The Racing Thread..

Author
Discussion

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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Bugger, is it really that bad?

okgo

37,859 posts

197 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
quotequote all
All 4th cat racing is generally full of crashes and that circuit is generally one of the worst for it. If I were you I would go to Cyclopark or Hog Hill.

z4RRSchris

11,221 posts

178 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
quotequote all
nah gruffy, its not that bad.

im racing there on wednesday night in the 3/4. Now i have have my lines sorted (dont end up on the inside of the hairpins!) i think it will be much safer.

i still dont bring my zipps however. I do have have a spare pair of alu hoops though if you want.






fromage

537 posts

202 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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It seems to be up there with Hillingdon for crashes in the lower category races, though I have had some enjoyable races there.

Most common place for crashes to occur seems to be just before the bridge as it narrows slightly after the start/finish, well apart from the usual mass bunch sprint for 40th place. I was lucky enough to be taken out by someone in a completely different race there before as he decided it was a good idea to sprint round us on the grass for around 20-30th place in the 4th cat race.

Hog Hill & Cyclopark are much safer and more enjoyable circuits though!

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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That's the trouble with tarmac, it's bloody hard.

Had a great time at Dudmaston on Sunday, fun course, which suited my single speed well. Another middle of the pack finish, but who cares when you are having fun?

A couple of weeks off now, next race on the seventh of June, back cyclocross racing in the Yorkshire Summer League, at Middleton Park, where I managed to knock myself out last year...

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
quotequote all
okgo said:
All 4th cat racing is generally full of crashes and that circuit is generally one of the worst for it. If I were you I would go to Cyclopark or Hog Hill.
Noted, ta. From a crash-dodging point-of-view, do you think I'm better off doing 4th cat only and trying to get enough points for 3rd ASAP or go for 3/4 races now? I really don't mind getting my arse kicked but I'm really not excited about crashing. I'm too old for that st and I don't bounce as well as I used to.

citizenmtb

1,495 posts

177 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2017
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Gruffy said:
Noted, ta. From a crash-dodging point-of-view, do you think I'm better off doing 4th cat only and trying to get enough points for 3rd ASAP or go for 3/4 races now? I really don't mind getting my arse kicked but I'm really not excited about crashing. I'm too old for that st and I don't bounce as well as I used to.
Think that could be where the most crashes are?

I'm 3 races in to the Castle Combe Summer Series in 3/4 race and it gets hairy in the last 2 laps, I guess the solid advice would be to drop back in the final 2 and just watch it unfold. Personally, I've been finding it tough holding the line in some corners or even when bunched up with the buffeting air.

Watch the racesmart series by GCN on youtube, It's helpful. And don't be afraid to communicate your position if you are inside/outside of someone or going to move in/out.

I've been wondering why they don't make cat 4's wear a black X like in motorsport to be totally honest!

My stats for the last race:

Time: 57:03
Avg pwr: 232
NP: 271
Weighted Avg: 247 (What is the difference between NP and this? other than 24...)
Dist: 26.0mi

Edited by citizenmtb on Tuesday 23 May 22:33

z4RRSchris

11,221 posts

178 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
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Full Gas 3/4's tonight at Lee Valley.

wasn't feeling great, i did a sprints session on monday and was on track last night. Was thinking of not racing but thought if i get dropped then fair enough.

much different to the 4's, lots of attacking off the front and constant chasing down moves. shattering. i thought we had about 5 laps to go, but then heard the bell. massively out of position but recovered to top 20 ish, no point sprinting just roll through. only one crash tonight and was a dude going too fast who couldn't make a corner and went into the bushes.

stats: (inc the neutral lap and cool down)

34.4km
42.7kph
182bpm average
252W average / 280W NP


JEA1K

2,485 posts

222 months

Friday 26th May 2017
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Managed to bag my first win last night ... been close a few times so this was overdue. Its a lumpy 11 mile circuit with a steep climb half way round which saps the legs and a hill sprint finish which takes some getting up at speed. All in all, and I say I can't climb, these aren't really long enough to cause too much of an issue ... not that it was easy probably being the oldest (or one of) in the field.

Kept myself towards the front all race but really didnt get my nose in the wind ... few breaks went but as usual in 3/4 races, they're pulled back. The only break I thought would stick was last time up the steep climb ... 8 of us broke away but got chased down. So after that, it was a case of conserving energy and waiting to time the finish up hill sprint. Worked through the bunch which slowed at the bottom of the hill ... and fought through the bodies to get my nose in front. Probably about a wheel's length in it but hey, a win is a win. smile

Looking at the Strava segment, its a 22 second climb and I averaged 949w peaking at 1208w ... thought I'd be nearer 1300w but it was enough this time. 2 week break has done me good ... next is a tough and lumpy 2/3/4 not far from me, hopefully current the form will continue.

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Friday 26th May 2017
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JEA1K said:
Managed to bag my first win last night ... been close a few times so this was overdue.
Nice one JEA1K...

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Friday 26th May 2017
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Congratulations. Those are some big numbers for 22s at the end of a hilly race!

z4RRSchris

11,221 posts

178 months

Friday 26th May 2017
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you ready for tomorrow Darren?

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Friday 26th May 2017
quotequote all
A ferocious bout of food poisoning yesterday means I'm ready for hill climbing! I may not have the full arsenal of watts available though. I'm eating again but still 1.5kg under my Wednesday weight. Hopefully recovered enough for tomorrow. I'm nervously looking forward to it. Do you have anybody with you taking photos?

z4RRSchris

11,221 posts

178 months

Friday 26th May 2017
quotequote all
Gruffy said:
A ferocious bout of food poisoning yesterday means I'm ready for hill climbing! I may not have the full arsenal of watts available though. I'm eating again but still 1.5kg under my Wednesday weight. Hopefully recovered enough for tomorrow. I'm nervously looking forward to it. Do you have anybody with you taking photos?
No camera man unfortunately, the misses is doing something else, i'm flying solo.

Hackney CC have one but nothing great.

www.cyclingclubhackney.co.uk/primavera-circuit-3--...


JEA1K

2,485 posts

222 months

Friday 26th May 2017
quotequote all
Thanks chaps, kept plenty in reserve for the last gallop up ... totally blew up last yr when I raced on the same circuit so was in no mood to repeat it. :-)

z4RRSchris

11,221 posts

178 months

Saturday 27th May 2017
quotequote all
3rd race. Lee Valley 4ths today. Gruffy made the PH team 2.

very windy back straight. Didn't feel to bad. me and a strong chap from cambridge went with a lap to go, took the lone rider ahead and finished 1/2. top notch. now into Cat 3 with 15 points.

stats inc warm up and roll down.

34.3km
39.8kph
264W
294NP
183HR



Edited by z4RRSchris on Sunday 28th May 08:24

z4RRSchris

11,221 posts

178 months

Sunday 28th May 2017
quotequote all
ok go?

question i can't find the answer to.

i've entered two 4ths races over next few weeks. can i still race in them? i've got enough points from 4th to 3rd but i doubt they will show till wednesday / thursday.


citizenmtb

1,495 posts

177 months

Sunday 28th May 2017
quotequote all
z4RRSchris said:
ok go?

question i can't find the answer to.

i've entered two 4ths races over next few weeks. can i still race in them? i've got enough points from 4th to 3rd but i doubt they will show till wednesday / thursday.
Congrats!

I don't think its an issue, elites and 1st's race in our 3/4's at castle Combe to lead out their team mates, pretty unfair IMO but seems to be allowed.

okgo

37,859 posts

197 months

Sunday 28th May 2017
quotequote all
Is there not a 3rd cat race you can transfer into? I think you're ok to still race, though I'd personally not want to, just another two chances for being taken out biggrin

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Monday 29th May 2017
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Thanks to Chris for the hand holding on my first race. It was quite comfortable up the front but got increasingly more terrifying the further back I went. There were a couple of erratic riders that made me nervous and I typically took some wide lines around the corners. The wind was too strong for a break to stick so it was just cruising around until the final lap and a half. I worked back to the front around the right time but lost a step avoiding a wobble ahead of me and couldn't make up the deficit on the final lap. I passed 6-7 before the last corner and a few more sprinting to the line, but I think I finished just outside of the points.

45:00
32.9km
40.3kph
256W
280NP (86% IF)

The spikiest power profile I've ever had (probably exacerbated by taking safer wide lines). 500/600W out of corners and then freewheeling past people on straights or on the brakes to avoid half-wheeling. I was suffering with food poisoning and hadn't been able to keep much down for the last two days but I don't think it affected me. The sprint was a (unspectacular) max effort but the rest was relatively comfortable, despite being a bit different to what I'm used to.

I should probably roll the dice and stay in the bunch, saving the energy to then get further up into a safer spot for the closing laps. Of the field there were only three riders that made me nervous. I think that's just something I need to get comfortable with. I didn't crash (or cause any agro) and I didn't st myself, so I'm happy enough for the first outing. Interesting experience. I'm signed up for another at Cyclopark on the 8th.