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@stelle
and to add to what Rachel says - there's no real way of working out what time you race a certain distance in. It's wierd to get your head round but often you turn up at a race having no idea how long it is. It doesn't matter how fast you go or how far as long as you go as fast and as far as everyone else! it's more about tactics, riding with a bunch and getting over the line. If you have base fitness you'll be ok. The surrey league crits are a good place to start, and start at the beginning of the season when there will be other people starting too. As soon as you do it you get it, and the mystery and confusion goes. The internet will only fuel your fears, and I speak as someone who spent hours googling a competitor and getting stressed about how amazing she must be - met her and because she seems lovely I don't mind how awesome she is because all my fears have evaporated.
I also hear talk that it takes 3 seasons of racing to get your race legs, so I'm looking forward to 2011!