2010 Race & Ride Calendar
It’s going to be a struggle just to get off the ground
Last night, I purchased my first racing license. It was an inspirational moment, but perhaps one akin to building a kitchen with a sub-zero freezer, six-burner stove and Viking ovens but not knowing how to cook.
For several months, I have been aiming to make my road racing debut at the Castroville Criterium the weekend of my birthday, but there appears to be no 2010 edition of the event. Even though another crit has appeared on the same day, I must concede that I am not at all prepared to race in two weeks. Still, I will get up the morning of the 14th to be at that race on my bike, but with a camera and slightly more comfortable clothing, observing and photographing the local competition.
There are five other opportunities for me to race in my hometown through June, after which I am hopefully moving to Colorado where I will be demoted from cat 4 to below-category flatlander. Unfortunately, I might be out of town for work on March 14, thus missing the race I have re-focused on and pushing my debut back another two weeks, if not longer. Good for training and preparation, bad for motivation. As I learned in cyclocross, the taste of that first race is so addictive and sweet.
2010 Race & Ride Schedule (In San Antonio unless noted)
University Oaks Crit – Feb. 14 (spectating)
Pedal Thru the Pines, Bastrop, TX – March 6
* University Oaks Crit – March 14 (tentative racing debut)
Ronde von Manda Crit, Austin, TX – March 28
Hill Country Easter Bike Tour – April 9-11
Fiesta Wildflower Ride – April 18
University Oaks Crit – May 9 & 23
University Oaks Crit – June 20 & 27
I’m somewhat solemn as I post this calendar. I do have fear and I do have doubts. The only cyclocross race I entered and finished this winter showed just how poorly I stack up against the cat 4 women/cat 5 men, which is who I will be racing with because there are frequently too few women to populate our own field. The men blew me out of the water, beating me by more than a full lap. The women kicked my butt, too, and with only slightly less gusto.
I am content to be last and understand that I will go into my first race not knowing if I am at all prepared. My fear is crashing or blowing out way too early because I can’t hold speed in a turn or get too scared to stay up in the pack, thus getting spit out the back. My only consolation is knowing that I won’t be the first rider it happens to. I just hope I don’t eff up my sucking.
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I wanted to race last September(would have been my first)but as a “citizen” not a Cat. racer(Not sure if that’s a local term or not). The Bike club posted results and times of last years race held on the same course. The course was billed as “level” and even though I wasn’t in good shape, if I finished at my usual avg speed of 14-15mph I would easily complete the 24 miles in the Top Third.
Two weeks before the race I got up early on a dreary rainy Sunday morning and drove out to pre-ride the “level” course. To make a long story short (Too Late). I didn’t race. On average it was a level course-4 miles uphill and 4 miles down hill!
BTW You had me at Sub-Zero!
I am admittedly hoping for more newbies and recreational riders to be racing the low category this summer. If the crits are anything like the cross race I did, well, let’s just say I would bet half of those guys were sandbagging, and all of them had team kits.
Team Kits… Always a give away
Get in some larger group rides. Best to work out the fear of pack riding when not racing. You have less of a chance to cause a crash. Good luck and never drop out.
Just do it. There’s no better training than racing, especially if you hate to do intervals on your own. This weekend, your cousin and I are doing our first biathlon. I had a hard time getting him to commit to this and I totally understand where he is coming from. At his age I was too scared to try any sport activity because of the fear of failure. I always tell him that anybody that has the courage to line up at the starting line is a winner in my book. Good luck!