Our local road race is coming up in mid-May. It’s generally quite small (like 30-40 racers), and aside from the pointy end, everyone ends up spread out by a minute or more. There are usually only a handful of women, one or two of whom are incredibly strong racers (last year, a woman was the overall winner).
I think I’d like to participate because it’s a nice event, and I think it would be fun for me to go out and ride hard. Realistically, I’ll be in the back 25%, and I’ll be on my own for the vast majority of the race.
Have you done something similar? What would your general pacing strategy be? This race is on a rolling course, 22 miles with about 1600 ft of climbing. Gradual downhill start. Very steep finish.
Just some food for thought on it - if you have a power meter maybe try some Strava stalking on mid-back of the field racers (all genders) with trying to see how the race shakes out over the past few years for power, speed, HR info especially in the first 5-10miles.
Generally it will likely be hard right off the bat or first hill, you’d want to push a bit hard to stick with some strong riders but not too hard, with the hope you can then settle in to some sort of tempo pace with a group of 2-4 riders for the middle to help cut the wind… assuming then the final hill/hills will blow it apart once people are cooked. For a 22mile race, it’s not too long, you can afford to put in some work early, then lay in the draft for part of the time after.
Can also create a segment on Strava for start of race and then do the ‘fly by’ compare to see how the pace and people getting drop looks in the first 20% of the event.
Just had my local club 10k race on Sunday, have a local sprint triathlon coming up (20k bike). My strategy is something I’ve worked on for a number of seasons.
GO HAAAAAAARD!
I blew up halfway on Sunday, but it was fun And sometimes I don’t blow up Cheer on your friends and above all enjoy it.
And sometimes I don’t blow up 
Cheer on your friends and above all enjoy it. 