I've entrered a race!

[Deleted User]

Something a bit different this one.

To help me through my recovery I've entered a local CYCLE race. A little matter of 80 km around very hilly terrain. The qualifying standard suggests I need to able to maintain a speed of 20kmh on average - I have absolutely no idea whether I can do this.

Any comments?

cougie

20knmh = 12mph ? Ok - 12 mph uphill could be tough, but add in the downhills when you hit 30 or 40, and it should be OK.

Is this a Time Trial thing MartinH or a mass start thingy ?

I'm sure you'll be just fine.

[Deleted User]

Good luck!! (rather you than me ;0)

[Deleted User]

coughie - its a mass start, the web-page for the race is here . I have so far only managed to get out on my new bike once because of the weather and reckon that about 12-15 kmh uphill is sustainable and around 50 hopefully on the downhills. Last years winner finished in 2:15 last in 3:50.

I feel a bit like a beginner - i.e. I just hope someone is still there when I arrive at the finish!!

[Deleted User]

How weird lost the rest of my message.

should follow on here the winner last year came in in 2:15 with the last place in 3:50.

I just don't want to be last!

popsider

It's not local then?

Hilly

Best wishes Martin I'm sure you'll do fine!

Stickless

Enjoy! I look forward to the commentary. (I assume whatever ails your knee is not affected by cycling - do be really fussy to get saddle height just so, yes?)

[Deleted User]

popsider - its local to me (Frankfurt), in fact my village is on the route.

Stickless - I'm less worried about saddle height than about saddle soreness! Methinks I need a pair of padded whotsamies.

cougie

Easy peasy - just latch onto someone who looks OK, but not too good. Sit on their wheel for 50 miles. Simple, non ?

Hard part is sussing out who to follow - can't use the bike thing - a lot of the best bikes are ridden by eedjits. As I found in Lanzarote last year - raced a Duathlon, and was intimidated by all the Ttanium Carbon Fibre and Deep Rim wheels on display. I came 2nd on my hired beat-up Cannondale !

cougie

And calibrate it wrong - so it reads far higher speed. (make sure it's detachanble so you can show to your mates in the pub. )

;-)

drew

Martin, you won't come last. However as it's a mass start race beware of the idiots and keep out of their way. It's so easy to crash in these events, usually caused by someone else. If you are riding in a large group try and stay closer to the front.

Good luck and have fun. Just hope it's not raining!

popsider

Cougie can you recommend me a cycle computer, and do you reckon a hrm is useful in cycling - Ive never bothered with one for running. Thanks

[Deleted User]

The 1/2 schedule I'm trying to follow calls for runs of the variants; jog, jog recovery, quick pace, fast, slow, steady and easy. Is there a glossary for all that anywhere please?

Thanks