New riders are often viewed with some suspicion by more experienced riders in our local training races. They are suspicious of your abilities and skills as a new rider. You have to earn their respect. You will be racing in the same pack with riders with considerable experience in some cases.
Things to do
- In corners, follow the rider in front of you through each corner. Do not take your own line through corners.
- Watch what is going on with other riders in the pack in front of you. Keep your view at hip height so that you can see ahead.
- Look before you move.
- Keep your head up. You will crash if you ride with your head down.
- If people give you advice, be polite. They are trying to help you.
- Older riders expect that younger riders will be courteous and respectful of their elders. How you are viewed by others is important. Earn that respect with courtesy.
- Be predictable. Ride a straight line at all times. If someone says you are squirrelly, that means you are erratic in your ability to ride a straight line.
Things not to do
- Do not pedal through corners even if others do it. Coast the corners.
- Do not pass other riders in the inside of corners even if you see others doing it.
- Do not even think of moving anywhere on the road without looking first.
- Do not mouth off at other riders. You are representing our club and sport and you can hurt potential sponsorship for yourself and your club by behaving badly. You will also lose any respect that other riders in the pack may have for you.
Cycling is one of the few sports where young development athletes compete in the same groups as older experienced athletes. Older riders are very supportive of younger riders. Many started where you are starting and they know it is not an easy sport to do. This sport is like a family. You may be criticised by other family members. All young riders are a work in progress and the older riders know and understand that.
Have fun. That is why we all are involved in this sport.
