Hi all,
Just picking your brains, I fancy an experimental venture into road racing ! I have raced as a junior and 1st year senior, however everything was in black and white back in the day ;-( Sportives are keeping me happy and motivated but still tempted by the challenge. LVRC seem the best option for me (old git) and I expect to do some speed work on the turbo ;-( Can anyone please give some “pearls” that may help ?
Don’t bother is not an option I want 
Dave
Go for it Dave…by coincidence we were chatting about this on our Burway epic on Sunday - wouldn’t it be fun to get an Epic RC team together for a local cat 3/4 road race? One that is novice/returner friendly maybe. As many of us are doing sportives at a reasonable pace, the jump into racing shouldn’t be too hard a step, and as long as you enter in the right spirit I think they are a real blast.
Ones that caught my eye are Sept 7th Staffordshire Oatcake, 14th Sept Inkberrow RR (ridden this before and it has a good atmosphere), 21st Sept Bush Healthcare RR at Martley. The only early one that fits my diary is 29th June in Bridgenorth (hilly!). I like the LVRC as it so much more welcoming than BC races…as long as you are over 40!
On the LVRC front I too am planning a couple of outings, but possibly not until the second half of the season, as I don’t have the right form just now and the local races are mainly on Saturdays
If anyone fancies a RR outing please shout loud as I am guessing that there will be a few who fancy giving them a go - and it is sooooooo much nicer if you aren’t riding solo.
My preparation will be sportives, topped off by some hill training and some casual sprinting on club runs and just for a laugh to road signs every now and then…how scientific is that?
Forgot to mention that LVRC is also cheap to enter! Memebership forms and handbooks are on the shop coffee table
Or at http://www.lvrc.org
BC forms are at http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bchome/home.asp for downloading too.
Well, once I can get my fitness up a little, I’m really keen to have another crack at a RR, although I haven’t checked to see what’s on. Haven’t got the best record in these though it has to be said -started 2 - finished 0. I’ve done two COB RR’s - just wasn’t fit enough last year and dropped out before I was lapped (!), and before that I got taken down with half a mile to go! Have to say though I loved every second of it. As long as you’re pretty fit and comfortable riding in a big bunch (with the odd brake lever poking you in the arse it has to be said!) it’s a real blast
i would be well up for a road race, especially if we could get a team together, count me in!
This is all good! I was really hoping to do some road racing this year and was worried about going it alone! Count me in . Getting a bunch of Epic riders together would be really good and I’m sure we could do some damage!
Wow ! What a great, positive response
I was looking at the LVRC events mainly due to the cheaper option than the BCF, but if the club with U40s are going as a gang then I would consider a BCF licence. The responses have removed any doubt and an application for a LVRC licence will be in the post tomorrow 
Thanks all
I will gladly throw myself in as ‘domestique’ for the first 25 miles-ish, for the good of the team! As for after that . . . .or pending a HUGE climb, you guys will be on your own.
Oh, but I ain’t carrying no bottles up my shirt!!!
i’d carry some bottles but they only make jerseys just about big enough for me let alone 3 or 4 bottles!! The record is something ridiculous like 15 isn’t it?
Simon has taken the plunge and is racing the COB RR this Sunday! Best of luck mate, I’m sure you’ll tell us all about it and put us off this crazy racing talk once and for all!
Alternatively, you’ll have a team of riders around you for the next one and all our bottles to carry! Give ‘em hell mate! 
All the best for Sunday Simon, put em in the pain cave!
Yep, good luck mate.
Think ive got the bug for road racing again. You lot would have mixed in with bunch no problem. Pace was never that high for very long except it seemed when i tried to get away. Feel i was lacking top end speed from doing long rides and timetrials. We need to keep up the thursday night chaingang for that change of pace. Be great to get a group of Epic riders together, Hereford wheelers had about 8 starters and all seemed to enjoy the experience.(it was the first road race for all of them). See you all thurday night.
Sorry I didn’t make it to watch mate, sounded like a cracking route this time too. I agree, an Epic team in a race sounds great.
See you Thursday!
If anyone saw the hard time Simon had on the weekend in the COB road race, it may put you off road racing for life!!!
Well doen Simon for being at/near the front the whole time, it was one hell of a fast ride.
Shame you weren’t lapping quicker though, as Mikey and I were getting cold stood on the top of that climb.
Hi Guys,
Yes well done Simon (I was marshalling at the roundabout in Prestigne)and was also cheering you on whenever I spotted you.
Bye for now,
Robin.