What does it take to become an amateur cycle road racer?

Apache Brave Racing cyclist Steve Ingram journey to becoming a cycle road racer started before he joined Apache Brave Racing; having previously competed in other sports such as martial arts and BMX Steve found his desire and love for road cycling.

Steve joined a local cycle club and regular attended Sunday training rides; Steve discovered that he could hold the pace of the stronger riders, averaging speeds of over 20 mph for distances around 60 miles. Steve came to the belief that he wanted to test his abilities on the road racing circuit.

Steve hired a local cycle coach that put him through some cycle tests along with an FTP test to determine his training zones. A 3 month plan was scheduled and Steve got down to some serious pre season training. A few races were scheduled at the end of the training plan to give an indication of Steve’s abilities and help discover what was needed to compete.

Training has hard and demanding and an illness close to race day ruined any chances of finishing in the pack, however, this didn’t put Steve off road racing, no, in fact it gave him an appetite for the sport. The season was a mixed bag of results which ended any chances of gaining a higher category racer. All road races start as a category 4 rider, if a racer manages to gain 12 point in one season they move to cat 3, Steve’s aim was to reach cat 3.

The following season; Steve decided to join a different club Apache Brave Racing. Apache Brave Racing had just been set up by a local sports therapist who has worked with Olympic athletes and professional cyclist. Apache Brave Racing wanted it’s members to progress in whatever path they wanted, whether that was just a social cyclist or road racer.

Steve could see the potential of Apache Brave Racing; yes it was a huge gamble to take, but the passion of the club reflected Steve’s own desire to achieve in cycling. Apache Brave Racing designed a cycle training plan that Steve could follow, a combination of weight training, turbo cycle sessions and sports massage from Apache Brave Sports Therapiesto help with recovery. Together Steve and the clubs sporting director planned the season out race by race, selection the right races that would suit Steve’s talent.

Steve's 2017 Road Race Results

• Rockingham Race circuit - Position 3 - Points 7
• Rockingham Race circuit - Position 9 - Points 1
  
• Rockingham Race circuit - Position 10 - Points 1
  
• Rockingham Race circuit - Position 9 - Points 1
  
• Rockingham Race circuit - Position 2 - Points 8

A few races in and Steve had already gained half his points, the season was playing out perfectly, no illnesses, correct recovery with regular sports massage, all was to plan. The last few races approached, the season was coming to close and Steve only needed a few points to hit Cat 3 status. A perfectly planned road race saw Steve take the points needed, goal achieved and with a race to spare.

The season also saw Steve qualify for the World Gran Fondo championship, having gained qualification during the Tour of Cambridgeshire events. It was the perfect season with all targets achieved. With the correct help from his new club Apache Brave Racing Steve was able to believe he could aim high and compete in a sport he thought was beyond him. Support from his cycle club, including cycle training and sports massage plus the management of club helped Steve to succeed. Achieving anything in sports alone is difficult, whether you are a professional or amateur there is always a back room support team. Apache Brave Racing helped with the support its members needed, just like Steve, he was able to reach his goals with the help of his cycle club.

Correct cycle training, sports massage and season planning is how to be successful as a road racer, but you also need the support and encouragement of your club and support of a back room team. Having people believe in you is key to a rewarding sport of cycling.