15 km in 26 min what skill level in cycling am i at?

Question

i just got into cycling this summer and am wondering if i should go into bike races but what skill level am i?

Answer 1

That isn't too bad for someone who is not into competition yet.

One thing to remember about road bike racing is that you don't get to pick where to start. You can only begin racing at the beginner level. If you want to race at the more advanced levels, you'll need to purchase a license with the local sanctioning body (usually the USCF) and get a few beginner/novices races in (known as Category 5 events) before they let you in the cat 4 races.

If you want to try racing, you should go to a few group rides, or training races first. Rding in a pack at speed takes certain skills as well as certain etiquette. You don't want to jump into a race for the first time, lead the whole pack around, then have them sprint around you at the end. Being aware of who is around you and what they are doing is critical to not knocking people down, or crashing yourself.

Go to a local bike shop that sells good bikes, higher end racing gear, and ask about local clubs and group rides. If you don't have any luck there, go to:

www.usacycling.org

and follow the links for clubs, then search for your area. There will be contact information listed.

Also, you could simply go to a race, and ask about how to get started. go to:

www.bikereg.com or www.active.com

Again, look for events in your area.

There is nothing wrong with just going to an event hopping in - the sink or swim theory - but don't get discouraged if you don't do well. There are alot of people in the beginner categories that have no business being there, and should be racing against more competent competitors. Treat it as a learning experience.

Answer 2

9.3 miles in 26 minutes, slightly over 20MPH avg. That is a good avg. Try a local club ride some evening. Join in with the A riders and see how you hang with them for a longer ride.
When you can keep up and not have you tongue dragging the pavement, you maybe ready to race.
Group ride will also give you the much needed skills of riding fast in a group. You don't want to be the guy that causes a pileup in your first race, cause you don't know what to do the first time someone give you an elbow or bumps you at 25MPH, or can't maintain a line through a corner.
Good Luck, have fun, and keep riding.

Answer 3

That's really decent for the time you have been riding. But I agree with the other two answers on the need for riding with a group. Riding with a local club/group will develop your skills for handling a turn in a pack and if someone taps your back wheel an how to stay upright when that happens. CAT5 races (Where you start) are know for turning issues and not being able to hold your line through them and people going down. Find a local club and ride with them. Find a buddy and ASK ASK ASK questions.
Good Luck and keep it up!