BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Dude, you are stealing hits from your own website!

http://www.pghracing.org

You're not going to be able to charge as much for advertising

And we'll lose all our advertisers!!!

I'm not sure why, but I think you might see me at one of these events.

I went for my first ride in years on 23mm tires yesterday.

what's the c class like? would someone as fat and slow as, say, me be able to show up fat and slow and keep up enough at first to be able to get into proper riding shape as the year progresses?

i've never raced before, and it seems like fun, and i've been yearning for some competitive sport since i stopped playing dek hockey, but i'm worried that i'll be completely outclassed.

I went from getting lapped about 15 times during the first race to taking a handful of top ten finishes by the end of the season (and I did so without a bunch of other "training"--I rode one, maybe two days on the weekend). Things kinda clicked for me, too--I literally went from getting from lapped (I was down to just once a race!) to taking 6th place one night. I think it was just a matter of getting in the mindset of sticking on someone's wheel. Once I wrapped my mind around the suffering of the first few laps, I never had trouble finishing in the group.

It was at once frustrating and motivating to be so bad. But, guys like Steevo and Mayhew (and the other marshals and officials) are really supportive and helpful. Opinions may differ, but from where I stood last season, the ACA does a good job at making racing accessible and fun to first timers.

The races are good fun, and last season there was a distinct lack of attitude in the C race, too.

In case anyone is considering doing the Mingo Creek races for the first time, Steevo has posted a bunch of info about the course.

See, look, I am driving traffic to the new website.

Just a reminder that the C races have started at the Oval on Tuesday nights. If you're looking for an excuse to give racing a try, here are two:

1. The first time is free. The ACA is waiving the race fee for first time racers. If you don't have a USAC license, you'll need $10 for a one day license, though.

2. The first five laps of the race are neutral.

Note, too, that Chris Mayhew runs a new rider clinic at 6:00 PM (no charge for this). Full details on the ACA site.

I'm determined to give the oval racing a try this year. I'm a complete noob, though, so just so I'm clear - do I need to have any forms filled out ahead of time, or do I just need to show up at 5:30ish with $10 clutched in my grubby fist?

A copy of the USAC release is helpful. I believe the ACA has license applications on-site.

I'd like to try to set up another "bike racing 101 for complete noobs" class. Racing at the oval is so much fun, and anyone curious about it should give it a try. I started off exactly like bjanaszek. Got lapped 5 times in my first race only to take a couple of top ten finishes by the end of the season.

i was hoping to go this past week, but i'm off the bike for a week due to some pretty sweet achilles tendinitis. i might miss next week, too. woo.

Thanks - I hope to make it next week.

The "C" beginner races are (hopefully) going to be a lot more beginner friendly this year. It is a mixed field of 4's and 5's. 5's are essentially beginners. 4's are those who have raced more than 10 times (that is all it takes to upgrade from 5->4) , or there are a few 4's who have been racing as long as I have been alive and are happy to barely hang in, or to beat up on new guys.

Thankfully we have implemented a neutral 5 lap start, which makes getting comfortable in the pack a lot easier for first time riders, and as the pace gradually increases it is not as much of a shock.

Also chris mayhew is doing the new rider clinic, and is extremely supportive and helpful to new riders.

Its worth checking out.