Here are a few cycling terms you might hear as you’re racing. Know the lingo: Cyclists can seem like they’re talking in code, and announcers during the race aren’t any better.

If you’re just riding with a group of friends, ask them to help you practice by setting up some random sprints during the ride. “A lot of the group rides would have sprints at different times, some downhills, or you’d roll through in a pace line and go hard at the top of hills, so you got to practice a lot of race-type scenarios,” Holcomb says. Simulate racing: Once you’re comfortable riding in a group, either ask the group to help you practice, or find a group that incorporates race simulations into its rides. A 6-Week Training Plan for Speed and Endurance.( We offer a few race-training plans through Training Peaks.) If you’re on a group ride, you get used to that proximity.” Strategy doesn't replace athletic ability, though, so make sure to follow a training plan to get in tip-top shape. “On a group ride, at least you’re in close proximity with others,” Holcomb says, “And that helps a lot. Ride in a pack: Before you start racing, it’s a good idea to spend some time riding with other people to get used to drafting, moving around in a pack, and even sneaking in some sprints to town lines or to the local coffee shop.

I find when you’re racing locally, that’s not too hard, and if you can’t get there, you can use Google Maps and street view it if you can’t preview in person.” “I wanted to plan so there were as few surprises as possible, so what I did was always do a course recon. That way, I was prepared, even if I was nervous,” says Holcomb. Review the race course: “It was a lot of planning, for me, when I got started. Cristiano Gelato via Flickr Do Your Prep Work Follow these tips and you'll ready to start tackling whichever style of road racing you like.

Don spence professional bike racer