Charity rides can be a minefield for new riders and veterans alike. You'll see all kinds at charity events, from the racers out for an "easy" training day to families with small kids doing "long" 10 mile rides. After spending countless miles pedaling through group rides, races, charity rides and solo training rides, I've come to a few conclusions about what to do and what NOT to do on those benefit rides.
With the turning of the calendar into September, the road race season is winding down and the cyclocross season is revving up. For those not in the know, a brief description would read like this: Cyclocross: A bunch of road racers on modified road bikes (bikes with big tires and cantilever brakes) racing on a closed, obstacle filled course in mud, rain, snow and every other element. Suffice to say, a cyclocross bike is a pretty specific piece of equipment (which I'll cover in a future post), and cyclocross itself requires a specific set of skills, most notably the ability to clear obstacles on the race course. Finding those obstacles around your local dirt roads can be a challenge though, so you're best bet is to make a few of your own to practice with. Reading on will show you just how simple (and cheap) it can be to make effective, durable barriers that you can take with you to any park or field and practice your skills.
With the arrival of Hurrican Irene to the east coast, it comes to mind that perhaps a post on rain riding skills is necessary. Although it's unlikely that you'll be out in anything even remotely resembling a hurricane, rain can still present a hefty challenge, especially if you're not prepared for it.
This should be a no brainer, but check your forecast before you ride. If there's a threat of rain in the forecast, you should consider preparing yourself for a (possible) wet excursion. This means simple things like packing a rain jacket and letting a few PSI out of your tires. It also means changing riding style to be a little more cautious and take fewer risks. Essentially, each one of the following tips is designed to get you home safely and more comfortably.
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "the smartest rider wins the race, not the strongest." Part of being a smart rider is being able to read the road and adjust your efforts accordingly. I've talked a lot on this blog about climbing position and climbing efficiency, but all the technique and efficiency in the world won't do you any good if you don't use it properly. So, that being said, let's take a look at how to read the road.
Before I even say anything, the Tour of the Catskills one day race was a disaster for me. I felt good, I was staying well positioned in the group (riding up with the first 5 riders) and everything was going perfectly. I stood up and accelerated to chase an acceleration off the front of the group and felt a pull and a shot of pain on the outside of my right knee. Each pedal stroke for the next 5 miles was just like some sadistic devil sticking an ice pick into my knee joint.
Needless to say, with 'cross season coming up, I climbed off and accepted a DNF. Fail. Maybe I shouldn't have swapped cranks, maybe I shouldn't have swapped pedals, who knows. Next year, Catskills, next year.
Anyway….