Draft 2010 CI racing calendar is out

Slideshowbob · 13-11-2009 3:22pm #1

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/html/site/resources/document.jsp?doc=401&cat=Cycling%20Ireland

thebouldwhacker · 13-11-2009 4:04pm

What is the normal standard at races? Is it similar to the running scene where all and sundry show up or is it high standard, close finishing times all round?

blorg · 13-11-2009 4:28pm

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

What is the normal standard at races? Is it similar to the running scene where all and sundry show up or is it high standard, close finishing times all round?

It's quite different from running really due to the aerodynamic benefits of staying in a bunch. As such there is a sort of minimum standard just to hang on. If you fall off the back you are finished. It's also quite technical, you need to be able to handle the bike in close proximity to others while at your limit.

If you were interested in starting road racing I would strongly recommend doing it in smaller races first like a club league, rather than jumping in to open racing. At least next year there will be a new beginner category of D in open races which may help make it more accessible.

Also bear in mind, especially if you run already, triathlon or duathlon. They are very inclusive and as there is a no drafting rule there is not the same "minimum" standard; you can do it challenging just yourself rather than having to keep up with a leading group.

They are also very welcoming to beginners. Road racing can seem to be a bit elitist by contrast but to be honest that is not just an attitude but due firstly to this minimum standard required and secondly that inexperienced riders in a bunch can present a crash danger to the other racers taking part.

lukester · 13-11-2009 4:29pm

@blorg You trying your hand at open races next year?

blorg · 13-11-2009 4:32pm

lukester wrote: »

@blorg You trying your hand at open races next year?

Yes, that is that plan anyway. I did two this year at the start of the season but found them pretty scary- more from a handling point of view than the pace which I found OK. A lot more confident in that now with the 20 or so races we did in the club league.

lukester · 13-11-2009 4:36pm

Sweet. I suspect there'll be a few other boardsies in there too (apart from those already regularly doing them).

Raam · 13-11-2009 4:40pm

lukester wrote: »

Sweet. I suspect there'll be a few other boardsies in there too (apart from those already regularly doing them).

And in some cases, winning them

thebouldwhacker · 13-11-2009 4:42pm

Cheers Blorg, nice answer. Just curious as it would be a shame to not partake in events just due to the fear factor, always best to ask... I best get outa this thread before I get dusted...

Best of luck to all,,,,

lukester · 13-11-2009 4:44pm

Raam wrote: »

And in some cases, winning them

Names?

Raam · 13-11-2009 4:46pm

lukester wrote: »

Names?

I wouldn't want to embarrass their modest nature.

lukester · 13-11-2009 4:50pm

Sandbagging?

Raam · 13-11-2009 4:51pm

lukester wrote: »

Sandbagging?

Maybe they will come on later and out themselves.

bcmf · 13-11-2009 4:58pm

I take it to be the next step for you Raam to be open racing.

Raam · 13-11-2009 5:00pm

bcmf wrote: »

I take it to be the next step for you Raam to be open racing.

I did two this year. The first was a total disaster. The second was a TT.

bcmf · 13-11-2009 5:05pm

I will take that as a Yes.
I think meself and Rob Fowl are hatching a master plan for open Vets (yeah he will be eligible for them). Well I hope there is a master plan.
1) Register for the lowest level and hang on for dear life (and hope there is a sprint at the end

)
2)

ROK ON · 13-11-2009 5:06pm

I see the hill climb championship is on in kerry.
Hopefully they will have on some nuts climb like that one in Portmagee or Priests Leap.
I would pay to watch Raam sprint up either.

Raam · 13-11-2009 5:07pm

ROK ON wrote: »

I see the hill climb championship is on in kerry.
Hopefully they will have on some nuts climb like that one in Portmagee or Priests Leap.
I would pay to watch Raam sprint up either.

Portmagee might be too short?

Chips Lovell · 13-11-2009 5:09pm

@ROK_ON. We should enter for a laugh.

lukester · 13-11-2009 5:14pm

Raam wrote: »

Portmagee might be too short?

The climb up the other side, from Finian's Bay, would be long enough.

ROK ON · 13-11-2009 5:15pm

Raam wrote: »

Portmagee might be too short?

Priests Leap at 4k rising 400m would be ok?
2k at 15%. Surface ia ****e, literally.
But it is very far from the host club in Tralee.

sy · 13-11-2009 5:22pm

blorg wrote: »

It's quite different from running really due to the aerodynamic benefits of staying in a bunch. As such there is a sort of minimum standard just to hang on. If you fall off the back you are finished. It's also quite technical, you need to be able to handle the bike in close proximity to others while at your limit.

If you were interested in starting road racing I would strongly recommend doing it in smaller races first like a club league, rather than jumping in to open racing. At least next year there will be a new beginner category of D in open races which may help make it more accessible.

Also bear in mind, especially if you run already, triathlon or duathlon. They are very inclusive and as there is a no drafting rule there is not the same "minimum" standard; you can do it challenging just yourself rather than having to keep up with a leading group.

They are also very welcoming to beginners. Road racing can seem to be a bit elitist by contrast but to be honest that is not just an attitude but due firstly to this minimum standard required and secondly that inexperienced riders in a bunch can present a crash danger to the other racers taking part.

Excellent reply blorg. Hadn't realised that they were introducing a new category. Great opportunity for people to get into the racing scene. Do you know if they intend mixing the D group with the C's or do they intend keeping them as separate group on their own. (Probably depends on the numbers) Should be a few hairy "D" riders being promoted after the first few races:).

bcmf · 13-11-2009 5:29pm

sy I would imagine the first few D races will be utter chaos.My motto will be get close to the front and stay well there.

sy · 13-11-2009 5:29pm

el tonto wrote: »

@ROK_ON. We should enter for a laugh.

If they ever have a downhill championship, reckon you would have a good chance ( with niceonetom and tinyexplosions giving you a hard time)
(Not familiar with ROK ON's descending abilities but I'm sure they are pretty good considering his local terrain!)

Quigs Snr · 13-11-2009 5:32pm

If I am not mistaken, it looks like I could be a "D" cat next year. Cool. Better do a few races so, I'm not sure what level, if the club want to target some of the stage races like Gorey I might have to ride the equivalent of B races to prepare properly. I barely did any races last year.

Next year I reckon D will basically be the same as current C races with some of the real sharks gone. I wouldn't expect it to be any easier though to win, but there ought to be a better chance of scoring points.

The biggest challenge in a C race is staying upright I reckon. The best place to be is out front, 2 minutes up the road in a small group ! I think for the first few I will either be aiming to be well out of harms way at the front as BCMF says, or will be riding in the next grade up and sitting in until things calm down in D land.

Its not mentioned on the calendar yet but the B champs will be on in Waterford, not sure of the date yet. Probably August/Sept (our lot have won the team prize 3 of the last 4 times so we kind of felt it appropriate to host it).

Raam · 13-11-2009 5:32pm

ROK ON wrote: »

I would pay to watch Raam sprint up either.

How much will you pay and to whom shall you be paying it?

Chips Lovell · 13-11-2009 5:38pm

sy wrote: »

Excellent reply blorg. Hadn't realised that they were introducing a new category. Great opportunity for people to get into the racing scene. Do you know if they intend mixing the D group with the C's or do they intend keeping them as separate group on their own. (Probably depends on the numbers) Should be a few hairy "D" riders being promoted after the first few races:).

As far as I know, you're a D if you haven't had a licence before or have no points on a C licence. I think it's up to race organisers themselves whether they organise separate C&D races.

sy wrote: »

If they ever have a downhill championship, reckon you would have a good chance ( with niceonetom and tinyexplosions giving you a hard time)

Niceonetom would spank me handily these days. He's the king of descenders now and has no fear.

Lumen · 13-11-2009 5:46pm

I'm most pleased at the introduction of a freD category.

Presumably that's for open races?

Chips Lovell · 13-11-2009 5:47pm

Lumen wrote: »

Presumably that's for open races?

Yes

sy · 13-11-2009 6:00pm

Quigs Snr wrote: »

If I am not mistaken, it looks like I could be a "D" cat next year. .....

See what I mean about a few "hairy" D candidates;)

blorg · 13-11-2009 6:01pm

sy wrote: »

Excellent reply blorg. Hadn't realised that they were introducing a new category. Great opportunity for people to get into the racing scene. Do you know if they intend mixing the D group with the C's or do they intend keeping them as separate group on their own. (Probably depends on the numbers) Should be a few hairy "D" riders being promoted after the first few races:).

I believe the CI policy is that "where possible" they would like organisers to organise separate D races, but it will ultimately be up to the organisers. You get promoted to C immediately on getting points, so any placing in any race and you are a C.

If Quigs is in D I take it back about being easier for beginners... On the flip side I doubt he will be lasting long in D, he might get one race

Lumen · 13-11-2009 6:02pm

sy wrote: »

See what I mean about a few "hairy" D candidates;)

It's a race to the bottom. Vets can't come soon enough.

showry · 13-11-2009 7:03pm

I'm planning on having a crack at this next year too. After a couple of years of doing the club league I've got a taste for it now.
A few of us in the club are aiming to be on the start at Banteer.
Has the 'D' category actually been confirmed? I'm hearing mixed reports about it, including that the 'D's will be going off with the u-16s.

Esroh · 13-11-2009 7:11pm

showry wrote: »

I'm planning on having a crack at this next year too. After a couple of years of doing the club league I've got a taste for it now.
A few of us in the club are aiming to be on the start at Banteer.
Has the 'D' category actually been confirmed? I'm hearing mixed reports about it, including that the 'D's will be going off with the u-16s.

If you can stick with the best u16 you should be C not pot hunting in D;)

Nat AGM this w/end will confirm

Raam · 13-11-2009 7:22pm

There is a junior who rode the Swords league as a visitor. Got more points than anyone else.

RobFowl · 13-11-2009 7:56pm

Raam wrote: »

There is a junior who rode the Swords league as a visitor. Got more points than anyone else.

Wishful thinking RAAM, he was a schoolboy this year :eek:

Raam · 13-11-2009 7:58pm

RobFowl wrote: »

Wishful thinking RAAM, he was a schoolboy this year :eek:

You're right, I think it was mentioned that he will be 16 this year!

Quigs Snr · 13-11-2009 8:14pm

I am grossly overrated on this forum ! I not actually any good.

The AGM will sort out the rules but what I am hearing is that the D license will apply to people who have not scored points in the last TWO seasons..... I tell you there are still plenty of very, very good vets and C riders with no points, we had one who finished in the break with international opposition in the Suir Valley who finished the season with no points in the C category and another who got a team gold in the B champs with no C points. I don't think this D cat will be any easier to be honest. If anything I think there is a small possibility it could be harder. In Combined races there tends to be a thing where you know who the big dogs are and when they get up the road the bunch settles down.

Without those people, I think it will take a lot longer for the elastic to break and it could be far more aggressive racing. It all depends on the race organisers and if they organise a specific race for D. The aspiration and offcially proposed policy is to keep them seperate, but thats not going to be easy for cash strapped organisers.

RobFowl · 13-11-2009 8:16pm

Raam wrote: »

You're right, I think it was mentioned that he will be 16 this year!

His uncle (who won the last league race this year) won the Tour of Ulster in 1974 & 1976
1976 -
Mick Nulty
Platten Road Club
1975 -
Denis Devin
Boyne Valley C.C.
1974 -
Mick Nulty
Boyne Valley C.C.
http://www.tourofulster.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=8

sportbilly2008 · 13-11-2009 8:26pm

a hillcimb up either side of portmagee is seriously steep, both ascents would be at least 2 km ,great viewing spots too,the saint finians bay side of it is the most challenging though especially at the hairpins,looks impresve on gogle earth.

Junior · 13-11-2009 8:52pm

Just to clarify RobFowl and Raam aren't on about me...

velo.2010 · 13-11-2009 9:38pm

Re TTs and Hill Climbs can a newbie licence holder turn up and enter or is there a points quota to be achieved? Also plan on entering clubs races etc. have no chance in a sprint but would love a go at the above.

Esroh · 13-11-2009 9:53pm

Its not on that prov. list but Ballinrobe 2 Day(3stage) in August is run under a Handicap so all ye neewbie racingheads can come down for thatand I'll wave ye thru my junction and stop the lads behind ye:D

Csb(cannot think of his full username) who ran the Dub Mar on 24 days running won the 1st stage in his first season racing

Quigs Snr · 13-11-2009 10:33pm

Velo, a newbie can enter the hillclimbs and TT champs, but you need an A or B licence to enter the elite national champs (you can enter the B champs with a newbie license though)

velo.2010 · 13-11-2009 10:40pm

Thanks Quigs. I had a look at the prov. list. Hope to give it a lash next season.

Draft 2010 CI racing calendar is out

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