A road race is rarely a contest of who can pedal the hardest. It’s more of a pulse-pounding game of psychology, skill, and luck. While you shouldn’t expect to win your first time out, you should try to navigate the event with the savvy of a more experienced rider—both on and off the course. Here’s your guide. (Search: What are the best races for beginners?)
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Before: Check in, pin on your number, and prep your bike. Then, about 30 minutes before the start, get in a quick spin to warm up. Use the time to locate the mechanic’s pit or support vehicles, first-aid tent, and precise location of the finish line. (Important: Wear your helmet—it’s a rule.) Get to the starting line at least 10 minutes before go time, and listen closely to prerace instructions specific to the event and course. (Video: Pre-ride Safety Check)
During: There’s no need for a furious start—allow a group to form in front of you, then draft among or behind them. The idea is to keep up while pedaling as little as possible. Prevent a gap from opening between you and riders ahead, which will help you save energy so you can pass dropped riders or stay with the leaders over hills. Above all, relax. Races play out in one of two ways: either a small group accelerates away from the main field and those riders duke it out amongst themselves, or the entire group stays together and gallops to the line. Increase your odds of making the winning breakaway by riding aggressively when others are tired—on climbs or after fast sections. If a field sprint looks like a possibility, position yourself near the front of the group but stay out of the wind until the final 100 to 200 meters, when you can unleash an all-out charge to the finish.
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After: Race officials typically post results near the registration area. Standings become final after a 15-minute protest period. Earned a prize? Collect it by presenting your race number and license at the registration table.
Bicycling’s Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
Dos and Don’ts of Race Safety
Do:
Hold a steady line through corners
Communicate road hazards to riders nearby
Watch body language to anticipate where other riders might go
Don’t:
Slow abruptly or jam on the brakes
Make erratic movements (but you should always expect others to do so)
Stop or swerve after the finish line
10 Raceday Faux Pas to Avoid
1. Sloppy number-pinning. Use at least six pins to secure it to your jersey to prevent flapping or tugging.
2. Racing with a saddle bag, pump, or reflectors—anything that’s associated with training or commuting.
3. Yelling “Hold your line!” at everybody who gets in your way. Don’t be that person.
4. Tossing empty food wrappers onto the course.
5. Wearing another team’s clothing. Save the BMC kit for your training ride.
6. Listening to music while riding. It’s against the rules, unsafe, and violates the social nature of bike racing.
7. Leaving a chainring mark on your calf (especially if said calf is unshaven).
8. Continuing to race after you get dropped. If the main group leaves you behind, it’s game over.
9. Sprinting for a nonresult. Etiquette dictates that you coast in if you’re outside the top 10, or the points or prize list.
10. Posting a victory salute for any result other than the win, including midrace sprints.
