Simple tips to help you do better in club cycling races
http://www.cycling-inform.com/articles/211/1/Simple-tips-to-help-you-do-better-in-club-cycling-races/Page1.html
Jodie Batchelor
Jodie is the current Victorian Vets Criterium and Road champion in her age group. She has been racing for several years now and likes any event that involves sprinting and not too many hills. She initially used cycling as an important part of her rehabilitation from a mountaineering accident in New Zealand. She then got into racing as a replacement for martial arts in which she represented Australia and won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in the Martial Arts World Games in 2000. By Jodie Batchelor
Published on 04-Sep-08
The major activity of any cycling club, racing or touring, is the group ride. As a result, it's important to know how to hang tough on a given ride and make yourself welcome on the next one. Success is often due to more than fitness.
Being on the front
If you are feeling really good, don't burn all your energy towing the group around. Best to do a few turns then when your ready perhaps attack during the race or save your energy for the sprint. If you're having trouble taking your pulls at the front, get off quickly and slide back to get maximum draft in the paceline. It's far better to sit on the back and let others do the work than to slow everyone with valiant but sluggish turns at the front.
If you are feeling really good, don't burn all your energy towing the group around. Best to do a few turns then when your ready perhaps attack during the race or save your energy for the sprint. If you're having trouble taking your pulls at the front, get off quickly and slide back to get maximum draft in the paceline. It's far better to sit on the back and let others do the work than to slow everyone with valiant but sluggish turns at the front.
Getting dropped on climbs
As a climb begins, be nestled in the front third of the bunch. Get as much draft as possible. If you can't hold the pace, don't blow up trying. Let yourself slide back through the group but still be in contact at the top.
Pick a strong rider to follow
If you're really having difficulty keeping the pace, get on the wheel of a good rider and mirror his (or her) technique. Use the same gear, stand when he does, take a drink as soon as he reaches for his bottle, and so on. This teaches you good cycling habits. Plus, emulating his movements takes your mind off your own effort and helps you past the hard spots.
Content for this article was sourced from: www.roadbikerider.com