This is my favorite VC video yet. It highlights so we'll what makes him a great RUclipsr. He legit cares about the people he is making the videos for to the point where it's not just tips, he empathises with the viewer and wants to encourage them. He doesn't make it all about him and I think that's why his fans love him.
Here is a mistake I made a ton of times when I was new to racing. I picked the wrong wheel consistently. Gameplan was to sit in, and save energy like you always hear to do. Suddenly you notice the guy you're behind has let a gap open up and he pops and you have to fight to get back in the bunch, and there is a good chance you can't close the gap solo. This happened 3 or 4 times to me as a Cat V until I realized the right thing to do is just be at the front, even if you waste a ton of energy, even if you're pulling for no reason, just be one of the first handful of guys. What will happen: you will blow up and get dropped. This is good. Its way better to get dropped in a Cat 4/5 field because you went too hard at the front than because you were sitting midpack and the clown ahead of you let too big of a gap open. It will build experience, it will show you the fitness level you need, it will be really valuable. By the time you upgrade to Cat 4 you'll have learned how to be at the front without being on the front and you'll develop a good sense of how to conserve energy despite being in the right place. The hardest part is the mental aspect of being Cat 5 and getting dropped from pushing too hard at the front. Just have to constantly remind yourself that at that level the results of the race don't matter because you're there for experience.
Wore my VC kit for my first race today, stayed in the group for the first couple laps then the group slowly started pulling away and I couldn't hang on and got dropped and lapped. Everyone had $4000+ carbon bikes and insane fitness levels and I have neither of those. I'm discouraged but I'm just going to train a lot more. Thanks for this vid it helps a lot!
I'll add that QUALITY of experience is an important part of it. I recently upgraded to Cat 4, and had been mainly doing my local Central Park races in NYC. Someone on my team suggested that we do the Killington Stage Race, so I signed up. I had no idea what HARD was until I did that race! The crazy thing is that coming back to the local races, all the hills feel way easier. I didn't do well at Killington, but the experience of going waaaaaayyyyyy (way!) outside of what I'm used to gave me a mental and physical perspective that totally changed how I perform. Now I finish with the pack instead of being off the back :-D Awesome video, as always!
I just finished my 2 race. I'm a 15 year old, and raced with 50 +. I got dropped after 12 mi. super hot. but the point is, even if you get dropped, just finish and get the experience.
Good advice as always from the VC. I'd say the danger of the "lowest" rung races is that mix of inexperience. You can have guys with plenty of fitness but zero race craft, this is when things get a little dangerous. Kinda depends at what stage in your cycling life you start racing. Experience is a HUGE factor. As the legendary Fausto Coppi supposedly said "Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill."
Thanks for this video man. I blew myself up in the first 3(of 5) laps trying to stay in the front 20% of the Cat 4/5 Criterium of the Americas and ended up pulling myself after getting dropped. I know where I made my mistakes and I need to recognize that there are much more experienced riders out there and not to let it get me down when I have one bad race.
Thanks for doing this video - I got dropped in my first race at CCCX in Seaside and I was like, "forget this man, I suck", but came back for Sea Otter (22nd) and Tri Valley (19th) and did so much better because I used your tip, "don't race to not be last". Honestly, SO helpful. Thanks meng from your fellow Eliel friend!
I was extremely lucky with my first race. I was about 6 and my dad was saying that I may not win but if I do then it would be amazing. I set off and it was amazing, then 1st place lost there footing on the flat pedals and hit their shin 😂. I was in first with a gap. I won the race and my dad was shocked. I was sooo happy and confident that I can do it again but if I didn’t I was determined to do it. I’m now 13 and a national champion. Doing well in your first race and being determined to do better everytime early on in your life really helps. Keep pushing and try harder 💪💪💪
Hi Bruh, you were the reason I started training seriously back in November 2016. Trained with a power meter (staring at it all day) and intervals workouts. Went racing for the first time this weekend and was able to keep up the entire race and make a few digs myself. AMAZING!!! thank you for all the great videos and motivation, you were the one who convinced me to put myself on the chopping block. thanks @theVeganCyclist
So much truth here. 8 years of riding before i did my first crit. I had a super high FTP but felt like I had to go back to the drawing board and learn to corner. At first I could barely get round a hairpin without running wide or braking, now I can just pedal right through them.
I need to work on high speed apexing. After breaking my collarbone from brake hugging back in december, ive been a little timid--but getting better! Then again, havent been racing since April
Bruh! Yet again... your words are SO WISE... "Like a very tall Budha, covered in hair!! Haha!" Great video and motivation to help keep me racing! Been dropped so far on my first 2 races, but I love the feeling I get out there, love the speed, and I'm counting down my races to No.10 when I WILL finish in the pack and not off the back!!
The Vegan Cyclist you got me started on bike racing and by watching your videos i learn a lot about strategy and what to expect from races or group rides.. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
in my first race I got dropped 3 laps in. 2nd race got dropped with 4 laps to go. 3rd race I managed to finish with the bunch. 4th race I crashed and broke 3 ribs. Hasn't raced since. If you have a job and a family you need to think several times before you race. The danger is real. Yeah it's fun until you break your bones.
Hey great video we have all been there. I tell people that are getting into racing for the first time to not get disappointed if you get dropped because we have all been there. just hang in there and have fun with the whole sport.
i just did my second mtb endurance race and was 22 minutes faster than last year..i think it was due to knowledge of the course..and of course the vegan cyclist training videos! thanks tyler!
The Vegan Cyclist Haha oh snap that wasn't even on purpose! Always trying to be as positive as you are with cycling man. Looking forward to your videos come TdF time!
Really dig the videos. Super helpful. I hope to do my first crit this year and get destroyed and just learn and build from there. Once again, dig the videos and thanks for putting in the time to create and share.
Great Video explanation!!! My reasons in my 4 races: A). Experience B). 5 hrs of sleep (my fault). C) two jerks crashed in front of me. D) others racing dangerously like there's a $100-K payday at the end. -Yes, guys in Cat 3 and 4 love to go down in levels to crush others just to get on the podium.
Had my first race today, and didn`t get dropped!! Because the race was canceled due to heavy rain.... -.- And yes, i live in a region where there is only a race every few months...
つくば Düsseldorf Hey habe deinen Namen gesehen in der Innenstadt von Mönche gladbach ist heute ein Rennen. Die Ziellinie ist die Linie von ersten Sprint bei der Tour de France nächste Woche. kannst ja mal vorbeischauen Die höchste Klasse startet um 14uhr
Hey, vielen Dank für den Tipp! Nur steht das "Düsseldorf" in meinem Namen für den Ort an dem ich geboren und aufgewachsen bin. Der andere Teil meines Namens (つくば tsukuba) für den Ort in dem ich lebe, und der liegt in Japan ;) Aber trotzdem vielen Dank! :)
Sir Simon Ja vielen Dank, die ganze Szene ist hier seit ein paar Jahren ziemlich am boomen, weshalb ich hoffe, dass auch die Rennevents bald mehr werden. Das Hauptproblem wird aber wahrscheinlich die japanische Eventkultur sein, in der lieber ein einziges Event richtig groß mit Fest und allem drum und dran hochgezogen wird, anstatt viele kleinere Events in einem kleineren Rahmen zu organisieren :-/
Dont forget the CAT 5/Open or public, where the Cat 3 jerk can race and beat up on the field because he doesnt feel like racing in his category early in the season. Love the videos, PEACE!
Those are all good points but even though I'm still a cat 5. This year a changed how I trained and who I ride with cuz thanks to your videos with riding with faster riders. I've made myself ride with faster riders like who race at state championships. I started early winter and have been doing training plan that has worked out for me. But sitting back and learning from them not trying to be a hero in the group you ride and race smart after 2 weeks or so my body adjusted to the speeds and haven't looked back since. An have been pushing that pain threshold. results for the year I've only had one dnf due to over cooking the race. But all the other races I've finished an got in the top ten in the other races. It's been a work in progress you just got to push harder and train harder and know how your body responds. For sure once you learn to ride with faster people you will be come faster.
Speed around corners is pretty easy to train for by finding a nice twisty descent to play on every week or so. It's pretty cool how much faster you can get around tight turns just by practicing a little bit
Yea, but taking a turn SOLO is WAY easier then while in a pack. Thats whats hard to train, the confidence of holding your line in a pack with HR of 180+
I do not race often, 1 or 2x every few years and to me the biggest challenge is being comfortable in a pack, the overall speed is not a big issue. I feel super tense and finishing in the front 1/2 or 1/3 and I just feel very uncomfortable in that tightly packed moving group to the point where I am not able to weave through the pack like I see some folks doing. I guess the answer is to race more often
This was me a long time ago! Ended up not racing, but i didn't mind. I am really glad I tried it and had the experience of being in a legit peloton! I just love to be on a bicycle. Racing or not! :)
most important that changed racing for me was having a racers metality of doing everything to stick on the wheel. Because you can only finish a race if you ride that pack.
My very first race I had fitness, and most importantly had faith that the guy in front of me had raced before or at least has fitness. Middle of the pack, he just gave up and everybody behind him was off the back and never bridged the gap, let alone work together because we were all cat 5s. I was steaming haha
All the background trap music. Makes me think you are gonna tell me sip on simple syrup. Yesterday while riding I had an unusual experience. On a climb a guy rode my wheel instead of passing me. I tried my hardest to drop him but he just clung to me. I got home and checked strava and I push 2.5kph faster than I never had on that climb. Trying to drop someone is hard work.
I am strong enough to finish group ride sprints (sometimes) in top 3, top 5, top 10 against cat 3s, elites and state and national champs. these usually consist of more people then races. but when it comes to racing I end up giving up positions, sucking at corners and being so far back that I have to close all the gaps and chase, when I could sit comfortably in the peloton without breaking a sweat. people kept telling me how good I am (when I didn't even train, just rode the bike) and I just keep sucking when it comes to racing...
I call it "punchy racing power." I recently was out for over a month with bronchitis and pneumonia. I got dropped in 4 races during my return to fitness. It sucks, but there's no other way to get that specialized race fitness. You gotta race.
FYI: Category 4 to 3: 20 points; or experience in 25 races with a minimum of 10 top-10 finishes with fields of 30 riders or more; or 20 pack finishes with fields over 50. 30 Points in 12 months is a mandatory upgrade.
I am U15 and I race with B grade. It's fun, it's just that everyone has really expensive bikes, carbon wheels, carbon frames, power meters, aero helmets, all that stuff. I have a 10 year old alloy bike with 105 and alloy wheels...
I had a lot of success in duathlon prior to my first road cycling race, with that success being completely due to my cycling. I would get absolutely smashed on both runs, but do so much better than my competitors on the bike leg that I would win my AG by a significant margin, just on the strength of the bike. So naturally I thought, sure, I'll go and do some road races, should do fine, I'm stronger than most of the multisport cyclists I see in the local races. I got absolutely crushed in my first road race (a low-key, shop-sponsored affair) because I was used to the time trial style riding in duathlon and didn't have the tactical skills to work together in a road race. I was definitely not the weakest rider there, but I was certainly the least able to take advantage of pack dynamics and race strategy. Just because your first race doesn't go well doesn't mean your a bad cyclist. It just means you have to learn some more. I still do better in TTs than road racing. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses, don't beat yourself up.
When i have a race i cant sleep all night im so excited and i forgot to eat and replenish my carb stores on race day i have not slept not eaten right i start of hard in the front after a few laps i get dropped of the back and have too quiet the race lol
the only race I didn't get dropped was a race with no climbs at all :D even zwift races I get dropped ! In my area, the lowest level is too high for beginners, it's like 300w FTP for lowest races.
I tried for first time drafting.. iwas behind a tractor.. around 10 behind it plus there was this implement of his to like 6m it wasnt a big tehnical thing.. and it felt so easy.. i was doing close to 40 kph and felt like nothing. Sadly i dont have any ciclists in my area.. i live in lonly place in cycling sense. :(
lucky in the us you have a cat 5, in the UK we dont have a "never raced before" class, its just c4 which then has a mix of complete rookies with people who are looking to move up the ranks, the end result is sketchy behaviour with riders divebombing up the inside of turns or riders cutting you up, on top of that some of them have never ridden in a group and are thrown into the deep end with racing meaning that they let the wheel go or panic brake in the bunch. Then we get to the fitness aspect, like you say many people are fit enough for higher cats but havent scored the point whilst some are really unfit.as a resuly the pace of races vary dramatically. Luckily its only 20 points to move up to c3 which is basically a few top 5 finishes or 4 or 5 top tens.
Did you do it? I’m 50 and started training 2 months ago. Hoping to try a race next Spring (9 months from now). If this pandemic thing is cleared up and we can race around here....
What does it mean to get “dropped?” Getting lapped? Falling way behind? Does a referee come out and pull you off the course if you are too far behind? Thanks.
Second ps only youtube chanel that i have post notifications you rock keep doing what your doing im a fixed rider in la but whant a roady in good starter road bikes not to cheap but not too expensive new video idea starter bikes???
Well thanks dude! I only have 2 or 3 channels belled as well. I can get you 40-50% off any Diamondback, if you wanted to get a nice road bike for not very much. But I should do a whole video on it.
the specialized allez is a wonderful bike for beginners, I'd say get the e5 sport, the extra money is worth it for the groupset upgrade, it has a great gear range (50/11 all the way to 34/32) so it's great for climbing (especially if you came from track) and it isn't too heavy, overall a great bike, I've had it for almost a year now and have had no problems. ^^
Well lucky u...here in my country we only have two category,elite or amateur...thats it...no cat 1,cat 2 whatsoever...sometimes the elite also race in the amateur race...imagine starting up behind a SEA Games medallist...getting overlap is kinda 2nd nature to me..hahahaha
Hey bro, had my second race today in Aurburn ca, today was up there till the the 3rd lap then my seat came lose and then got a flat at the descent, tire came off completely ..lol.. but I am still fighting to get better. Great video... keep it up! @raymondjeffery_
Johannes In NRW sind jedes Wochenende Rennen Man brauch hlchstens mal 150km fahren. Heute ist ein großes Event für alle Klassen auf der Tourstrecke in Mönchengladbach
I think all this cat 1 2 3 or 4 5 is bull shit i know cat 5 racers that will blow away cat 1 racers some cat 5 races for me have been harder then cat 1 races. no matter what race level you are doing it will be hard and very tough at any race level cat.
This is my favorite VC video yet. It highlights so we'll what makes him a great RUclipsr. He legit cares about the people he is making the videos for to the point where it's not just tips, he empathises with the viewer and wants to encourage them. He doesn't make it all about him and I think that's why his fans love him.
Here is a mistake I made a ton of times when I was new to racing. I picked the wrong wheel consistently. Gameplan was to sit in, and save energy like you always hear to do. Suddenly you notice the guy you're behind has let a gap open up and he pops and you have to fight to get back in the bunch, and there is a good chance you can't close the gap solo.
This happened 3 or 4 times to me as a Cat V until I realized the right thing to do is just be at the front, even if you waste a ton of energy, even if you're pulling for no reason, just be one of the first handful of guys. What will happen: you will blow up and get dropped. This is good. Its way better to get dropped in a Cat 4/5 field because you went too hard at the front than because you were sitting midpack and the clown ahead of you let too big of a gap open. It will build experience, it will show you the fitness level you need, it will be really valuable. By the time you upgrade to Cat 4 you'll have learned how to be at the front without being on the front and you'll develop a good sense of how to conserve energy despite being in the right place.
The hardest part is the mental aspect of being Cat 5 and getting dropped from pushing too hard at the front. Just have to constantly remind yourself that at that level the results of the race don't matter because you're there for experience.
Sound like a same frustration in zwift race!
Wore my VC kit for my first race today, stayed in the group for the first couple laps then the group slowly started pulling away and I couldn't hang on and got dropped and lapped. Everyone had $4000+ carbon bikes and insane fitness levels and I have neither of those. I'm discouraged but I'm just going to train a lot more. Thanks for this vid it helps a lot!
Exactly the same thing happened to me in my first race.
3 years later, how have you got on?
I'll add that QUALITY of experience is an important part of it. I recently upgraded to Cat 4, and had been mainly doing my local Central Park races in NYC. Someone on my team suggested that we do the Killington Stage Race, so I signed up. I had no idea what HARD was until I did that race! The crazy thing is that coming back to the local races, all the hills feel way easier. I didn't do well at Killington, but the experience of going waaaaaayyyyyy (way!) outside of what I'm used to gave me a mental and physical perspective that totally changed how I perform.
Now I finish with the pack instead of being off the back :-D
Awesome video, as always!
I just finished my 2 race. I'm a 15 year old, and raced with 50 +. I got dropped after 12 mi. super hot. but the point is, even if you get dropped, just finish and get the experience.
You're now 18
Still get dropped all the time bruh. It's my motivation to keep training and slaying the intervals
Good advice as always from the VC. I'd say the danger of the "lowest" rung races is that mix of inexperience. You can have guys with plenty of fitness but zero race craft, this is when things get a little dangerous. Kinda depends at what stage in your cycling life you start racing. Experience is a HUGE factor.
As the legendary Fausto Coppi supposedly said "Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill."
On Zwift I can do hairpin turns at 60 km/h !
Useful advice with the right attitude! You are a great asset to the RUclips cycling community.
Thanks for this video man. I blew myself up in the first 3(of 5) laps trying to stay in the front 20% of the Cat 4/5 Criterium of the Americas and ended up pulling myself after getting dropped. I know where I made my mistakes and I need to recognize that there are much more experienced riders out there and not to let it get me down when I have one bad race.
Thanks for doing this video - I got dropped in my first race at CCCX in Seaside and I was like, "forget this man, I suck", but came back for Sea Otter (22nd) and Tri Valley (19th) and did so much better because I used your tip, "don't race to not be last". Honestly, SO helpful. Thanks meng from your fellow Eliel friend!
I was extremely lucky with my first race. I was about 6 and my dad was saying that I may not win but if I do then it would be amazing. I set off and it was amazing, then 1st place lost there footing on the flat pedals and hit their shin 😂. I was in first with a gap. I won the race and my dad was shocked. I was sooo happy and confident that I can do it again but if I didn’t I was determined to do it. I’m now 13 and a national champion. Doing well in your first race and being determined to do better everytime early on in your life really helps. Keep pushing and try harder 💪💪💪
Hi Bruh, you were the reason I started training seriously back in November 2016. Trained with a power meter (staring at it all day) and intervals workouts. Went racing for the first time this weekend and was able to keep up the entire race and make a few digs myself. AMAZING!!! thank you for all the great videos and motivation, you were the one who convinced me to put myself on the chopping block. thanks @theVeganCyclist
So much truth here. 8 years of riding before i did my first crit. I had a super high FTP but felt like I had to go back to the drawing board and learn to corner. At first I could barely get round a hairpin without running wide or braking, now I can just pedal right through them.
I need to work on high speed apexing. After breaking my collarbone from brake hugging back in december, ive been a little timid--but getting better! Then again, havent been racing since April
I've NEVER been dropped in a race!! 😮😮 .....jk never done a bike race but I will in August!! 9,000ft up on Mauna Kea in Hawaii!
Thanks for the vid! Got dropped at my first circuit race in Central Park, couldn't hack Harlem Hill with the field...then I got lapped...twice.
Bruh! Yet again... your words are SO WISE... "Like a very tall Budha, covered in hair!! Haha!" Great video and motivation to help keep me racing! Been dropped so far on my first 2 races, but I love the feeling I get out there, love the speed, and I'm counting down my races to No.10 when I WILL finish in the pack and not off the back!!
The Vegan Cyclist you got me started on bike racing and by watching your videos i learn a lot about strategy and what to expect from races or group rides..
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
in my first race I got dropped 3 laps in. 2nd race got dropped with 4 laps to go. 3rd race I managed to finish with the bunch. 4th race I crashed and broke 3 ribs. Hasn't raced since. If you have a job and a family you need to think several times before you race. The danger is real. Yeah it's fun until you break your bones.
Yeah but you didn't die. Sounds like you had a good progression, hope you get back out there!
Hey great video we have all been there. I tell people that are getting into racing for the first time to not get disappointed if you get dropped because we have all been there. just hang in there and have fun with the whole sport.
i just did my second mtb endurance race and was 22 minutes faster than last year..i think it was due to knowledge of the course..and of course the vegan cyclist training videos! thanks tyler!
Saw someone wearing your kit at a local practice crit!
Love your vids coming from a 14 year old junior
Hi. Where do you race? I'm 12 and are you going to nationals in Kentucky next week?
Frank Villani I race in the Northeast and no im not going to nationals in KY
Frank Villani I think i saw you at Somerville though idk
Johnny Meyerle Vlogs cool I race with team somerset cycling out of somerset NJ
Johnny Meyerle Vlogs do you race often
I got dropped but I definitely had the best arms at the race!
I enjoyed your video :) Keep it up!
Raced with Ray today in Auburn Downtown Criterium! He is still at it bro, good encouragement!
thanks again for the motivation. i got dropped in Pleasanton ca. last week in my first race but it was so much fun i will get better
Thanks for being chill unlike some other vegan cyclists on YT...!
Your YT handle tho! Yuuhh!!! And yea man, I feel like thats a way better method to spread the message.
The Vegan Cyclist Haha oh snap that wasn't even on purpose! Always trying to be as positive as you are with cycling man. Looking forward to your videos come TdF time!
Really dig the videos. Super helpful. I hope to do my first crit this year and get destroyed and just learn and build from there. Once again, dig the videos and thanks for putting in the time to create and share.
Great Video explanation!!! My reasons in my 4 races: A). Experience B). 5 hrs of sleep (my fault). C) two jerks crashed in front of me. D) others racing dangerously like there's a $100-K payday at the end. -Yes, guys in Cat 3 and 4 love to go down in levels to crush others just to get on the podium.
Had my first race today, and didn`t get dropped!!
Because the race was canceled due to heavy rain.... -.- And yes, i live in a region where there is only a race every few months...
daaamn
つくば Düsseldorf Hey habe deinen Namen gesehen
in der Innenstadt von Mönche gladbach ist heute ein Rennen.
Die Ziellinie ist die Linie von ersten Sprint bei der Tour de France nächste Woche.
kannst ja mal vorbeischauen
Die höchste Klasse startet um 14uhr
Hey, vielen Dank für den Tipp! Nur steht das "Düsseldorf" in meinem Namen für den Ort an dem ich geboren und aufgewachsen bin. Der andere Teil meines Namens (つくば tsukuba) für den Ort in dem ich lebe, und der liegt in Japan ;) Aber trotzdem vielen Dank! :)
つくば Düsseldorf Achso :) Die Rennszene in Japan kann ich natürlich nicht beurteilen.
Ich wünsche dir das sich da eine Szene entwickelt 💪
Sir Simon Ja vielen Dank, die ganze Szene ist hier seit ein paar Jahren ziemlich am boomen, weshalb ich hoffe, dass auch die Rennevents bald mehr werden. Das Hauptproblem wird aber wahrscheinlich die japanische Eventkultur sein, in der lieber ein einziges Event richtig groß mit Fest und allem drum und dran hochgezogen wird, anstatt viele kleinere Events in einem kleineren Rahmen zu organisieren :-/
Drop in today's race but my spirit will never fail, and will continue to work hard! =)
Dont forget the CAT 5/Open or public, where the Cat 3 jerk can race and beat up on the field because he doesnt feel like racing in his category early in the season. Love the videos, PEACE!
Those are all good points but even though I'm still a cat 5. This year a changed how I trained and who I ride with cuz thanks to your videos with riding with faster riders. I've made myself ride with faster riders like who race at state championships. I started early winter and have been doing training plan that has worked out for me. But sitting back and learning from them not trying to be a hero in the group you ride and race smart after 2 weeks or so my body adjusted to the speeds and haven't looked back since. An have been pushing that pain threshold. results for the year I've only had one dnf due to over cooking the race. But all the other races I've finished an got in the top ten in the other races. It's been a work in progress you just got to push harder and train harder and know how your body responds. For sure once you learn to ride with faster people you will be come faster.
1st race coming up. I got into cycling last year and love it but primarily ride alone. I will definitely get dropped but mainly doing it for funzies
Speed around corners is pretty easy to train for by finding a nice twisty descent to play on every week or so. It's pretty cool how much faster you can get around tight turns just by practicing a little bit
Yea, but taking a turn SOLO is WAY easier then while in a pack. Thats whats hard to train, the confidence of holding your line in a pack with HR of 180+
I do not race often, 1 or 2x every few years and to me the biggest challenge is being comfortable in a pack, the overall speed is not a big issue. I feel super tense and finishing in the front 1/2 or 1/3 and I just feel very uncomfortable in that tightly packed moving group to the point where I am not able to weave through the pack like I see some folks doing. I guess the answer is to race more often
This was me a long time ago! Ended up not racing, but i didn't mind. I am really glad I tried it and had the experience of being in a legit peloton! I just love to be on a bicycle. Racing or not! :)
This is great for beginner racers! Hope to do my first race next year.
Absolutely killer vid. Bless you man.
most important that changed racing for me was having a racers metality of doing everything to stick on the wheel. Because you can only finish a race if you ride that pack.
My very first race I had fitness, and most importantly had faith that the guy in front of me had raced before or at least has fitness. Middle of the pack, he just gave up and everybody behind him was off the back and never bridged the gap, let alone work together because we were all cat 5s. I was steaming haha
I know I’m necro posting but I laughed out loud at this!
nice vid dude! your delivery on camera is so awesome! I want to see you in BEND for CASCADE this year!
Great video, good information... love your videos, keep posting
All the background trap music. Makes me think you are gonna tell me sip on simple syrup. Yesterday while riding I had an unusual experience. On a climb a guy rode my wheel instead of passing me. I tried my hardest to drop him but he just clung to me. I got home and checked strava and I push 2.5kph faster than I never had on that climb. Trying to drop someone is hard work.
I have my second race today and this is perfect timed!
killed it bro :)
I really like your attitude. Really enjoy your Videos dude
I am strong enough to finish group ride sprints (sometimes) in top 3, top 5, top 10 against cat 3s, elites and state and national champs. these usually consist of more people then races. but when it comes to racing I end up giving up positions, sucking at corners and being so far back that I have to close all the gaps and chase, when I could sit comfortably in the peloton without breaking a sweat. people kept telling me how good I am (when I didn't even train, just rode the bike) and I just keep sucking when it comes to racing...
I just participated in my 1st race and can relate myself to all 3 points
I call it "punchy racing power." I recently was out for over a month with bronchitis and pneumonia. I got dropped in 4 races during my return to fitness. It sucks, but there's no other way to get that specialized race fitness. You gotta race.
FYI:
Category 4 to 3: 20 points; or experience in 25 races with a minimum of 10 top-10 finishes with fields of 30 riders or more; or 20 pack finishes with fields over 50. 30 Points in 12 months is a mandatory upgrade.
I am U15 and I race with B grade. It's fun, it's just that everyone has really expensive bikes, carbon wheels, carbon frames, power meters, aero helmets, all that stuff. I have a 10 year old alloy bike with 105 and alloy wheels...
love the greasy morning vids
I had a lot of success in duathlon prior to my first road cycling race, with that success being completely due to my cycling. I would get absolutely smashed on both runs, but do so much better than my competitors on the bike leg that I would win my AG by a significant margin, just on the strength of the bike. So naturally I thought, sure, I'll go and do some road races, should do fine, I'm stronger than most of the multisport cyclists I see in the local races. I got absolutely crushed in my first road race (a low-key, shop-sponsored affair) because I was used to the time trial style riding in duathlon and didn't have the tactical skills to work together in a road race. I was definitely not the weakest rider there, but I was certainly the least able to take advantage of pack dynamics and race strategy. Just because your first race doesn't go well doesn't mean your a bad cyclist. It just means you have to learn some more. I still do better in TTs than road racing. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses, don't beat yourself up.
Also another good tip is not to change your regimen day before the race. I did....I got a DNF on my first cat 5 race.
been there
I remember in one of my first races, when climbing on the first mountain peak, the fellows held on a car and cheated me and won! It hurts a lot.
When i have a race i cant sleep all night im so excited and i forgot to eat and replenish my carb stores on race day i have not slept not eaten right i start of hard in the front after a few laps i get dropped of the back and have too quiet the race lol
Great channel man :D
the only race I didn't get dropped was a race with no climbs at all :D even zwift races I get dropped ! In my area, the lowest level is too high for beginners, it's like 300w FTP for lowest races.
I tried for first time drafting.. iwas behind a tractor.. around 10 behind it plus there was this implement of his to like 6m it wasnt a big tehnical thing.. and it felt so easy.. i was doing close to 40 kph and felt like nothing. Sadly i dont have any ciclists in my area.. i live in lonly place in cycling sense. :(
lucky in the us you have a cat 5, in the UK we dont have a "never raced before" class, its just c4 which then has a mix of complete rookies with people who are looking to move up the ranks, the end result is sketchy behaviour with riders divebombing up the inside of turns or riders cutting you up, on top of that some of them have never ridden in a group and are thrown into the deep end with racing meaning that they let the wheel go or panic brake in the bunch. Then we get to the fitness aspect, like you say many people are fit enough for higher cats but havent scored the point whilst some are really unfit.as a resuly the pace of races vary dramatically. Luckily its only 20 points to move up to c3 which is basically a few top 5 finishes or 4 or 5 top tens.
I totally agree with this!
Great video as usual. I’m 59 and considering racing for first time. What’s your advice?
Just do it!
Did you do it? I’m 50 and started training 2 months ago. Hoping to try a race next Spring (9 months from now). If this pandemic thing is cleared up and we can race around here....
There are 3 key words for not getting dropped...POSITION, POSITION and POSITION
Awesome vid - thanks!
Very nice info!!!
What does it mean to get “dropped?” Getting lapped? Falling way behind? Does a referee come out and pull you off the course if you are too far behind? Thanks.
Second ps only youtube chanel that i have post notifications you rock keep doing what your doing im a fixed rider in la but whant a roady in good starter road bikes not to cheap but not too expensive new video idea starter bikes???
Well thanks dude! I only have 2 or 3 channels belled as well. I can get you 40-50% off any Diamondback, if you wanted to get a nice road bike for not very much. But I should do a whole video on it.
the specialized allez is a wonderful bike for beginners, I'd say get the e5 sport, the extra money is worth it for the groupset upgrade, it has a great gear range (50/11 all the way to 34/32) so it's great for climbing (especially if you came from track) and it isn't too heavy, overall a great bike, I've had it for almost a year now and have had no problems. ^^
My first crit race I won, was only D grade though.
In my country... they mixed all together like shushi... there is no way I can win the race against state representative.
Watching this after getting dropped today for my 1st race 😂
My wife's first crit was a combined race... the winner was Sarah Hammer. It was not pretty.
Level up bra!
I always come 4th lol, could have made national team for EYOF if I trained harder, oh well that's life I guess :P
Great video
When should I stop getting dropped lol?
throw in some LL Cool J. nice!
Well lucky u...here in my country we only have two category,elite or amateur...thats it...no cat 1,cat 2 whatsoever...sometimes the elite also race in the amateur race...imagine starting up behind a SEA Games medallist...getting overlap is kinda 2nd nature to me..hahahaha
Hahaha. I picture you saying, " well, there goes Johnny the Olympian."
I'm doing my first ever CX race next week.
I know I'm gonna get dropped... hard.
Hey bro, had my second race today in Aurburn ca, today was up there till the the 3rd lap then my seat came lose and then got a flat at the descent, tire came off completely ..lol.. but I am still fighting to get better. Great video... keep it up! @raymondjeffery_
I live in Lincoln, near Auburn!
To the guy in the beginning does he have a youtube account?
I actually won my first race but got dropped today in my third race
So to make it to cat 3 do you just need to race 30 more times or do you need to win enough primes and win that many times?
No, cat 3 is based on points. So based on your finishes and how big the pack is. So maybe 2 - 3 wins or 10 top 10 finishes.
@@TheVCAdventures thank you sir
Are there many races in your area/country? I feel like here in Germany, there are soo little competitive races :/
Johannes In NRW sind jedes Wochenende Rennen
Man brauch hlchstens mal 150km fahren.
Heute ist ein großes Event für alle Klassen auf der Tourstrecke in Mönchengladbach
Had my first cat 5 race this TUE and got dropped!
It happens bro, re mount the steed and get at it again.
Ray....I know that guy!
my first race my chain popped lol
the algorithm knows I got dropped
Did my first race today, got dropped \o/
nice video
I crashed in my first race lol.. That's how I got dropped
Cornering in the US is pretty easy for us Europeans. Your streets are 4 times wider than ours in crits....
1- Train harder
2- Train harder
3- Train harder
First
V.C. You look a bit like a chipmunk in this vid XD
Paul Bunker Alvin, Simon or Theodore?
I think all this cat 1 2 3 or 4 5 is bull shit i know cat 5 racers that will blow away cat 1 racers some cat 5 races for me have been harder then cat 1 races. no matter what race level you are doing it will be hard and very tough at any race level cat.
LACTIC ACID KHAN rubbish. Cat1s are way better than any cat 5
This is a sorry excuse for a video
What? @_@
Great video