Road racing

Don't crash. Learn to sprint.

Stay at the front. Practice riding in a group on your local chaingang. Don't get sucked into buying loads of aero kit. Be prepared to get dropped in your first couple of races.

I speak from the position of having made all the above mistakes myself.

Staying at the front is easier said than done though, because everyone is told that's where they need to be. If you have a sprint it's worth staying in the middle of the bunch, and only move up in the last few laps. If you don't have a sprint then you need the strength and power to get in a break and make it stick.

I'd say, don't do any work. Ever. Until the last 3-5 laps (dependent on distance- roughly 8-10miles) when you should sprint off, get into time trial mode and just piss off on your own because no one will shut you down as they'll all be too busy watching each other once you're 15 or 20 seconds away.

stupid/vague question but would I be able to hold for a 50 min in a cat 4 crit at 3.63 w/kg 20 min FTP? Of course I am working on to improve that ..

66kg, 240w atm

In English please? Feels like there is an important word missing in there somewhere.

Your 20minute power is 240w, but you want to average that for 50 mins?

Sounds like you need some more leg. Or some magnets.

Buy a new bike.

Suck wheels and see. Stay 7-16th in the pack.

It's not like you'll be doing 50mins of solid 240w - it's not a TT. Your power file will look a saw blade - so over/under stuff is your friend in training. Don't over think it and just give it a go.

You will be better off on a circuit with a hill - you're not going to win sprints somewhere like Hillingdon.

Watch for surges. You'll lose 15 places straight off. You've got to be always looking and switched on.

Depends where you are racing? But get off the front if you can. Likelihood is that the people capable of progressing will come across with you, and then the bunch behind will give up. Also, less likely to crash and die.

If you aren't strong enough to get off the front, keep your wits about you, and sharpen your elbows, and possibly reinforce your collarbones, for the sprint.

That's written with knowledge of races in the NW btw. London may pan out completely differently.

Just do a race Amey. Power numbers mean so much less in racing, especially in the lower cats. Do a few races, find your strengths and play to them.

All good advice ..

"do a race" the 'do a skid' if 2015 ..

Best piece of racing advice I have ever heard:

"It's better to have a go and pack, than roll in with the cunts"

You're using your free time to race and train - you might as well give it a proper go. No regrets type-stuff. Easier said than done though.. :)

Amen

If you're not a sprinter then race at circuits that suit the lighter rider, i.e. Hog Hill or Crystal Palace (if you're a confident bike handler), which will give you more chance of doing well.

Hillingdon is a tough place to do well unless you can sprint or are very powerful.

Do you laandaan types just have circuit racing? No interesting road races in the centre or nearish?

That is good advice, but in your first 5-10 races you'll probably do better if you just sit in and learn how races unfold and what kind of efforts you need to do be able to repeat.

I think most people are able to go harder than they think, but you have to race to understand this.

Yeah, I was speaking generally.

and very much this:

I think most people are able to go harder than they think, but you have to race to understand this.

I'm still finding new bits of me to thrash in races - long may it continue.

There are lots of circuits in London - Hog Hill, Hillingdon, Crystal Palace, Lee Valley and, stretching it a bit, Cyclopark out at Gravesend.

There are also some good road races hosted by the Surrey League, the South East Road Race League and the Eastern Road Race League, and individual club events out in the Chilterns.

Everyone should race, it's the most fun you can have on a bike.

A number is worth 10 watts.

10 races is almost a whole season, sitting in is dull

In my experience, most people take 5 or so races to get the hang of riding in a fast moving, irregularly paced, bunch and being able to finish. Once you've done that, then you should start trying to get in the moves.

I agree entirely about sitting in, going on the attack is far more fun.