Pre-Race Preparation List

Friday Night (for a Sunday Race). This should be done weekly as a minimum.

Bicycle

  • Clean and lubricate bicycle as necessary, especially chain and derailleur so that it shifts properly.
  • Check wheel bearings, bottom bracket, pedal adjustment and headset for looseness.
  • Check brakes and derailleur for adjustment.
  • Are there stiff links in the chain? If so, loosen them up. The chain should be replaced every year as a minimum. Check the condition of the teeth on the gear block and chain rings, and replace as necessary.
  • Check condition of wheels. Are they out of true? Adjust or have a shop do this on Saturday if necessary.
  • Check condition of the tires. Do they need to be replaced or repaired?
  • Check condition of the pump and spare. Is there a repair kit, with tire irons?
  • Check your gearing. Does it have to be changed for a hilly race or because of class restrictions?
  • Check the condition of your shoes and cleats. Do they need adjustment or replacement?
  • Clean out your water bottles. There may be things growing in them. You can put them in a dishwasher if you have one. Do this weekly. If water bottles have mould growing in them, discard them. You should have extra water bottles (one or two) in your race kit.
  • Your name and club should be on your water bottles, and the tires on your bike and on spare wheels. This makes it easier to recover equipment discarded during a race.
  • Checking the bike on Friday gives you the time to effect repairs on Saturday. There are people who like to rebuild race wheels the night before a race. This is not a smart thing to do, and usually leads to a late night and a bad race the next day often on training wheels.

Tools to have handy(both at home and at the race)

  • Foot pump with pressure gage
  • Wrenches (6, 8 and 10 mm).
  • Screw driver
  • Allen keys (metric i.e.2,3,4,5 and 6 mm).
  • Spoke wrench (14 or 15 gage).
  • Tools to remove or change gears on your freewheel.
  • Chain tool
  • Crank arm puller, and bottom bracket tools.
  • Rim cement for tubular tires if necessary
  • Oil and grease
  • Cleaning rags
  • Tire repair kit

Saturday (last day before race day)

Race clothing to pack for a Sunday Race

  • Helmet
  • Cycling shoes
  • Socks (white).
  • Cycling gloves
  • Team jersey or skin suit if the race is a criterium, and a t-shirt.
  • Shorts
  • Tights or leg warmers
  • Arm warmers or a long sleeved team jersey
  • Shoe covers for foul weather.
  • Warm-up and warm-down jacket
  • A clear rain jacket as permitted in the racing rules.
  • Safety pins for your numbers. About 20 would be good to have.
  • Eye Protection (Sunglasses) and sun screen.
  • Personal equipment.
  • Race instructions, directions, times, etc.
  • Money for entry, food, etc.
  • Race license, OCA upgrade letter and points forms for out of province races.
  • Towel, washcloth and soap.
  • Comfortable footwear for after the race (sandals).
  • Health Card (extra health coverage and a passport if racing outside the country).
  • Food and sport drinks for before or after race

Race Day

  • Check the start time and the race course to see if any changes have been made to the course, number of laps, etc.
  • Complete your sign-in for the race, pick up numbers, and place them on the locations requested by the official or race organizer.
  • Cadets and juniors must report to the commissaires to have their gears checked.
  • Locate the finish area if it is in the same location as the start. Determine where you would like to start your sprint, considering wind conditions, shelter from buildings, etc.
  • Measure back from the finish line to determine where you will start your sprint at 200 and 500 metres. Locate reference points for these locations.
  • Locate manhole covers and other hazards on the course.
  • Add your race food to your jersey and pre-hydrate (drink) before your start.
  • Complete your pre-race warm-up. Cover on your legs at temperatures colder than 16C.
  • After the race, cadets and juniors will again need to have gears checked. If you do not, you will be disqualified.
  • After the race, complete a 20 to 25 minute warm-down in an easy gear to aid your recovery.
  • Start fluid replacement as soon as possible after the race (15 minutes to 30 minutes preferably) and eat as soon as possible.