Do you race on the road?

[woodie]

Firstly, if this is in the wrong place then mods please move it.

I'm curious to see what the stats are in terms of racers and non-racers on this forum because there seems to be a lot of experts.

 

[Vegan Dave]

Should ask 'race what'? This is in the road forum, so assuming that, but many of us will race more than one area... I'll so some road (mainly crits) but am much more fond of racing the track, and CX is a hoot. =)

 

[woodie]

Should ask 'race what'? This is in the road forum, so assuming that, but many of us will race more than one area... I'll so some road (mainly crits) but am much more fond of racing the track, and CX is a hoot. =)

Fair point, im going mainly for road. But racing at all is racing lol. Maybe people can specify if they race other than road. Can a Mod please change the title to 'Do you race on the road?'

 

[daveinzambia]

I do not any more, unless you count trying and failing to beat my mates times on endomondo or desperately trying to catch the wheel of that guy in front on the hill.

 

[woodie]

I do not any more, unless you count trying and failing to beat my mates times on endomondo or desperately trying to catch the wheel of that guy in front on the hill.

I'm talking about club races or registered races in your respective nations

 

[craig1985]

I do, mainly crits in B Grade, although I'm not at that level now. I look to go down to New South Wales once a month (race website) and do a proper road race (anywhere from 65-90km, with plenty of climbing), the roads can be a bit rough so it's not a place for your carbon wheels (they let us carry spares with us). The pace is quite quick, often in the first km we're doing close to 50km/h, and usually for the first 30-35km it's very quick and I just cruise at the back and when everybody else sits up, I usually go to the front and whip up the pace or attack. The problem is that unless you are a super strong TT'er or can get several working people in a break, it's very hard for a break to stay away as the last of the hills are too far from the finish line. I haven't done the 90km race though.

I met the famous durianrider down there, although it wasn't a good day for him.

We had a thread http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=1106&highlight=races?.

 

[Ferminal]

I have moved this to the general forum, not sure we have that many pros with us

Edit: And some one beat me to changing the title!

 

[fatsprintking]

I had my first couple of races in five years after retiring from racing after the birth of my kids. It was a bit of a worry that the majority of the blokes who were riding were the same as the ones who had been there when I had my last race. In Australia country cycling has not really changed much in the 25 years I have been racing/riding. You still end up riding on some cold, wet, windy piece of road that is in the middle of nowhere freezing your nuts off.

 

[Hairy Wheels]

I raced for 20 years, but with anything it gets old. I raced on 4 continents...several teams and had lots of great times...only a small handful of wins though, but that wasn't why I did it. I enjoyed the process, the travel, the friends and the sense of adventure.

I just stay active now....riding, running, skiing, hiking...I'm no doubt a better all-around athlete than I ever was.

 

[leftover pie]

I'm curious to see what the stats are in terms of racers and non-racers on this forum because there seems to be a lot of experts.

can someone be an expert if they've never raced before?

 

[SteveT]

Used to race mainly road, a little track and the odd time trial. Started training again after many years now in my 50's and can now dish out pain again on the chain gangs (as well as feel it) I am thinking of racing a little at vets level but just for fun,

 

[The Womble]

I do a fair bit but living in France makes it a hassle. i mostly go back to the UK for the odd TT or race. The French system of licencing makes the UK one look simple and easy.

 

[joe1265]

Road - about 20 races a year
CX - about 5-10 if you include gravel grinders
Mtn bike - Iceman (http://www.iceman.com) and thats it

 

[Polka Dot]

Race Cat 3 in Alberta, Canada. Mainly Road Races, Crits and Hill Climbs.

2011 results so far
1st Tunnel Mountain Road Race (Banff Bike Fest)
1st Criterium (Velocity Stage Race)

 

[egtalbot]

I raced 8-10 races when I was 14-15 years old, then I switched to running. In 2007 at age 37 I started doing some riding and jumped in some time trials and also one mass start race (it, um, didn't go well).

Since then I've been mixing running and biking and last month did my tenth mass start race since 2007 to get my upgrade here in the U.S. to Category 4. Which now allows me to race in the 35+ or the 40+ division. This past weekend I did my first 40+ race and got humbled, but I also discovered something quite surprising: it's possible to ride in a race and not have 2-3 near crashes per mile. All ten of my Cat 5 races were terrifying that way. In the 40+ race - which had a larger field than any of the Cat 5 races - everyone pretty much rode smoothly.

I can't help wondering if some folks do a couple Cat 5 races and then give up - if I had any sanity, I wouldn't have kept exposing myself to that risk. Fortunately I am not sane.

 

[JayKosta]

I did some TT and road races many years ago...

Quickly learned that me as a strong 'recreational / touring' rider was not competitive with dedicated racers who really train for it.

Now I ride for enjoyment and exercise - I don't remember there being any real 'enjoyment' for me during any of the races that I did.
Maybe that's because -
"The view never changes unless you're the lead dog"

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[forty four]

i race cat 3 in socal i do a little racing each year sometimes more than others depending on condition. won a stage race and a climbing road race but normally dont put in enough miles to race all the road races as there nothing worse than racing out of form. i dont like crits very much too dangerous i feel.

 

[Swabian Lass]

As an amateur a very, very long time ago. I was rubbish, truth be told, but it was fun.

Now mostly recreational and it's my main mode of transport. Racing is confined to beating my OH. Well, actually he always drops me on hills, but I can wipe the floor with him on the flat.

 

[k_gibbo]

I race with the local Vets. I really enjoy the competition and it helps motivate me during the week.