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has a huge following in Northern California, with events drawing hundreds of riders every weekend in cities across the state. Yet every Monday morning these riders go back to their jobs and families and continue their daily grind in order to put food
on their plates and a roof over their heads. Anyone can do it, as long as they’re willing to apply themselves. It is by no means a simple task, but it can be done.
There are four categories of bike racing: the criterium, the circuit race, the time trial, and the road race. A criterium, or crit, is held on a short course (usually less than 5 km.), generally run on closed city streets or neighborhoods. The circuit race is a mass start road race similar to a criterium, because although it’s held on a closed course, the length of each lap is slightly longer, up to a couple of miles for each one. The road race is generally held on a road that goes from one point to another or covers one large course. The time trial varies from the first three because although it’s still held on a closed course, it’s a race against the clock.
All forms of races – with the exception of the time trial which is an individual event in most cases – are mass start. Up to a few hundred riders start together in a group known as a peloton. All four events are grueling and tedious in their own ways, some suited to certain riders more than others depending on the course. All these events are directed by local teams in accordance with the Northern California and Nevada Cycling Association, which governs all teams and riders within its boundaries.
A lot of people see bike racing as an individual sport, when in fact it’s extremely difficult to compete without a team.
Every rider gives off what’s called a draft, a pocket of air in which a rider can sit and be virtually untouched by the wind. By sitting in this slipstream, a rider can save up to 30 percent of their energy at any given time. If seven riders all start an event, with one rider selected for the win, each rider will sacrifice a bit of their own energy by allowing their designated rider to sit in their draft throughout the entire course, to keep that rider as fresh as possible until the final sprint to the finish line.
Teams meet throughout the week on routine rides and routes to practice these tactics. Teammates also have been known to sacrifice food and water for one another, and on occasion a bike or a wheel. Race teams also at times specify certain riders known as “Domestiques” to take on extra food, water and supplies in case another teammate should need it. They look out for one another, while pushing their bodies and minds to the limits to secure a win or even just a top 10 finish. Most riders will train from seven to 10 hours a week, some even more.
Many people may not like the attire that goes with bike racing – that Lycra, those shaved legs, those neon colors, who can stand them? But there’s a reason for it. Lycra cuts down on drag, and when barreling down a road at
speeds of up to 40 mph during a sprint, you don’t want your shorts blowing up into a parachute to slow you down and drag you around the street like a kite that’s lost its handler
The neon colors allow for visibility, although you’ll find most race teams never apply them to their uniforms. The neon generally is only worn for
safety by those commuting or on leisurely rides.
Every rider will give you a different reason as to why they shave their legs: it allows you to cool down; sweat wicks away easier; it reduces drag; it makes your leg muscles look good. Perhaps it’s a combination of those. My personal favorite, and the most reasonable, is that it allows riders easily to clean wounds from road rash.
Road rash isn’t just a normal scrape on the knee, it’s layer after layer of skin ground down by asphalt and dirt till you come to a halt. Imagine driving
in your car at 25 mph, putting
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