How to start?

[turbomax]

I bought a road bike so I could do charity rides with my girlfriend, and I kinda wanted one, but I told her it was just for her. We did a couple rides together then she quit riding. I kept riding and eventually did a century, (the hardest 6 hours of my cycling life) nothing to fast but I was still enjoying it. Then I started school, we had a son, and I have not ridden it much in the past two years. I was never very fast and could not hang with the A group on the few rides I went too. But watching the Roswell crit this year I kinda want to try racing. What should I do to get into it, are there beginner races, I never hear about them like I do mountain bike races. I know I need to start doing some group rides, to get used to riding in a pack, but what else can I do to get ready. Is there a milestone I should try to get to before I start, or can I just go out and do it to see how I like it?

[Apond]

I've been racing mtn for a couple years and am also looking to do some road, because road offers way better rewards. More payout/ prizes. Not sure why, especially since mtn seems much harder. I've found that you need to learn the rules of the road. Good etiquette while riding in groups, how to ride a crit, tt, road race etc. Road racing requires the ability to utilize other riders to make your sucessess, whether its drafting or teaming up to break away from the pack. Look for local races that arent actual races to build your skills and you will quickly notice your road bike skills, and ability improve quickly. We have a sports club in town that offers fun races every other week and usually are a different disipline every time. dont go out for the century right off the bat. Build up and get strong. It will take some time.