Race Results 2013
Discussion
DocJH said:
Took part in my first ever road race yesterday (50, not very fit and slightly too heavy) and came.....last. Well, it wouldn't have been last but the chap that was behind me DNFd. Still, I've now taken the plunge and the only way is up.
Well done taking the plunge. Get stuck in and enjoy it. Rocksteadyeddie said:
Well done taking the plunge. Get stuck in and enjoy it.
Thanks. There was a certain sense of achievement. I'd been putting it off for the fear of coming last which, having been fairly competitive in years gone by, is quite something to come to terms with. But as my daughter is now road legal for racing and as I have to get up to take her, I might as well put the hanging around time to good use.I think I've just got out of Cat 4 after 3 races... It's harder than people would first suggest. You've got really keen people putting attacks in and then blow 20 seconds later. Whilst it is pointless the rest of the field picks up pace to keep with the attack then slows when the attacker blow, it's a lot more up and down.
The Cat 2's+ maintain a pace, take corners much better and are just on that next level. I train with Cat 2's+ fairly regular ( twice a week normally ) and wouldn't say the gap is huge, I'm a better climber than most of them but struggle on the flats when they are doing 26mph for 10 minutes + through and off.
I can see why people would say it's a hard group to get out off. I'm actually chuffed that I've done it so early having only had a road bike since November. So, if you're debating giving it a go, do it and remember how to ride in a straight line around corners, I've seen some nice bits of carbon go flying down the road.
Good thread, keep the posts coming. Nice to have a bit of chat with fellow racers and the gunna-be's.
The Cat 2's+ maintain a pace, take corners much better and are just on that next level. I train with Cat 2's+ fairly regular ( twice a week normally ) and wouldn't say the gap is huge, I'm a better climber than most of them but struggle on the flats when they are doing 26mph for 10 minutes + through and off.
I can see why people would say it's a hard group to get out off. I'm actually chuffed that I've done it so early having only had a road bike since November. So, if you're debating giving it a go, do it and remember how to ride in a straight line around corners, I've seen some nice bits of carbon go flying down the road.
Good thread, keep the posts coming. Nice to have a bit of chat with fellow racers and the gunna-be's.
McFsC said:
I think I've just got out of Cat 4 after 3 races... It's harder than people would first suggest. You've got really keen people putting attacks in and then blow 20 seconds later. Whilst it is pointless the rest of the field picks up pace to keep with the attack then slows when the attacker blow, it's a lot more up and down.
Saying that there was a cat4 race I was in the other week where a break of 3 went about halfway in. The bunch never caught them up. Some v strong riders even in the cat 4 races.Every future elite/1st/2nd cat starts as a 4th cat remember!
As said the gulf is pretty large between a s
t 4th cat and a good 3rd cat, and the difference again between a good 3rd and a good 2nd is a lot.
It isn't easy to get to 2nd cat, you can't fluke a result, you do need to get a fair few results to do it, and obviously to go from 2nd to 1st you have to be a strong rider who can turn in performances in most races you enter. And really Elite is probably not much different you just have to probably do more races. When you get to this level the issue isn't so much you as a rider its about the team around you as most of the elites in the UK have teams of 6 or more strong riders around them, you cannot compete if you're a one man band from a club.
As said the gulf is pretty large between a s
t 4th cat and a good 3rd cat, and the difference again between a good 3rd and a good 2nd is a lot.It isn't easy to get to 2nd cat, you can't fluke a result, you do need to get a fair few results to do it, and obviously to go from 2nd to 1st you have to be a strong rider who can turn in performances in most races you enter. And really Elite is probably not much different you just have to probably do more races. When you get to this level the issue isn't so much you as a rider its about the team around you as most of the elites in the UK have teams of 6 or more strong riders around them, you cannot compete if you're a one man band from a club.
Edited by okgo on Wednesday 13th March 11:33
okgo said:
Every future elite/1st/2nd cat starts as a 4th cat remember!
As said the gulf is pretty large between a st 4th cat and a good 3rd cat, and the difference again between a good 3rd and a good 2nd is a lot.
It isn't easy to get to 2nd cat, you can't fluke a result, you do need to get a fair few results to do it, and obviously to go from 2nd to 1st you have to be a strong rider who can turn in performances in most races you enter. And really Elite is probably not much different you just have to probably do more races. When you get to this level the issue isn't so much you as a rider its about the team around you as most of the elites in the UK have teams of 6 or more strong riders around them, you cannot compete if you're a one man band from a club.
First race this year Cyclopark As said the gulf is pretty large between a s
t 4th cat and a good 3rd cat, and the difference again between a good 3rd and a good 2nd is a lot.It isn't easy to get to 2nd cat, you can't fluke a result, you do need to get a fair few results to do it, and obviously to go from 2nd to 1st you have to be a strong rider who can turn in performances in most races you enter. And really Elite is probably not much different you just have to probably do more races. When you get to this level the issue isn't so much you as a rider its about the team around you as most of the elites in the UK have teams of 6 or more strong riders around them, you cannot compete if you're a one man band from a club.
Felt pretty good although legs were battered from lots of climbing in Tenerife. In hindsight I shouldn't have raced with only two days rest. The pace was quite high but the new bike felt awesome. Three went off the front with 10 laps to go and at 5 laps to go I felt my legs starting to fade so decided to go for it and try to catch them, two others joined me. I thought three of us would work together but after two turns on the front they both dropped off and the next thing the pack passed me on the finish straight. At the end I was 20 secs off of them a bit pissed off but there you go, it happens.
From the riders I know 2nd/1st is achievable if you are a very good club rider, Elite level is pretty much semi-pro as i understand it and the amount of races you need to do is quite high. I've heard comments about 4ths being 'slow' etc but it really depends on the race/series. The main difference is the pace changes. With E123 you find a sustained pace which gets very tough, 4ths are stop/start and most times very nervous in the corners. I didn't like it and made a big effort to move on.
IME moving from 4th to 3rd was ok but I still needed a few races (six or so) to get the points. In those races I learnt a bit of track craft and made the usual beginners mistakes. Lowest point was expecting to turn up and destroy everyone then having a DNF as a result of blowing up trying to go off the front, bit of a lesson that one. My advice is that no matter what level you think you are go into it open minded, sometimes a couple of quick lads will show up and make the field look stupid, you'll see them the following week destroying the 3rds
End of the day unless you are a certain age this is amateur racing to a. have a bit of fun and b. to improve your fitness. Really hoping to get my 2nd cat this year but need to pull my finger out. I think I know the power needed and when the cold weather is over things will easier. Fingers crossed
BTW Good effort okgo on the RR...did you see KB in the press release yet, it's great news.
6 races so far this season. I'm only getting back into racing after several years off.
So far have done 2 combined A1/2/3 races, came 3rd and 5th.
In the A3 races I have finished top 15 each time but not placed. I'm just not willing to take the risks that some people are when it comes to sketchy sprint finishes.
Still, I should move up soon enough.
So far have done 2 combined A1/2/3 races, came 3rd and 5th.
In the A3 races I have finished top 15 each time but not placed. I'm just not willing to take the risks that some people are when it comes to sketchy sprint finishes.
Still, I should move up soon enough.
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