how do you start racing?

Eden

Are you in the USA? Of course also, some of this will vary state to state. I'm in WA state, we use USCF rules. Oregon has OBRA and other states seem to have different systems all together. Don't stress this isn't as complex as it sounds and you can check out www.usacycling.org for more info too.

The best way to get into racing is to find a mentor of sorts -getting involved in a local club or racing team is great. Around here we have an incredible cycling community so there are lots of opportunities. There are teams that range from quite elite, invitation only, to anyone can join clubs that have some members who race and others who do not. If are in an area where you really can't join a team, at least try to find someone who has raced before to show you the ropes- they don't have to be a super star, they just need to know their way around. The community can be a little intimidating and having someone to tell you what to do can help a lot.

What you can get from joining a team:
- practice riding in groups and skills clinics. It is very helpful to be comfortable in large groups and with pacelining before you enter your first race.
- tips and tricks - how to warm up for a race, what to take, what to eat - how to pin your number on - all of those things that you might otherwise have to learn by making mistakes.
- help with the process of finding and entering races.
- team mates! Cycling is very much a team sport, sure you can do it solo, but you will have more fun and likely be more succesful with a team.

Here in WA state most races are USCF sponsored. This means you need to have a USCF license. We also have permanent race numbers that we purchase from WSBA (Washington State Bicycling Association), but of course this will be different for each state. Beginners usually can purchase one day licenses and rent WSBA #'s at events. Men start as a "cat 5", women start as "cat 4". At 18, you will likely not be eligible to race as a junior this year (if you will turn 19 this year) and definitely not next year. I've seen other states use different systems. In some places beginner races are called "citizen's races"

The lowest stress type of race to start with is a Time Trial. You race alone against the clock, so you don't need to be concerned with pack skills to participate in this type of race. The caveat is that time trialing is also one of the hardest types of racing (at least in my opinion). You don't have the pack to ease your way and you have to be mentally tough enough to go hard the whole time. Road racing requires comfort riding in a pack and some level of skill cornering, descending, etc. Criteriums are generally fairly techincal requiring pack skills and comfort with fast cornering. They are usually very hard and as a beginner you are quite likely to get lapped and pulled.

This is only a little info of course, but hopefully it helps and will at least get you started with some more specific questions.