Jan 13, 2016 at 07:15 PM
Seriously folks - this is a Master Class.
Racing – Strategy, Tactics & Prep
Jan 26, 2016 at 05:05 AM
I'd like to file this under Racing but if there's a better thread for the following question, please direct me there.
So: I want to race road. It's my first time. How do I build a race calendar?
Hopefully the ensuing discussion will also be of interest to other newbies wondering the same thing. (I know y'all are out there.)
So: I want to race road. It's my first time. How do I build a race calendar?
Hopefully the ensuing discussion will also be of interest to other newbies wondering the same thing. (I know y'all are out there.)
Jan 26, 2016 at 05:34 AM
This is kind of a big question. But every year, someone usually starts a "Can't Miss Races" thread to help folks talk about their favorite events. Here is 2015's thread. It might not be a bad idea to start browsing through there.
http://kissenacycling.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/78691/#Comment_78691
Another tip, is that once you see a race you want to know more about, use the search window for the name of that race and see if there are reports/pictures to help you decide if that race seems interesting to you.
Most folks will probably suggest you call one of the local park races your first race. This year it seems like you'll have both Prospect and Central Park races to choose from. And there are lots of good reasons to start there. Namely they are close and as affordable as racing gets. Fields are big, offering you a true pack racing experience. Lots of Kissena participation ensuring you have teammates and friends to share stories with over post race coffees.
Spring racing around here typically starts the first weekend of March.
A lot of folks, myself included obsess over the race calendar, but honestly for the new racer, you just want to get out there and see what it's all about. Once you've got a few races under your belt, I think you'll have a better sense of what you want to do for the rest of the season.
Jan 26, 2016 at 11:23 PM
A, B, C bike races. How I determine what I'm racing and how I race it.
C Race - Requires no change to my training schedule. In fact, it's part of my training as a hard ride on Saturday.
Practice race where I can try new moves, or simply get used to racing again. I can sit in, I can pull out of the race if I'm not feeling it and perhaps not feel bad about it. I'm under very little pressure. Often this is an early spring race, or something between more important races so I can keep my race legs and get used to guys knocking my legs and handlebars. I'm going to try and win just as much as I'm going to try and get a group together for coffee after. Coffee maybe even more so.
It's where I make sure my equipment works, chain doesn't squeak, wheels stay true.
Branchbrook Spring Series. Most anything in March and part of April.
B Race - Ok, I'm thinking about this one now. I took Friday training off because of this race, or I went out and did some openers. I have an objective, I'm going to try jumping off the front and see how that feels. I'm going to stay up front. I'll go when guys make a move. I'm taking this a little more seriously. This is getting fun. Fitness for everyone is beginning to come up.
Floyd Bennet Field. Hard races, I can try moves. I change my training schedule the next day because of this hard effort. L&C races.
A Race - I picked this race at the beginning of the season. I've picked several for the full season. I counted back 6-8 weeks and set my training for this race. My schedule is set to work on what the race presents. If this is a crit, I'm working at V02Max efforts, and practicing sprinting out of the corner. Hilly road race, I'm riding hills, and lots of base miles, grinding in a hard gear with low cadence.
I taper the week before, reducing my time on the bike, reducing the efforts for the week. I get lots of sleep Wednesday before the Saturday race. I carbo load Thursday. I hydrate. I take 2 days off. I am rested. I'm hungry to get on my bike. I can feel the race like electricity in my body. My leg bounces at work.
I think about this race, I book a hotel and car. I coordinate with Teammates. I have specific objectives, I want the KOM, I want a top 10. I will pull you to the front. I will sweep your wheel. I'm going to work as little as possible in the race so I have gas left in the tank. I'm going to pracice that in the C and B races. My cadence will be the lowest of the whole Peloton.
This will be hard. I want to have nothing left when I'm done. I'm taking a day off after the race and going to the beach.
Bear Mountain. Capital Region. White Plains.
Jan 27, 2016 at 06:54 PM
To add to this discussion
I will lead a talk
on this very topic.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2016 8:15pm
@ Red Beard
While the information is geared toward deciphering mass-start racing for noobs,
It's a good reminder for those who think they know,
and for those smart enough to realize they don't know enough.
There will be a handout.
There will be a quiz--at least once a week for the rest of the year.
I will lead a talk
on this very topic.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2016 8:15pm
@ Red Beard
While the information is geared toward deciphering mass-start racing for noobs,
It's a good reminder for those who think they know,
and for those smart enough to realize they don't know enough.
There will be a handout.
There will be a quiz--at least once a week for the rest of the year.
Mar 16, 2016 at 07:59 PM
We often talk goals, training and preparation, but visualization, focus, mental toughness and keeping a positive attitude in the face of adversity not so much...
http://blog.strava.com/visualization-and-mental-training-for-bike-racing-11318/
http://blog.strava.com/visualization-and-mental-training-for-bike-racing-11318/
Mar 23, 2016 at 06:31 PM
Mar 28, 2016 at 04:01 PM
This is on the 3/29/2016 Peaks Schedule and is my favorite so far. (In part, because I don't have to do it tomorrow!). Also ties into John's great links above.
"Throw down at the local race! The goal here is to build both fitness and skill. If TRULY using these as a training race, try this:
Go in with 2 goals
1. Goal 1 will be a fitness goal, something that helps you build fitness and perform in a race... a 10 minute break, a series of hard short attacks, long finishing sprint....something specific, go in with a goal.
2. Goal 2 should be tactic. Execute a tactic you want to practice in the race. Try forming a break, try "slipping pulls" in a break, try sprint points focus and most importantly WORK ON YOUR ABILITY TO POSITION (a key, key skill)."
I should have read this before Sunday's race, and will read it before every race this season. Go in with several definable goals, even if that means not finishing the race, unless, of course, that's one of the goals.
One thing I've done in racing is thrown myself at something, a hill, getting into a break, and then didn't have the legs to finish the race. The incorrect conclusion I had, feeling sorry for myself, was that I couldn't finish the race. But I remember those races, while I don't remember others, because I tried something. It didn't work, but I tried, and it made me stronger as a rider, and built my confidence that I could do those things.
It helps to define the race, as well. Is this a C race, a Training Race? Then try something new. I need to push myself much harder in races, and I need to go in knowing it's ok if I can't finish, as long as I get something out of it, so I can be stronger for the next race. I can be pack fodder all damn day, and that doesn't give me anything, I don't work hard, and I don't feel like I accomplished anything. Fitness and Tactics. Setting goals for the race and following through is that last part of training which integrates everything we do.
And this something we should keep in mind during any training rides. This is a hard effort, V02Max, Tempo? Where in the race can you use this? Visualize following through with that race goal while doing that specific training.
Mar 28, 2016 at 04:27 PM
Bruce, it sounds like a goal for your next race is practicing moving up in the field, finding the holes and using those to move up, and looking for people moving up on the outside and letting them pull you to the front.
The goal there should be practicing moving through the pack and feeling comfortable finding ways to get to the front without expending too much energy (use your matches for other things).
The goal there should be practicing moving through the pack and feeling comfortable finding ways to get to the front without expending too much energy (use your matches for other things).
Mar 28, 2016 at 04:29 PM
Bruce I'd amend that above; go in with ONE goal, and execute on it. When you have several it's too easy to have them conflict or start bartering between them or worse; not knowing what the priorities are.
"do less better"
#ymmv
"do less better"
#ymmv
Mar 28, 2016 at 05:30 PM
Bruce, I agree with Dan, save those matches for other things like... a team goal! It's way more fulfilling to be part of a winning team strategy. IMO, a practice race is only a practice race when there's no Konditori money up for grabs :^)
Mar 28, 2016 at 09:32 PM
Great advice. Thanks.
Aug 09, 2016 at 06:58 PM
Optimistic thinking as a path to winning performances:
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/toolbox/toolbox-optimism-and-performance/#.V6ofy2QrKEI
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/toolbox/toolbox-optimism-and-performance/#.V6ofy2QrKEI
Aug 11, 2016 at 01:54 PM
That'll never workJohnMalcolmson said:Optimistic thinking as a path to winning performances:
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/toolbox/toolbox-optimism-and-performance/#.V6ofy2QrKEI
