IVCA (The Vets)

The Dick O'Brien CP turned into a DMS when over 130 signed on at Batterstown this morning. I was in the largest of the three races, the middle one with 56 or so racing

When I arrived the temperature was hovering around 2 degrees and it had not warmed up much by the time the races set off just after 9.15. 4 laps of the Green Sheds circuit. In such a large group I tend to be more comfortable where I have a bit of room, which is usually towards the back, which is where I stayed for a large proportion of the race

I managed to move up on the final gallop. About 8 riders were up the road and not to be caught. I found myself in a battle with a couple of others on the right hand side of the road, and there was another threesome fighting it out on the other side. I was too focussed on my immediate opponents, so have no idea where I finished in the end.

It was only heading back to the car to de-ice the feet (although it was an almost balmy 7 degrees by then) that I noticed I was on the small ring. I'd felt a bit earlier in the final lap that I was spinning out but thought it was simply the 55kph we were hitting, and thought nothing more of it! I'll await the results of the photo-finish to see if it may have made a difference...

Temperature started at around 5 degrees increasing to 7-8, but the windchill took it nearer to zero. Accuweather is currently showing NNEastery at 48kph with gusts up to 71kph - it was tough out there today

97 signed on - 3 short of the magic number that would have turned it into a DMS, so we ended up with the first vets CP of the season (I think a lot of us would have preferred a DMS, particularly given the conditions). Perhaps 15-18 or so in our group - the 3rd of 6 off, and heading straight into the wind

Most of the group declined numerous invitations to take a turn at the front, and with one guy heading up the road (presumably oblivious to CP protocol), for a lot of the time until we were caught (when we were down to 9 I think) 3 of us did most of the work.

Some of the scratch guys came past us on the 3rd (of 4) lap and ploughed on ahead. Some of us managed to regroup on the hill round the back of the course before being caught by another large group. I managed to hang on until the same hill on the last lap. I was slightly detached, but thought I may get back on during the descent (on one lap I'd created a gap with the group just freewheeling down that hill - clearly benefiting from a combination of my weight and a very aero bike;)), but 2 cars got between me and thr group putting paid to that and I came in just behind that group. I'm not sure how many from my group were ahead at the end - at least 2 were, including the guy who broke away, and I know the other 2 who did most of the work were behind me - there's an outside chance I was 3rd in my group which would get me my first "bonus" point of the year

Overall, probably my toughest ever race, with the strong winds and over 600m of climbing, but thoroughly enjoyable (in hindsight at least!) nonetheless.

nilhg wrote: »

I didn't know this was on today or I'd have made an attempt to get a few pics, I met the cars on my way home in the tractor this morning, 3 of the more senior Vets first followed by another car with 5 or 6 slightly younger fellas followed at a distance by a bigger bunch, don't know whether that was your first lap or not. Was the big branch still across the road? I'd rang my neighbour to clear it but it must have been hairy there if it was.

Slowest group (of only about 6) went off around 9.15, with a larger group a few minutes later, then us, and the 4th group probably was the largest

There was no branch there on the first lap, but we were warned a bit ahead during the second - there was a marshal there by then and your neighbour was there with the chainsaw - there was just a bit of debris on the road by then (some of the earlier groups may have encountered it though). Thanks for phoning him, and to him for sorting it out

The problem with the vets CPs is there seems to be an expectancy amongst most groups that they will be caught, so a number of riders just sit on, saving something for the inevitable catch

However there was certainly one CP lat year when Groups A to D stayed away, and one when I think some in Group B remained up the road

The Group I'm in (C) does not seem to have any confidence to try and work together (with a few notable exceptions). The problem is exacerbated by one or two riders who will never take a turn at the front, but will inevitably be there at the end to pick up a few points as first, second or third unplaced from the group. I find it a bit of a contrast with the Swords League, where a much higher proportion (but certainly not everyone by any means) will at least try to contribute and get the up and overs going. One of the issues I guess is there is not much of an incentive in terms of League points from staying away with the vets as you still get some for simply being in the first few in your group, whereas all points in the Swords go to the first 10 across the line, from whatever group.

TBH, the numbers turning up which have forced all but today's race into a DMS has probably made the vets racing quite a bit better (and perhaps less predictable) than in previous years

Also in a CP it's in the interests of the slower groups to stay away to try and take all the spoils. If the fastest groups catch them they are unlikely to produce the winner in a sprint. Hence, in theory at least, the slower groups should work to stay away, and if and when they combine with other groups, their critical mass will hopefully make the larger group a bit faster which helps keep the faster riders at bay.

In an ideal world, everyone in the group will contribute to the workload (either to catch the groups ahead, or stop those behind catching them) - unfortunately this is where it all tends to go a bit pear-shaped;)

manwithaplan wrote: »

Just out of interest, if this did happen, would it be considered poor form for stronger limit riders to try to hang on to the scratch group in order to escape their competitors?

It's a separate race, so I would say so - it's akin to a break being paced at the front by a team car guess