What to Expect at Your First Bike Race

Sanctioned cycling road races are events held on paved roadways and permitted by USA Cycling (USAC). The USAC is the official governing body of bicycle racing in the United States.

To race in a USAC event, a racing license from USAC or a purchased a 1-day license from the event organizer are required. Some event organizers provide what is called a 'citizens event' for those unlicensed racers who want to try racing without making a serious commitment. These races are generally far shorter and are run during a break in competition by licensed riders. For these races, a license is not necessary, but a legal waiver must be signed by the participant.

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Each event in a USAC race is divided into age-graded categories designed to group riders based on similar skill and age. Novice bike racers over the age of 18 but under 35 are assigned a road category designation of 5, which groups first-timers together during mass start events.

As racers improve their skills, they may advance or upgrade to the next highest category. Those over the age of 35 may choose to race in the various masters categories. Men and women almost always race separately, although when an insufficient number of women are registered (usually less than 3), they may be placed in a men's category of similar skill level. While not ideal, it does provide an opportunity to participate in a race with competition.

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Before the Race

All sanctioned races are listed on the USAC website. Links to informational flyers about different races can also be found on the website. Be sure to read the race flyer carefully before each event. Online registration is often the only option and closes a few days beforehand.

You can expect to pay registration fees anywhere from $25 for a time trial to $100 or more for a multiple stage event. Once registered, know what time your category starts. If there are special procedures or other important details about your event, they will be spelled out in the race flyer. If that information is not clear, don't be afraid to contact the promoter. Lastly, if the flyer includes a map of the course, study it and become familiar with the hills and corners and where they are on the course.

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If your first race is a road event and you have not ridden the course before, use Bing maps or Google Earth to review the route the day before. In terms of preparation, it's also a very good idea to pack your bike and a race bag the night before. If you haven't invested in one already, consider a stationary trainer for your warm-up on race day. At most events, you will not be allowed to warm up on the racecourse. Most cyclists warm up on their stationary trainers near their cars. This is especially true at criteriums and time trials.

Time Trials

These events are a popular choice for many first-timers because they are not mass start events. One at a time, riders are started at 20 to 30 second intervals. For this reason, time trials are inherently safer than mass start events such as criteriums or road races. If you haven't had much experience riding or training in a pack, this is a good first choice for a bike race.

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On race day, you will have an assigned start time and will be expected to cue up behind the starting line 5 to 10 minutes ahead of time. The race officials will organize racers in starting order and often call out names of riders missing from the cue.

When your turn comes, move forward to the starting line and allow the assistant to hold your seat. The starting assistant stands to the rear of the rider and straddles the rear wheel. Once he or she has a firm grip, clip both feet in and let them hold you upright. The starting official will count down from 5 seconds to go. When your start time arrives, the assistant will release your seat with a slight push forward.

Mass Start Events

Despite all the preparation the night before, it's normal to have pre-race jitters. From other riders you may experience rudeness, short tempers or other odd behavior. At the same time, you may find others are kind and considerate. Most poor behavior can be attributed to nervousness. You will find the nervous and pushy fellow next to you at the start may be laughing and joking with you at the finish. The psychology of cycling events is unique in the sporting world due to the high stress involved in racing.

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Unlike other sports, cycling places a heavy dependency on your equipment, with dozens of components that must be finely tuned and working well together. Cyclists often fret to the point of obsession over their bicycles. Racers may dwell on the amount of food they packed, what clothing should be worn on a cool day, or the proper tire pressure for the race.

You can reduce your own race-day anxiety by checking your bike thoroughly the night before each race. If you aren't experienced in the mechanics of your bicycle, consider having your local bike shop check it over a few days before.

All USAC sanctioned events require the use of a hip number to identify cyclists. Lately, timing chips are also being used. Be sure to allow sufficient time to affix your number and/or timing chip by checking-in and picking up all your materials at least an hour before your race start. If necessary, ask someone nearby to help you pin on your number.

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Numbers must be placed in the proper orientation on the correct side of the body according to the race officials. You may be disqualified if a number is missing or not visible. Unique bib colors or numbering ranges can be used to differentiate between the different categories in mass start events.

During some road events, different categories may start within a few minutes of each other, allowing a 5-minute gap between groups. It is not uncommon to have three or four different categories on the racecourse at the same time.

Color-coded numbers are used by race officials in these circumstances to separate which riders are allowed to be working together. If you didn't start at the same time with a group on the course, you are not allowed to work with that group. This means drafting from others in different groups is prohibited, and you must pull to one side if being overtaken by a faster group.

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When it comes time to start, a race official will call your category to the staging area. This may be on the racecourse after the end of a previous criterium or on a driveway near a road course starting line. At this time, the USAC race official will give any special instructions, advisements or course alterations. Although uncommon, questions are allowed from participants if anything remains unclear.

The Yellow Line Rule

You will hear this rule mentioned more often than any other rule in the USAC rulebook. While criteriums are held on closed courses, most amateur road races are conducted on open roads with automobiles traveling in the same or opposite directions. In these circumstances, the yellow line can be a lifesaver in preventing head-on collisions with automobiles.

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Course assistants called race marshals are stationed at regular intervals along the route to help guide cyclists and motorists. Race officials traveling in escort automobiles or on motorcycles will disqualify riders immediately if they are caught riding on the wrong side of the yellow line.

During the Race

Criteriums are usually timed events, but road races are almost always measured by distance. In either case, the first rider over the finish line wins. That's not to say there aren't mid-race competitions or bonuses. During criteriums, 'primes' (pronounced 'preem') are sprints across the finish line and are offered as a way to increase competition and excitement during a race.

Bonus incentives are usually announced before the start. For road races, sprint points at the top of climbs or mountain passes serve as similar incentives. For stage races (where multiple races comprise an entire series), these points are often assigned a time value and subtracted from a rider's overall finish time. This is what is done at the Tour de France.

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For criteriums and road races that are run in a loop, there will be a lap counter at the start-finish line. For criterium's, the lap counter will start off displaying the number of minutes left in racing. Usually after half the race is over, the lap counter will be switched to display the number of laps remaining. For road races, the lap counter always displays laps to go. The last lap is signaled with the ringing of a race bell by the race official. The race announcer will usually call out, "One lap to go" as riders pass the start-finish.

After the Finish

When your race is complete, USAC race officials are responsible for tallying the results. For any mass start event, this can be a very difficult process. Even if timing chips and finish line cameras are used, you can expect to wait anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours for official race results to be posted.

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The posting occurs only after an official protest period expires. This period allows individual racers to contest the preliminary results and gives race officials time to sort-out close finishes. Final results are usually posted on paper at the finish line registration tent or other designated area. Official results are also available on the USAC website a few days afterwards.

Hopefully your first race is an exciting and challenging event. With proper preparation, you can minimize stress and limit the unexpected in order to maximize your racing experience.

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