Tips on 4th cat road racing

I’ve raced in the 4th Cat at
I’ve raced in the 4th Cat at Hillingdon. I think the average speed for the hour was about 24mph, which will be fine for you given the speeds you mention you ride at solo.

Raleigh’s points are good, but also watch the descent where there are occasional crashes – the track narrows and has a slight jink, so don’t overlap wheels there.

OK.
I race at Hillingdon
OK.

I race at Hillingdon every week, sometimes twice. Got some seconds and thirds last year, but still chasing that win. I am though, I think, in a position to offer some helpful tips and advice, tailored to the circuit.

I race in the E123 group, which is usually smaller than the 4ths, and also quite a bit quicker, but smoother as well.

Try to get to the startline early so you can be right on the front. What I normally do is to drill it off the line, then if anyone wants to come with you, you may get a nice lead, otherwise at least you can jump into a good position when you get caught.

Make sure that you are good at clipping in quickly, everyone sprints off the line so if you mess that up you can easily fall behind before the race really starts.

Hillingdon is a very fast circuit, which shouldn’t worry you; its got no hill. You can pedal through every single corner, trust me. I’ve done it.

Make sure that you don’t hang around the back of the group, you’ll be grabbing handfuls of brake the whole time, and the acceleration and deceleration will knock you out fairly quickly. Far better to be in the top 10-15 at all times, then you get nice lines through the corners etc.

If you’re nervous in the sprints, either sit up for the first one, or make sure that you go straight down the middle of the course. Either side, and you’ll be forced onto the grass, which isn’t fun at all.

The best place to move up is on the inside by the clubhouse, ot if there’s a tailwind on the final straight itself. The radce is normally won or lost on the last but one corner, so make sure that you’ve got a wheel to follow, and get a good line. Try to be in the top 5 there.

In terms of eating/drinking, the races on tuesdays are normally about an hour and a quarter for the slower group, so you don’t need food. Take a bottle, and get used to drinking at speed, or at least in the natural slow bits.

Proabably go around the sweeping bends on the hoods for the time being, if it makes you feel safer, I normally do if there are laods of people around me.

Don’t be spooked by the fourth cats with expensive bikes.

If you’re not moving up the pack, you’re moving back, even if you’re picking someone’s wheel to sit on the whole time. Ensure that you’re always taking places on corners and slower bits.

Other than that, just go and do it basically, you’ll enjoy it.
😀

Are you sure it wasn’t your
Are you sure it wasn’t your English teacher, Raleigh?

😉

Short and sweet is the key. Concise and precise.

I’ve seen people racing well
I’ve seen people racing well on £300 bikes and very old machines, if its road worthy then its ok. Never think your equipment is slowing you down unless your body fat is below 8% and you’ve been riding 300hrs+ for a few years.

You already know the answer – just do it.
These newbie questions always crop up tho and the usual response is always the same because its important – get as much group riding in as possible, this is the bets preparation and training, you’ll also know pretty much if you’re gonna be ok after several weeks riding in local groups, a lot of which probably already have race experience, so just get out with your local club or chaingang. You’ll find in time that often group rides get harder than races at times!