why dont you race?

[iaintas]

I have noticed lately that there are lots and lots of cyclists around Hobart on the weekends and even weekdays, but so few come racing at the vets, we all know cyclists can be a competitive bunch of people so why so few racing down this way? At the open race the other day there was only 15 cyclists. pretty piss poor really.

[Max]

I can't comment for the Taswegians, but I will say that I will never ever race. It's because I love riding too much to spoil it by getting ultra-competitive about it. Some pleasures should just be left as they are, pure and unspoiled.

Max

[skull]

racing the vets doesn't have to be ultra-competitive.

[iaintas]

actually i find its the opposite, very good supportive group out at the vets, everyone is just happy to have more people along joining in the fun

[Baldy]

Sometimes I cant be bothered, sometimes its the weather.

As well as being allergic to pain in general

I had one race 11months ago, so I guess I am due for my next one. I did have fun, so that was not the reason for not racing since.

If i can get into a few races while the weather is nice over summer, I might catch the bug.

[skull]

also racing is a pretty good form of training.

[mcdurdin]

For me: lack of time; other commitments.

The Vets only race on Sunday mornings (apart from their time trial series which doesn't really count). Even the name of the Southern Tasmanian Veterans Cycling Club is going to dissuade people: it sounds like it's only for old guys on steel frame bikes. I certainly thought that for a long time, didn't think I was old enough to join.

also racing is a pretty good form of training.

This is pretty funny: training ... for what? Racing? If you aren't going to race then why train?

[BarryTas]

"i will i will" i wish that the STVCC (vets) raced on a saturday. Because as it stands, if i race on a Sunday i cant realy do a looong ride on a saurday

[Apple]

I can't comment for the Taswegians, but I will say that I will never ever race. It's because I love riding too much to spoil it by getting ultra-competitive about it. Some pleasures should just be left as they are, pure and unspoiled.

Max

+ 1

[iaintas]

"i will i will" i wish that the STVCC (vets) raced on a saturday. Because as it stands, if i race on a Sunday i cant realy do a looong ride on a saurday

Why not barry there is a few of us that either do 120-130km rides on Saturday then race on Sunday, last week was the exception with hill repeats on Saturday with racing on Sunday.

[BarryTas]

i know i know i will i will

[silkishuge]

I reckon I would love racing, but mrs S is very protective of me since I have several medical conditions. Just another couple of reasons why one might not race.

Jon

[rkelsen]

Young kids.

When they get older and don't want to know me any more, I'll do it then.

It'd be good if I can get at least one of them interested, but that is a few years off yet.

[Oxford]

...

also racing is a pretty good form of training.

This is pretty funny: training ... for what? Racing? If you aren't going to race then why train?

Some people road race to "train" for other types of cycle racing such as MTB. When I was training for solo 24hr MTB racing, I liked to road race crit's as a physical and mental type of training, it used to push me to limits I never would have when just doing "normal" training. I also used to do 12hr races as training for 24hr racing.

One person's race is another person's training and equally one person's training is often another person's racing.

[mcdurdin]

Some people road race to "train" for other types of cycle racing such as MTB. When I was training for solo 24hr MTB racing, I liked to road race crit's as a physical and mental type of training, it used to push me to limits I never would have when just doing "normal" training. I also used to do 12hr races as training for 24hr racing.

One person's race is another person's training and equally one person's training is often another person's racing.

Uh Oxford, I don't think you're hearing me: if you are not going to *race*, then why *train*? Of course racing is the best training, just ask Jack Bobridge. But if someone isn't interested in racing (of any kind), then suggesting that they race to train is still pretty amusing.

[skull]

This is pretty funny: training ... for what? Racing? If you aren't going to race then why train?

To be fit, lean and healthy. You don't necessarily need to be fast and have to win to enjoy racing.

[mcdurdin]

To be fit, lean and healthy. You don't necessarily need to be fast and have to win to enjoy racing.

Most people call this "exercise"

[BarryTas]

I have noticed lately that there are lots and lots of cyclists around Hobart on the weekends and even weekdays, but so few come racing at the vets, we all know cyclists can be a competitive bunch of people so why so few racing down this way? At the open race the other day there was only 15 cyclists. pretty piss poor really.

at a local POV the STVCC don’t advertise much and there is still confusion among the cycling community abut who can race (although this is all clearly discussed on their web site) with that particular race with only 15 participants, i think it was due to the course... it was hilly.

I do agree with Iain, there should be more riders racing at the VETS. At Amy's ride, the TAS Bike week century ride, and the multi sport events there are many many riders participating

[Baldy]

Of the riders I have spoken to that dont race[I will yak to anyone] Nearly all of them had no idea the qualifying age was only 30.

When I first saw the name I thought it was a club for ex servicemen.

Training/exercise ...meh pretty interchangeable I think. Maybe its an Americanism? The term personal trainer comes to mind. You could say while training your body you are also engaged in exercise.

This post was harder work than my last ride

[Oxford]

Some people road race to "train" for other types of cycle racing such as MTB. When I was training for solo 24hr MTB racing, I liked to road race crit's as a physical and mental type of training, it used to push me to limits I never would have when just doing "normal" training. I also used to do 12hr races as training for 24hr racing.

One person's race is another person's training and equally one person's training is often another person's racing.

Uh Oxford, I don't think you're hearing me: if you are not going to *race*, then why *train*? Of course racing is the best training, just ask Jack Bobridge. But if someone isn't interested in racing (of any kind), then suggesting that they race to train is still pretty amusing.

I possibly wrongly assumed that racing in the context of this thread was in reference to road racing. so racing in road races was training for non road racing.

[simonn]

OTTOMH:

I do not really want to fork out for a license.
I am probably not fast enough.
Have other stuff to do so not sure if I want to/can invest the time to become fast enough.
Commute ~48km most days which would likely interfere with proper training - no rest days etc
I'm not a born athlete anyway, seriously.
I do not like riding in large groups.
I prefer the tour for a day bit of Audax (seriously, I have probably cycled over more of Sydney/Central Coast/Blue Mountains than I have driven) rather than riding around in circles, and that pretty much fills up my time quota for recreational riding.
I feel the challenge of having hurty legs, but still having to ride 100+km more.... challenging?

[LG]

I ride most days, but never race. During the week the riding is for transport, during the weekends I ride for sport, often with friends. Some people I ride with are faster than me, some are not. We don't leave each other behind. I'm not a very competitive person but do enjoy occasionally challenging myself on a hill or over an extended distance. For me I can get pretty much all I want fitness wise, socially, cost savings from transport and purely fun out of cycling without the need to race.

It's each to their own, and I have respect for those that choose to race. I'll never say never to racing, but don't have a burning desire at the moment.

[gururug]

Not a big fan of racing...... Bit too much elitism.... too serious. I like that you push yourself when in / with a group, other than that it's not that much fun.

Vets rule ( meaning that they are the most mellow of all racers ).

[skull]

Not a big fan of racing...... Bit too much elitism.... too serious. I like that you push yourself when in / with a group, other than that it's that much fun for me. Vets rule.

haven't come across any elitism at the vets.

[damhooligan]

I don't need to prove to 'strangers that race' that I am faster or slower then them...

I can have all the fun I need when I ride with my friends...
We have little sprints, and challenges who is up that little hill first...
This is also cheaper, as I don't need a racing permit.
Is not as dangerous, as we 'race' for fun, and none of us 'needs' to win.

I don't see the need for me to pay money so that I can compete, when I can do it already for free.