MOD Chertsey this weekend

Shavedlegs
Shavedlegs Posts: 310
edited October 2007 in Pro race
Has anyone raced at Chertsey before? Just wondering what the circuit is like and the pace of the 3rd Cat races.
http://www.buycycles.co.uk

Comments

  • Stephen Sorba
    Stephen Sorba Posts: 1,036
    Chertsey can be quite quick as the circuit is relatively undemanding. Riders keep attacking but no one ever gets away so the pace stays high. You'll probably average around 40kph or a little less. See you there.
    'e pur si muove
  • Shavedlegs
    Shavedlegs Posts: 310
    Guess I'll be the one of riders attacking as I can't sprint for toffee.

    Say hello if you see me.
    http://www.buycycles.co.uk
  • kant314
    kant314 Posts: 79
    yeah...and there's always a massive crash in the final sprint.
    Unless you can sprint, stay well out of it on the last straight.
    MY TRAINING BLOG!!
  • Shavedlegs
    Shavedlegs Posts: 310
    But it isn't a narrow circuit is it?

    Brave/suicidial attack it is then.
    http://www.buycycles.co.uk
  • kant314
    kant314 Posts: 79
    no.
    The finishing straight is incredibly wide and about a mile long. Dead straight.
    People think they have so much room and can veer off course and not keep their line in a sprint which makes it incredibly dangerous.
    MY TRAINING BLOG!!
  • Simon Notley
    Simon Notley Posts: 1,263
    Chertsey is a good circuit, I got a few results there this season. It is composed of two distinct sections, the main straight and the back straight are linked by a wide curve but are effectively one long straight on a bike, these are linked by 'the snake' which is a sequence of corners and undulation which really mix things up as they allow the smaller, lighter more nimble riders to claw back some of the advantage they gave away on the flat section.

    Having said this, the pace isn't as high as it could be, as people tend to back off a little on the straight section as all the attacks tend to come on the snake. The reason no-one ever stays away is that the snake spits you straight out onto the mile-long, open, windy start-finish straight. If you can stay away on that, you would probably have won anyway!

    It's the transition from the snake to the final straight that also tends to result in pile ups.

    My advice: use your laps to learn about the circuit, learn what side of the bunch you need to start each section on in order to get the best line. When the sprint comes, make sure you get round the snake in the top 20, but don't get isolated at the front, then pick a good wheel and leave your sprint late... then leave it some more... the finishing straight is long!
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    I am an old geezer and interested in this mod chertsey.
    Do you mean you get into chertsey without security now or is this the old Chobham Cicuit.
    I used to visit Chertsey in the days they built Churchill Tanks 25 + years ago.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Chertsey is the QinetiQ / old MoD test circuit and not the Chertsey/Ottershaw road road circuit which is nearby.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Shavedlegs
    Shavedlegs Posts: 310
    Had a lovely time, great circuit. It is a shame but I understand it to be developed.

    Anyway you guys were right about everything. Lots of attacks amounting to nothing, some only getting a 100m.

    I broke away with 5 laps left, stayed away for 3.5 laps. You don't have a mathematical genius to realise I was caught with a little more than a lap left. Still found myself near the front through the snake on the final lap but some loon riding meant I braking more than peddling. Stayed safe to ride another day.
    http://www.buycycles.co.uk
  • happybadger
    happybadger Posts: 38
    I was there too - one of the 2 Kingston Wheelers.

    I remember your break - not sure how you were feeling with 1.5 laps to go, but I'm pretty certain if you could have stayed away for another half a lap you were in with a very good chance (easier said than done, I know!)

    Despite a slowish Chertsey race, the bunch was tiring by lap 18 and I'm not sure there was much of a will to chase.

    Anyway - well ridden, you were pretty active throughout.
  • Shavedlegs
    Shavedlegs Posts: 310
    Cheers HappyBadger your words mean quite a lot.

    A week on and I'm still struggling to get over my disappointment of what could have been. If I'd gone a little later? may be I could have given that little extra effort? did I defeat myself mentally?

    The bunch did seem tired. Of course it doesn't matter, I learnt a lot and enjoyed it. The problem I have is that I rarely get to race, so when I do I really want to perform and hopefully get some points.

    Next time....
    http://www.buycycles.co.uk
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    This is what I like to see in Race,people who do it and not just talk about it.
    Well done for having a bloody good go.
    Here's to next time.
    You will win races with your attitude of that I'm sure

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