Is anyone racing this weekend that would be willing to caravan? Since I have never been to one it would be great to have other club members around that know the ins and outs.
Shoot, I don't know if anybody is. Matt would be your best bet, except he's doing the BSU collegiate race which is basically schedule at the same times I think.
The TT is pretty straight forward... just go fast, right? ;) Remember to pace yourself. Pacing is vital as it's oh soo so so easy to go out too hard (we've all done it). Start easier than you think you should and then ramp it up. Split your time so the second half of the 10miles is faster than the first half. You should be puking your eyes out in the last few minutes and hopefully at your fastest pace. :)
Slammer... you need to pick a wheel and hang on tight!! Don't let even a tiny gap form as it'll grow quick when the going gets tough. Even if you're feeling great I wouldn't go to the front or stick your nose into the wind much, especially since it's your first race and you'll likely be the only Reel dude out there. Remember that all the other guys out there are hurting too, even when they don't look like they are. Don't discourage yourself or talk negative in your head when it starts to hurt as you'll be justifying dropping that wheel in no time. You can hang on, so just do it! If the going gets crazy hard then it's got to let up at some point so push to tough it out. Stick on that wheel. :) Be prepared for sudden surges. Average speed will prob be 21-23mph overall which will feel easy in a big pack, but it's going to whip to 30mph instantly at times (likely out of corners)... so stay ready. The pack will probably string out and break up a lot more in a road race vs a crit, so try to stay with the bulk of the people if you can by locking onto that wheel. Also, know the course... hopefully you've had a chance to pre-ride it. This not only helps with the hills and terrain, it helps a ton when the everyone turns the wrong way. Believe me, it happens nearly EVERY time in one of the categories. The Cat 1/2 dudes even did it in the Idaho champ road race a couple years ago so the person that thought they'd lost the leaders ended up winning the thing. Once again, do everything in your power to stay with the pack... a single rider is slooow even if you're Lance Armstrong.
Sorry for the unsolicited advice and it probably doesn't even help anything but I get excited talking about racing and sounds like you may be flying solo. Good luck!! Feel free to ask any questions. There are others on the team that have been racing a lot longer than me and I'm sure have tons of great advice.
Good Luck!
Shoot, I don't know if anybody is. Matt would be your best bet, except he's doing the BSU collegiate race which is basically schedule at the same times I think.
The TT is pretty straight forward... just go fast, right? ;) Remember to pace yourself. Pacing is vital as it's oh soo so so easy to go out too hard (we've all done it). Start easier than you think you should and then ramp it up. Split your time so the second half of the 10miles is faster than the first half. You should be puking your eyes out in the last few minutes and hopefully at your fastest pace. :)
Slammer... you need to pick a wheel and hang on tight!! Don't let even a tiny gap form as it'll grow quick when the going gets tough. Even if you're feeling great I wouldn't go to the front or stick your nose into the wind much, especially since it's your first race and you'll likely be the only Reel dude out there. Remember that all the other guys out there are hurting too, even when they don't look like they are. Don't discourage yourself or talk negative in your head when it starts to hurt as you'll be justifying dropping that wheel in no time. You can hang on, so just do it! If the going gets crazy hard then it's got to let up at some point so push to tough it out. Stick on that wheel. :) Be prepared for sudden surges. Average speed will prob be 21-23mph overall which will feel easy in a big pack, but it's going to whip to 30mph instantly at times (likely out of corners)... so stay ready. The pack will probably string out and break up a lot more in a road race vs a crit, so try to stay with the bulk of the people if you can by locking onto that wheel. Also, know the course... hopefully you've had a chance to pre-ride it. This not only helps with the hills and terrain, it helps a ton when the everyone turns the wrong way. Believe me, it happens nearly EVERY time in one of the categories. The Cat 1/2 dudes even did it in the Idaho champ road race a couple years ago so the person that thought they'd lost the leaders ended up winning the thing. Once again, do everything in your power to stay with the pack... a single rider is slooow even if you're Lance Armstrong.
Sorry for the unsolicited advice and it probably doesn't even help anything but I get excited talking about racing and sounds like you may be flying solo. Good luck!! Feel free to ask any questions. There are others on the team that have been racing a lot longer than me and I'm sure have tons of great advice.