Durand Road Race...first bike race?

2010-04-10 1:23 AM

Subject: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Has anyone ever done this race, or other cycling road races? It's next Saturday in Durand, WI. I'm a descent triathlon cyclist but figure racing with real cyclists could be a way to step up my game. I'd be entering the cat 5/ citizen race which is 27 miles and I really don't know what to expect. I'd be doing this for fun/ training but also don't want to get embarassed too bad.
If it helps, in oly distance races I can do 21-22mph and am relatively confident with bike handling skills (and have a road bike).

Should i go for it, or wait for some tt's instead?
And if anyone else in the minneapolis area is considering this, I'd have room for another+ bike if you wanted to carpool.

Thanks for the advice!

Steve314

2010-04-10 6:58 AM

in reply to: #2781782

Veteran

185

St. Cloud, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Hello,

What kind of race is it? Short loop criterium with lots of tight turns in a pack? Out and back over rolling hills?

I suspect if you've never raced you'd be more comfortable with the later than the former.

I used to race in the early 80's. Mostly Cat 4 but some 3. One thing that really stands out was the races where we were grouped with the "citizens" racers. Going fast into a hard corner with a bunch of cat 3 riders, one could be pretty confident that everyone knew how to hold their line and ride properly.

However, with the citizen's races it was anyone's guess. A tad more harrowing.

Of course this is no big deal on an out and back, but with a short loop the slower riders end up getting lapped and you have to deal with them.

Have a good time. Not a tt for sure, but you could consider it cross training.

Edited by Steve314 2010-04-10 6:59 AM

My Training Log My Race Log

2010-04-10 11:23 AM

in reply to: #2781782

7	Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race? Thanks Steve, it's a 2 lap course on country roads so hopefully it'll be a little less crazy than a criterium of the same level?. Maybe I will just break away at the start and ride solo up front to show these roadies how us triathletes do things...

stevestenzel

2010-04-10 11:48 AM

in reply to: #2782119

Expert

1091

St. Paul, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Rainbreaker - 2010-04-10 11:23 AM

Maybe I will just break away at the start and ride solo up front to show these roadies how us triathletes do things...

Ha! That's great! Enjoy the race - let us know how it goes!....

2010-04-12 2:39 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Veteran

271

St. Paul, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Now you got me thinking about doing this. You pre-register?
I have no idea what my oly race pace is, but I average 17-18mph on easy rides in rural washington county?

Bikergerb

2010-04-12 3:38 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Expert

1135

Delano, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

I've raced this race the past two years as a Cat 5 Citizen. I have finished mid field with a 20-21 mph ave. There is one good size hill and some nice rollers. The turns aren't bad - just be ready for the pace to ramp up after the 2nd turn (attempt to blow up the field). I'm planning to race it again this year. Good luck and keep the rubber side down (when you shoot off the front take as many hot shots as you can with you - that could help me out

)

2010-04-12 9:19 PM

in reply to: #2781782

7	Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race? No problem, I'll be sure to make a big scene and hopefully get some angry followers when I go for the win right away! Yep, I prerigistered to save the 10 bucks...i'm impressed that the entry fee is similar to a 5k run.

2010-04-16 6:35 PM

in reply to: #2786967

Veteran

271

St. Paul, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

I'll be there.
Say hi to the guy with one arm sleeved and a green jersey on a silver Specialized.

2010-04-18 2:13 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

So hopefully the race went better for you guys than myself.
Haha, I was the guy in the blue jersey carrying my bike back to the car just before the start...cable tension was off and I sent my derailler into the rear wheel as I started my warm up. Probably the worst noise I have ever heard on my bike and it screeched to a halt but I managed to stay upright!

It was a rough first race attempt, especially for my poor bike, but thankfully it didn't happen during the race.

2010-04-20 6:47 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Veteran

271

St. Paul, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Either I heard the story about your derailleur at the start line, or something similar happened to another guy.

It was a fun experience. Kind of intimidating, not having any experience with bike racing, and being one of only a few with hairy legs. Was hoping for less wind, but what can you do, eh?

I got caught between groups about 3 miles into the race, ended up getting caught going up the big hill on the south(?) side of the course and stuck with those guys. After the first lap, one guy was trying to organize all the riders in the pack, which worked, but he was not very friendly about his “suggestions”, so it didn’t last too long. I think I came in about 4^th in the pack, 22^nd overall.

I want to do another one.

2011-04-14 5:44 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Veteran

271

St. Paul, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Anyone racing this year? I'm signed up for the Cat5/Citizens race.

Looks like the weather will be sweet!

Edited by DTraitor 2011-04-14 5:47 PM

cooutdoors

2011-04-15 8:38 AM

in reply to: #2781782

Expert

606

Lakeville, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

Was thinking about it until I saw the weather. After living in CO for several years, I just can't seem to revert back to slogging it out in wind, rain and snow on a voluntary basis...

Me_Xman

2011-04-16 7:22 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Extreme Veteran

329

Maple Grove

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

My buddy Dan Schueller and I went to this race this morning. The temp was 34F with north gust wind. This was my first ever race in my life. Dan has been in the cycling and velo track scene for the longest time. He did 4 laps and took 3rd in 50+ Master. I did the Cat5 with 2 loops (27 miles) and got dropped from the pack in first 1/4 miles. They were too fast for me. Then came the hills in the back stretch and one steep hill killed me good on te second lap. I ended up coming in of course last and dead tired. Overall that was a good workout for me.

Watching Cat1/2/3 and man they're incredible machines pumping around 30mph or even higher on average.

2011-04-17 8:56 PM

in reply to: #2781782

Veteran

271

St. Paul, MN

Subject: RE: Durand Road Race...first bike race?

I worked really hard trying to bridge the gap between groups on those first rollers, but couldn't get up there. One of these times I'm going to be towards the front to start and not get caught behind those taking off.

If you finished, you get some major HTFU points for that, especially if you weren't working with anyone on the third side of the course. That wind sucked.

The results have only 26 guys finishing in the Cat 5 race, didn't it seem like a lot more than that started? Really, I just wanted to finish in the top half, but came in 17th.