The Racing Thread..

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Seeing as we have the wattage thread for all things power-based, figured it would be a good idea to have a race report thread for those who are thinking of starting to to some racing, be it track / mtb or road?
Ideal for people who are thinking about racing in the future / want to share some experiences or such?

I'll start : 4th race this year was Sat afternoon, 4ths @ cyclopark: every race thus far i've been caught up behind an accident of some description (and this was no different, although this time I managed to get around it quickly and back onto the main pack at the front).
Tried to do minimal work where possible (although fond myself on the front for a little bit) and hoped that it would all come together at the end: which is exactly how things panned out..
Start of the last lap was prob running in 20th ish, so had a bit of work to do: made my way up, and after the last proper bend found myself just outside the top 10 : as the pace started to increase I found myself going past people, and the legs still felt ok, so was a case of giving it everything I could and see how things go.. Sprint went ok, and ended up 4th: very happy! Just need to get entering some more now before the end of the summer!

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PulsatingStar said:

Congratulations on the result. I was in this race too. It was my 2nd race altogether, and in my first I just punctured so didnt really experience much of the race. I enjoyed the race although half way through I really felt like I was struggled and wouldnt make it. I seemed to get a 2nd wind near the end though.

I think the home straight was my worst section of track, so tried to not go too early in the final run for the line. My sprint timing was ok and I was absolutely flying towards people closing in on the finish and managed to get 8th over the line which I am happy with. In hindsight I think I could have a couple more places from going earlier, and being slightly nearer the front on the last lap.

Pretty pleased with how it went overall.

Nice one! Means there were 3 ph'ers at least in the race then!

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stongle said:

Had I got to CycloPark earlier on Sat, would’ve cheered you on! We hired the track from about 3p.m. onwards for Club Race Training. It was pretty windy down the back straight, but nicely on your back up to the finishline. How fast did the race run? Still aiming to race at least once this year; but think I’m down on power for the sprint.

I really do need to get out with you guys, esp as I live 400 meters from Sidcup cycles!

Here is my strava feed : it includes a warm up, and half a lap after :
https://www.strava.com/activities/353630819

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MTB you'll find most quick folk for endurance / xc will be on a hard tail IME!

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madzo14 said:

4th cat racer here over in N.I. Haven't raced in a few months. Not had much luck in my races this year with either getting boxed in in the sprint finish, caught up in a crash or people just slowing down in front of you in a sprint finish causing chaos. Managed two point finishes.

Been costing me a fortune with entry fees and petrol driving round the country to get to races. One crit is charging £15 at the Titanic Centre in August and the 4th cat crit is 15/20mins of racing plus a couple of laps which is a tad steep I reckon.

20 mins for a crit race? hardly worth it is it? - all of the ones i've done have been a min 45mins + 3 laps :-)

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4ths race at cyclopark this arvo! Got second place! Over the moon is not the word - even got some prize money! I'm currently on cloud nine! Means I'll be up into 3rds too... Looks like it'll be back to hiding get in the bunch next time out and trying not to get dropped for at least 20 mins!

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First thirds race at cyclopark for me today - was bricking it as I thought the pace would be much quicker than the 4ths..
Went well, legs felt ok, and kept in the bunch the whole time... There were a few attacks which got chased down pretty quick, compared with 4ths everyone just seemed a little more clued up.. Although there were still a few people not holding lines etc, which comes as no surprise!
4 to go, and my foot moved slightly, then after the hairpin... Crack... Pedal axel snapped... Tits..,
Still.. Encouraged with how I went... Pace was a little higher than the 4ths, but nothing I couldn't cope with.
Then I got to play photographer for the 4ths.. Got a few good shots of the guys in the club, so a good day all round
Roll on the next one!

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okgo said:

. I think as Tom said, if you really want to hit it now and live in London and can travel by car or have slight flex at work then you can race 3 or 4 times a week for months on end.

If only I were able to race once every week, let alone 3 or 4 times a week! - as you say, thats a massive commitment by those able to do so which obviously reaps rewards as they'll be getting that much quicker just through the miles they do race wise! Just ashame the commute into london down the old kent road isn't as good a training as it could otherwise be spending 45mins on the bike twice a day!

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Ponk said:

Had a good day at Cyclopark today and took 3rd in the 4th only. It was a terrifying race frankly with some seriously shonky riding. That coupled with a fairly sedate pace for the first half made if pretty nervous.

I hung off the back for the first half, moved up to 3rd/4th wheel for the start of the penultimate lap, managed to stay 3rd-6th wheel all the way to the final straight and picked the right wheel to follow for the sprint. 1st was a good few bike lengths away but I was inches off 2nd!

Just need to find another 4 points now. :-) Power was unimpressive and my heart rate was higher than a 3/4 I did a month or so ago which was a much harder race. I've been suffering with manflu this week so I think thats still lingering.

https://www.strava.com/activities/400544756

Great result! means all going well we'll be racing together next year then : no pressure! :-)

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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?

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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!)