Collegiate Cycling

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FAQ: "What do I need to remember before I race?"
Answer by Jeff Marois, Tufts University Cycling, 3/2003

Rule #1: Don’t depend on anyone else but yourself.
Rule #2: Never ever try out new or unfamiliar equipment for the first time in a race.
Rule #3: Always wake up at least 3 hours before your race and be done eating 2 hours before your race.
Rule #4: Warm up for at least 45 minutes before any type of event.
Rule #5: Always drink a lot of water.
Rule #6: Don’t go hard on your bike the day before your race.
Rule #7: Always ride (race or not) with a helmet, gloves, sunglasses and bike shorts.
Rule #8: Don’t wear underwear under your bike shorts.

Before you leave for the race, make sure you have the following with you:

  • Your bike with both wheels (don’t leave your front wheel on the sidewalk)
  • Floor pump
  • Sunglasses
  • Helmet
  • Gloves (one pair warm weather, one pair cold weather)
  • 2 water bottles filled with water
  • At least 2 spare tubes
  • At least 2 nylon tire levers
  • A pedal wrench
  • A set of allen wrenches
  • Bike lube
  • Degreaser
  • A least one rag
  • #1 flat head and a #1 phillips head screw driver
  • Bike stand if you have one
  • Trainer or a set of rollers if you have them.
  • Your racing bibs and jersey
  • Riding clothes for all weather conditions (rain jacket, tights, arms warmers, etc…)
  • Directions to the race course IN YOUR CAR. (even if you are following someone)
  • Cell phone numbers of the people you may be caravanning with
  • Food for your race (powerbars, gus, gatorade)
  • Food for before your race (bagels, cereal)
  • Money
  • Your racing license
  • A copy of “Stuff you need to know before your next race” by J.F. Marois

Once you have arrived at the hotel:

  • Scope out places to eat (diners, etc) and their hours.
  • Be sure that you have a place to eat a REAL breakfast for when you wake up. If you can’t find one, find a grocery store so that you can buy stuff to cook yourself a REAL breakfast the next day. I once cooked myself breakfast on a camping stove at a race b/c there was no diner.
  • Do an equipment check if you can bring your bike in with you (more on that later).
  • Pin your race numbers on your jersey.
  • Fill your water bottles and add Gatorade, Cytomax or something equivalent
  • If possible, go to sleep 8 hours before the time you plan on waking up.

On race day, if T is race time, then:

  • T - 3hours: wake up and head out for breakfast wearing what you will race in. Your body needs a good 3 hours of “waking up” time to be able to perform at its best.
  • T - 2hours: leave for race course.
  • T - 1hour: be done with registration and equipment check (more on that later) and start warming up. The shorter your race is, the longer your warmup should be. By now, you should also be familiar with the race area. Know exactly where the start/finish line is. Know exactly how many laps your race is. Know where the "lap card" will be placed. Know on what laps the primes are going to be if you are racing a criterium.
  • T - 15minutes: be done with your warmup and spin easy until the start of your race. Now is also a good time to add or remove any extra clothing.
  • T: Race. If you’ve followed the above schedule then you will perform at 100% and win the race.

After your race (chances are, you are you will have a race the next day too so be sure to do the following):

  • Warm down. (easy spin for 5-10 minutes.)
  • Go to the results table and make sure you result was recorded correctly. Mistakes are very frequent.
  • Once you get off your bike, STAY WARM! Put some warm clothes on and sit down.
  • Eat something right away. Your body’s energy stores are severely depleted and you must replenish them.
  • Drink something right away.
  • REST! Don’t go running all over the place. Just chill and watch the next race or something.
  • Eat a full lunch and a full dinner (but not too much) and do it again the next day.

Ok, now, the all important equipment check:

  • Top off your tires with your floor pump.
  • Fill your water bottles.
  • Put GU or powerbar or granola in your back pocket.
  • Make sure your wheels are tightly attached to your bike.
  • Make sure you can shift properly in and out of every gear.
  • Give your handlebars, stem, seat and seatpost a good yank to make sure they are securely attached to your bike.
  • Make sure your pedals are securely attached to your cranks.
  • Make sure your cleats and pedals are clean and free of any dirt/twigs.
  • Snap your brakes a few times to make sure they work and that they don’t rub the wheels when you are not using them.