Your first race is nerve-racking. It is also brilliant. Here is what you need, what to expect and how to make the most of it.
Watch: Stop Wasting Watts: Smart Positioning Wins Races!. More on our YouTube channel.
What you need
A road bike in good working order. No need for carbon or deep wheels. Brakes, gears and tyres checked, 23 to 30 mm tyres, and lights, saddle bags and mudguards off.
A helmet. Properly fitting. You cannot race without one.
Kit. Jersey and shorts or bibs. Clipless shoes and pedals.
A licence. British Cycling road races need a racing licence. Many regional and lower-category races also offer a day licence, so you can try it first. Check the event details.
Choosing your race
Start with a circuit race or crit on a closed track. Laps are short, there is no traffic, and if you get dropped you can learn and go again next week. Look for regional, beginner or fourth-category races on the British Cycling calendar. Results earn points that move you up the categories as you improve.
Skills to practise first
Riding close to other wheels without panicking.
Holding a line through corners at speed.
Moving up the bunch and finding shelter.
Accelerating out of corners again and again.
All of these are coachable, and much easier to learn before race day. Our skills sessions cover group riding, cornering and race craft, one to one or in a group.
Fitness for racing
Racing is repeated hard efforts with recovery in between. Build a solid base, then add cycling intervals, types and zones and how to sprint faster. Short races rarely need much food, but eat well beforehand and take a bottle.
On the day
Arrive early to sign on, pin your number and warm up.
Ride the circuit if you can and check the corners and finish.
Start near the back and settle in. Stay out of the wind and move up gradually.
Have fun. Learn something from every race.
What to expect in the race
Your first race will probably start faster than you expect. Everyone is fresh and nervous. It usually settles after the first few laps. If you get dropped, that is normal. Most riders do in their first few races. Keep riding, learn, and come back next week.
Surges out of corners are the hardest part. Stay near the front third so the accordion effect hits you less.
Watch the riders ahead, not just the wheel in front, so you can see changes coming.
Do not chase every move. Breaks often come back.
Eat and drink on longer races before you feel you need it.
Race etiquette
Hold your line and signal hazards.
Do not cross the centre line on open roads. You will be disqualified.
Listen to the marshals and commissaires.
Thank the organisers and volunteers. Racing happens because of them.
After the race
Spin down, eat, and write a few notes while it is fresh. What went well? What would you do differently? Our race reflection guide makes it easy.
Want help with this?
Want to get race-ready faster? We build this into riders' weeks all the time. Book a free 30-minute call or drop us a line.
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Saddle up.
