Gulp! What have I done? Just enetered my first race!

[PaulF]

Just entered my first race the 50k event at SPAM Winter Challenge . Any hints for training, pacing myself etc.?

[Hot Flatus]

Are you sure it's a race?

[PaulF]

Are you sure it's a race?

I think some people treat it as one

Certainly the closest that I've done to one, and I'll be aiming to get round as fast as possible....

Mostly using it as a bit of winter motivation

[giropaul]

Great that you've entered this, and great that it's motivating you, but it's really important that these events are not seen, ridden as, or reported as races. One reason why:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12808378

One of my main concers is that, if the public and the police believe that these events are races, then it could very adversely affect the promotion of actual races on the road.

Again, great that you're doing this Paul, but please - it's not a race 

[PaulF]

Great that you've entered this, and great that it's motivating you, but it's really important that these events are not seen, ridden as, or reported as races. One reason why:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12808378

One of my main concers is that, if the public and the police believe that these events are races, then it could very adversely affect the promotion of actual races on the road.

Again, great that you're doing this Paul, but please - it's not a race 

Point taken

So.... To put it another way, given that it'll probably be cold and I also have family commitments that day any hints to make sure I get back home and warm as soon as possible?

[giropaul]

Check the bike over while the shops are still open

Have breakfast at least 2 hrs before the start

Wear enough, bur use things like gillets that you can take of if it warms up

Take enough drink (whatever your preference of sports drink is)

Take a few energy bars/jelly babies etc

Don't try to hang onto groups that put you under stress early on

Try to find a group that's just right for you

Chunk up the ride into sections and focus on just completing each section

HAVE FUN 

[David Martin]

It is an off-road event so should not have any impact on road racing. (Or 'reliability rides' as they seem to call the early season races round here)

[giropaul]

Ah - I was led astray by the 50km! Apologies.

50km off-road - that's serious stuff!

[mattc]

Is there a regulatory body for off-road racing? (outside of Cyclocross, that is)

[giropaul]

Yes - British Cycling/UCI

[spesh]

Ah - I was led astray by the 50km! Apologies.

The advice in your previous post still stands, though.

50km off-road - that's serious stuff!

Depends how fast you want to ride. At XC-racing pace, I'd say it could be 2-3 hours, depending on terrain and trail conditions, but that means maintaining a TT-level of effort for that time.

[mattc]

Yes - British Cycling/UCI

thanks. Obviously there is quite a logistical  overhead to running a road-race - much of it to comply with regs.

Does an off-road affair need much above marking a course out and processing some entries? Even off-road there must be some liability/insurance implications once you organise a bunch race.
[There was a thread about an accident on a company "team building" day a few weeks ago - civil court case resulted].

(The OP is welcome to stop this diversion of his thread!)

[Ian H]

Doesn't sound too bad.

The SPAM Winter Challenge is a Mountain Bike Enduro event held on the hard pack – all weather trails of Salisbury Plain...

...The Challenge is a relaxed event and the riding isn't particularly technical. You can blast around or take it easy, it's up to you. There are three distances to choose from: 25km, 35km and 50km.

[David Martin]

Yes - British Cycling/UCI

thanks. Obviously there is quite a logistical  overhead to running a road-race - much of it to comply with regs ensure a safe event that doesn't adversely affect the reputation of the sport.

Sticking my BC official hat on I'd have to point out that the logistical regs are there for a reason, and usually a very good one at that.

[mattc]

Absolutely David, no question.

[PaulF]

Just to clarify:

Are you sure it's a race?

From the event website:

The 50km race will start at 10:00 am and the 35km and 25km will start at 10:15am

Anyway, I'll be aiming to complete it in about 3 hours which I think is achievable given my speed on longer rides and despite my lack of fitness.

As I doubt that I'll be troubling the podium and I'll be slower as I'm on a singlespeed what's the best strategy for the start? Hang back and let the fast guys get away and then carry on at my own pace?