock or jumps either
An XC race is won by the best rider, a road race (particularly a 4th cat one) is more of a 'last man standing' affair, with the winner usually a sit in sprinter who will then take out half the field with their horrendous riding in the last 200m.
Stay near the front, pay attention, don't do ANYTHING suddenly, and be prepared to watch some idiots in action!
+1
road racing (IME) is about being able to hang on when it's incredibly hard for short periods of time...quite different to xc.
"Stay at the front" of the main group you mean?
So what happens we all trawl around for 59 1/2 mins then sprint for the line?
Sorry I really have no idea what happens on a road race.
An XC race is pretty easy for a novice to try.... Start with a sprint, go really hard for the next 55mins then put a last "all in" effort at the end and most of the time you'll be racing on your own really.
Can you put a road race in a nut shell?
Start easy, riding in a big bunch, crash, everyone looks around, crash, someone sprints off into a break (if you're on the wheel try and go, if you want to turn yourself inside out for no glory), crash, there's carnage whilst a chase gets arranged, crash, a couple of riders drag the entire field back up to the break (this bit will be hard), crash, steady riding, repeat the break/chase, crash, sprint like hell for the last few seconds. Find that unless you were in the top 10 you don't really know how you did.
xc - get as much effort out as possible during the race. road - conserve as much effort as possible, except for a few key moments. the level of race you are riding will quite likely end in bunch sprint (this isn't guaranteed and largely out of your control). if you fancy your chances in a sprint then just follow wheels and try to avoid any mishaps 'til the end. if you dont fancy your chances in a sprint try an opprtunist attack inside the last mile or so. if you very fit and can hold a high speed for a long time, attack early.
Cool liking the answer, keep 'em coming.
I know you guys think (from other threads) that there are lots of crashes in 4th cat races, but is it really that bad.
I'm not worried about myself, you understand, but my lovely new bike.
Oh and what do you think the average speeds migth be?
4th cat - breaks ? is it different in england ?
i dont race road but i do marshall at events - very rarely have i seen a break in a 4th cat race - unless its some dominating XC racer who crossed over for some training 😀
Average? maybe 24-5mph?
An XC race is won by the best rider, a road race (particularly a 4th cat one) is more of a 'last man standing' affair, with the winner usually a sit in sprinter who will then take out half the field with their horrendous riding in the last 200m.Stay near the front, pay attention, don't do ANYTHING suddenly, and be prepared to watch some idiots in action
LOL I'm watching my lot tonight, they're first race. Well there's nothing on telly.
One of the key differences is that during a road race everyone stays in contention. Everyone will feel they have a chance if they play it right, so you have to be as good as the next man. During XC there's a clearer pecking order pretty well from the off, with novices often a lap down straight away and content to do the best they can. Tonight you might be just yards from the winner and when you are you won't just want to be content.
If it's of interest I race at the Milton Keynes Bowl in the LVRC and averages are about 24 plus. 3/4 races 25 plus for an hour and five laps.
Enjoy
Oh faster than I was expecting!?! OK another numpty question, is that speed because you are in a group or you are taking into account any attacks.
Maybe I should have asked what's the "cruising" speed?
Hmm, that doesn't sound that quick. Maybe I should try this road racing lark 🙂
Where is this race?
it aint the speed that will get you molgrips its the sudden acceleration .....
ive seen good fast riders bowled out the back of the pack due to the acceleration !
I can sprint... 😉
Oldgit... good insight, like it.
As much as I like xc racing I've only ever really felt as if I've been racing myself (even when getting top 5/10 finishes outta 50 odd in local "low level" races). Sounds as if road races might be more exciting in that reguard.
road racing (IME) is about being able to hang on when it's incredibly hard for short periods of time...quite different to xc.
Very good description.
4th Cat races can be carnage - the problem is often that you get fit people from other sports giving it a go who can go fast but can't really ride well in a pack so you get all the diving up the inside into bends, looking round after crashes (causing further crashes), braking and so on. It is exciting though 🙂
4th Cat races do also tend to be very negative - everyone chases everything rather than the higher cats where people let breaks go and then chase if they think they look dangerous, hence why 4th cat races often end in bunch sprints.
Give it a go though. It is really good fun. Oh, the additional speed is largely down to riding in a group. If you haven't before, you'll be amazed how little effort you can put in while doing close on 30mph in the middle of a big group.
Sorry I really have no idea what happens on a road race.
Then for your own safety, and the safety of others, I suggest you don't dive in at the deep-end.
Do you have any experience of riding in a group?
SB
As much as I like xc racing I've only ever really felt as if I've been racing myself
I did a particularly flat XC race once where a chap was on my wheel the whole time. It was the first time I'd experienced it and it was actually pretty stressful, knowing that any slip, mistake or even slackening off a bit would cost me a place!
Diving up the inside.... noted.... that may have been me.
Expect to Crash and if you don't bonus 🙂
I know you guys think (from other threads) that there are lots of crashes in 4th cat races, but is it really that bad
The view from a bike snob? Not that bad, but pretty poor. What you have now is fit strong well equiped guys having a go. They're background is often sportives or rides with mates, they've overtaken a few roadies and think they're ready to race. Two things they don't have is learning and finesse. So it's all a bit 'Bull in a china shop' where as you actually need to be a bit Jedi?
Strato... Nop... and I was thinking about that.
As much as my posts are a bit numpty, I'm not a complete tool.
What do you other guys think?
FWIW, I did quite a few 4th cat races when I was doing another sport and never crashed. I did see a few crashes but let's say based on number of riders, number of crashes, etc. only a 1 or 2% chance of crashing each race so not really that bad if you consider that presumably most of us do mtbing where you stand a good chance of crashing 🙂
Ro5ey - Member
Strato... Nop... and I was thinking about that.As much as my posts are a bit numpty, I'm not a complete tool.
What do you other guys think?
I would be trying to get in some roadie rides with a group of at least 10 riders just to get used to holding a wheel and not constantly slowing/speeding up which you'll be suprised how much you probably do if you've never really ridden with others.
[url=www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/darkside-first-road-race]First road race discussion[/url]
Kcr... sorry I can't see it... what was the conclusion?
It's a shame that there isn't a well televised, large event that lasted a few weeks where you could have observed what happens from a chair. Oh wait.....
They are a competitive event. Riders are out there trying to 'win' so you can expect exactly the same sort of behaviour as you get at XC races.
It may get a bit clostrophobic in the group as you will be riding in very close quarters. No doubt there will be some of the group shouting at your lack of experience but you've got to start somewhere.
Pay attatention to what is going on around you.
I remember my first road race. I was a reasonable tester at the time and had done a lot of circuit racing (in a group) so felt I was well prepared. When we had finished the roll out and racing started I was well up there with the bunch (no breaks yet) and was pretty confident. We hit the first slow bend in the course (90 degree left hander) and I couldn't believe where the field had gone. The acceleration was more than I had ever experienced before and I was off the back in a matter of seconds. I rode myself back to the group in time for the next bend, repeat performance of bend one but this time it took me longer to get back on and within the first two laps I was pooped and they got away up a hill into a headwind and I was out there on my own. Time for an early cup of tea I thought, race over.
MK1fan.... re TdF... I'm a not a bad looking fella but I'm not Tom Cruise (i'm thinking Days of Thunder here)
To be honest, the way 4th cat has been berated on here lately I wondered if indeed it was anything like TdF and not just a set of goons getting it all wrong. And I've presumed unfit, hence 4th cat, goons at that, I'm starting to see that might not be so.
Just mailed the organisors, lets see what they say
I think road racing sometimes has a slightly elitist image because of the way it is raced in comparison to mtb events - you are either good enough to play or you are not and if you are not you will not actually be involved in a bike race. In an mtb event you can enter knowing you are way off the pace of the lead riders, get caned in the first couple of hundred yards and proceed to ride the course pretty much on your own but at the end of the event say legitimately you have just taken part in a mtb XC race. In road racing where drafting and an ability to hold a wheel are absolutely essential, if you are not fit enough for the accelerations or don't have the skills to hold your position you will be found out and you will be spat out of the back in a twinkling of an eye. At that point you are not really in a road race any more but taking yourself for a solo bimble - you might as well just climb off.
I would suggest that in your first race you should focus entirely on keeping yourself in the first third of the peleton and maybe not even bother with the sprint at the end but watch and learn. You will find yourself drifting back faster that you would imagine and baring in mind everyone will be trying to do exactly the same thing it is a hell of an achievement to just manage that. The further back you are the more chance you have of becoming unstuck in an acceleration or on a climb and you will be significantly more in danger of getting hurt in a crash.
When I stopped road racing seriously I started doing it as a bit of fun to keep a bit sharp whilst my actual competitive racing was in triathlon. Without racing as much I did not gain enough points to keep in a decent category so was racing at a lower level. The upshot was witnessing more crashing and the strategy aspect of the racing became non existent as everything was chased down immediately. I gave it up in the end (and [b]convert[/b]ed to mtb racing in 2004 - hence the user name)as I didn't enjoy it any more and the potential damage to the wallet and body through crashing was not worth the risk it posed to my real sport. Crashing in a road race is nothing like crashing xc - blood gets split and bones broken far more frequently.
edit - oh and get used to not knowing how you did at the end of the event in terms of a results sheet. The organisers will try their best but often if the order of the first 6 across the line is correct there has been a minor miracle - everything after that is a guess at best.
If you do decide to give it a go, then bon courage, and let us know how you got on. I'll cross my fingers for you.
SB
I think njee20's got it pretty much spot on.
I've done 3 crits now as a lowly 4th cat and have learned LOADS.
It can be fun, lots of fun and the ones I've done have seemed pretty well behaved in comparison to what people have described, but you've still got to have your head screwed on tight!
Wow. I've gone from
"that cat 4 racing sounds like a good laugh might give it a go"
to
"no freakin way, I like my skin/bike/bones too much"
in the space of a 1 page thread, well done fellas.
🙂
only a 1 or 2% chance of crashing each race
That's not exactly scary surely?
Are you racing at Dunton? If you are that track does have some quirks, don't get out of the saddle on the banking your outside pedal will hit the ground as your bike moves, try and stay in the front 10/12, that will depend on your legs and bike handling though, the Go races normally stay together, the sprint can be carnage though, 24/25avg, when you warm up ask an experienced rider for any tips, most will help. Good luck!
+1 DONK. And my shiny road bike!!
Great thread!
Re the 'you need to be used to riding in a group first' argument, I've been racing on and off for 20years and it's definitely got crazy in the last 2 or 3.
Too many peole coming to road racing from with no experience whatsoever of riding with a club.
There's even talk about BC issuing a 'provisional' license - you need to do at least say 4 club runs and be assessed as 'safe' before you are allowed to enter a race.
..that said, nothing properly prepares you for racing.
Have fun, don't go mad, aim to stay with the bunch and come back to tell us how you get on 😆
..that said, nothing properly prepares you for racing.
Hate to harp on about how things used to be, but it's where clubs shone. It was like serving an apprenticeship.
Good example. A few of my club mates are goint to race tonight for the first time. Their idea of taking a turn up front is to hoon by whilst looking over the shoulder wondering why the poor sod that's just done all the work can't get on.
I explained that if they do that on the night it'll be seen as an attack, and hence the old chase everything starts up.
We tried having a proper session working as a chaingang, it was okay. The other thing with relative newcomers is the inability to hold a wheel, and when they do they fixate on the tyre in front and not what's going on.
As well as being too old, it's the reason I won't race 4th cat and why I stick with the LVRC as the racing and riders are quality.
Have to agree with oldgit on the lvrc, much higher standard of riding, that said, we all have to start somewhere.
As oldgit says. I was out with the local club a few weeks ago round the lanes of Cheshire. Me (very experienced but have now dropped back to 3rd Cat), couple of very good 2nd Cats, a non-racer type and a complete newbie.
Managed to control the enthusiastic 2nd Cats (who had a tendency to sprint for signs or sprint uphills) for long enough to get a chaingang going, proper through and off. 5 is a good number but dear God it was like trying to herd cats at first!
The newbie got the hang of it after 2 or 3 rotations though and he admitted afterwards he'd learned loads from it and we all had lots of fun riding it. Was great practice, we maintained it for about 30 mins.
As to the racing. 4th Cat races tends to sit there at 22-23 mph then all hell breaks loose as someone launches an attack, everyone sprints after it, catches up then sits there again at 22-23mph. Repeat until the finish line comes into view. Keep your wits about you, DON'T make any sudden moves or switch line and remember, once you're sprinting for the line you're committed. Do NOT sit up when you realise you're not going to win as everyone behind will run into the back of you! Other than that, have fun. 🙂
Not sure I should have started this thread now, as I will not be racing tonight.... Boo.
Mailed the club (yes its Ford CC at Dunton) and although wasn't told no in so many words was put off a little, which is fair enough. Their views echoed you guys, probably a bit dodgy racing when having absolutely no experience of group riding.
Really hate to be a wuss but it’s not just me involved... when other people are "at risk" I believe that should be respected
So will get myself onto some local group rides and give it a go in a couple weeks.
Or
When go down there tonight, to have a little watch, I give it one last go at getting involved by judging the chaps reaction as I introduce myself.
Managed to control the enthusiastic 2nd Cats (who had a tendency to sprint for signs or sprint uphills) for long enough to get a chaingang going, proper through and off. 5 is a good number but dear God it was like trying to herd cats at first
LOL... We had nine going, as Gene Hunt said 'it was like a load of ***zzers in a magnet factory' The rider in front peeled off so I came through, fine. But then he keeps matching my speed next to me and the rider behind was still asleep three metres away.
They're like my Springer Spaniel, they have to be in front the whole time, to them the whole concept of a race is to be in the front.
Ro5ey, if you watch it'll look pedestrian, it always does for some reason.
Have a go. Can you take a lap out? some allow that.
Have you really got no experience of group riding?
I asked this question in december
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/differences-between-xc-and-road-racing
FWIW i've done a few road races and numerous crit races (got my 1st point last month)
the road races were much, much harder than the crit races and i enjoyed them more. The crit races i treated as training most of the time as it normally came down to a sprint finish. Saying that we've had 3 or 4 races in the series where the break has stayed out and hasn't been caught.
The crit races were 3/4 so i've no experience of 4th cat only races.
It took me quite a few races to develop a bit of racecraft. The 1st few i kept getting hit by the wind when i wanted to drive to the front (i'd always come out of the pack and move up on the outside). Now i move up inside the pack and find i'm quite confident moving up through the bunch.
I must say i absolutely love road racing. I've did 1 of the southern xc races a while back in the sport category although had a dnf due to a blow out on the last lap.
I raced 5 CAT4 crits this year without seeing a crash, the fields usually just club members so most know how to ride in a group, keep an eye on the random's.
Warm up a LOT before hand,they'll not be hanging around for the first few laps.
Shout, point, signal to anyone close to give warning if your pulling out etc.
Enjoy it.
Most importantly, above anything else:
Rule #59 - HOLD YOUR LINE!
oldgit - that was the mistake the newbie kept making and the speed kept going up and up and up. He'd come through a good 10mph quicker than the inside line, the pull in when he was 20m up the road, the guy behind sprinting wildly to catch up.
Within 5 minutes though, we'd got it down to a pretty fine art and in the end were keeping it going round corners and all sorts. Once I got the two 2nd Cats onside and they started controlling themselves/the group a bit more, it was all fine. And actually very enjoyable, you get a good buzz from doing it right.
I'm surprised they put you off, the idea of that series is to give newcomers an introduction, the guy that runs it is a very experienced racer, if you're going to go along take your bike and have a go, if you don't like it, or feel really uncomfortable, then you can pull out. Depending on how old you are, you can wait till next week and ride with the vets. If you want to come on a group ride, we meet 9.30 sunday at Bulphan Church.
[url= http://www.gatewaycycling.org.uk/ ]Gateway cc[/url]
Thinking about it you may be better off going out on the 9 o'clock run its a bit faster, you'll be welcome on either.
Ro5ey, good call - get along tonight, have a chat with a few experienced-looking people (they won't be the ones with carbon bikes and deep section rims. Look for mudguards) and tie up with some club/ evening training runs first.
Myself and others I know have given up road racing because it has got too dangerous with innexperienced riders. A good friend broke his hip last summer in these circumstances, with further operations won't be propoerly fit for another year or so yet.
I do hope BC go the 'provisional' licence route or set up some sort of Compulsory Basic Training through the clubs before people can race in earnest - its getting crazy.
I have had a couple of goes at getting newbies into a working chain recently, starngely the mountain bikers picked it up in no time, the (previously solo) roadies were off the front/back/side all the time and completely oblivious to anyone other than themselves.
I fine rider from the Twickenham suffered the same fate IIRC
Lazy... Thanks, yeah somehow I came across the flyer for the races and that was my impression of them. But like I've said, they have not said no as such. I'm going to ride down there from Brentwood tonight and see how I get on.
Sadly sunday mornings are a no no for me, otherwise I would have been out on a group ride before, but thank you for the invite.
No worries, I don't think we've got anyone racing tonight, should be some glendene, essex roads or chelmsford riders about though, maybe have a chat with them... Good luck.
FWIW, despite my negativity, I've never crashed in a road race. I've not done [i]that[/i] many, probably 50 or so over the years, had some incredibly near misses, but never actually hit the tarmac.
However, I just don't really enjoy it! I got frustrated with people slavishly chasing down everything, or totally controlling the bunch because they're the dominant team, but to be honest that's primarily because of the races I chose (mainly crits at Eelmore in Hampshire).
I'd never ridden in a group before I tried road racing, never ridden with more than 4 people or so. I didn't finish my first race (out the back at Goodwood), but did finish my 2nd, and then never had a problem again. Quite early on I ended up in an E/1/2 race after missing the 3/4 race - and even that was alright, less 'frantic'.
I'm not totally convinced that riding in a bunch will make that much difference. You have to take the plunge sooner or later!
I feel a bit bad now 😥
Then again one club I rode for said I'd have to train another year with them until I could race in their colours. I'd already been racing 17 years.
Eelmore must be a series of sprint efforts, surely? Bit bonkers racing on there.
Anyone consider wearing some lightweight body armour for this? 🙂
Did you go last night?
I watched our only rider last night, he did a good job. Rode mid bunch all race before moving up for a points place on the hour, but the final single file bend did for him and ended up about 13th.
Two loons shot off within ten minutes and the bunch didn't bother. Five minutes later the dynamic duo were off the back just trying to stay upright.
So I went down to the 4th cat race last night and had a go and I think I’ve got more questions than answers.
Introduced myself to the gent organizing the evening, he was reluctant to let me race. Luckily the commissionair (sp) was standing nearby , saw my dejected look and asked what I expected from the race, I told him I just didn’t want to get dropped. Must have been the right answer as he got me involved.
There was one other newbee but everyone else really did look the part, I was seriously wondering whether I could keep up. I shouldn’t have, it was a fast paced but sitting at the very back I just got sucked along (although the other new guy was off the back within a lap, but then he did still have the reflectors on his bike ?) There was some speeding up and a few times where some light braking was needed but overall it was comfortable high speed cruising. Maybe that’s down to the fact the race was on a old telephone receiver shaped test track, no sharp corners and all very straight forward.
So I stayed at the back getting used to being close to others and not actually being able to see where you are going. For 19 ¾ of the 20 lap race I stayed there expecting the pace to build, especially in the last lap, but it just never happened until 500m to go. Had loads of puff left, in fact to be honest (non willy waving) I had hardly broken sweat, so put the pedal down and finished mid pack ?? If I had not be so so conservative may have finished front of the pack.
Riding back home two thing stood out….
Riding in a group defo needs experience, the gents on here who questioned whether I should race were right to do so. I plan to get some more to give me the confidence to move up to nearer the front.
And the dozen or so XC races I’ve done have been 10 times harder than last night. Now, it may well be down to the fact I was trawling along at the back but my average perceived excursion was probably about 5 last night as opposed to 8.5 out of 10 in a XC race ? Heard some guys saying “fast tonight aye?” Chatting, chatting??? Reckon you could chat in an XC race? I should hope not, and that’s not because the field is strung out.
So I’m wondering what you guys think, overall I defo enjoyed it and will be back for more. I have some new found admiration for racing roadies, hats off for having confidence in the guy in front of you… how you race along roads and bends you don’t know, is to me, at the moment, just scary!
Well done for giving it a go. Finishing in the bunch on your first race is a really good effort.
Lots of clubs run chaingangs, which are excellent places to learn fast paced group riding. Not sure where you're based, but if you're near South London then Dulwich Paragon runs a range of chaingangs which vary according to ability.
I've just gone the other way. I did my first XC race on Wednesday - the Beastway at Hog Hill. That was fairly entertaining.
You're obviously stronger than you thought. I doubt you had a slow race, the minimum never goes under 25mph.
Last night for instance all the newcommers were shelled out while the 2/3/4ths all raced for points.
IME as a 50 plus vet, I struggle with placings on the road but can just ride into a top ten at a XC event.
Quite envious that you found it so easy, I have to train all year just not to get dropped.
Sounds like you did it the right way - gave it a go, didn't cause any crashes, learnt what to work on.
As you mention, there's a big difference between sitting at the back of a pack and sitting in the middle of it where there's no escape - for you or other riders 🙂
Ahh was that a 4th only race?
Yeah 4th only.
Wynne how did you find Beastway... I love it, a great work out. Did the first few this year but then my MTB died and I'm also concentating more on triathlon this year, so that's why I've been seduced by road riding
Yeah 4th only.
Thank **** for that. They're piss easy my gran could do those on her uni-cycle 😉
Good thing is you know you can do it, and they're always there. Though circuit races can get a bit dull if you do too many on the same course.
Wouldn't TT's be better training for you?
Oldget guessing your gran's getting on a bit.
And yes sir TT would be much better in hind sight, more wise words from your goodself.
But then again, all work and no play is a bit rubbish and now I've got a another new fun game to play.
Eelmore must be a series of sprint efforts, surely? Bit bonkers racing on there.
Yep - one shallow corner, and one very sharp one. Good training, and oddly safe as well. Compared to Goodwood - where you could ride a 10 lap TT without touching your brakes, where I've seen some horrific crashes. Only crashes I've really seen at Eelmore is people overcooking the bottom bend.
Anyone consider wearing some lightweight body armour for this?
A friend raced in full armour just before the Nat Champs - having crashed in a crit just before the previous year. He did fine.
Introduced myself to the gent organizing the evening, he was reluctant to let me race
Why? It's a 4th Cat race FFS - for beginners! It's not like you were wanting to ride the Premier Calendar! He sounds like a pleb.
good ride fella. i reckon your just a bit of experience away from a win/placing. don't be afraid to have a go next time.
Nice one Ro5ey on getting in there, good effort to finish in the bunch. Don't listen to anyone taking the piss about it being 4th Only, everyone has to start somewhere! Can't believe the organiser though - thought the point was to encourage people into racing!
I did Preston Arena crit last night, it was very quiet though, I think cos a lot of the E/1 riders who often turn up were saving themselves for the National Crit Champs today. Only about 25 riders in total so they set everyone off together, E's down to 4ths! To be honest, it was more like a fast chaingang, we averaged about 27.5mph for the first bit but then everyone started looking at each other, people kept chipping off the front and trying to get away but everything got chased down so the average dropped a bit. I must have had abot 6 goes to get off the front, one break lasted about 3 laps but that was it. Tried a do-or die move with 2 laps to go, got caught with 700m to go and rolled in at the back. 😳
To be honest, I wasn't after points or a win, it was just a training session, 1hr of max effort and for that it actually worked very well, I was feeling pretty strong and had a good time. Hopefully there'll be more people next week.
And the dozen or so XC races I’ve done have been 10 times harder than last night. Now, it may well be down to the fact I was trawling along at the back but my average perceived excursion was probably about 5 last night as opposed to 8.5 out of 10 in a XC race ? Heard some guys saying “fast tonight aye?” Chatting, chatting??? Reckon you could chat in an XC race? I should hope not, and that’s not because the field is strung out.
Try and 2/3/4 road race and you won't be saying that.
I find it very easy to stay in the pack in teh castle combe 3/4 crit races.. feels like a club run at times. It's only if you start chasing down breaks or 3 or 4 of you trying to make a break is when it starts to hurt.
I think the difference is that you [i]can[/i] have a very easy race on the road, which you can't really on an MTB (and expect a good result that is).
I always try and be pro-active and get into breaks and what not on the road, but usually get beaten by a sit in sprinter. Even then, I've never been anywhere near as wiped out as after an XC race.
You just can't do the sit in thing in an XC race - fastest rider wins.
Fastest rider always wins in a road race as well!
People call time trials the "race of truth" but the real race of truth is the road race. You need to be able to use your head and your legs to win a road race, so it is a true test of an athlete.
There are different ways to win, so if you are not a sprinter, you need to race to your particular strengths instead.
In an absolute sense yes you're right, but not in the same way. You can't be a sit in sprinter in an XC race.
I'm not denying the skill in the tactics of road racing, brute strength will only get you so far of course, I'm just saying that you can get a good result in a road race without doing very much, whilst a stronger rider who spends the day in a break may finish behind you absolutely ruined. That won't happen in an XC race.
What I'm not sure about though is calling a road race a 'race of truth' - that's definitely a moniker which better suits TTs IMO. Road racing is more a 'race of fitness, skills, brains, luck and a good team', which just isn't as catchy.
Fastest rider always wins in a road race as well!
Not true - if the fastest rider has got boxed in then he won't win. If he's sat at the back and misjudged the time to come through he's not ging to win. I know plenty of fast people who are just unlucky or who don't have the tactical nous to win.
To win a road race you need to be tactically aware, technically good (to get round corners etc with other riders inches away from you) and also have a good mix of all out sprinting power and staying power. Being fast enough to ride off the front of the bunch is good too but it's very rare you get away with that more than once!
Wynne how did you find Beastway... I love it, a great work out. Did the first few this year but then my MTB died and I'm also concentating more on triathlon this year, so that's why I've been seduced by road riding
I enjoyed it - they manage a good circuit given the space and terrain. I got hauled into it as three club mates wanted to put a team together.
I did it on my cross bike, which was fast, but got bounced around a lot on the rutted ground. I started right at the back of 90 odd riders and overtook about 50 of them, ended up 43rd but finished well above the fourth group I started with. So all in all I was pleased.
By the way I reckon you're doing it the right way round. Coming from a mountain biking background means your bike handling skills will probably be pretty good. On the other hand, some of the triathletes I've met on group rides make me nervous...
Triathletes are infamous for being totally unable to ride bikes, and I think it's justified!
Fastest rider always wins in a road race as well!
Could not be more wrong! (unless you just mean the person that goes from start line to finish line on that particular event in the shortest time - but that's just pedantic)
...if the fastest rider has got boxed in then he won't win. If he's sat at the back and misjudged the time to come through he's not ging to win...
If you get boxed in, or misjudge the finish, you're not the fastest rider. Not being pedantic, but making the point that winning a road race is all about getting over the line first, however you do it.
I've been beaten in lots of sprint finishes by riders that I could have easily left for dead in a time trial. However, in these situations the other guys were the fastest when it mattered. To win races I had to ride to my own strengths and eliminate the challenge from sit-in sprinters before the end of the race.
It's the variety of outcomes in a road race, and the fact that you can compensate for straight line speed by using your head, that makes it such a challenging and interesting sport.
If you get boxed in, or misjudge the finish, you're not the fastest rider
Aah, so you are just being facaetious then?
It's the variety of outcomes in a road race, and the fact that you can compensate for straight line speed by using your head, that makes it such a challenging and interesting sport.
How does that make it a race of truth though - more so than a TT, which really is 99.9% fitness?
What you have described there (which I totally agree with) in my opinion is why your initial statement was incorrect. I'd go with the most intelligent (in a road craft rather than academic sense - have you heard John Tanner trying to string a sentence together!) rider wins. Question of semantics though I guess.