The Racing Thread..

[Ponk]

Any of you boys raced the Ras de Cymru?

[okgo]

I've not but I know a fair few that have - its a pretty tough race by all accounts, usually packed full of development squad juniors, someone I race a fair bit with was right up there this year, I think he's now a 1st cat, but a very good rider and lightweight too so it suited him.

It ended with a 20 min climb up a mountain which is pretty rare for any races here, so certainly tough

[Sandersports]

Ponk said:

Any of you boys raced the Ras de Cymru?

Yes rode it 2 years ago ... Its good , and seriously well organised event and gets pretty serious for a race with no E/1s ... Its to the pace and standard of a good local NatB containing 5-10 E's . Great roads and very varied . Not many crashes and seemed safe. I was lucky also it didnt rain a single drop for all 6 stages . Would recommend it to any rider . However getting into it isn't that simple now due to demand and teams of 4 and taking up preference to individual riders being placed in a composite team .

[Ponk]

I've been reading a few blogs on it and it sounds fantastic. A great experience if nothing else. My club is thinking of entering a team. I'd love to try it but I can think of three obvious choices in our club which leaves a bun fight for the last spot.

There you go Rob, there's another incentive to hang up your cleats this year.

[Sandersports]

its 4 days off work (for 75% of the field) , which puts riders off actually committing after showing a interest months before .

[gazza285]

Rapha Supercross tomorrow and Sunday, should be fun...

http://pages.rapha.cc/cross/super-cross-uk

Come along if you can, I'll be racing in PH colours.

[Steve vRS]

It's my daughter's birthday party tomorrow so a cross-free weekend for me

Steve

[gazza285]

Another bloody mechanical, managed to unseat the rear tyre bead from the rim, and the inner tube sprang out like a big sausage. I'd done about a quarter of the last lap, I wasn't going to give in, so I ran with the bike on my shoulder. I even managed to catch and pass a rider on the last hill and outsprint him to the line, got a big cheer for it as well.

Do it all again tomorrow...

[Ponk]

9th (again!). Tough race! The quest for points (2) continues to Hillingdon next week. Any tips? Seems to be a circuit you can get away on.

https://www.strava.com/activities/414898239

[NatAsp]

Can anyone offer some advice on the best place to do a first race...?

Based on Sussex and I think my closest options are Cyclopark & Lee Valley. I've chosen a date of 28th November as (as I understand it) I don't need to worry about points given that they'll be reset on 1st December anyway. I can just make sure I keep up and get some essential experience before trying to be competitive.

Both venues have a race on that day: any opinions on which to go for? Will one be 'busier' than the other? Any other comments on whether this is an okay/rubbish plan will be gratefully taken on board!

[Rolls]

I've only raced at cyclopark : its a good track imo : why not pop down one weekend, and take an hour or so to see what you think of it as you're not too far away?

[okgo]

I've raced both a few times, I've never seen crashes at Cyclopark (though I'm sure its happened) but I've seen lots at the Olympic Park. Reasons are fairly simple, the latter is not a very selective circuit and has a lot of tight corners etc, and the sprint for the line is downhill so it gets a bit mental!

Cyclopark is exposed (always windy there) far longer, has many more corners that require a bit of skill and a drag etc that means if you're fit then you'll do well here, also people generally are sprinting up a long hill for the finish so its a bit more safe feeling IMO.

[Rolls]

Oh - and show have said every race bar one (which was my first thirds race) at yclopark has seen a crash or two...
Don't let that put you off though.. Hold your line: you'll identify the choppers early, and try to stick towards the sharp end of the bunch, and you'll be fine!
(the above is true mind - it is a little exposed, and the sprint / home straight is uphill!)

[NatAsp]

Thanks for the comments. Obviously the idea of fewer crashes appeals and have never been bothered about wind so Cyclopark wins in that sense. But as a fairly big guy for bike rider (87kg / 6ft 3) I'm slightly put off by the uphill sprint finish which means that a chunk of my extra power will count for nothing when it really matters!

[okgo]

NatAsp said:

Thanks for the comments. Obviously the idea of fewer crashes appeals and have never been bothered about wind so Cyclopark wins in that sense. But as a fairly big guy for bike rider (87kg / 6ft 3) I'm slightly put off by the uphill sprint finish which means that a chunk of my extra power will count for nothing when it really matters!

No, but the good thing with CP is that if you're fit then hopefully it will be a much reduced bunch to win from vs the LV which will probably have most of the field going for the same few points.

[NatAsp]

okgo said:

No, but the good thing with CP is that if you're fit then hopefully it will be a much reduced bunch to win from vs the LV which will probably have most of the field going for the same few points.

That's a good point actually. Decision made, cheers.

[okgo]

NatAsp said:

That's a good point actually. Decision made, cheers.

In theory the crashes happen when that is the case, too many people with too much energy going for first ten places down a hill on a tight circuit, sounds a lot less appealing than CP to me

[Ponk]

M

okgo said:

NatAsp said:

That's a good point actually. Decision made, cheers.

In theory the crashes happen when that is the case, too many people with too much energy going for first ten places down a hill on a tight circuit, sounds a lot less appealing than CP to me

4th cat at Velopark is basically a club run (with some shonky riding) for 45 minutes followed by an almighty charge for the line. 40 guys charging down a narrow track with a few twists approaching the line can be absolute carnage.

I agree with the others, Cyclopark is a much better starting point. The uphill finish is a drag rather than a kick so if anything it favours the stronger heavier rider. Particularly if it's windy (I.e. Always!).

I'd almost be tempted to avoid a race in late November as those racing are likely to be desperately chasing points. I found the winter series at Hog Hill to be a great place to start. The circuit is hard but it hurts everyone. If you can get round there you will be fine for any of the other circuits in the South East.

[okgo]

Back to 2nd cat for me next year, I hope it will mean I enjoy races again, it was getting a bit dull and lonely going to the E12 stuff on my own each week, I wasn't really enjoying it all that much. I made a decision to stop racing a few weeks ago, I'd likely have got the 15 points needed otherwise but having thought about what I want from the hobby, its to have fun, and I think racing with more of my team mates more locally (so bored of having to drive to the depths of Kent to race!) would be more fun - my main aspirations on the road are with the TT's, so the road stuff will be for fun, and I want to win a few more races next year, who knows I'll probably get close to going back to 1st cat anyway, but its more about enjoyment for me.

[anonymous-user]

okgo said:

Back to 2nd cat for me next year, I hope it will mean I enjoy races again, it was getting a bit dull and lonely going to the E12 stuff on my own each week, I wasn't really enjoying it all that much. I made a decision to stop racing a few weeks ago, I'd likely have got the 15 points needed otherwise but having thought about what I want from the hobby, its to have fun, and I think racing with more of my team mates more locally (so bored of having to drive to the depths of Kent to race!) would be more fun - my main aspirations on the road are with the TT's, so the road stuff will be for fun, and I want to win a few more races next year, who knows I'll probably get close to going back to 1st cat anyway, but its more about enjoyment for me.

It's absolutely true that you're only fast when you're happy One of the contributors to me not being bothered was driving 3hr round trips for 50mins of riding midweek. Fun for a while, but....