Race day is here, and all those early mornings and long rides have built up to this moment. You’ve put in the hard work, and now it’s time to make sure everything goes smoothly. Cycle race day routines and preparation are crucial to ensure you perform at your best. Let’s dive into how to prepare efficiently, so you can focus on pedaling your heart out!

The Night Before: Prepping for Success

The night before your race is all about organization. You don’t want to be scrambling around in the morning, forgetting essential items. Instead, save yourself 15 to 20 minutes by getting everything sorted ahead of time. Your future self will thank you! Start by packing your kit bag with all the essentials you’ll need for race day.

Make sure your bike is clean and ready to roll, with your toolbox and spare parts close at hand. Lay out your breakfast items, and prep your race drinks the night before.

This way, you can wake up and enjoy a hassle-free morning, allowing you to focus solely on the race ahead.

Kit Checklist: Don’t Forget the Essentials!

It’s a good idea to create a checklist of everything you need for race day. Keeping this checklist in your kit bag ensures that you won’t forget anything crucial. Here’s a handy list to help you get started, but remember to always be prepared for the worst weather.

  • Licence (if required): Some countries won’t let you race without it!
  • Helmet: Safety first; you can’t race without one!
  • Racing shoes: An obvious must-have.
  • Jersey and shorts: Get dressed for success.
  • Socks and track mitts: Small details matter!
  • Cape/gilet and arm warmers: Be ready for changing weather.
  • Race glasses: Protect those peepers.
  • Towel and a bag for dirty washing: Keep it clean.
  • Wash kit: A little hygiene goes a long way.
  • Safety pins: For your race number—don’t forget these!
  • Overshoes and undervest: Layer up for comfort.
  • Cap and suncream: Protect yourself from the elements.
  • Bidons & energy products: Pre-fill to save time.
  • Race food: Stick with what your body knows; no new products!
  • Post-race food/drink: Bring recovery snacks; you’ll need them.
  • Track pump and spare wheels: Be ready for anything.
  • Toolbox: Always good to have on hand.
  • Toilet roll: Trust me, it’s a lifesaver!

The Morning of the Race: Fuel and Focus

On race morning, your breakfast can make or break your performance. Aim for a solid meal that includes complex carbohydrates, steering clear of too much sugar. Stick with what you know works for you. I typically go for a comforting bowl of porridge or muesli topped with dried fruit and honey, followed by granary toast with jam or honey.

Add a coffee or tea and a splash of fruit juice, and you’re golden!As a rule of thumb, give yourself around three hours from breakfast to the start of the race to allow for digestion. If you need a snack closer to race time, keep it light, like an energy bar or a piece of cake. You want to ensure you’re fueled but not weighed down!

Arriving at the Race: Settle In and Prepare

Aim to arrive at the race venue about an hour and a half before the start. This gives you ample time to settle in and prepare without feeling rushed. If you account for travel time, you’ll also have a buffer in case of any unexpected delays.

Upon arrival, set up your bike first. This is crucial! You don’t want to leave bike prep until the last minute. Pump your tires, check that the gears are running smoothly, and pop your bidons into the bottle cages. Once your bike is ready, sign in and pin on your race numbers.

This can be done while sipping a cup of coffee as you mentally run through race scenarios. Stay calm and focused!

Warm Up: Get Those Muscles Ready

Don’t skip the warm-up! It’s essential for getting your blood flowing and muscles warmed up. This is especially important in shorter events like time trials or criteriums. Even in a longer road race, warming up can make a significant difference.

You don’t necessarily need to bring a turbo or rollers, but getting on your bike for about 10 minutes of continuous riding about 10-15 minutes before your start time is crucial. This will elevate your heart rate and get your breathing in sync.

Adjust the intensity based on the event type and weather conditions, but you should always feel warm and slightly out of breath.

Keep Warm and Ready

Lastly, if the weather is chilly, it’s vital to maintain your body temperature from the end of your warm-up until the start of the race. Wearing an extra gilet, cape, or leg warmers will help ensure your warm-up doesn’t go to waste. When the flag drops, you’ll be ready to give it your all!

With everything in place, you can now head to the start line with confidence. You’ve trained hard and prepared well, so it’s time to enjoy the race ahead. Go out there and crush it!