Want to try my first race...

[Oh Canada]

Hello all.

I see there's a thread below on the best training books and I've looked through it but my question is a little different so I've started a new thread. If it is too similar, please add it to an existing thread...

I'm now 35 years old and have taken up road riding in the last year and a half after a long life as a mountain biker. I'd really like to get into the racing circuit here in Ontario next year (O-Cup road races) but have no idea where to start.

I was hoping to get suggestions on training routines or workouts etc that could get me prepared for next spring. How often do you train and what type of training regimen do you follow?

As a teacher, I do have some time to train each day....after coaching and putting my son to bed!!.....

Any suggestions on training, diet, etc??

I thank you in advance for your help..

 

[redtreviso]

Hello all.

I see there's a thread below on the best training books and I've looked through it but my question is a little different so I've started a new thread. If it is too similar, please add it to an existing thread...

I'm now 35 years old and have taken up road riding in the last year and a half after a long life as a mountain biker. I'd really like to get into the racing circuit here in Ontario next year (O-Cup road races) but have no idea where to start.

I was hoping to get suggestions on training routines or workouts etc that could get me prepared for next spring. How often do you train and what type of training regimen do you follow?

As a teacher, I do have some time to train each day....after coaching and putting my son to bed!!.....

Any suggestions on training, diet, etc??

I thank you in advance for your help..

learn to ride in a group without hurting others.

 

[Choocher]

Hello all.

I see there's a thread below on the best training books and I've looked through it but my question is a little different so I've started a new thread. If it is too similar, please add it to an existing thread...

I'm now 35 years old and have taken up road riding in the last year and a half after a long life as a mountain biker. I'd really like to get into the racing circuit here in Ontario next year (O-Cup road races) but have no idea where to start.

I was hoping to get suggestions on training routines or workouts etc that could get me prepared for next spring. How often do you train and what type of training regimen do you follow?

As a teacher, I do have some time to train each day....after coaching and putting my son to bed!!.....

Any suggestions on training, diet, etc??

I thank you in advance for your help..

I would find out what your group ride situation is in your area, and then start out in the less experienced crowd. Most places have a few different groups that go out, either on the same or different nights.

Soak up as much knowledge as you can on these rides--for a long time, every ride will be a huge educational experience. Take it all in. When you feel like you can ride with the faster group, go for it. Make sure your group riding skills are up to par before making the switch, though.

Once you are comfortable in the fast group, it might be time to give racing a shot. I wouldn't just jump into racing, especially crits, without a strong foundation of group riding skills. People will pull some amazingly stupid maneuvers out there, and you need to be sharp in order to avoid crashing.

Good luck, and have fun.

 

[forty four]

once you are consistently riding strongly in fast group rides with other racers then try a race it will be hard if it is a solid field.

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

Hello all.

I see there's a thread below on the best training books and I've looked through it but my question is a little different so I've started a new thread. If it is too similar, please add it to an existing thread...

I'm now 35 years old and have taken up road riding in the last year and a half after a long life as a mountain biker. I'd really like to get into the racing circuit here in Ontario next year (O-Cup road races) but have no idea where to start.

I was hoping to get suggestions on training routines or workouts etc that could get me prepared for next spring. How often do you train and what type of training regimen do you follow?

As a teacher, I do have some time to train each day....after coaching and putting my son to bed!!.....

Any suggestions on training, diet, etc??

I thank you in advance for your help..

If you can, find a local club. Chances are, if you only have a year and a half of road riding in, you're going to need to advance your skill and comfort level for riding in a bunch. Club rides are a good way to help develop these things through experience and feedback.

Depending on where you're located, you may have access to some grass-roots middle of the week training-oriented races. These are good places to get familiar with a racing environment. They tend to be less stressful and are there to promote development... so, if you get popped, you can usually jump back in.

Ontario Clubs
http://www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/club_affiliated_clubs.php

 

[Anonymous]

My only advice. watch out for course tape.

 

[fatandfast]

whatever you do don't garage your mountain bike.The things you learned while riding hard off road are the most important skills that you can bring to road racing. Some of those skills are learning to ride fast and punish yourself without the benefit of somebody else pushing the pace and in the saddle power.Another easier plan is to ride your mountain bike on group rides all great mtn bike racers (Ned,Tinker,Tomac) have ridden mtn bikes on the road to get speed that is more difficult to achieve while riding off road. Since you are a teacher you can adopt a pretty aggressive plan like say 15 hours of race prep per week. With some lactic threshold workouts. You live near some of the best riding and racing..good luck.

 

[WonderLance]

Just do it.