Road racing

bout 12st

Definite porker then.

Hog Hill isn't that hard, but the repetition of the hill takes it's toll so it might be a bit much as your first race. The circuit at the Velopark is probably a better option for getting a feel for racing.

You'll be fine. I'm closer to 14st.

Done most of my racing at Gravesend - Cyclopark. That's a challenge fitness-wise. Out of your seat and sprinting hard every 20-30 seconds.

Just entered 2 of the these races (feb 12th and 19th)

http://www.riderhq.com/events/68116/dulwich-paragon-cc-velopark-winter-series-2015-race-3

http://www.riderhq.com/events/68117/dulwich-paragon-cc-velopark-winter-series-2015-race-4

Who is in?

@amey what club you with? They must have people driving to Road races!?
You really need to join KW, they've loads who race.

Pearson cc .. I've asked around but most of them are training for spring classic sportives and finishing cx season atm ..

Yeah Rr isn't till end of marchish anyway.

yep, just signed up for the 19th

I've been making my first foray into road racing at the ELV crits at Redbridge this year. The course is great, fast and varied but very selective, both weeks less than a third of the field have finished.

So far it's not been an overriding success for me: on the first week my chain snapped half-way through the first lap - race over. Last week I got a puncture while warming up, and missed the start. You can take one lap out for punctures and mechanicals so I frantically put a new tube in. By the time I got rolling the bunch had done a lap and a half so I had a lot of ground to make up. I rode myself into the ground to bridge the gap over the course of three laps and just as I tagged onto the back of the main group I got another flat - race over.

Still, it's good experience with many lessons learned and I'm looking forward to my next opportunity, fingers crossed for better luck.

Anyone else racing there?

Picked up my team bike last night and had my entry confirmed for the Clayton spring classic on the 22nd of Feb.

Somewhat glad my first few races are flat!

Team bike?! Nice work. Who are you riding for?

Northwest team called Chronomaster.

http://team-chronomaster.com/

The paint jobs on the Specializeds are really nice. Red is sooo 2015

Saw that on BikeRadar, no powermeter?

Not been given one no, considering a purchase with funds from the sale of my old bike.

Never before have I seen so many ill fitting pairs of jeans in one picture.

I'm signed up to the 19th

Nice one! See you there .. where are you riding from? I am in W1

@dimi3 I don't think you will be in 4th cat ;)

I wasn't there that night, not to say that my jeans do fit well.

they still make Dunlop Green Flash?

I was only kidding but you can pass it on if you wish.

Seriously though - do they provide training wheels etc? What if you smash your bike up in a race? Will it get replaced?

Have you got to race on the plastic platform pedals fitted on the bike in the picture?

They've been available for the last 12 years, at least. Normally pick them up for about £25

I remember when I worked at Schuh as a kid the rumour was the cost price per pair was £3 :-o

csb etc

Could believe that per unit to buy in... Add Vat, freight from far east, warehouse, UK distro, inhouse and external staffing, store rent and bills...

We have been supplied with a specialised tarmac expert, as stock, An Evade and S works shoes. Loads of the team have gone balls out and upgraded this to DA, stuck Lightweight/Enve wheels and finishing kit on, at their own expense.

Bikes are all insured, so yeah i guess they'd be replaced if smashed up.

Personally i'll be clipping in.

Shameless plug but Leisure lakes bikes have been amazing throughout, i guess it's like most of the guys funding a pro team, just at a far lower level, you're a hobbyist who likes racing, and hence go some way to funding it happening. The exposure that gains you is probably secondary.

They're a great supporter of rracing out here (Cheltenham). They sponsor riders but crucially they have a neutral service van in the paddock and convoy.

Awesome dudes. Everyone buy all their things!

They even did a local crit series up until 2011.