[Closed] So I want to try road racing + build a bike specifically for this

How I've been going about this has been all wrong...

I'd suggest from the power numbers you have posted you've certainly been doing something right.

Re-reading areas later to build a proper training plan including 2 hour+ cycles to rebuild my base. ALL my cycling for the last month has pretty much been less than 2 hours

95% of mine for the past 10 years have been i'd guess. The simple fact is, we have lives, we have families and jobs. Living in the ideal world isn't possible for most people.
You can only do what's realistic within your environment, don't beat yourself up too much.

I'd suggest from the power numbers you have posted you've certainly been doing something right.

+1 🙂

I think it's more luck than good practice!

The missus goes to the gym religiously after work and on Saturday/Sunday mornings so I always have the time. I just haven't been using my time efficiently recently.

Trying not to get too obsessed with it all, as after The Imperial Winter Series I don't have a specific aim/race/race series (unless by miracle I get my 3rd cat) which appears to open the doors quite a lot to races with points. To be frank though, skills wise I don't think I'm ready for 3 anyway, particularly the bit about being mid pack in the middle, instead of my usual at the edges.

I know there are 4th cat races with no points pretty much every weekend after Imperial, but doesn't seem the same. 😕

To be frank though, skills wise I don't think I'm ready for 3 anyway, particularly the bit about being mid pack in the middle, instead of my usual at the edges.

Reckon half a dozen races and you'll be fine.

Any 34 or 234 races down your way? Harder to get points but think you'd be fine with the pace and it's all good experience. In with the 2's and 3's will be more fun too as it'll be harder racing and breaks tends to be a bit more organised.

Yeah - it's been a sharp learning curve, getting more comfortable though 🙂

I didn't think there was, certainly ones for points, but the BC website is leading me to believe there are points up for grabs:

[url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/154841/BC-West-Thames--1 ]BC WEST Thames Series TUES 11/04/17 - 08/08/17[/url] - Just need to adjust my working hours for this!

[url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/154659/Westerley-Spring-Crits ]Westerley Spring Crits[/url]

[url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/156802/Dulwich-Paragon-CC-VeloPark-Winter-Series-2017-Race-1 ]Dulwich-Paragon Winter-Series-2017 January 31, Feb 7, 14 and 21 Lee Valley Velo park[/url] 10 miles from work so would head straight there.

If points are available then great, if not I'm still going to try and take part in a few! 🙂

You are doing fine, although you do need to fuel the engine. As for longer rides, well I found that training the engine for 1hr circuit races by shorter interval training will boost your performances in... 1hr circuit races! I also found that when I moved up to longer 80 and 100 km road races, I was able to hang on for... 75-90 minutes, but no longer. The longer base miles will provide that endurance for road racing that crits and circuit races just do not give you (they are limited by regulation to 1hr + 5 laps as Regional C+ band).

The Tuesday evening 34 race is very good, and the E123 race after it is normally a brutal for the serious teams in London (NUUN Sigma and Pedal Heaven). Last summer I raced both back-to-back on occasion to build endurance, although this is our club night, so I tended to mix this up with a medium/fast chaingang.

Incidentally, not a lot of people realise that you can always "race up" a category, and enter the E123 race, even as a 4th cat. You can't "race down" a category unless you are female, or, occasionally. a veteran. It's not common in road races, because they are over-subscribed, so a selection tends to me made by the organiser. In a circuit race, there is no issue if places are available.

Incidentally, not a lot of people realise that you can always "race up" a category, and enter the E123 race, even as a 4th cat. You can't "race down" a category unless you are female, or, occasionally. a veteran. It's not common in road races, because they are over-subscribed, so a selection tends to me made by the organiser. In a circuit race, there is no issue if places are available.

That's not right at all, you can't have a 4th Cat in an E/1/2/3 race! They're not insured to be there, the race has specifically been put on to exclude 4th Cats.
That's the whole point of the category system, to ensure that riders are able to select the most appropriate race for themselves. Otherwise there'd be no point in a category system at all if you could turn up at ride whatever you wanted!

TLI and LVRC might manage things slightly differently but for BC races, you ride in the category shown on your racing licence.

I refer you to the rule book...

6.3.1.5 Regional C+ and Regional C – open to Senior
and Junior riders of all categories, to be run as
a handicap event, or other appropriate format.
Such events may also be restricted to 4th
Category riders only

You can always race up a category in a circuit race. That allows 4th cat riders to race E123. Most road races will however be Regional A/B, so you are correct in that respect. You won't be racing a BC National Event as a 4th cat (except as a Veteran/Masters)

6.3.1.5 Regional C+ and Regional C – open to Senior
and Junior riders of all categories, to be run as a handicap event, or other appropriate format. Such events may also be restricted to 4th
Category riders only

Key phrase being "or other appropriate format"
The organiser has stipluated E/1/2/3 which means exactly that. Regional C+ can mirror any of the existing Regional / National classifications - it can be open to all, it can be restricted to any other categories at the organiser's discretion. A 4th Cat can't ride in an E/1/2/3 event.

Sort of related, (and inspired by this thread) I've entered my first road race in a little while, the Eddie Soens so that's my season opening arse-kicking booked in! 😉

I think it's more luck than good practice!

I've been quite structured and disciplined with my training over the past couple of years and TBH I'm not entirely convinced I'd not be just as quick off a twice a day commute!

Having said that, I've learnt a lot about training and what to do and what not to do over the past few years. Feel free to PM me if you want, happy to share info.

Ok, I was curious about the tyre pressure thing so I ran a test this afternoon.
Conti Gatorskin Hardshell 28mm.
4.8 mile out and back loop @ 200w.

1. 080psi- 16.7mph quiet and supple.
2. 100psi- 16.7mph noisy and bouncy.
3. 120psi- 16.7mph quieter than 100 but could feel it in my arms- very rough.

Not mega scientific but enough to make me feel better about my grippy 80 psi choice 🙂

@mrblobby - Thanks! I'm putting together a training schedule from the book, will post it up here for people to poke holes in it 🙂

@crosshair - I've just seen that test on Strava. At 100 & 120 psi you posted 5 sec quicker times. Day to day 80 on the crap roads, not tempted to try 100psi on the silky smooth track?

Edit; just seen your reply on strava 🙂

P.s. Got an email yet?

Finally found my go to chart for PSI:
[img] ?itok=gQ09vWL-[/img]

It requires measuring the weight on each wheel, or 40/60 is a starting point for racing bikes. But I've just remembered it's a bit mad on the front wheel.
E.g. Me/bike/clothes = 80kg on 25mm tyres = 32kg on front, 48kg on rear = Front 60psi, Rear 95psi. There's no way I'd run the front at 60psi!

I'm putting together a training schedule from the book, will post it up here for people to poke holes in it

Cool. We'll have you periodised, polarized, fasted, ketogenic, and have sucked all the enjoyment out of riding a bike before you know it 😉

No, no e-mail.

As per my reply, on the Garmin, the 80psi test is 0.01 miles longer (4.85miles). There were 4 button presses per lap:
Start @ start line
Stop @ 30mph sign at the next village
Start @ NSL sign after turning around
Stop @ the Start/finish line

I'm amazed the distances are as close as they were to be honest 😉

mrblobby
Cool. We'll have you periodised, polarized, fasted, ketogenic, and have sucked all the enjoyment out of riding a bike before you know it

Commuting on a bike in central London is enough to kill any enjoyment of cycling - managed so far haha. Plus I've spent so much money on bike stuff now and I'll admit there is a large buzz from racing! (I think I'm hooked)...

Haha fair enough @crosshair - looked scientific enough for me! End of the day it's reaffirmed that you're running the correct psi for you.

Yes, I'm happy with my choice. Cornering grip seems pretty important at Hillingdon too so the lower pressures should suit that.
It would probably help with the grit type punctures from all that MTB'ing too- I still have mud on my bike from the last race 😉

Yeah I ain't ever cycled at those angles before Hillingdon, didn't even know that grip was possible on such a tiny patch of rubber! 😆

On a side note I was using a spare wheel on Saturday, no idea what brand it was or the tyre or psi - but felt okay to me! 😆

Entered for this week 🙂

Crosshair, you planning on doing the Abingdon ones in Feb? It would mess up my plan but I do quite fancy it. Though i seem to remember reports of some foul weather from those that did it last year.

Edit... I see from the race info they are well prepared...

A gritter has been purchased to cope with potential weather issues should they arise.

😕

Great, see you there!

Are you turning up at 9am again? 😆

Might be interested in that too mrblobby, if I can persuade the missus.

@Mrblobby- need to investigate further. Let's see if I'm hanging with the bunch by the end of these first 😉

@Nath- I'll prob leave here at 10 so traffic dependant, should have time for a coffee beforehand registration if you like 🙂

The first two clash with Hillingdon but the last two could be good.

@crosshair - I'm the worst time keeper in the world so no idea what time I'll get there yet (I cycle).

However I normally aim for around 12:15? Last week we were stood around until 1pm and only got two laps warmup in.

Either way I'll be in my Red top with white stripes again, number 82, you'll hear the wheels before you see me haha - I'll bring those gels!

@weeksy you heading down too?

P.s. Just noticed I was 28 / 44 - bloody puncture!

Sorry NAth, got a better offer i'm afraid, Forest of Dean with 2 mates and my 8 year old, i'm afraid my little man always trumps standing watching you boys 🙂
As much i could persuade him to stand there for an hour in summer, persuading him in the middle of winter is a different kettle of fish.

Haha weeksy - don't blame you!

The forecast has changed - no rain! Although according to one of my weather apps there's snow forecast. 12mph winds 😥

I'm gutted, someone is coming Saturday afternoon to pick up the Felt - I was kind of only putting it on Gumtree to appease the better half... https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/felt-f95-road-bike-large-frame-58cm-inc-cosine-wheels-105-brakes-chainset/1209279760

That seems cheap.

CH should have bought it instead of using the Argos boat anchor he keeps trying to justify 🙂

I bought it for £350 2 and a bit years ago lol

Crosshair uses a B'Twin doesn't he? Decent bikes.

I'm not posting the Triban 5 5*reviews any more Weeksy- you still obviously haven't read them 😉

It was a £700 spec bike (9.7kg in medium carbon fork and full Sora) for £400- what's not to like? Besides- I'm not going to hang with the bunch just by buying a new bike!!! I'm not that naive 😉

In all seriousness, I've spent nothing on that bike. Two tyres and a wheel in 4 years means it owes me nothing.
Handy if it gets lobbed down the track.......

Definitely @crosshair!

I've just had to adjust my insurance coverage for wheels and power meter 🙄

Do you have a road bike weeksy?

Do you have a road bike weeksy?

I have a carbon Isaac thing on perma-loan from a neighbour. I think it weighs about 8kg tops and is full Campag, light wheels etc.

I've read them CH... it says it's a great budget bike.... You wouldn't race XC on a budget bike, you wouldn't race CX on a budget bike.. But you race roadie on it.

I can't argue it's been great value for money. I'm not denying that at all.. but it's a cheap and cheerful bike not a decent race bike. Give yourself the best chance possible of holding the pack and ride something great.

I think you are deluded. My bike isn't holding me back and I like riding it- changing isn't anywhere near the radar screen at least until I'm in contention for points. And even then, I imagine I'd get most of the way through Cat 3 by just upgrading my wheels......

It's an art that's going to take me a while to learn (and get fit enough for) and I'm happy and excited by that 🙂

I think you are deluded

I think we've established you think that already

Give yourself the best chance possible of holding the pack and ride something great.

On the rare occasions I manage to get to Hillingdon, I race my SS road bike! There's a lot to be said for racing something relatively cheap. I've seen the tears that result from a £5000 carbon dream bike sliding down the tarmac underneath a pile of other riders and bikes...

Weeksy- now now, I thought you weren't sensitive 😉

Look, you like purchasing solutions. New bikes, new genres, new tyres. And that's fine.
But squint your eyes a bit and most low-middle category road bikes do the same job. A couple of kg's on the bike isn't really here or there.

When I've got the knack, got the top-end fitness, got the nutrition right, am stretching every day and getting enough sleep and have periodised my training for three months into a series- then perhaps I'll start questioning the bike.

Besides- imagine dropping off the back of the bunch on a £2k carbon frame set 😀

imagine dropping off the back of the bunch on a £2k carbon frame set

Reverse that with....

Imagine not dropping off the back of the bunch.

Clearly i don't know.. i've not been there, not ridden it, but i have seen your desire to compete with them, to hold the bunch, your training, your efforts, your food planning, i just want to see you acomplish your goals.

I think we can esablish that someone like Nath or Blobby could run in the pack on your bike.. but that doesn't necessarily mean you couldn't run quicker on a better one... It may only be 2%, 3%, but that could be the difference to you holding the pack next time out or not.

Maybe it's not the bike, maybe it's the bar position, the saddly position, cleats, or .... etc etc... I'm just often shocked that you're not giving yourself the best chance possible in ALL aspects, you're happy to train the hell out of yourself.. but maybe it's not the only answer.

I really hope you manage it anyway this weekend.

Once you're riding on a reasonably stiff alu framed bike with well adjusted, snappy shifting gears, stiff wheels and probably sub-20lb, then everything else is so so so marginal. Not denying better kit doesn't feel nice, make you feel better or ride a little quicker maybe, but getting dropped is either a matter of fitness or positioning.

The adage "don't race what you can't afford to replace" is never truer than in road racing.

Doesn't stop me spaffing a lot of money on nice gear though! 😉

Now now you two 😆

I have no doubt that I would have achieved 17th & 28th on my Felt - if not better as I was a lot more used to it - but racing was a bloody good excuse to get another bike, not that I'll ever admit that to her!

Me and my bikes are all insured up to my eyeballs haha.

@Weeksy- crumbs that all a bit overblown! I tried it because I've been curious for years, I didn't enjoy CX this year and I had some fitness I didn't know what to do with. I was also actually pleased with how I rode last time. I held a much better position, hung for longer and was only half a lap off of hanging for most of the race. I even got back on as per my plan and outsprinted a Cat 3 woman 😀
I was also (with hindsight), still ill.

I don't know how many times I have to say that the bike isn't holding me back! I did actually rotate the bars for the last race to make shifting/braking easier on the drops but everything else I'm happy with.
As a broad shouldered 90kg guy- the bike is honestly the least of my problems!!

I'm kinda with crosshair, i'd not be racing a carbon superbike in a 4th cat crit either. Engine will make a much bigger difference, then aero clothing.
Basic frame and groupset are just fine to start with, but i'd be getting a set of half decent wheels and fast tyres. Something like rs81 c35's with gp4000's

I got some GP4000's this week 🙂

I've never felt tyres as sticky as GP4000s before.

I'm gutted mine cut so easily (glued) and punctured!

Got mine from here: http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/continental-grand-prix-4000-sii-700x25-tyres-pair-for-48-96-delivered-je-james-cycles-2577629

That's cheap! I paid £58 for my pair.

Did you stick with 28s?

I've just stocked up on tubes too: http://www.shopto.net/cycling/continental/0181791-continental-inner-tube-race-28-700c-60mm
@£2.71 a tube I ain't bothering repairing any going forward other than to get me home!

Yes, 28's. Just for the ability to run slightly lower pressure really for a bit more confidence in the corners.

Fair enough!

Okay so two things, my resting HR is back under control:

[img] [/img]

and I've put together a VERY simple plan, with room to do more if I'm feeling it:
[img] [/img]

4th Feb is under negotiation 🙄

How long are the BRS TT's mate?

Don't race what you can't replace! I started on a used Giant TCR. £400 and a superb bike that was and six years old. When I made it to third cat, i moved the parts onto a Propel frame. My nice bike is too nice to crash. When I smashed the Propel into a Mercedes, it was replaced with a new Propel SL. This is my race bike. I'm not precious about it. It's a tool for a job. And it's been crashed hard on two occasions. And had a few soft bumps too.

I crashed the original Propel in its first race; a 3/4, where I was brought down by a chopper.

I would always recommend upgrading to some lighter stiffer wheels. But they need to be rebuildable not boutique.

CH, stay ahead of me on Saturday. If you see the YGA, get pedalling back up the bunch and find some shelter.

Thanks TiRed- It sounds so easy 😀 When I start seeing north of 180bpm, I know the elastic is getting tight and I'm running out of time. If that coincides with a surge then I'm toast!

I was thinking of just TTing off the front with Nath- until the bottom of the hill 😀

I'm sure the wind is going to make positioning a little bit more subtle but I was basically going to try and do what I started off doing last time- only a few places further forward. And try and make up places if it bunches up rather than braking!
I didn't feel confident enough to do much other than sit there once I was lapped last time but I intend to be more pro-active in maintaining my position in the first instance this week.
Can't wait!

What does YGA stand for?

I'm insured via these guys: https://bikmo.com £20 a month for £4,500 worth of bikes (4) isn't too bad - when I had a run in with an Ocado van they were very quick in getting things ready and my side of the story incase Ocado decided to pursue. Word of warning though, I smashed up a Mavic Aksium front wheel - because it can be purchased singularly for less than £100 they didn't pay out. So from then on I made sure everything was (or could only be found in pairs) lol.

I'm not TT'ing tomorrow, in fact I'm going to try and be as lazy as possible unless someone strong goes for it - and I'll go try and help. My sole aim tomorrow is to stay at least 1/3 in the bunch without slowly making my back to TiRed on one of the edges as per usual. If I can do that then I'll see what the last 10-15 mins brings 😆

Year 1 = getting battered
Year 2 = Holding position in the pack and getting to grips
Year 3 = Competing

Geometry will matter, weight won't until you are 'elite' anyway.

Yeah I need to lower my bars & cut some steerer off - but I daren't play around with anything until after Imperial series is over. 😆

I have however just acquired a 12-25 cassette, tempted to try this instead of the 11-28 I currently use. Or build my own hybrid...
Also contemplating swapping to 52/36 from 50/34.

YGA is yellow gilet of authority 😉

And you may want to mark and work with one of our riders tomorrow. That's all I'm saying. He'll be riding my aero wheels too, after ripping my legs off on Tuesday evening

The 12-25 is a perfect combination for a semi-compact 52/36. It's unlikely you have been troubling the 11T, and the closeness of gears makes for very smooth spinning.

My favourite is a compact 50 and 11-23, which has even closer spacing and the same top gear for my risible sprinting! Just do the lock ring up nice and tight.

Noted on YGA and the rider 😆

Yeah - I barely use the 28 even when climbing - I'll swap it tonight, even with 50/34 it'll make it smoother like you say.

Forgot to say 11-23 was 10 speed. Your 11-25 will have the same ratios. It's a lot nicer to race on with a compact.

Worst case I increase my cadence 😆

Something I need to do anyway, currently averaging 91 at Hillingdon.

Bag packed, clothes set out and the rocket science that is pinning a number to a jersey done.

New cassette fitted - feels good & more natural.

Just been out doing some standing starts after a warmup - making sure the legs work, the casettte copes and to see what power I could get up to (1,060w lol).

Now for some sleep!

That's a bit keen 🙂
My new tyre scuppered me a bit- it's quite a bit taller than the Gatorskins in the same size so fouled the frame slightly. So I have a GP4000 front and Gatorskin rear 🙂

I'm also running 11-25 and 50 up front. I've tried higher cadences during speed drills but my average never seems to lift above 80. (82 at the last race I did)

That's annoying! Are you getting 25s instead?
They feel like glue compared to other tyres don't they!

My average used to be around 85, but I've upped it to 92.

Hopefully today will be my first race in the dry 😆

I've got something here that may be better CH? You're welcome to try it today. Edit. Tyre that is...

Thanks for the offer but the Gators were fine last time so should be 'reet.

App is still saying cold and sunny so fingers crossed. I'm probably going to race with some leg warmer thingies and long sleeve jersey on this week just to see if it makes a difference.....
I do have a smaller TFC jersey coming too as the one I have been wearing is a bit baggy.

Christ @crosshair - I'll be in thermals again. Like the last two races haha. Tighter jersey definitely helps!

So this is grim!!!

Was looking forward to a dry race!!!

Nath jinxed the weather 😀

Great race mate!! And thanks for the goodies- you're a star 🙂

I'm gutted I went over the bars after thinking I'd avoided the crash when a body and a bike appeared from nowhere!!
At least I forward rolled into the mud 😉
[img] [/img]

call that a race report ?

your raphaesque photos of muddy shirts won't work here lad - we expect 10,000 words by teatime or you're fired ! <points>

Gutted you went down CH, you were doing really well - I was a few places behind you for most of it!!

No problem on the gels & TOB clothes - won't be offended if you decide to give them to charity or bin them 😆

As for the race, something was BOUND to happen today. There was a distinct lack of discipline around the S bends again (people cutting corners) and before the crash on the last corner going into the straight there was a couple of shoulder bardges. I even shouted at a couple of riders in front - which is not like me at all as I'm normal as quiet as a mouse 😆

As for me I sat in the bunch this time until the last 5 laps were I started to get myself into a decent position. Unfortunately this meant sitting at the front for a bit, but I was probably due a turn and I made sure I kept my HR below 175 so I'd have some in the tank. The sprint finish was epic, I could have made up a few more places but I got caught up behind someone and didn't want to risk coming off my line frankly. I'm hoping I got 7th, but I'm not quite sure - hopefully top 10 at least!

Quite the opposite- I wore the polo shirt when I got changed at home 🙂

You did great and make it look like you're in control. It was funny when I was struggling for a lap or so at the back and you appeared next to me out of nowhere. I was sure you couldn't have lapped us but couldn't work out where else you'd appeared from 😀 Stealth!!!

I did chuckle when I looked up from my conversation with Joe to see you casually leading the bunch around 😀

On Strava Flybys I led a entire lap oops! I'm currently 5th on strava, but I think 7th/8th is more realistic. Will truly be gutted if I didn't get at least one point.

Yeah, that's the lap I decided to put some effort into it so started making up places and saw you along the way haha. I was shouting at you to drop a gear and spin up the hill, you weren't half grinding up there! 😆

Any thoughts on the wheel(s)?

Raw power you see 😉 I did try and spin the small hill each lap but kept spinning out when I tried to do it up the big one. I managed to stay seated all bar one lap at least 😉

I'll probably just get a Shimano one to match my rear one.

You'll have a nail biting week waiting for the results 😉

Just been reading peoples workout names - no one has claimed 7th yet so I think it might be mine!

Haha yeah but the raw power runs out eventually!

Recommend these for £62, they're a steal: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cosine-24mm-alloy-clincher-road-wheelset/

Had them fitted to my Felt, that was until I watched someone wheel it away today 😥

Brilliant work to both of you. !

Innocent question/observation, honest (there'll be no bragging to follow from me; I've never raced in my adult life so it's all based on assumptions - the only races I know of are those that my mate has done, mostly round car parks in his early stages):

Nath, I'd have thought you'd be strolling away from the field, with powwah!! figures like yours. Have I misunderstood, is this something different to a catD crit ?

Nath, I'd have thought you'd be strolling away from the field, with powwah!! figures like yours. Have I misunderstood, is this something different to a catD crit ?

Power and fitness means very little in crit racing - it rewards tactics and experience far more than it does raw power. You can sit on the front churning out 400W, you look back and there'll be a line of grinning riders behind you who only have to do 250W to sit on your wheel the whole way round.

To actually get an attack going, one that works, you need to be doing 800W for a minute to get the gap and then be able to sustain 400W on your own into the wind to keep it. Meanwhile behind you, 10 people are sitting there doing 30 seconds at 500W in a purposeful chaingang to bring it all back again.

Well done on your result [b]nathb[/b]! 🙂

The zwift cats are very kind. B may get you in the pack, A should keep you in it. Nath is quick as we've seen in Zwift world but whether he could boss a race still remains to be seen. Even cat 4 races are 25mph+ average speed

You could argue (and indeed i do) that BC should extend the cat system such that folks racing C and D in zwift have somewhere to race in the real world too.

Who knows, maybe zwift will show that there is an appetite for proper entry level racing.

I've said this for years (when I was blatantly too unfit with hindsight) that there must be a market for some industrial estate or carpark Cat5's?
(I imagine the insurance would be prohibitive.......)

Fascinating too how hotly contested the limited places at Hillingdon are- although less so now I've seen how thrilling they are to ride! Are other Crits as popular?

I must say again by the way- the people are so friendly! Perhaps it's a product of entrusting your collarbones to each other but I've had so many random people stop me on the way to the car and say 'well done mate!' and 'stick at it it' and such like. It's been quite humbling for an ignorant recluse like myself 😀

Thanks @weeksy & crazy-legs

I can put a decent gap between myself and the field, the problem has always been my choice of when to attack (plus position attacking from) and more importantly sustaining it. The wind at Hillingdon is brutal on your own and my CDA is probably shocking too. Also it's the unknown - psychologically I need to know I can sustain the numbers for the length of time required to get to the back of the group.

Today I was using a power meter, I put out 943w to get myself to very front, only to turn around and see I was pulling 4/5 others along (I think CH saw how many I was pulling). So I [i]selfishly [/i]dropped my pace to a more sustainable one as I knew it was going to be a sprint finish and I wanted a piece of that.

Saying that my sprint was only actually 720w, I had a LOT more in me but traffic and risk (I was doing sprint drills on the way home) 😆

Interestingly though, my average HR is getting lower in the races lol:
[url= https://www.strava.com/activities/798608420/analysis ]1st Attempt[/url]
[url= https://www.strava.com/activities/824149964/analysis ]2nd Attempt[/url]
[url= https://www.strava.com/activities/831569863/analysis ]3rd Attempt[/url]

I think a 5th cat like the US, especially how many folks are interested in racing, would be an excellent idea. But I think they're called "Come & Try Racing Events" here.

@Weeksy- make no mistake. Nath is quick! Full stop. To sit on the front for a lap is crazy in my world 🙂