There’s nothing quite like pinning a number on and lining up for a proper race. I’m not talking about an organised ride or Sportive or cycling event, but an actual race.
I’ve never been a huge racer, I simply lack the power (and skill, and mentality, and everything) to be any good at it, but I do enjoy the thrill and punishment of racing. It’s the best way to really test yourself and push your limits, whether that be criteriums, road racing, time trials, gravel races, or whatever format takes your fancy.
I’ve now got two key races on my 2024 calendar:
1) UCI Tour de Brisbane in April. I’ve been training hard for this one. While I may not be racing for my own result, sometimes I actually prefer racing in service of others. I’m looking forward to rolling turns and sitting up front in the wind keeping Bec protected for as much of the race as I can. I’m not so much looking forward to climbing Mount Coot-Tha at full pace after 90km of racing!
2) Ironman 70.3 Cairns (bike leg) in June. I’m entering this as part of a relay team, so I’ll be taking on the 90km bike course, with teammates to complete the swim beforehand and the run afterwards. I’m certainly not built for it, but I do love a time trial. At 90km (55 miles) this will be a little different from the classic 10-mile and 25-mile club time trials of England. I’ll have to work on my pacing strategy.
On paper, the ride itself shouldn’t be all that difficult (as long as the weather plays nice). Being an Ironman course there are no major climbs involved. It is a non-drafting event, so it should prove to be a decent solo test.
3) Will I add a third race? It’s likely that I’ll enter UCI Gravelista, Beechworth again in October. The race itself has been confirmed as a UCI Gravel World Series Qualifier, but no details have been posted on the official event website yet. Gravelista was a tough day in the saddle, plus a fairly expensive trip just to suffer and get my ass handed to me! I’m still not 100% sure I want to go back, but I do have unfinished business in Beechworth…
Do you race? Or aim for key events? What’s on your 2024 calendar so far?
Tempo Cyclist - Tasmania 
No races or sportifs, just roads old and new
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racing is an itch I need to scratch. I might try a summer cyclo-cross if there are any local
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I’ve not tried cyclocross. They do a summer series here too. maybe I should give it a crack one year.
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There is a triathlon that includes Alpe de Huez, although I doubt it is an Ironman. However Nice Ironman looks very tough with plenty of climbing involved.
It is good to have targets.
If it is a non drafting IM bike leg how can Bec benefit from your hard work?
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Working for Bec is only for Tour de Brisbane. The Ironman bike leg is of course a solo challenge.
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