Racing – How to Get Started

Why race?

Cycling is all about going longer and harder and getting faster and stronger. Most people find that they get a great sense of achievement through breaking out of their comfort zone and achieving something special. Recreational riding is the cornerstone of cycling as it can provide these challenges through a myriad of events. Racing however can add another dimension to your cycling
You know are ready to race when:

• Previously challenging rides are now easy
• You want to take your cycling up another notch
• You are riding several times a week and want to get better
• You need a purpose for your persistent training and desire to get better

What is racing actually like?

Racing is like being in a fast, competitive bunch ride. Experience will count for more than physical ability in your first races and the learning curve is very steep. The racing is graded from A to E grades for men and A,B and sometimes C for women. Choosing a suitable grade allows you to feel comfortably challenged and enjoy the experience.

What grade should I race in?

There are no slow or terrible grades. When you begin racing you will be asked to select which grade you wish to start in (race organisers will help you with this). If you are starting racing but already training hard and keeping up with the fast guys in your group you should begin in C grade. If you are confident in your ability but aren’t fully fit, it may be best to start in D grade. Once you have started racing in that grade you won’t be allowed to change unless you win and get promoted or you are obviously out of your depth. As prize money is offered, clubs keep track of what grade you are racing and are wary of riders moving down grades.

What types of racing are there?

Even you too will be launching attacks soon enough and be involved in a sprint for the line. The sporting side of cycling is very accessible and you will feel like a pro in no time.

Criterium racing is run by local clubs over the summer period (daylight savings). A high speed road event conducted on a closed street circuit approximately 800m-2km. The total race time is usually 45mins – 1hour. These races are fast and furious with confidence in bike handling skills necessary. This type of racing is great for building up early season fitness and is usually accompanied by a ride to the venue. Criterium racing is not daunting in the lower grades.

In a Time trial (TT) Riders set out one by one at 60-90 second intervals and the one with the best finishing time wins gold. Riding in the slipstream of another competitor is not allowed. If one cyclist is caught by another, he or she must leave a lateral gap of two metres between them. The distance depends on the course and the location

Road racing is every cyclists dream. These road races are unfortunately generally away from the urban centre and so will involve some level of transportation. Cycling’s equivalent of the marathon begins with a mass start and the aim is simply to cross the finishing line first. It is a test of tactical nous, endurance and, ultimately, speed. Due to the long distance however this generally means that the roads aren’t closed, however there are always marshals and support cars. These races hold much prestige and are fantastic just to participate in. As close to professional style racing as it gets.

What do I need to start racing?

• A good attitude and the genuine desire to race
• Confidence in Bike-handling skills (can be taught; bunch riding, cornering)
• Suitable equipment – a bike designed with geometry/materials for fast recreational riding/racing with a decent groupset: Shimano 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace; Campagnolo Veloce, Centaur, Chorus, Record
• A CSV racing licence

How do I get a racing licence?
MUcyc is an affiliated club with CycleSport Victoria. That means racing licences can be purchased through the club. MUcyc currently has the lowest club fees of all CSV clubs meaning that you can get racing cheaper here than anywhere else. For full details on fees and categories of racing licences, please browse the CSV website.

1. Contact the club letting us know you are interested in racing at melbunicycling@gmail.com making sure to tell us your age and intended starting grade/level of riding

2. We will inform you of the fees required for a full racing licence (yearly) in your age category and forward you a membership form.

Please note that the club does not take any money from the sale of a racing licence, we sell them for your convenience.

3. Join us for one of our regular Crit training sessions (starting soon) to get a feel for what racing will be like

4. We will then ask that you join us at one of the weekly Criterium meets that the club will be attending.  We can offer you the support and guidance that is required when entering the competitive arena and the chance to race with other MUcyc riders.

We highly recommend the purchase of a 3 race licence ($33) at the venue of the criterium. If you then decide to upgrade to a full racing licence, the $33 amount can then be credited against (taken off) the purchase price.

4. Once the decision has been made to purchase a full racing licence, we require 3 copies of the aforementioned licence form to be completed. We will then authenticate all 3 copies when full payment is received and proof of age sighted. Your copy is retained and the club forwards one copy (with 3 race licence if upgrading) to CSV. We hold on to the other copy for our records.

5. As soon as your copy is authenticated, the membership form is valid as a racing licence for one month, in which time the licence card will be sent to you by CSV

You are now ready to race with MUcyc! We will have a full racing calendar up shortly on the website. We will be hosting racing specific training sessions in the lead up to major road races and will be starting criterium training sessions immediately after the exam period. We can also help organise transport, race entries and accommodation for all the events on the CSV calendar. If you have any further queries regarding racing or would like to indicate your interest, please come along to one of our crit training sessions or email us at melbunicycling@gmail.com