Newbridge GP, Sunday 14 March 2010

SACH Central

Anyone here done this before? What's the circuit like, is there a hill on it. Any info appreciated.

Chips Lovell

Never done it, but hoping to try it next week. Found this circuit on mapmyride. If it's the same course, then the answer is no, not hilly.

Quigs Snr

I've done it. Not hilly overall, very flat in fact apart from two small drags neither of which you would consider hills on a training or club spin but can cause problems in a race, the first one is after a sharp left about a third or half way in, nothing major, big ring stuff in fact, but it can split there if there are a few tough nuts in the bunch, try to get the the front because the cannon fodder at the back can tend to tail off there leaving you with a gap to close.

There is another smaller one a few miles before the finish line. Nothing major again, 3 or 4 percent for a couple of minutes is all, not enough to get you dropped but certainly enough for a strong competitor to get away on - the last time I did it thats where Philip Lavery stepped on the gas and bid us all farewell. Overall a good race which is pretty straightforward. Lock your car if parking at the finish, a couple of years ago one of our lads had his car broken into right at the finish line despite a couple of hundred people standing around. They broke a window to get in.

SACH Central

Well it's either Newbridge or Banteer. Banteer is pan flat so I reckon I'll give Newbridge a go. Want to have a race in me legs before Carrick on Paddy's Day

madrichie

Does anyone have detail on signon and start times? Can't find any info on http://newbridgecc.blogs.ie/ and irishcycling just has the basic info too...

Lumen

I've e-mailed Newbridge CC, and will post any info I receive here.

Toblerone1978

The small bit of info on the Cycling Ireland website is "Contact: John Mahon 0872453403 Race Info: 80-110k 11.00am Start, HQ Newbridge Greyhound Track."

I presume A4 (assumining it's applicable) is the 80km length. This should be my first ever race, a combination of nervousness and excitement. :cool:

What would one do normally the day before the race, would you get up on the bike at all, rest, a short intense spin??

Chips Lovell

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

What would one do normally the day before the race, would you get up on the bike at all, rest, a short intense spin??

I'm hardly the expert, but I usually go for a shortish 40 to 50km ride, spinning away in the small ring.

Lumen

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

I presume A4 (assumining it's applicable) is the 80km length.

Cycling Ireland rules state:

A4 riders are restricted to a maximum distance of 80km (with the exception of permitted stage races and the National B Championship – see below) and prizes will only be given for the first six finishers in A4 only races. A4 riders may compete with other senior categories in handicap races where the distance will not exceed 80km. A4 riders are allowed to race with U16 riders as they are governed by the same maximum race distance.

DirkVoodoo

So that would be 4 laps of 68km total or can they go slightly over the 80km limit?

I wasn't going to do this, and my legs feel pretty drained right now, but some little voice inside my head is getting louder and urging me to make up for last week.

I think I'll go smack my head with a shoe for a few minutes before deciding...

Quigs Snr

Last time I did it was 3 laps (2008), don't remember the distance but it was no longer than 90 minutes or thereabouts so probably 60 something K....unless they have changed the course.

Chips Lovell

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I wasn't going to do this, and my legs feel pretty drained right now, but some little voice inside my head is getting louder and urging me to make up for last week.

Do it. Every race you do you'll begin to feel more comfortable.

(I'm also looking for a lift:p)

DirkVoodoo

el tonto wrote: »

Do it. Every race you do you'll begin to feel more comfortable.

(I'm also looking for a lift:p)

If I go you can have one, can you get out here so we can pop straight onto the motorway?

blorg

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

If I go you can have one, can you get out here so we can pop straight onto the motorway?

@Dirk- do you have room for one more?

petethedrummer

el tonto wrote: »

Do it. Every race you do you'll begin to feel more comfortable.

I presume its like football, you can do all the training you like but nothing makes you match fit like playing matches. Of course one needs a fitness base.

Yes? No? Other?

Lumen

petethedrummer wrote: »

I presume its like football, you can do all the training you like but nothing makes you match fit like playing matches.

You only need to be fitter than everyone else. If you're not, you lose. If you are, you'll get moved to a race where you're not, and then lose.

Basically, failure is assured.

The only thing that really matters is appearing stylish in the race photos, and DirkVoodoo has that category sown up already.

You coming then? I'm sure you will be unbeatable, at least for the first 25:81 seconds.

shapez

Best of luck to those competing. The only advice I would give is, please, please have some cycling etiquette whilst riding in a bunch. Last weekend in Navan I witnessed just pure and utter carnage with the crashes and near misses that went on in the A4 bunch. I know there are inexperienced riders in the A4 group that want to try out racing etc. but they need to learn to ride in a bunch on their training spins and be comfortable with it. It's not fair on others if riders are taken out of it and end on the tarmac minus a layer of skin or broken bones.

petethedrummer

Lumen wrote: »

You coming then? I'm sure you will be unbeatable, at least for the first 25:81 seconds.

That's 24.94 seconds. I think I will go, I got dropped on a tranining spin on Sunday but I had been drinking the night before , so by my logic I should be grand if I stay off the sauce. I'll just dither around the back till I get dropped.

I'm taking the Nelly to work at the moment but a problem with the left pedal is preventing me putting any pressure down with my left leg. I'm going to have one enormous right leg by this weekend.

blorg

petethedrummer wrote: »

I presume its like football, you can do all the training you like but nothing makes you match fit like playing matches. Of course one needs a fitness base.

To be honest the fitness is just a base, your actual success is probably more down to making good decisions and of course luck. The fittest rider does not win the race. You certainly get the tactical nous from doing more of them... although you will get the fitness too

blorg

petethedrummer wrote: »

I'll just dither around the back till I get dropped.

Dither up the front, crashes will then happen behind you and you won't have to sprint out of every corner.

Planet X

I'm in. Can give a lift to possibly two. You're bikes will be on the bike rack. Mine wont!

Chips Lovell

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

If I go you can have one, can you get out here so we can pop straight onto the motorway?

I can

shapez wrote: »

The only advice I would give is, please, please have some cycling etiquette whilst riding in a bunch. Last weekend in Navan I witnessed just pure and utter carnage with the crashes and near misses that went on in the A4 bunch. I know there are inexperienced riders in the A4 group that want to try out racing etc. but they need to learn to ride in a bunch on their training spins and be comfortable with it. It's not fair on others if riders are taken out of it and end on the tarmac minus a layer of skin or broken bones.

You know, I suspect that most of the cowboys actually know what they should be doing but get a rush of blood to the head during a race and start trying all sorts of crazy stuff. Once they've seen a few crashes (or karmically) been involved in them, they begin to learn that it's never worth the risk.

petethedrummer wrote: »

I presume its like football, you can do all the training you like but nothing makes you match fit like playing matches. Of course one needs a fitness base.

Yes? No? Other?

I'd say yes.

Raam

Planet X wrote: »

I'm in. Can give a lift to possibly two. You're bikes will be on the bike rack. Mine wont!

Might grab a lift with you, unless I can secure one from closer to home?

Lumen

el tonto wrote: »

You know, I suspect that most of the cowboys actually know what they should be doing but get a rush of blood to the head during a race and start trying all sorts of crazy stuff. Once they've seen a few crashes (or karmically) been involved in them, they begin to learn that it's never worth the risk.

Did the 2009 season start out this crazy, or is it an A4 thing?

Chips Lovell

Lumen wrote: »

Did the 2009 season start out this crazy, or is it an A4 thing?

I don't know. I only raced club league at the beginning of the year and didn't do open races until after Easter. But there's always been talk of stupid antics at the beginning of the year.

blorg

Planet X wrote: »

I'm in. Can give a lift to possibly two. You're bikes will be on the bike rack. Mine wont!

Can I get a lift with you if Dirk can't take me?

Planet X

Raam wrote: »

Might grab a lift with you, unless I can secure one from closer to home?

blorg wrote: »

Can I get a lift with you if Dirk can't take me?

No probs..

See if you can drop over to Southside Raam if poss.

madrichie

Looks like a short race for A4's - might squeeze in Mothers Day lunch too...

Newbridge Cycling Club Newbridge Credit Union Grand Prix
Next Sunday 14th March 2010
Race HQ & Sign On :Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, Milltown Road, Newbridge Co Kildare

Open at 9.30.a m
Racing for All Categories
A4s +u16s Starting at 11.15.pm (2 laps)
A+A1

---

Off at 12.40 pm(7 laps)
A2

---

Off at 12.45pm (5 laps)
A3

---

Off at 12. 50pm (3 laps)

We have set up for 4 races on the day (note this may change depending on numbers. Refreshments for all after race finish at Race HQ further information from John Malone 087-2453403

Magilla Gorilla

All

Just a word of warning re the roads.

The last bit into Milltown village (about 2 km from the greyhound track) is really bad in spots. Poor/temporary repairs have been carried out, but it's really bumpy with loose material just after the 50 kph sign into the village. I don't think this bit is on the actual circuit, but you'll need to go down this way to get there. BE VERY CAREFUL.

The circuit itself is in OK order, just the odd pothole and quite good in stretches. Although a rural route, there is a lot of traffic in this area, especially jeep/horsebox combinations around the Curragh. I regularly ride these roads and Sunday afternoons can be interesting.

Good luck to all and safe cycling.

uberwolf

sounds like the same route I got second in the B race a few years back.

Thoughts - hill after Milltown enough to cause a break. Roads in Curragh enough to help a break stay away. Indeed, if there's any breeze in there in combination with the dead roads a break could easily form.

Slight rise up to the finish line in the town, so slightly easier gear to get your speed up for a sprint finish.

velo.2010

BTW is it a clockwise/anticlockwise circuit?

A recon. run could be in order!

poolboy

madrichie wrote: »

Looks like a short race for A4's - might squeeze in Mothers Day lunch too...

Newbridge Cycling Club Newbridge Credit Union Grand Prix
Next Sunday 14th March 2010
Race HQ & Sign On :Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, Milltown Road, Newbridge Co Kildare

Open at 9.30.a m
Racing for All Categories
A4s +u16s Starting at 11.15.pm (2 laps)
A+A1

---

Off at 12.40 pm(7 laps)
A2

---

Off at 12.45pm (5 laps)
A3

---

Off at 12. 50pm (3 laps)

We have set up for 4 races on the day (note this may change depending on numbers. Refreshments for all after race finish at Race HQ further information from John Malone 087-2453403

How far is a lap?

Magilla Gorilla

As far as I'm aware, it's anti-clockwise, so left-hand turns are the order of the day. If the map linked to is correct, the most risky one is the one just before the 8km/5m point. This is more of a Y-junction than a T, you're going from a minor road to a major, plus you're really travelling after coming down Boston Hill. Hard braking and a good clear line would be vital here- could be trouble in a bunch. Then it's a slowish slight uphill drag for a mile or so, could suit a breakaway.

Boston Hill itself won't trouble anyone too much, but it's just long enough and steep enough to present an opportunity. There's a cheeky second rise around the corner at the top that you can't see on the way up, again, maybe an opportunity....

velo.2010

I'll try to recce the route on Thursday. Anyone welcome to join me.

Chips Lovell

madrichie wrote: »

Racing for All Categories
A4s +u16s Starting at 11.15.pm (2 laps)
A+A1

---

Off at 12.40 pm(7 laps)
A2

---

Off at 12.45pm (5 laps)
A3

---

Off at 12. 50pm (3 laps)

Better bring lights:D

Chips Lovell

Actually, those times don't look right. The shortest race goes off over an hour before everyone else? And only 15 minutes after sign on? Surely it starts at 1:15?

Hmmm, just noticed that sign on is 9:30. So maybe they're hoping to get the A4 race done before the main event.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Actually, those times don't look right. The shortest race goes off over an hour before everyone else? And only 15 minutes after sign on? Surely it starts at 1:15?

Hmmm, just noticed that sign on is 9:30. So maybe they're hoping to get the A4 race done before the main event.

It's just enough time to get the ambulances to the hospital and back in time for the rest of the races.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

It's just enough time to get the ambulances to the hospital and back in time for the rest of the races.

Actually, my fastest ever trip to A&E was in Kildare, to get stiches in my head. If you're going to crash, crash in Kildare.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Actually, my fastest ever trip to A&E was in Kildare, to get stiches in my head. If you're going to crash, crash in Kildare.

OK so. I guess that's another race for the Spesh. El biko primero will be wondering what it has done wrong.

Chips Lovell

No better encouragement to make yourself get in the break than riding la primera bici.

DirkVoodoo

@Blorg: Sorry, I was off boards shortly after posting here, you should have mentioned it in the pub! I have to see if the rack fits on my Mum's car, the little blue punto hasn't been taxed yet. If it doesn't then I will only be able to take 2 bikes in the back, but it looks like you should have a lift anyway.

Get up the road

ANyone know how long the lap is ??

Handy race hopefully wont be a bunch sprint.

Lumen

Get up the road wrote: »

ANyone know how long the lap is ??

Handy race hopefully wont be a bunch sprint.

17km according to El Tonto's route map.

If that's true I can't see the A4 race taking more than 50 mins. Ought to be quite, er, exciting. :pac:

Caroline_ie

so driving to Newbridge to do 34km race? Might as well cycle out and do it on the fixie to get a proper spin out of it :P

Get up the road

34k for A4 and 51Km for A3 doesnt seem right. I knw i did about three years ago as an S3 and it was about 60km short race but not that short.

madrichie

Dropped a mail to John Malone to confirm the loop. 34km's does not sound right at all.

Just checked the post for the 2009 race on their blog - the S3 race was 3 laps = 48.5kms...

Lumen

Just out of curiosity, is there anything stopping someone with a club competition licence getting a one-day and signing on as an A3? There didn't seem to be any such restrictions at the one in Dunboyne.

I wouldn't mind trying to hang with the A3s, although I'm not sure I'd be welcome after crashing out of my first open race.

Maybe I need one of these...

Chips Lovell

As far as I know, there isn't.

Get up the road

Yeah you definitely can, Im an A3 and there was some pretty tragic bike handling last sunday in our race so you have nothing to fear. Just make sure your not at the back of the bunch at any time dig in when it speeds up out of corners dont take any **** of anyone and enjoy it.

Chips Lovell

If I were you I'd race A4 though. You've obviously got the legs to do stuff and it would probably be better experience to ride near the front of the A4 bunch and try and get into breaks. There'll be plenty of handicapped races (like the one on Saturday) where you can try and hang in with the faster bunches.

Chips Lovell

Another thing. I was watching yesterday's stage of Paris Nice last night and Harmon said he was talking to Dan Martin after Monday's stage. Martin said that there was loads of nervous riding in the bunch with mad braking going on left right and centre, so much so that several of the Garmin boys had huge worn patches in their tyres. So it's not just in the A4 bunch in Dunboyne that this kind of crack happens.