The Race Reports Thread 2011

jibberjim

Last year I started this with:

"Come on then lets make this a dedicated race report thread. It will be especially great to hear from Newbies and those that are starting to progress. I'm in my 2nd year of racing and I'm hoping to bag a point this year and rack up the finishes as a 3rd cat racer. "

And I succeeded, I finished a few races, I won a point - in a team time trial so not really me. Some of the people who ride on club runs with me think I slightly under-achieve though. My goals for this year are much the same, other than I'd like a point in my own right and I'll probably have much more time to race as we're having our first child in June...

And on with my report.

Hog Hill 3/4 San Fairy Ann Crits 27/02/11

As Maryka was commissairing at Hog Hill, I decided I'd start my racing season with a 3/4's crit. Hog Hill has not been the circuit for me (but then where has been?) 2 laps completed in my previous 2 races.

It was very wet, very miserable and I almost didn't bother starting, but I had to really. Despite taking my Skinsuit, aero gloves etc. I dressed for warmth, a regular base layer, 2 wool base layers, a windproof jacket, a club jersey and club gilet. 2 pairs of gloves - all to make sure I didn't attack from the gun just to stay warm.

Found on the first lap - indeed it'd seemed likely on the warm up, that I didn't appear to be able to corner aswell as anyone else - maybe the crap winter tyres I had on, but I was losing 3 bike lengths through the sweeping 180degree corners on the bottom of the course. The fast downhill/uphill transition at the top of the course I was handling much better though - perhaps just flattered by my accelleration out of it.

First few laps followed a predictable pattern, I'd go to the back of the bunch of 30 through the bends, move up on the straight and then ride the hill at the front - lap 3 I actually went hard for the minute before the hill to see what might happen. There was nothing I'd really call an attack through the first few laps but a few people strung out the group and gaps opened, I was all very relaxed - but always at the back through those corners.

Lap 5 the corners were taken slow, so I was nearer the front - and I attacked getting a pretty good gap before the hill, I didn't go all out up the hill hoping some others may join me and by the time I crested one guy had. I went hard over the top and up the next hill before calling him through, he was a bit half hearted and two more were joining us. They didn't seem interested in driving it though. And it was those corners where I'm just rubbish so I couldn't. And everyone came back to us.

A couple more laps - always meeting people at the start/finish line rejoining after laps out - take spare wheels if you race Hog Hill! I tested a few more legs a couple more times and it would split up quite easily always with the same few people on the right side of the split. No-one probably saw the point of working.

Half way through the 5 laps to go lap a guy in red went, and got a reasonable gap without anyone chasing. Adam Stone, a North Road rider who'd looked utterly assured the entire race, not working always in any move went after him shortly after with me still stuck moving up after my "go to the back through the corners tactic" So it was a bit later I went after them both. It took me about a lap to catch them, along with another guy who'd come after me and had been on my wheel for the 2nd half of the chase.

So with 2 laps to go, Adam Stone was slightly ahead up the hill and 3 of us were just behind. On the steep part of the hill my spin it easy technique had me passed by the other 2 guys and I was last in the line in the break. Down the hill through the corner that I'd previously done okay... I skidded out crashed down, ripped up my clothes covered myself in blood and watched the bunch ride by (actually it was just 8 guys, the bunch were even further back)

I didn't bother riding out the 2 laps for a finish, just got back on and went to report to the Assistant Commissaire that I was pulling out and get my wounds cleaned and watch the now 3 man break stay away for the finish.

So another DNF, probably a fair result, I really was crap through the corners.

A pretty easy race for me overall, as you can see by the low average heart rate in the stats included below for those people so inclined.

The Race:
	Duration:  	1:04:37
	Norm Power:	340
	VI:        	1.22
	Distance:  	38.066 km
							Min  Max   Avg
	Power:       	  0	1036	279 	watts
	Heart Rate:  	105	 186	159 	bpm
	Speed:       	7.2	63.1	35.4 	kph

The 186 max - which is about my max HR was recorded in the crash, not whilst actually racing.

Tom BB

Ouch....hope you're feeling okay Jim....nice report-I always enjoy reading these! Hopefully I'll be able to add some of my own this year 10th of April is my first road race-got several mtb races before then though....

Zachariah

Here's a pearoast from the end of January:

Just did my first race at the grand old age of 36, the Velo29 Winter Series 1 at Croft Circuit. Fantastic time, very well organised. Croft is wide, smooth and virtually flat.

Began with a rolling lap following a pace car, then a flying start into 8 full laps of racing. The pace was surprisingly placid for the most part, barely going over 20mph for the majority of the time. I had no problem keeping up. That was my downfall, as I thought I could make a break on my own - classic beginner mistake! I led for a lap and a half, about 15-20secs ahead of the peloton thinking I was Cancellara. Couldn't stay ahead of course, and rejoined the group just before the final lap started.

That's when the pace really picked up, reaching 27mph on my computer in several sections. Again, once back in the main group, this was surprisingly easy to maintain. Thinking I still had a chance, I chased down a last-minute breakaway and rounded the final series of bends in a close second place position, but by then I had nothing left and we were overtaken by the sprinters, so annoyingly despite finishing only a few seconds behind the winner, I was well out of the points.

Well, now I've got those beginner's nerves (and mistakes) out of the system, I should be able to do better next time. I'm certainly a good lead-out man! Just need to control those impulses.

UPDATE:
Entered myself for the third in the series, which I was planning to ride 40 miles to get to. Unfortunately it snowed heavily on the morning and I never made it. C'est la vie! Back to the turbo until May, when I'll have a go at the series at Tockwith Autodrome.

greeny12

To save space, and because a few will already have read this on another thread, I'm just going to post a link to my blog report on the Surrey League 4ths race at Longcross Test Track the weekend before last...

http://cyclingapprentice.wordpress.com/ ... %E2%80%A6/

That was my first taste of racing at the even grander old age of 43 - I'm getting my second at Goodwood on the 13th. Watch this space!

Toks

Cool, the Race Thread is back for 2011. I probably only be racing vicariously this season so keep the reports coming. Jim you can't seriously tell me your goal for this year is just a point as 3rd cat. :twisted: I'm hoping to read about a breakway win. And why aren't you racing this Sunday with the KW crew?

jibberjim

Toks wrote:

And why aren't you racing this Sunday with the KW crew?

'cos me and Maryka are the organisers, and whilst I could've raced one, I'd rather help make sure it all runs smoothly!

1 point would be nice - it'll still be better than last years achievement!

Toks

jibberjim wrote:

Toks wrote:

And why aren't you racing this Sunday with the KW crew?

'cos me and Maryka are the organisers, and whilst I could've raced one, I'd rather help make sure it all runs smoothly!

Oh nice one, I hope it runs nice and smoothly and the 3rds in particular is great race - Paul Hone or George Brent to win :twisted:

Homer J

unlucky with the crash Jim, atleast you didn't snap the frame this time.

tomb8555

jibberjim wrote:

Toks wrote:

And why aren't you racing this Sunday with the KW crew?

'cos me and Maryka are the organisers, and whilst I could've raced one, I'd rather help make sure it all runs smoothly!

1 point would be nice - it'll still be better than last years achievement!

I don't think you'll have any problems picking up points! You certainly shouldn't with your RP and box hill times!

Zachariah

Reading Jim's posts, it looks like staying on the bike is the main issue - stabilisers?

gandhi

Jim - what do you weigh / how tall are you? I think I've seen you before and I think you have roughly the same build as me.
With power output like that you have no excuse to be aiming for just one point in 3/4 races, especially in the South East. (Though apparently having a new born in the house instantly knocks 20% off FTP, so maybe it's a good target!)

maryka

Clearly people on this forum don't really know Jim... his aiming for a single point is more an exercise in p!ss-taking than anything else. It's almost like he refuses to get results just to spite me or something. My heart soared when I saw him in that little break last weekend, only to sink again when I saw him walking up the hill all torn and bloody.

I'll excuse him in past years as I've got enough points for both of us, but this season he'll have to take up the slack in our household and prove his worth. I'm saving myself for hill climb season!

There, the gauntlet has been thrown down.

jibberjim

gandhi wrote:

Jim - what do you weigh / how tall are you? I think I've seen you before and I think you have roughly the same build as me.
With power output like that you have no excuse to be aiming for just one point in 3/4 races, especially in the South East. (Though apparently having a new born in the house instantly knocks 20% off FTP, so maybe it's a good target!)

I'm 6' I weigh ~76kg I could race at 73kg's probably. And yes, those power numbers should be having way higher targets than 1 point in a 3rd cat race. I'm not actually that well suited to road racing as my 1 minute power is pretty poor relatively so I do struggle in situations where 1 minute power is more defining (so I end up chasing the wrong side of a split or losing out on a finishing hill) but in 3rd cat races I should still have absolutely no problem - indeed other than crashes and mechanicals I don't.

I don't really do goals though, they don't motivate me too well. I would like to have races I enjoy - and that really should deliver results. But the enjoyment is really more important than the point.

gandhi

jibberjim wrote:

I'm not actually that well suited to road racing as my 1 minute power is pretty poor relatively so I do struggle in situations where 1 minute power is more defining...

If only TTing was fun!

milese

I raced one 4th cat only at the end of last season, and came 11th. Been training over winter and hope to hit 3rd cat this year.

Spring Time Pursuit 1.

My first competitive race of the year, and first taste of riders outside of 4th cat. It is organised as a handicap, with 80 riders spread out over 8 minute start time intervals, I was in the second group, behind the youths. Magnus Backstedt was lining up in the scratch group! Just under 4 laps, totalling 37 miles.

20 started in my group, which didn't work very well together. There were about 6 who were trying to work whilst the rest just sat in. I just sat in, was cautious not to do too much and get dropped, and we were always going to get caught.

I rode fairly easily in the pack, we got caught after about a lap and a half. With about 3 miles to go I was positioned quite near the front, and after seeing an attempted breakaway fail, I thought I'd try and get another one going, so jumped off the front at the bottom a of a hill. Rode a few hundred yards and looked back for someone to come through and nothing but a gap. I decided that as it had seemed a bit too easy up to that point I'd keep going.

Got a hundred yard gap. Then in no time the scratch group had caught up and the pace went to its highest, whilst I was at my weakest. Pretty much everyone flew past me. Finished 58th out of 80.

The youths stayed away til the final climb when some of them were caught, but the first 2/3 got in.

Overall pleased. I rode well in the group, didn't get dropped, and could have finished a lot higher had I not gone off the front.

Average speed 25mph, ave HR 157.

ozzzyosborn206

just a question, why did you not work in the bunch until you were caught? if everyone did that there would be no race and no point in it being handicapped. Also to then attack once you were caught is a massive error i think i fi had been in that group working and you sat on then attacked i would have either left you out there for ages or had a massive go at you. The first group off had the winner of the race in because they said hey lets try stay ahead, whats to say if everyone in your group had done that you wouldn't have been caught?

Rant over

milese

It was my first proper race, and first race of the season. I rode conservatively as I didn't really have a clue how it would pan out in terms of my stamina, the groups coming together and the overall end game. With only ~6 out of the 20 were working I didn't particularly want to be one of them, given my concerns above.

I attacked once I knew there wasn't much distance left, and that I knew that I felt good. The group of 20 had long become a group of ~60 when I attacked. I didn't really attack to win, but didn't want to end feeling like I could have done more.

Fair point, but I'm not everyone, and I was in this race for training / experience rather than to win. Its all learning, and your comments are a part of that.

Report of 'Spring Time Pursuit 2' to follow.

skinarelli

Although it's considered bad form by many to sit in and then attack near the end, it's also considered "tactics" by just as many. After all, you rarely see the likes of Cav pulling their fingers out until the last 200 meters of a race!

ozzzyosborn206

but you don't see cav in a handicap race and he has team mates who do the pulling for him. Ok fair enough if it was your first race but try not to make it a habit in a handicap race it doesn't make sense, fair enough in a scratch race but it is easier to stay away from good riders when you are given a gap then break away from them once they have caught you

milese

Spring Time Pursuit 2.

The groups were changed following the previous weeks results, and the successful youths removed from the front group.

I started in the second group of 15 riders this week. The wind and the smaller group combined and the group worked much better together. We were going well and working hard, although you could tell that there were a few weaker riders as they begun loitering towards the back and skipping turns.

The groups all broke up much more, as the pace was forced more and the wind make it much harder work. We quite quickly started catching the drop outs from the start group, some held on to replace the riders who had dropped out of our group, others fell through again.

Given my previous weeks experience I was much more confident and happy to work my share. One or two were happy to do more than there share early on, and regretted it when they were later dropped.

About a lap and half in there was an accident in the scratch group. We saw the aftermath on the other side of the road, 3 or 4 riders and bikes in the road. It was strange, I have time or concentration to spare to look, so just tried to put it to the back of my mind and carried on. Then the ambulances passed. Next time we went passed that point in the lap they were putting someone on a stretcher. Focuses the mind, but no time to think about it too deeply. We were told at the end that thankfully no one was seriously injured, but a frame was snapped.

I thought we were much further ahead from the chasing groups, but with around a lap and a half to go they got us at the turn around. The higher category riders then took control of the work and drove the pace hard, trying to stay away from the reduced scratch group.

I tried to stay near the front, but that generally meant either crossing the line onto the other side of the road (big no no and no one lets you back in) or going alone into the unsheltered side of the road, when again, no one gives away shelter further up.

Pace was high and I knew I was working, but kept pace ok. I think all the groups were together now, excluding the remainder of the scratch group. The end of the race is up a moderate hill of around half a mile.

Towards the bottom I managed to move up the inside and up into around 10/15th place. A position I could have won from if I was a specialist climber, which I'm not, so I huffed, puffed and watched a 2 man break away, followed by another load of generally higher cat riders, disappear up the hill.

A few places swapped hands over the final 200 yards, and I ended up 28th and 42 seconds from the winner.

Very pleased with my performance. I must have finished above most of the 4th cats and a lot of 3rd cats. Must loose weight and climb better.

Ave speed 23.8mph, ave HR 164.

Pursuit 3 tomorrow with an extra lap, but forecast for much less wind. I reckon we'll get caught in around the same place, then have another lap with the high cat riders forcing the pace, as more and more fall off the back. I think the best I can hope for is for the same as the previous, be near the front at the foot of the hill and do my best on it.

ozzzyosborn206

good going, onwards and upwards!

freehub

So I went to Saltayre today.

Was going abit bad at first, struggling round corners, so I was lagging behind and having to put some effort in the catch em up, but I soon got the hang on the corners, and was then feeling comfortable.

So due to being at the back, the break was inaccessible to me, but on the long straight I had a bash at trying to catch them up, one fellow wheeler followed, unfortunately I ran out of steam, the gap was a little too far, we ended up falling back into the group.

I thought about trying it again when the gap was much closer, I was confident I could have made it, but I wussied out of trying, not feeling optimistic.

We started through and off and continued this for a good amount of laps in a bid to catch the break, never happened tho, sort of split up abit.

I was at the front, 28mph down the other straight, when this brown and white greyhound or w/e you call them suddenly came out of the bushes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, I went straight into it, then another cyclist hit the dog at the same speed in the ribs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could not believe it, bars bent, wheels bucked, shifter bent, omg...... first race since I wrote my CAAD9 off in August. So as if my confidence was not already dented severely now it's took a nose dive!!

The woman who owned the dog came up to give her details to the organiser, so hopefully I shall be compensated, my helmet and a wheelers top that was not even mine was wrote off.

So I'm not so confident about racing saltayre again, I'm gonna give it one more chance, if I crash again I'm switching to TT ONLY!

greeny12

Holy shit Freehub that sounds nasty. It really does seem that in low-level bike racing you have to be prepared for all sorts of weird goings on conspiring to bring you down...

I'm getting dead nervous about Goodwood next weekend, although at least there are no bushes for surprise dog attacks...

jibberjim

greeny12 wrote:

I'm getting dead nervous about Goodwood next weekend, although at least there are no bushes for surprise dog attacks...

Yes, very bad luck Freehub!

Goodwood is very safe from that Greey12 - the airfield in the middle of the course mean that the entire space is completely secured and you can't actually even go round seperately to the race really to take photos or anything.

freehub

I'm pretty unlucky I think, I was supposed to be numper 13 tho, but instead I chosen number 17 the day of my birthday.

Bronzie

San Fairy Ann Spring Circuit Race 2 – 4ths

My last competitive outing ended with me staring up at the dark sky on a chilly night last May clutching a broken collarbone. So it was with a little trepidation that I lined up for the start of the 15-lap race at Hog Hill this afternoon.

Objectives of the day were to 1) stay upright 2) test the legs 3) show my newbie teammate the ropes (as far as I possibly could) and 4) try for a decent finish.

Having assured my teammate that it was unlikely that the 4ths race would start off full gas, we duly set off at a fair old lick as a couple of riders applied some pressure from the gun and I bridged across a few gaps in the first half lap to stay with the leaders. A few laps in and the race had settled into a steady pace which I found pretty comfortable most of the time although I was slipping back through the bunch a little on the climb on most laps.

Being around a month behind the form that I had at this time last year (FTP is currently around 3.4W/kg), I was conscious not to do too much on the front and avoid any big efforts that would tip me into the red. Luckily a Team Cambridge rider had appointed himself “bunch engine” for the day and towed us all round for a good part of the race. Four or five laps in and a rider all in black (no. 23?) broke away and spent a few laps away on his own, but he never got much more than a 200m lead and it looked like he was always going to come back to the bunch being driven along by the Cambridge rider.

About half-distance, I looked around for my teammate but couldn’t see him anywhere which I couldn’t understand as he can outclimb me for sure. I had high hopes for him to do well today and was hoping to try and get him in a good position for the closing laps. Oh well, objective 3 would have to wait for another race.

Coming into the closing laps and it was all back together for the inevitable bunch gallop up the hill. I managed to keep out of the wind on the bottom straight and get myself into a great position on the right of the course in readiness for the final climb, but the legs weren’t able to respond to the pace of the leaders and I ended around 20th I think.

Still, looking on the bright side, managed to avoid any trouble (in fact everyone was riding pretty well) and not too disappointed with how I felt. Plenty to work on in the coming weeks though.

18.7 miles @ 22.0mph in 0h51m - AHR 148 (89%)

Next up, the Spring Chicken RR (3/4) near Aylesbury next Saturday which I’m sure is going to be a much stiffer test.

Bronzie

freehub wrote:

I was supposed to be numper 13 tho

Just imagine the mess you'd have been in if you'd taken it! Unlucky Will, your luck will change.

joeyhalloran

I was number 13 today, took it will a little hesitancy...but I got my 3rd cat license today so I guess it cant be all bad luck

Sorry to hear about your crash freehub.

ju5t1n

Team MK Early Season Bowl Series Round 1: my first race of the year ... happy to finish in the bunch ...many didn’t

This was a 2/3 only race (the lucky old 4ths had their own race in the morning) ...it seemed pretty quick to me - with more than usual sporting freshly sun-tanned legs from winter training camps in Majorca etc

Zachariah

JoeyHalloran wrote:

I was number 13 today, took it will a little hesitancy...but I got my 3rd cat license today so I guess it cant be all bad luck

Sorry to hear about your crash freehub.

Commiserations from me too, Freehub - rotten luck, but it can't dog you forever! (See what I did there? 'Dog you'? Get it? I kill me)

Also, congrats on the promotion JoeyHalloran! My next race will be in May at the Tockwith Autodrome, but even if you're there you'll be in the grown-ups race, not the 4ths.

joeyhalloran

I may drop in to tockwith from time to time, but that will be a busy term for me (final year of Uni) so will have to see how much time I have. Hope it goes well for you though.