Aug. 09, 2007
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Tip #18: Expect to suck
A story in the Chicago Tribune this Sunday discusses the experience of finishing last. "You gotta figure if you finished last," says Jeff Kao (XXX Racing-AthletiCo), "it can only get better."
I love talking to new racers who have just finished last or gotten dropped: "Well, that sucked," they'll say, "but it was the most fun I've ever had. When do I get to do it again?"
Kao's perspective is a good one for new racers. Never in the history of cycling has there been a race without a last-place finisher, and as you begin the sport, there's a good chance that last place will be you.
If you're not last, you may find yourself dropped and riding alone, especially if you're thrown into 4/5's races with fitter, more experienced athletes. Except for the rare prodigy, most new racers should expect this. You're going to suck. Even extremely fit riders may get dropped until they figure a few things out.
And getting dropped can be humbling, if not humiliating, especially for those with marathon or triathlon backgrounds, where they received medals and adulation merely for finishing. (In cycling, only winners receive medals.)
But there's good news: Cycling has a quick learning curve. All it takes is patience and commitment (and maybe a little bit of time and money).
An unscientific survey of my team found that only about 40 percent made it through their first five races without getting dropped. Having observed dozens of new racers make it through their first few seasons, here's how I would characterize the growth of riders who train consistently, pay attention and don't give up:
1-10 races: You get dropped or finish at the back of the pack. You say a prayer before every turn. You wonder what you've gotten yourself into.
5-15 races: Something clicks. You stop getting dropped. You start noticing things. You can predict things. You grab wheels. You attack. (This is why I recommend new racers do at least 10 races their first season. If things haven't "clicked" by the end of the first year, it will be hard to come back the second year or be motivated in the off-season, and you're likely to lose whatever you've gained.)
10-20 races: You contest sprints. You come in the money a few times. You recognize other people and can spot who's strong.
15-25 races: You're consistently in the top 10 and win a race or two. People start recognizing you. Time to upgrade to the 3's.
The progression is predictable and rewarding, both to experience and to watch happen in others. Naturally, mileage varies. Natural talent or youth will help some find success much sooner than others.
As for Jeff? Well, he broke his leg this spring, but I have no doubt that he'll be a valuable source by the time the Trib decides to chronicle the experience of finishing first.
Comments
Man, what a great tip. Just keep at it and make sure all of your mistakes are new ones.
I am right at other side of 10 races in my first year - not including Matteson - and it's been all over the place. Dropped 3 times, including my first race. One top 10. A few top 20's in some very tough mixed field races. And lot of pack finishes. I am figuring out that fitness (which comes easy for me) doesn't take you far without race smarts (not easy). The focus is what's key. Right now things tend to go way to fast - as in Evanston, but I keep racing because I know I am building up the mental callouses. I am gradually dealing better with the continuous physical exertion, no longer waiting for it to get easier, and adding more and more focus.
Posted by: Brian at Aug. 9, 2007 04:04 PM
Another good technique: Find one good rider in your field. Stay glued to his wheel, wherever he goes. You'll learn a ton.
Posted by: Seth Meyer at Aug. 9, 2007 11:49 PM
finishing first? that's funny! Great tips as usual.
Posted by: jeff kao at Aug. 10, 2007 12:30 PM
Thanks for the suck timeline. I knew I was doomed at my first race when the official called me out over the PA: "Hey 147, do you intend to slide across the finishline sideways?"(pointing to my incorrectly pinned number). So,in my first race I learned how to pin my number and that when the lead car is behind you it means it's time to get off the road. Next two races I am working on clipping in.
Posted by: EJ at Aug. 10, 2007 06:37 PM
Tip #19
Practice riding on tar strips. Tar strips are used to fill in the gaps between two slabs of concrete to keep water out of the seams. These strips get very squishy especially when it gets hot.
If anyone's familiar with ABR State Championships in Lombard, there were a few of theses strips on the backside of the course. In fact, in the Cat 4 race there was an accident right in front of me that may have been caused by one of these tar strips. The bike tends to squirm underneath as you roll over them.
If you are in middle of the pack you may be forced to ride right down the middle of a tar strip. If you are not comfortable with you bike's tires wiggling around on soft tar you could lay it down in a hurry taking out others with you. The only thing I can compare it to is mountain biking on mud. Any steering input should be done by leaning the bike ever so slightly and not by panicking and turning the handlebars.
Posted by: S.C. at Aug. 14, 2007 12:23 PM
