Swords League Race 2

Raam

Here's a report that I did for the Swordscc.com website on last nights race.

The character, John Rambo, made famous by Sylvester Stallone, once wryly asked his mission commander "Sir, do we get to win this time?“. Presumably he was ticked off from loosing all the time. Me too. But how to go from loosing to winning? A slightly less famous Rambo from the Swordscc.com web forum offered some advice, "cycling is a hard sport and if you get a kicking just train harder".
I don't know about anybody else, but that's what I'm going to have to do. I thought I had trained hard. I had done my intervals, my endurance spins, my recovery days. It seems that they just aren't enough.

I mentioned in the last report after my dismal performance in Coombes Connor that I was going to bring my bike back to Cyclelogical. I did just that on Monday. The guy in the shop said he won't take it back. I asked him why not. "It's been made slow", was his deadpan response. OK, so I just made that up, but I reckon that's what he would say if I brought it back.

OK, on to the race report...

It looked like it was going to rain, there were plenty of grey clouds hanging around. It was also chilly. Up ahead of me I spied a lone rider. He had a yellow jacket on. He must have set off earlier than I did. There were a lot of cars on the road. I put the hammer down and tried to catch the lone rider. He was getting closer. I strained to see him. It looked like he was on a mountain bike, with panniers. And that wasn't a yellow jacket, it was a high vis builders vest. I doubt this guy even knew that he was actually in a race. A commuter race! A race I can actually win. The best kind. I caught him. As I passed, I unclipped one foot and pedalled with the other. Just like Cav did to Cipollini (no, I didn't really do that). I didn't bother looking back to see his anguish. I was focused on getting past the virtual finish line. You have to take victories where you find them.

That was this morning on the way to work. I'm still trying to block out the real race from the evening before. The Bog of the Ring CP. The only thing in common with this morning's commuter race was the grey clouds and the chill in the air. Everything else was different. I had been moved into group three for this week (group two, I'll be joining you soon). The circuit was to be mainly flat with just a couple of short bumps. The finish straight looked like it was directly into the wind for about two km, ending on one of the bumps.

Our group set off in hot pursuit of group two. I don't know if we ever caught them because I wasn't going to be with them for much longer. Although I had high hopes at the start. We were going fine and had a bit of a tail wind once on the main road. The wind also helped us when we turned off and headed towards the back of the circuit. One of the guys reminded us to work better together and not to go flying off the front too hard. I was feeling quite strong and was confident that I would be able to hang in this week. How wrong was I? Once we hit the back of the course just off the second main road, we started going into the wind. I simply don't have the power to keep the speed up like the rest of the guys in the group. I was still taking my turn at the front, but it was getting more difficult and I wasn't recovering as well once I was back in the draft. As soon as we finished the first lap, I was off the back. Still 30km to go. I didn't hold much hope of being able to jump on to any other group behind, since they are the faster guys. Near the end of the second lap I was caught by group four, and one of the guys kindly called "jump on". I would have loved to, but I couldn't. They pulled away. At one of the corners on the third lap a marshal told me that they are only 30 seconds ahead. I counted 30 seconds in my head to see if they had waited for me. No such luck, there was no one there. Group 5 caught me not long after. Actually they may have caught me earlier, I can't remember.

As I finished my third lap, the finish line marshals were getting ready. I was the only rider in sight. So this is what it feels like to breakaway and win solo! As I reached each corner on the last lap, all the marshals were heading for home. I guess that means I'm in last place again. I had hoped to see some other rider who had been dropped, or at least be caught by someone else. It's lonely at the back.

P.S. on the way home some passenger in a car decided to whack me on the back of the head as he passed. The joke is on him though, I had a helmet on. I hope his hand hurts more than my legs.

jeffontour

Is anyone else looking forward to Raam having a successful race simply so he will write a report a tad less miserable than an extract from Peig?

Keep working hard on the bike chief, it'll come, and Raam's Ashes will I'm sure be published also.

Hungrycol

Good report. See you next week.

Cadex how did you get on?

scottreynolds

jeffontour wrote: »

Is anyone else looking forward to Raam having a successful race simply so he will write a report a tad less miserable than an extract from Peig?

Keep working hard on the bike chief, it'll come, and Raam's Ashes will I'm sure be published also.

I'd hate to see how long his race report would be if he actually finished the race. This was only one lap racing and two wandering about wondering what went wrong.

Raam

scottreynolds wrote: »

I'd hate to see how long his race report would be if he actually finished the race. This was only one lap racing and two wandering about wondering what went wrong.

I did 4 laps!

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

I did 4 laps!

Was one lap spent racing that builder on the mountain bike?

scottreynolds

Raam wrote: »

I did 4 laps!

Ah yes sorry.... I missed that.

But seriously.... its good to see these reports. Thanks. Each week you draw a little more enthusiam out. Considering the time we rode up the coast I was knackered in the wind and you were fine I'm going to have to ask the swords group the a special dispensation and be in the first group +10 mins.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Was one lap spent racing that builder on the mountain bike?

He was faster than he looks.

shaungil

RAAM,

I reckon I was in your group last night and I think it was a bit messy. We should work as a group doing up and over but it was a bit all over the place. When it's nice and steady do your turn but you'll have seen guys going through too hard and stringing the group out (maybe attacking maybe showing off or maybe just a bit excitable). If this happens grab a wheel put in a burst and try to hang on you will get a rest after a few seconds. As soon as your are dropped it's really difficult to get back.

This is what kills me the constant speed changes and also occurs coming out of the corners esp when you are at the back. Remember if you're dying sit on the back and try to hang on you will get your legs back after a while.
The scratch group caught us pretty early last night so the handicapping was a bit off but will improve.

Also the more you do the the quicker you will improve whereas the guys in your group will not improve as much because they've been doing this for years.
Heard a quote today "As is the same of all things in cycling, in order to live with them you have to live with them" so I guess practice doing these is the only way to improve and getting a bit cleverer on where you are in the group using the correct gears on corners hills etc and being more confident.
Keep up the race reports
Shaun

Mr. Skeffington

Raam, very good report!

The conditions were very difficult last night with strong winds, there were riders all over the place and you were certainly not the last man. I saw a good few riders that were behind you.

At the finish there was no big groups finishing, riders were coming in small groups of 2 or 3 riders. Keep up the training and racing and you will be finishing in the bunch and getting placed in future races.

The first season racing is always hard, I remember this time last year I was getting dropped regularly and pulling out of races. These races, particularly ones in difficult conditions like last night will make you stronger. Hope to see you getting some results soon.

Cadex

Hey Peter, well done on report. The below is from my training diary for last night. SwordsCC race in Ring Commons. Some start to club racing! Weather threatening to rain and had rained earlier but was OK for the race and roads were now dry. Debated whether I'd race or marshall but, as discovered roads were ok decided to go for it. I got a good view of the roads as I got lost on route (forgot the directions and used a large-scale map in the car)! Told them I was new to racing and got put in the first group out which was 2 other lads (others were called but did not turn up). Anyway, we set out to work together but unfortunately I dropped the 2 about the end of the first quarter of the first lap. This was not the plan and left me solo to effectively time-trial the rest of the race. Was not a happy chappy as knew nothing about the route or racing in general, but thought I'd better go on now that it happenned. Hope I didn't tick them off either. Anyway, set out to go as well as I could but still try and ensure I could complete the 4 laps of 10km. I did the laps in 18:55, 37:51, 57:00 and 76:20. I was first back past the Sports Centre for each of 3 laps, wondering when the rest were going to fly by. The answer came in the first quarter of the last lap, where 3 lads went by. I hung on for a while but at the Balrothery turn, we got disconnected and I didn't have the energy to get back on going up the hill. I worked away as well as I could and the next group caught me at the last quarter of the last lap (about 12 lads) just before the last turn and I tried to hang on to them. In the end, they pulled away, though I managed to catch one who had fallen back himself. I was praying for the finish line and was a bit upset to find it was beyond the start line and up a slight rise! Ah well, I was very happy to have made it around and not fall or something stupid. The rain held off until I got home and I was in bits (everything hurt) but happy that I did it. All in all, a nice start to club racing, might manage to learn a thing or two from the lads if I keep it up. Stats: Dist: 40km Time: 1:16:20 Max: 48km/h Ave: 31.2km/h.

Cadex

HungryCol - my 'report' up on thread now. You did a great job with the marshalling, didn't get anyone lost! I did a bit of it last week, so I guess I'm on again another time later.

Chips Lovell

Well done Cadex, that was a great showing for your first race.

blorg

Well done Raam and Cadex. I am new to this myself but I would guess you are not likely to solo it out from the limit group for 40km in a handicapped race and win, and if you try you will be wrecked when you are caught and no longer competitive... If you have a few good guys with you and are organised it might be more possible. I think in your case you would have been better off taking it easier so you had the energy to hook on when the first group caught you and work with them. Amazing how long you held out though. Just my 2c, I am new to racing myself.

bcmf

Just a slight side note.I was on the course as a spectator last night.I watched the 1st lap from just after the trun at Balrothery.
Watched the second and 3rd laps from the next turn and I will say this.It was both freezing standing there and there was a pox of a headwind from there to the next turn.I know that route very well and from that turn to the next (main road over the motorway bridge) its a deceptive road with a small draggish effect add into that a strong headwind and it is by no means an easy road to ride.Next race you will feel the benefit of last night.
Well done lads.
ps tried to take some pics but didnt turn out tooo well.sorry

RobFowl

I was in the second group . Cold and windy. Started in legwarmers, arm warmers , full finger gloves and a gillet (about right!!).
There wer about 16 in our group. We rode fairly well and steadily for 2 laps . Good mix of experience and new riders. 3rd lap started to get more patchy gaps deleloping and people missing turns. Was down the back having a drink when some guy (seen too many classics on tv) decided to attack. A 1k line out followed and just as it came together a 4 man group from scratch hurtled past. Killed myself and got onto the back wheel of the last of them . Looked back and saw was the only one to make it. Chuffed for a few seconds then the legs reminded me of the effort i'd made.
the 4th guy lost contact i tried to come around him but got no closer than a lenght which became 2 then 3 then goodnight Vienna.
A chasing bunch then gathered. Figured it would split over the finish and was right but still got caught in the wrong half.
Chased as hard as we could to the finsh but despite catching a few stragglers didn't get back on.
Good ride from GlennaMaddy in my group.
Winner was a class act but won't name him 'cos he's a man u fan :mad:
Mr Skeffington was second after starting in scratch great ride again.
Tough race in hard conditions , lots packed after 2 or 3 laps.
I finished in 1hr 11 mins Av speed 34.5k
Roll on next week

PS cheers BCMF for the shouts of support

Mr. Skeffington

Here is the data from my Garmin:

Total Dist: 41.22 km
Time: 1:04:54
Max: 59.2 km/h
Avg Spd: 38.1 km/h

My avg hr was 189 bpm and Max was 208 bpm - Hard Race

I started in Scratch with 4 other riders and the race finished in a sprint between myself and 2 other riders from scratch - Stephen Halpin & Colm Laverty.

It was a very fun race, there was lots of messing going on between the 3 of us coming up to the finish line, we were all stalling and none of us wanted to lead out the sprint into the headwind.

Cadex, well done man, its a brave move trying to get away on your own and do a solo run. It can work out and it is definatly better than sitting in the bunch waiting for a sprint you will be stronger for it too. Half way round the 3rd lap we got a time check and you were 1:40 seconds up so you nearly did it.

RobFowl

Race 3: April 29th Oldtown CP
1st Stephen Halpin (Swords)
2nd Garreth Enright (DWCC)
3rd Colm Laverty (Navan)
4th Lloyd Scott (Swords)
5th Javan Nulty (Stam MD)
6th Alister Cole(Swords)
7th Alan Sheppard (Swords)
8th Mick Nulty (Stam MD)

Cadex

Question for you experienced lads.
In running races and e.g. Duathlons (Run, Bike, Run) and Triathlons, from the biggest events to the smallest club events, all the competitors are 'clocked in' (one person keeps track of times while another tracks names/ numbers). Usually there is a chute at the end so people are effectively sheperded into a queue in the order in which they finish. In really big events like the marathon, they do this in groups succcessfully (even if they don't use the chip). In the event the other night, it looked like they were only interested in the first 8-10. I don't suppose I'm going to ever get into that part of the list but it would be nice to know where you finished in the end. For what it's worth, the first group past me was 3 lads, then the next one was about 12. I was betting on getting 16th until I caught one so it would be 15th - if I got the numbers in the second group right. Is this just the way it's done in cycling? It was a great night - don't get me wrong but I'd like to know what to expect.

Chips Lovell

Cadex wrote: »

Is this just the way it's done in cycling?

Pretty much yes. They'll only note the placings that count for prizes or points. After that, it's up to you to figure out where you came.

RobFowl

Cadex wrote: »

. Is this just the way it's done in cycling?

Most of the time yes. There is the option to hire a finish line camera from cycling ireland for the night then every one could be placed. If there's enough interest we could do this for the club champs

RobFowl

Cadex wrote: »

In the event the other night, it looked like they were only interested in the first 8-10. I don't suppose I'm going to ever get into that part of the list

Don't be so sure about that , last at least one from every group won a race or got a top 3 placing.:D

Cadex

OK Thanks chaps - that's grand.
Anyone doing the Duathlon in the park next wednesday?

bikergal

Fair play to all riders for showing up to races, expecially those new to the sport.

I am sure its near impossible for race organisers to get all placings and finishing times.. these people are doing all this (sign on sheets, results, website updates, points, prizes, presentation night organisation etc) in their spare time.

I know in triathlons and marathons etc there are timing chips and online results available.... most of these races are 50 quid plus to enter due to the amount of organisation involved and thousands of entrants

What do you expect for a fiver???

blorg

In fairness the likes of the Duathlon series are a lot cheaper than that, I think it was a fiver or a tenner.

But in any case I don't think anyone is complaining, it was just a question. The club league is after all "free" once you are a club member and do your marshalling duty. There are also a lot more races- basically every week during the season, around 22 races or so in total. Marshalling is probably a more important use of manpower than in a running race due to the need to control traffic at junctions, etc.

Only the top 6/7 places count for points in the league so they are the only ones recorded.

Beyond the placings you would then rank yourself really based on where you came, e.g. "ahead of the bunch" (likely you would have points if this happened unless there was a large breakaway), "front of the bunch", "in the bunch", "groupetto", "dropped", etc. Rough idea.

@Cadex- I would be surprised if you don't get points at some stage, you are a strong rider. Our league (not sure about the Swords one) has a number of races where the races are seperate, e.g. limit just competing against themselves. Also, there have been several races where limit/semi-limit have stayed away and contested the placings amongst themselves. This seemed to happen more when those two groups started together. Hang on in there, it is all a learning experience.

Cadex

Hi Bikergal - don't get me wrong, there was no criticism intended! I have been that soldier for many a race/ event. Running/ athletics is the same with the work all done on a voluntary basis. I can say that my question was really looking to find out if this is the 'norm'. In the running events, even at club level, you would pretty much always get your time and place, so you can keep track and so you have official times rather than just what you got on your own watch.
For what it's worth, I have my time (from my watch) and can see how far I have to go from looking at the top group - needless to say it's a bit of a way!

Oh and thanks Blorg for the encouragement, coming from you and all...! Keep up your reports too - it's good to see how the Boardsies are doing.