Road racing

Palace is a harder circuit, less relenting than cyclopark.
Just go try it out. It's fun.

I'm thinking of going to watch a couple of races when the season begins - I'm not far from the circuit. Any good vantage points?

If I think I can handle it, I might try a Cat 4 race one evening...

Try a few. Tiny place and races will go on for 50 min.
You can just walk around the outside.

Clubman, the sport badly needs a new generation of organisers; some of the "old boys and old girls " are very old. One way might be a system of apprenticeships and mentors.

Yes, that is the point I am trying to make.
I remember Chas Messenger at our race doing some job or other for BC when he must have been nearly 90. So far as the present generation of ancients is concerned, I don't think they particularly want to hang on to their jobs: they would like to see new faces following on.

And that's where forum users might come in. I'd be more than happy to act as a mentor, if there are any takers. I don't hold myself out as any kind of expert, but I do know some people who have a lot of knowledge.

http://www.cyclelivenottingham.co.uk/portfolio/fixed-gear-crit/

Anyone fancy a dabble?

Fixed gear crits are epic

Sounds good.

If you're a third or fourth cat you could do the Omnium afterwards as well

Even better.

Brush up on your racing skills and fitness before the evening crit season starts. A great opportunity to try out the new Lee Valley Road Circuit.

Tuesday April 15th, 22nd, 29th and May 6th.
Road session at Lee Valley Velo Park
7pm - 9pm - £7.50 if pre-booked, £10 on the night.

April 15th: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/109737/Rider-Development-Session---Road-Session-at-Lee-Valley-Velopark

April 22nd: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/109738/Rider-Development-Session---Road-Session-at-Lee-Valley-Velopark-22/4/14

April 29th: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/109739/Rider-Development-Session---Road-Session-at-Lee-Valley-Velopark-29/4/14

May 6th: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/109740/Rider-Development-Session---Road-Session-at-Lee-Valley-Velopark-6/4/14

So I may* enter my first race this weekend. Any tips for me?
*depending on work requirements/ whether I can be bothered/ prepared to ride the 20miles to the start.

Will I be OK speed wise? I'm fairly confident in a group setting.

trust no-one

You won't know until you try. The pace will jump around a lot so average speeds are pointless comparisons. Hold your line, hold good wheels, watch out for switching muppets and don't do any work, then win. Sorted.

Don't ride 20miles there/back?

What kind of race? Where?

I don't really have that much choice as the race is 20 miles away, and I don't have a car, and the public transport is not much of a choice.
Event:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/106340/EMRRL---Beeston-Road-Club--Longmore-Circuit

May have confused it with a different race which is on saturday...
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/105619/Darley-Moor-4

though.

That says online entry is closed.... There may still be EOL spaces though, but there are quite a few on the start sheet already.
Also, it's a 2/3/4 so will be pretty tough for your first ever race.... no reason not to give it a shot though!

wait up... i missed that edit. Not sure which one you're talking about..?

20 miles is a decent warm-up, just give yourself plenty of time to get there and have something to eat on the way.

Should you finish the race, the ride home will be interesting*.

*by which I mean horrific. I once rode 25 miles home after an 80 mile road race. Never again.

On another note, is anybody else on here racing Castle Combe on Good Friday?
There seemed to be quite a few riders from London clubs at the last race.

I mean the club just suggested it to me in an email, so I'm not 100% what to do.

Start very near the front, on it if necessary. Try and keep in the top 10 at all times. But mainly this;

trust no-one

If it's your first road race, just try to stay with the pack. Avoid the back of the pack, keep alert and always look to be moving up the bunch, be assertive but not aggressive in keeping your place, but don't worry about being in the top ten at all times.

I've just sent a clarification email.
So we'll see.
I had misunderstood the type of racing I think. I can probably catch public transport back, just its a pain on a Sunday morning.

Start list is indeed full. But next time, etc.

when does the evening crit session start at Lee Valley Velopark? living nearby it could be a nice way to spend summer evenings drinking and watching races