10 Things to understand Before Your First Bike Race

10 Things to understand Before Your First Bike Race

Signing up for a cycling event is often an honest thanks to challenging yourself and gauge your fitness level. But a part of the challenge of racing is overcoming the fear of the unknown — and knowing what you ought to and shouldn’t do on the course.

1. EAT a traditional BREAKFAST

It is possible to eat an excessive amount of before a ride. rather than pigging out on all the food provided at the pre-race festivities, eat only what you recognize your stomach can handle. Test your pre-ride meal during training and don’t change an excessive amount on race day. persist with what you recognize works for you to avoid cramping and other unfortunate side-effects of eating an excessive amount of or eating unfamiliar foods pre-race.

2. GET TO THE RACE EARLY

Other than parking issues, you’ll have plenty to stress about before the beginning of your race. additionally to your essential cycling gear, have a checklist for things that ought to be done before the race actually starts. Topping off water bottles, locating the support vehicles, inflating your tires and checking out where the help stations are on the course are some items to incorporate. Also, confirm you give yourself much time to check-in and pin your race number so you won’t be during a rush. It’s also an honest idea to seek out a spot behind the beginning line a minimum of 10 minutes before the race begins just in case the announcer has any instructions.

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3. KNOW the principles OF THE RACE BEFORE YOU HEAD TO the beginning LINE

All races require helmets, but most events produce other rules, too.

In most mass-start events, triathlon or aero bars aren’t allowed. If you check-in for an off-road race, there could also be restrictions on tire size. confirm you read all the data on the organizer’s website rather than just clicking the “accept all terms” button so your first race doesn’t end during a disqualification.

4. IT’S okay to START SLOW

Just like the other race, there'll be tons of energy and nerves at the beginning line which usually makes for a quick start. Avoid getting sucked into a pace that’s too fast for you to take care of by starting

at a cushty pace. there'll be any time to select up the pace when you’re closer to the finishing line.

5. RIDE during a GROUP the maximum amount AS POSSIBLE

Ideally, a gaggle will form at a pace you are feeling comfortable riding. If not, devour the pace and check out to ride with a gaggle before you or simply behind you so you'll draft and conserve energy. Riding behind other riders can prevent the maximum amount as 40% of your energy compared to riding solo. If the pace is just too easy, ride harder up the climbs when others are tired and see if you'll bridge a niche between you and a couple of other cyclists before you to make a replacement group.

6. watch out for THE YELLOW-LINE RULE In most sanctioned USAC cycling road racing events, the course will still be hospitable traffic. this suggests that unlike what you see within the Tour de France, cars are going to be coming within the other way. To be safe, never cross the yellow line within the road albeit you don’t see any cars around. Doing so may disqualify you from the race and put you et al. in peril. Obey traffic laws and stop for traffic signals when necessary.

7. CHAMOIS CREAM may be a MUST

Chafing isn’t cool. Applying chamois cream to your cycling shorts can help prevent saddle sores and reduce friction against your saddle. Consider it a requirement for any rides that take you quite two hours.

8. DON’T depend upon OTHERS FOR ROADSIDE REPAIRS

Do you know how team cars follow the peloton in order that they can switch their wheels when one among the pros gets a flat? That isn’t going to happen for you. to stay yourself from getting stranded when help isn’t available, skills to finish all basic roadside repairs on your own.

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9. AVOID BONKING BY EATING AND DRINKING CONSISTENTLY DURING THE RACE

Drink a minimum of one bottle and eat one energy bar or gel per hour of your race — which doesn’t mean saving all of your food and bottles for the last hour. to stay your energy stores level, be consistent and start eating and drinking early, before you start to feel depleted.

10. SPLURGE FOR A POST-RIDE MASSAGE

One of the perks of being a professional is that the pampering after a tough day on the bike. While you would possibly not be ready to get daily massages just like the pros, getting one after an enormous race is often pleasant thanks to rewarding yourself. It also can help reduce soreness and assist you to recover faster.