Oxford Endurance Weekend Plein Air Circuit Race - CycleRoad Race

They said there would be a neutral rolling start, which sounded good to me, maybe a little less pressure at the start for me. I will admit I was pretty nervous. My group riding experience is nil, it was very hot, and I was on an unfamiliar bike.

As we are taking off, I hear my family holler "Go Chris!" which was kinda funny cause I bet I heard 8 or 9 other Chris's when they called roll.

The neutral rollout included a few tight turns on narrow roads, but it was done at a very reasonable speed. We got out on the main road and hit the start/finish line. I see one guy take off up front on a breakaway. I ended up about 3/4 of the way back in the pack. Not exactly where I wanted to be, but I was a little intimidated and wasn't at the back, so I thought I'd just go with it.

We cruised out at a little over 19mph. I new it was going to be close racing, but this was closer than I thought it would be to start. Made the first turn and my full concentration was on the guy infront of me and beside me. We were 3 wide in the right lane of the road. I was constantly feathering the brakes, to keep form hitting the guys wheel in front, then having to surge, to stay with the group. I watched my front wheel get very close to the guy's skewer in front of me. That could have ended badly.

About 2 miles in, I got bumped (elbow and shoulder) by the guy coming up the middle on my left. I think that is the first time I've had contact while riding.

Concentrated on staying with the group, not wrecking, and trying to figure out how I'm going to continue this for another 18 miles.

About mile 6 or 7, I looked behind me and noticed for the first time that there was only 1 rider behind me. The others had been dropped already. I had not moved back from the leaders, so I figured I'd just continue and see if the pace would slow. I'm still feathering and surging especially at the turns.

We hit the big 2 hills about mile 8, I fall a little behind after the first one, but was able to bridge back up. We hit the 2nd hill and the leaders take off and the group is completely broke apart. I made it up the first/steepest climb, but it continued up after that and I lost all contact with leaders.

I coasted down the big downhill back into town. Didn't see anyone behind me and only a couple in front. I was out of breath, panting, hot, and soaked with sweat. I noticed that I had only taken 1 drink from my bottle and was not able to take a gel while riding in the group.

I crossed the finish line to start the 2nd lap, trying to decide whether to ride another lap or not. Passed the family and decide "what the hell" I can do another 11 miles. I continued on, noticed that I was only riding about 16mph, very hot, remember the headwind after the next turn, and really didn't know what I was supposed to do after having been dropped. So I decided to call it a day. Turned around and headed back towards the finish line and family.

Checked myself out of the race, then went and found some water.

1) Be comfortable on the bike I am riding. Either bought or borrowed, get fit

2) More group riding experience.

3) Realize this is a bike race and continue on to race others who had been dropped.

4) Ask more questions, but honestly, before this, I didn't know what questions to ask.

I definitely want another shot at this as well as the crit

Stayed around to watch some of the other races start, then packed up and headed for home


Experience and equipment (nothing wrong with the bike, just not comfy or used to riding it.) Alot more anerobic effort than I am used to.


Plenty of water post race, but could have used a snack or sandwich. This was my first bike race, so not a lot to compare to, but seemed well organized and that they knew what they were doing.