Mike Murray

I think that most road racers are casual racers. The difference is that
structurally road races are more hierarchical as opposed to the egalitarian
structure of triathlons, cross and TT where most people are competing
primarily against themselves and the few people around them. I road races
you are more obviously competing against the entire group. This often leads
to accusations that road racing is "serious" or "elitist". This is really
just a structural issue related to the pack nature of road racing. In
reality most people at road events are not all that serious and all
participants are welcome.

Mike Murray

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Todd Mobley
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 17:27 PM
To: OBRA
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Is there such thing as a casual road racer?

I like to race. With two seasons of cyclocross (one as a beginner, one in
Master C) and a couple sprint triathlons behind me (that's my entire cycling
race resume), I am entering training mode for a longer distance tri and
several running events. Road racing looks like it would be fun and I have
been reading up on some of the upcoming events, but for a newbie like me, it
sounds way over my head. I like to be competitive and the whole point is to
get out there and have fun. I also own a business, have a family, etc, etc,
so time for training is limited. Divide that up into swimming, running, and
cycling...you get the point. Oh, and I only have one bike that I use for
everything (a cross bike, of course).

Is there such thing as a competitive but not obsessed weekend warrior,
multi-sport athlete that does an occasional road race? If anyone can point
me to reading material to learn up on the finer points of road races, it
would be much appreciated. Any low-key events that are recommended to jump
in there and learn the ropes?

Thanks OBRAland,

-Todd

Matt Radich

The masters races Monday nights at are great for getting aquatinted with road racing. They even have a masters beginner class complete with experienced riders mentoring the group. Good times and a great workout.

http://www.racemondaynight.com/blog/about/

Matt

Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:27:03 -0800
From: todd@lancasterengineering.com
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Is there such thing as a casual road racer?

I like to race. With two seasons of cyclocross (one as a beginner, one in Master C) and a couple sprint triathlons behind me (that's my entire cycling race resume), I am entering training mode for a longer distance tri and several running events. Road racing looks like it would be fun and I have been reading up on some of the upcoming events, but for a newbie like me, it sounds way over my head. I like to be competitive and the whole point is to get out there and have fun. I also own a business, have a family, etc, etc, so time for training is limited. Divide that up into swimming, running, and cycling...you get the point. Oh, and I only have one bike that I use for everything (a cross bike, of course).

Is there such thing as a competitive but not obsessed weekend warrior, multi-sport athlete that does an occasional road race? If anyone can point me to reading material to learn up on the finer points of road races, it would be much appreciated. Any low-key events that are recommended to jump in there and learn the ropes?

Thanks OBRAland,

-Todd

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Todd Mobley

I like to race. With two seasons of cyclocross (one as a beginner, one in
Master C) and a couple sprint triathlons behind me (that's my entire cycling
race resume), I am entering training mode for a longer distance tri and
several running events. Road racing looks like it would be fun and I have
been reading up on some of the upcoming events, but for a newbie like me, it
sounds way over my head. I like to be competitive and the whole point is to
get out there and have fun. I also own a business, have a family, etc, etc,
so time for training is limited. Divide that up into swimming, running, and
cycling...you get the point. Oh, and I only have one bike that I use for
everything (a cross bike, of course).

Is there such thing as a competitive but not obsessed weekend warrior,
multi-sport athlete that does an occasional road race? If anyone can point
me to reading material to learn up on the finer points of road races, it
would be much appreciated. Any low-key events that are recommended to jump
in there and learn the ropes?

Thanks OBRAland,

-Todd