FAQ: "How should I get ready for my first race?"
Answer by Ed Sassler, Coach - Harvard University Cycling Association, 3/2006

For many collegiate cyclists, your first race is looming right around the corner. What do you need to know? What's racing like? Well, it should be like your best training ride ever - and there are ways to make that happen. First, the race is probably far away and it takes you out of your routine, but you can take some of your cycling life with you.

Food - don't let the trip change what you eat, even if it means bringing some food with you. I hear it all too often "I had this bag of M&Ms and..." You've had weeks to figure out what does well and what doesn't, stick with what you know. Don't leave it up to chance, if you eat something you're not sure you can get on the road, bring it with you. There's no point in leaving what you've learned in Cambridge.

Bike - it's the tool you need to be working perfectly, make sure it does. If you have to take off your pedals to put the bike into the van, make sure you know where they are and make sure they get back on the bike. It may sound stupid, but there's always someone who shows up for a race without their pedals (or shoes or jersey...) Make a list, check it twice - don't be that person!!! When you get off the trainers, make sure your quick release on the back wheel is tight. We've had problems with rear wheels shifting of falling out, our trainers release by twisting counter-clockwise, MAKE SURE THE QR IS TIGHT AS SOON AS YOU TAKE YOUR BIKE OFF THE TRAINER!!!

Warm-up - this is critical. If you're one of those people who is always sluggish at the start of the ride, your warm-up needs to be long enough to get your legs past that point. There are two sprints that count in racing, the one everybody knows about is at the end. The one you need to concentrate is at the very start. More than half the riders who get dropped start out in the back and never get into the race. Racing isn't about settling into it nice and easy, that comes after a few laps of trying to move up. Don't worry about the rest of the race, find your way into the front - I can't stress that enough. My point in all of this is that the warm up should get your heart pumping to the point where you can start at that level. It's not a chat session.

Focus - when you're racing you need to focus on what you're doing. Eat right, eat early. Warm up well. Get to the start line on time and in good position. DON'T GET LOST ON A WARM-UP RIDE. Make sure your number is in place and you have what you need for the race. Let the team take on some of the work - it's OK to take off a jacket and throw it at your coach to hold for you while you race... When you're done with your race, warm down, get something to eat - again, fall back into your own routine.

The key is to look at all the elements of what makes the best training ride you've ever had, and take them with you. Make checklists, bring things you can't count on being there otherwise. With the routine down you can relax and have fun, which is really the point.

Lastly, for the new racers out there, I want you to know that racing collegiate is very special. So many aspects of racing are taken care of, so it's almost a given that you'll have fun. You have teammates to help before and after the race and to cheer you on during the race. You may have coaches to yell dumb things like "move up!!!" during the race. I wish I had all that when I started racing (my first coach spoke mostly polish, I couldn't understand a thing he yelled at me during the race).

Ed Sassler
Harvard University Cycling Association Coach