The Racing Thread..
Discussion
Yesterday, the final round of the Nutcracker series, starting at The Dales Bike Center, before three punishing laps up and around Fremington Edge near Reeth. Never have I ridden an XC race less suited to a rigid single speed, I was using too high a gear as well, it was a real struggle. Still great fun.
I suffered today in the first round of the Yorkshire Winter Cross series, on a long lap with lots of ups and downs. Not enough technically sections, where I usually make up time and too many long draggy straights that sap my legs.
All good 3 PX training though.
I suffered today in the first round of the Yorkshire Winter Cross series, on a long lap with lots of ups and downs. Not enough technically sections, where I usually make up time and too many long draggy straights that sap my legs.
All good 3 PX training though.
First cross race yesterday at Hoghton Tower near Preston. As usual, I was bothering the back of the field but the slippy, technical course really highlighted my lack of handling skills. I would pass people on the flat and up hill, only to watch them pass me on the downhill twisties. I felt I was getting faster as the race went on and I gained confidence. Next race in 3weeks for me!
Steve
Steve
Steve vRS said:
First cross race yesterday at Hoghton Tower near Preston. As usual, I was bothering the back of the field but the slippy, technical course really highlighted my lack of handling skills. I would pass people on the flat and up hill, only to watch them pass me on the downhill twisties. I felt I was getting faster as the race went on and I gained confidence. Next race in 3weeks for me!
Steve
First cross race? You fibber, I saw you at Tod...Steve
I'm Planning on doing a few NWCCA races later in the year, probably November time. You doing many?
Not a race per see but I'm pretty stoked with my time. Those continentals really know how to ride and they really do take gran fondos seriously. Nothing like Johnny MAMIL over here. The event was mass start last year but sadly knocked back to large waves this year by the authorities.
For the record, riding echelons in the opposite gutter is the epitome of cool.
https://www.strava.com/activities/391447117/overvi...
For the record, riding echelons in the opposite gutter is the epitome of cool.
https://www.strava.com/activities/391447117/overvi...
Ponk said:
Not a race per see but I'm pretty stoked with my time. Those continentals really know how to ride and they really do take gran fondos seriously. Nothing like Johnny MAMIL over here. The event was mass start last year but sadly knocked back to large waves this year by the authorities.
For the record, riding echelons in the opposite gutter is the epitome of cool.
https://www.strava.com/activities/391447117/overvi...
French 'sportives' are actually races most of the time. Ranked scoring, gold/silver/bronze medal times and prizes for the top 3 in each sex / age category. They do go all out, you'll normally find amateur U23s winning by a couple of minutes. For the record, riding echelons in the opposite gutter is the epitome of cool.
https://www.strava.com/activities/391447117/overvi...
The Look (148km in the Bourgogne) is great fun, but crazy fast - done it twice, average speeds 36-37 kmh, through-and-off for 4 hours.
Another tight village race, 67kms / 25 laps. Lacking killer instinct to properly break away, always manage to close down the attacks but don't seem to be able to break away fast enough myself. Finished 2nd in the sprint, marking the pack whilst 2 clubmates got 3rd and 4th. Didn't see the 1+2 riders get away at all, took us all by surprise when they got 50s on us.
Every time it rains, the locals make a comment about how I must prefer "the English weather". It's actually nice to not race in high 30'c though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/391574650
Every time it rains, the locals make a comment about how I must prefer "the English weather". It's actually nice to not race in high 30'c though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/391574650
gazza285 said:
First cross race? You fibber, I saw you at Tod...
I'm Planning on doing a few NWCCA races later in the year, probably November time. You doing many?
Sorry, first of the season, second ever!I'm Planning on doing a few NWCCA races later in the year, probably November time. You doing many?
Yes, planning on doing as many as I can. I really enjoyed Saturday. In hindsight of course, not at the time
Let me know when you are doing one. Are you still a senior or moved up to the more challenging vets
?Steve
Steve vRS said:
gazza285 said:
First cross race? You fibber, I saw you at Tod...
I'm Planning on doing a few NWCCA races later in the year, probably November time. You doing many?
Sorry, first of the season, second ever!I'm Planning on doing a few NWCCA races later in the year, probably November time. You doing many?
Yes, planning on doing as many as I can. I really enjoyed Saturday. In hindsight of course, not at the time
Let me know when you are doing one. Are you still a senior or moved up to the more challenging vets
?Steve
It'll depend on work which races I can get over for, I'll let you know.
Finally won my first road race this weekend. Pretty chuffed, hopefully can win a few more in the future now I know I can!
Full write up below.
http://www.twhatley.com/2015/09/sl-cutmill-3rd-cat...
Full write up below.
http://www.twhatley.com/2015/09/sl-cutmill-3rd-cat...
whatleytom said:
Finally won my first road race this weekend. Pretty chuffed, hopefully can win a few more in the future now I know I can!
Full write up below.
http://www.twhatley.com/2015/09/sl-cutmill-3rd-cat...
Great result on one of the tougher circuits in the South East!Full write up below.
http://www.twhatley.com/2015/09/sl-cutmill-3rd-cat...
Heard there was some fun with a marathon on the course though!
fromage said:
Great result on one of the tougher circuits in the South East!
Heard there was some fun with a marathon on the course though!
Thanks. Yeah it was a bit messy at times. The 2/3 race later in the afternoon ended up being abandoned due to it, I think they tried to cut the course down, using Seale road, then had a further incident with horses, at which point it was cancelled. Heard there was some fun with a marathon on the course though!
whatleytom said:
Finally won my first road race this weekend. Pretty chuffed, hopefully can win a few more in the future now I know I can!
Full write up below.
http://www.twhatley.com/2015/09/sl-cutmill-3rd-cat...
Great result dude! Enjoyed the write up too. Full write up below.
http://www.twhatley.com/2015/09/sl-cutmill-3rd-cat...
Tom only went and won another one this weekend, too! I'll let him report on that, strong end to the season for sure!
I did my last road race (probably) of the year, a handicap format, but over 60 miles on a fairly quick course, was good fun, being in the scratch group we did have to work a bit to reel them all in, took nearly 45 miles or so to catch the last folk out front.
When we were all together a few moves formed, of which I was aware, got into, and we went towards the finish as a 10-12 strong group, I kicked up the hill first, but went a bit too soon and got done near the line, but managed to cling on for 2nd. Was the hardest I've gone for that sort of duration or just shy of 1 minute approaching 850W, had I gone 5 seconds later I think I'd have managed it, but got a bit carried away.
Still need a few points to retain 1st cat status, but don't think I am going to bother - https://www.strava.com/activities/396222438
I did my last road race (probably) of the year, a handicap format, but over 60 miles on a fairly quick course, was good fun, being in the scratch group we did have to work a bit to reel them all in, took nearly 45 miles or so to catch the last folk out front.
When we were all together a few moves formed, of which I was aware, got into, and we went towards the finish as a 10-12 strong group, I kicked up the hill first, but went a bit too soon and got done near the line, but managed to cling on for 2nd. Was the hardest I've gone for that sort of duration or just shy of 1 minute approaching 850W, had I gone 5 seconds later I think I'd have managed it, but got a bit carried away.
Still need a few points to retain 1st cat status, but don't think I am going to bother - https://www.strava.com/activities/396222438
okgo said:
Tom only went and won another one this weekend, too! I'll let him report on that, strong end to the season for sure!
I did my last road race (probably) of the year, a handicap format, but over 60 miles on a fairly quick course, was good fun, being in the scratch group we did have to work a bit to reel them all in, took nearly 45 miles or so to catch the last folk out front.
When we were all together a few moves formed, of which I was aware, got into, and we went towards the finish as a 10-12 strong group, I kicked up the hill first, but went a bit too soon and got done near the line, but managed to cling on for 2nd. Was the hardest I've gone for that sort of duration or just shy of 1 minute approaching 850W, had I gone 5 seconds later I think I'd have managed it, but got a bit carried away.
Still need a few points to retain 1st cat status, but don't think I am going to bother - https://www.strava.com/activities/396222438
Cheers Rob, really satisfying race, I've written a report up on the blog for anyone interested, bit less of an essay than last time. Still not found any pics though I did my last road race (probably) of the year, a handicap format, but over 60 miles on a fairly quick course, was good fun, being in the scratch group we did have to work a bit to reel them all in, took nearly 45 miles or so to catch the last folk out front.
When we were all together a few moves formed, of which I was aware, got into, and we went towards the finish as a 10-12 strong group, I kicked up the hill first, but went a bit too soon and got done near the line, but managed to cling on for 2nd. Was the hardest I've gone for that sort of duration or just shy of 1 minute approaching 850W, had I gone 5 seconds later I think I'd have managed it, but got a bit carried away.
Still need a few points to retain 1st cat status, but don't think I am going to bother - https://www.strava.com/activities/396222438
http://www.twhatley.com/
Good to watch yesterday as well, shame to not take the win, but beating Atkins must have felt pretty good.
Edited by whatleytom on Monday 21st September 11:48
Get chasing those points. 4th to 2nd is a dream season! Same for you Rob, don't throw away the 1st cat.
By way of contrast I'm still tooling around with my sole point. Racing Cyclopark this weekend and the Maldon RR next week so there's hope yet.
My blog is a journal of mediocrity in comparisonhttp://off-the-back.com
By way of contrast I'm still tooling around with my sole point. Racing Cyclopark this weekend and the Maldon RR next week so there's hope yet.
My blog is a journal of mediocrity in comparison
http://off-the-back.comokgo said:
Haha, I don't want to have to race with people who don't have jobs any more!
I could probably get back to 1st cat fairly easily, I'm a lot better now than when I did it the first time.
Can't wait to get you back in the 2nd's!I could probably get back to 1st cat fairly easily, I'm a lot better now than when I did it the first time.
I'm only about month away from being to where I was Feb so winter series here I come again. Have only raced once since the start of March , fingers crossed next season I can stay injury/illness free!
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