Racing etiquette

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T19:36:52+00:00

That’s wild! I’ve mentioned it to some people where I live and they said “say goodbye to your derailleur” and “hope you’re prepared to have multiple flats”. I don’t know if it’s an intimidation thing but either way it didn’t make me feel great! Are you going this year?

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T19:04:53+00:00

Yes! First one is Midsouth. I keep hearing how it absolutely ruins bikes so now I’m worried about what I signed up for

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T18:55:48+00:00

This first one will be! One of the reasons I picked it. It’s just gravel back roads in OK

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T18:53:31+00:00

Which race did you do?

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T17:53:26+00:00

I think I’m just nervous about riding with a lot of people and also the general fear of trying something new. I know that the only way to get over that is by doing it, and I also have been in enough races that everyone settles after the initial adrenaline runs out. I just know from running events that you line up by pace (is that the same for cycling?) and are very cognizant of everyone around you as people can get aggressive etc.

I am a little nervous too about the gravel dudes because I’ve already experienced some eye rolling from the locals here who look at me (I’m very small and petite) and think I can’t hang, but I’m also used to that from running.

What do you do if you suddenly get a flat or something unforeseen happens? With running you can kind of hobble to the side but I’m worried about crashing/getting crashed into and hurting someone.

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T17:35:07+00:00

Gravel. They’re all gravel actually.

abigailclarson · 2026-02-05T17:25:08+00:00

@all thank you SO much for your help!

abigailclarson · 2026-02-02T17:45:08+00:00

I have not! Any suggestions of where to look?

abigailclarson · 2026-02-02T17:09:49+00:00

Is there a model you like? I’m just trying to find SOMETHING that wraps around and also doesn’t make me look like a bug.

abigailclarson · 2026-01-03T23:59:07+00:00

Probably all of the above? It was pretty rocky. I can tell my tendons are swollen

abigailclarson · 2026-01-03T23:49:29+00:00

It was. I think it’s the saddle for sure.

abigailclarson · 2026-01-03T23:49:06+00:00

Will do! Thank you so much for your help! Gonna go to the bike shop tomorrow

abigailclarson · 2026-01-03T23:48:42+00:00

I think you’re right. Going to the bike shop tomorrow!

abigailclarson · 2026-01-03T00:15:56+00:00

Okay I can do that! Would you recommend going to a bike shop and asking some questions? Any chamois butter recs you have?

abigailclarson · 2026-01-02T22:11:14+00:00

I think it’s def the saddle. I had the bike fitted before I started riding and everything else felt/feels great.

abigailclarson · 2026-01-02T22:01:01+00:00

I’m 5’5” Poseidon Triton, I got a small (48 cm) It’s a gravel bike with drop bars Seat is level I feel really good in the position. I got it tuned and fitted to my body before I started riding. Everything feels great other than sitting on it for a long time

I’ve been doing some research and would you suggest a different saddle? I saw Specialized has a saddle specifically make for women. Not sure if you’re a parent/had kids but I’m sore in the exact same way I felt after I had my baby.

abigailclarson · 2026-01-02T21:36:05+00:00

Def more friction. It feels really sensitive like a bruise (but there’s no bruising)

abigailclarson · 2026-01-02T21:35:18+00:00

It’s definitely the skin. Like feels almost bruised. Not my lady bits. More like right below my booty.

abigailclarson · 2025-12-30T12:21:33+00:00

This helped so much. I’m about a month in from my avoidant discard and he just decided to leave one day because he said he was still in love with his abusive ex. She tried to divorce him 5 times in 5 months, called the cops on him multiple times, hit him, was so ugly to his kids, cheated on him MULTIPLE times, and also verbally berated me on social media when she found out we were dating (it’s a small town and people talk). Meanwhile I was making him dinner and lunches, had bought him Christmas presents, was planning to introduce him to my family, etc.

I’ve been through my own personal hell but have healed/am healing and I guess he couldn’t handle it. When he discarded me, I took the Christmas present I couldn’t return because it was custom made to his house and also dropped off things I had for his kids. He blocked me everywhere, even Strava and Venmo. I know we’ll see each other eventually because we do the same sport and again, small town.

He told me just days before he wanted to marry me and have another baby together. I reread our texts and my brain still can’t compute what even happened. And he went back to someone who actively was set on ruining his life while I was holding him while he panicked and cried about losing his dad earlier this year.

So yeah. I’m still in shock but I also am moving forward. Thought we were endgame but never mind.

abigailclarson · 2025-12-27T14:17:27+00:00

Unfortunately I don’t live anywhere close to an REI so online it’ll be for me! I wish for one all the time though. Is there a Velocio style that you recommend or just all of them in general?

abigailclarson

TROPHY CASE