Boards Racing Cyclists

Mr. Skeffington

Hi there all,

Just wondering who from the Boards will be competing this season in Open Racing?

Im a Senior 3 and my first race this season will be the Cycleways cup in Navan 2 wks from now. So who else on here races or is gonna give it a lash this year.

Raam

I was planning on racing that one. It will be my first.

Chips Lovell

I'm S3 too. Thinking of doing the Cycleways cup too. First club race is Sunday. I'll see how I go then.

ba

count me in.

rogerb

I tried racing for the first time last year, in an inter-club league, and I'm planning to do some open races this year.

I found the club league was a good introduction to racing and I'd definitely recommend going down that route first to anyone just starting out.

I had the choice of registering as an S3 or a vet; I chose S3 because it seemed a bit weird to be a "veteran" and a novice at the same time.

I did take part in a couple of the open races at the end of the season last year (at Kilmessan and Dundalk), just sitting in the bunch to see what it was like. I expected to get dropped (in fact, that was kind of the plan, to scare myself into doing some training over the winter), but it turned out not to be that bad; actually trying to do something in a race would be a different story.

I'm planning to be at the Navan race too. There's some excellent advice about it in this thread. I don't mind admitting that I'm pretty nervous about this race: I've heard there can be lots of inexperienced riders and lots of crashes.

Chips Lovell

That hill at the start and the crashes has me nervous alright.

Can't believe you're a vet rogerb. You must tell me what skincare products you're using.

CheGuedara

Got my first race licence this year (S3). Hoping to get a few races in this yr (assuming I can get my ass race fit - the avg is still a bit on the low side tbh)

rogerb

el tonto wrote: »

Can't believe you're a vet rogerb. You must tell me what skincare products you're using.

I have a picture like this in my attic.

bunnygreen

Roger i've raced against you in the club league and seen the damage you can do,you'll eat up this race esp the climbs,go for it.

E@gle.

Mr. Skeffington wrote: »

Hi there all,

Just wondering who from the Boards will be competing this season in Open Racing?

Im a Senior 3 and my first race this season will be the Cycleways cup in Navan 2 wks from now. So who else on here races or is gonna give it a lash this year.

Thinkin of this as well to see how the form is!

LDB

What are the open races like for women? I've only done women only races so don't know how it works. Are they mixed in with the men or what.

Caroline_ie

LDB wrote: »

What are the open races like for women? I've only done women only races so don't know how it works. Are they mixed in with the men or what.

I think you are racing against whoever other turns up women but in the same group as Vets. ( I could be wrong )

LDB

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I think you are racing against whoever other turns up women but in the same group as Vets. ( I could be wrong )

I don't think I'd fancy my chances against a Vet, maybe an U12!

Raam

LDB wrote: »

I don't think I'd fancy my chances against a Vet, maybe an U12!

I think you just race in that group but you are racing against other women?

LDB

oh right sorry, I get you both now. Thanks!

Caroline_ie

Raam wrote: »

I think you just race in that group but you are racing against other women?

Yes - i think so.
Myself ... I am not sure I will be racing this year ... at least not the full season. I didn't race much last year ... and now I need more training.

Chips Lovell

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Yes - i think so.
Myself ... I am not sure I will be racing this year ... at least not the full season. I didn't race much last year ... and now I need more training.

I think there's a lot to be said for just diving into it even if you don't think your form is great. Even just trying to hang in there in a race is training in itself.

Caroline_ie

el tonto wrote: »

I think there's a lot to be said for just diving into it even if you don't think your form is great. Even just trying to hang in there in a race is training in itself.

I agree ... but in my case I think it's more of a vanity thing ...

Chips Lovell

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I agree ... but in my case I think it's more of a vanity thing ...

Vanity? It's all about the suffering.

RobFowl

Women tend to be lumped in with the Vet's/Juniors and C's.
I'll be racing as a C (last year before Veteran status ) but will prob start april or so (too fat at the moment).

blorg

I am planning on starting this year- was at the Orwell introduction to racing night last night with RogerB and Barrabus. It all sounded very scary what with the talk of the elbowing and pushing and pulling :eek: Can't wait to get started.

Caroline_ie

el tonto wrote: »

Vanity? It's all about the suffering.

Yes ... the hard suffering with sh*t result and getting dropped ... that's what I am talking about ...

zzzzzzzz

blorg wrote: »

I am planning on starting this year- was at the Orwell introduction to racing night last night with RogerB and Barrabus. It all sounded very scary what with the talk of the elbowing and pushing and pulling :eek: Can't wait to get started.

Meant to head in to that thing last night but couldn't make it in the end.

Are yous heading out to batterstown on Sunday?

Raam

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Yes ... the hard suffering with sh*t result and getting dropped ... that's what I am talking about ...

Better than not turning up at all.

Chips Lovell

RobFowl wrote: »

I'll be racing as a C (last year before Veteran status ) but will prob start april or so (too fat at the moment).

Join the club. Small children will be pointing and laughing.

blorg wrote: »

I am planning on starting this year- was at the Orwell introduction to racing night last night with RogerB and Barrabus. It all sounded very scary what with the talk of the elbowing and pushing and pulling :eek: Can't wait to get started.

Couldn't make it last night I'm afraid. Wouldn't worry too much about the argy bargy. Tis quite civilised, at least unless you're contesting a sprint.

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

Are yous heading out to batterstown on Sunday?

I'll be there.

zzzzzzzz

el tonto wrote: »

Join the club. Small children will be pointing and laughing.



Couldn't make it last night I'm afraid. Wouldn't worry too much about the argy bargy. Tis quite civilised, at least unless you're contesting a sprint.



I'll be there.

nice one. I'm looking forward to it - will be my first race so i'm really just hoping not to be dropped in the first few k!

Caroline_ie

Raam wrote: »

Better than not turning up at all.

I disagree - I prefer to be a little more prepared ... if there was a race on tomorrow, I would certainly NOT want to participate in it. A lot of you guys have been cycling for many years and are only starting racing this year, because you feel strong enough to handle it ( I am not saying strong enough to win, just string enough to take part ).

Chips Lovell

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

nice one. I'm looking forward to it - will be my first race so i'm really just hoping not to be dropped in the first few k!

I've ridden with you before and I seriously doubt you'll be dropped.

My training has taken a noise dive over the past two weeks though.

@blorg. What was the general advice imparted last night?

Hungrycol

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I disagree - I prefer to be a little more prepared ... if there was a race on tomorrow, I would certainly NOT want to participate in it. A lot of you guys have been cycling for many years and are only starting racing this year, because you feel strong enough to handle it ( I am not saying strong enough to win, just string enough to take part ).

You can do all the training in the world but you wont be match fit unless you play a few match. Besides, do a race and this will give you an idea of what to work on. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Exceleration out of corners and keeping a consistant speed on inclines surprised me most.

Got for it... There may be a ladies league at the Boot Inn (airport back road) again this year.

Hungrycol

Anyone doing the Swords CC Club league this year?

Raam

Hungrycol wrote: »

Anyone doing the Swords CC Club league this year?

I am.

Caroline_ie

Hungrycol wrote: »

You can do all the training in the world but you wont be match fit unless you play a few match. Besides, do a race and this will give you an idea of what to work on. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Exceleration out of corners and keeping a consistant speed on inclines surprised me most.

Got for it... There may be a ladies league at the Boot Inn (airport back road) again this year.

Yes I know I did it last year and the year before - i am only back on the bike for the past 3 weeks after 2 fractures in october and november, I am not ready for a race. I know my strenghs and weaknesses already and I can tell you I am very weak at the moment. I have no problem admitting I am utter cr*ap at the moment, and I am very depressed about it, so racing is not my priority number 1 ... as long as i am not in proper shape.

RobFowl

Hungrycol wrote: »

Anyone doing the Swords CC Club league this year?

Starts 15th April
At least 4 members regular posters here
http://www.swordscc.com/
First event is a short TT (hilly though), most of the courses are ok the Corduff one has the old "Liam Toolin" climb and is tough enough.

Raam

RobFowl wrote: »

Starts 15th April
At least 4 members regular posters here
http://www.swordscc.com/
First event is a short TT (hilly though), most of the courses are ok the Corduff one has the old "Liam Toolin" climb and is tough enough.

@RobFowl: have you done the first TT before? I'm curious to know more about it.

So, who else is in Swords then? These are the ones I know about...
RobFowl
Cadex
Raam
LDB

I think BA races in the Swords league. He is with Dublin Wheelers.

Chips Lovell

Isn't Hungrycol in Swords too?

Hungrycol

el tonto wrote: »

Isn't Hungrycol in Swords too?

Yup.

Raam

So here are the ones I know about. There's bound to be many more.

Orwell Wheelers
Blorg
El Tonto
RogerB

Swords
HungryCol
RobFowl
Cadex
LDB
Raam

Dublin Wheelers
BA

Chips Lovell

barrabus, aidan.offbeat, unionman, bunnygreen, and caroline are with Orwell too.

Planet X is with Sorrento.

Couple of lads here too in Bray.

Raam

Orwell takes the lead...


Orwell Wheelers
Blorg
El Tonto
RogerB
barrabus
aidan.offbeat
unionman
bunnygreen
caroline_ie

Swords
HungryCol
RobFowl
Cadex
LDB
Raam

Dublin Wheelers
BA

Sorrento
PlanetX

blorg

el tonto wrote: »

@blorg. What was the general advice imparted last night?

Went through road formations mainly. Encouraging the group to work together to stay away in handicapped races was mentioned. Knowing the course, the importance of wind direction. Not doing too long at the front, focus on continual rotation. I'm in the same group as yourself, Roger and Barrabus so hopefully we can hold something together.

zzzzzzzz

xz is in bray wheelers - not sure who else

Raam wrote: »

Orwell takes the lead...


Orwell Wheelers
Blorg
El Tonto
RogerB
barrabus
aidan.offbeat
unionman
bunnygreen
caroline_ie

Swords
HungryCol
RobFowl
Cadex
LDB
Raam

Dublin Wheelers
BA

Sorrento
PlanetX

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

Went through road formations mainly. Encouraging the group to work together to stay away in handicapped races was mentioned. Knowing the course, the importance of wind direction. Not doing too long at the front, focus on continual rotation. I'm in the same group as yourself, Roger and Barrabus so hopefully we can hold something together.

Yes, that was one thing that struck my alright when I raced last year, quick pull on the front and then rotate back. I found too that only around a third of the group would do any work.

Do you want to go out that way on Saturday morning with me and we can take a few spins around the course? Wonder if barrabus and aidan are up for it too?

Oh, and roger's been bumped up to semi-scratch this year.

blorg

el tonto wrote: »

I found too that only around a third of the group would do any work.

Roger mentioned this too- it was suggested that it could be a good idea to talk to the group at the start, and agree to work together. Then try to hold a chain gang formation and yell at anyone taking it too easy

Do you want to go out that way on Saturday morning with me and we can take a few spins around the course? Wonder if barrabus and aidan are up for it too?

Sounds like a possibility, why don't we suggest it as the Saturday Boards spin?

Oh, and roger's been bumped up to semi-scratch this year.

Well that is a bit of a relief, I would be worried about what sort of thing might be found in the beginners group otherwise.

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

Roger mentioned this too- it was suggested that it could be a good idea to talk to the group at the start, and agree to work together. Then try to hold a chain gang formation and yell at anyone taking it too easy

I think while some people can be cajoled into working, there'll always be some who won't no matter what. To be honest, I doubt if any group will stay away on Sunday. There'll be too many people with itchy feet behind us. First race of the season and all that.

blorg wrote: »

Sounds like a possibility, why don't we suggest it as the Saturday Boards spin?

Sounds good. Popes Cross meet up? We can try go out via the Strawberry Beds and Maynooth to avoid schleping up the N3 if you want?

zzzzzzzz

el tonto wrote: »

I think while some people can be cajoled into working, there'll always be some who won't no matter what. To be honest, I doubt if any group will stay away on Sunday. There'll be too many people with itchy feet behind us. First race of the season and all that.



Sounds good. Popes Cross meet up? We can try go out via the Strawberry Beds and Maynooth to avoid schleping up the N3 if you want?

That sounds like a plan alright

zzzzzzzz

I've been told the course is relatively flat apart from one drag (3 times obviously). The wind will be what makes it tough

rogerb

el tonto wrote: »

Do you want to go out that way on Saturday morning with me and we can take a few spins around the course?

Not a bad idea lads: the club spin went around the course on Sunday and there is a very nasty pothole on one of those hairpins which is going to cause some chaos unless it's filled. Forewarned is forearmed.

Chips Lovell

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

I've been told the course is relatively flat apart from one drag (3 times obviously). The wind will be what makes it tough

Yeah, one drag alright. Nothing major. There's a little descent afterwards with a sharp left at the end that almost caught me out the first time.

ba

there are 2 dublin wheelers on boards, one of them is me, the other i will not say, unless he choses to reveal himself.

E@gle.

im with shnnonside Cc (athlone)

Chips Lovell

And we've a boatload of guys in Waterford clubs too.