Swords League Race #9

pprendeville

Tough race tonight with the outstanding part being the handbags with long socks. Think there were 4 groups off tonight (correct me if I'm wrong) with group 1 getting what seemed like 5 minutes to me and maybe 2 minutes for the rest of the groups. Ryaner started in group 3 which raised a few eyebrows!!

Lap 1 was the usual - getting used to the high pace and just keeping the wheel in front of me. Wasn't sure how I'd be feeling as I haven't done a league race in 3 weeks but not too bad. Need to stay closer to the wheel in front of me though. RAAM was putting in some huge turns at the front and The Bike Hub guys were doing a lot also. An older gent was putting in a fair share of work also (who was he - fit man). I didn't stay at the front much for my turns.

Lap 2 and I was up to the pace but sat in a little if I'm honest before the climb. We caught a few stragglers and I was managing to stay closer to the wheel in front.

Lap 3 and the pace kinda slowed as Long Socks group was caught and passed and he jumped on. Worked his way to 2nd and then decided not to do any work at the front which confused lads for a while, myself included. Then it just got annoying and we all had a few goes at him. Thought there were going to be fisticuffs for a while but he hung in there and just stayed up near the front. I wouldn't have minded if he stayed at the back and drafted but it was completely pointless to be so close to the front and then not doing his turn. Kinda disrupted the flow but at least I got a breather.

Lap 4 and there was almost an incident coming onto main road before 3 sisters when a car came up the road when I would have assumed the marshall should have stopped it and it was lucky nobody clattered into him. RAAM made a break on the hill and I tried catching him but was always 5m off his wheel. Then we caught a big group and pace slowed again for a bit till up near the school. Longsocks went off on his own and I'd say a few of the lads were not going to let him have it his own way after earlier events. I went to the front way too early at last corner not realising it was another good bit up the road to the finish line and died about 300m from home. Finished in the bunch. good nights racing though and thanks to organisers and marshalls. Numbers seem down a bit since the very first night so hopefully they pick up again.

Beasty

pprendeville wrote: »

Ryan started in group 3 which raised a few eyebrows!!

Ryan who? Giggs, surely not Sherlock ...:D. I presume it is Ryaner, and if there were only 4 groups it would seem to make sense (although he does suit that course!)

Was flying the flag for the Club at Sundrive tonight so couldn't make this race. Hopefully I'll be back next week

A bit surprised if they only ran 4 groups, but if numbers were down I guess that would explain it. The Leinster 3 dayer probably kept a few of the scractch riders away

That corner is a nightmare to marshall - I did it on my own a few weeks ago (when the road to Oldtown was "supposed" to be closed), but there's a blind bend on the main road which is very difficult top cover off - ideally 3 marshalls are needed there, but I suspect there were only 2

In terms of the guy causing problems, let's not make this thread into a witchhunt - he needs a(nother) talking to, and I guess ideally Joe or Sam will be able to do this next time

GlennaMaddy

marshalls can't stop traffic, only warn it. You've been spoiled with garda motorbike:-)

killalanerr

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

marshalls can't stop traffic, only warn it. You've been spoiled with garda motorbike:-)

where i was marshaling the traffic got stopped :rolleyes:
the winner forgot/did not go to the singe on so was stripped of the win
seen the hand bags with long socks not sure what to make of that guy

abc_xyz

Enjoyed the race tonight, mostly cause I hung on till the finish this evening (first time). Went with group 3 as usual, did notice a few of our usual went in group2 this evening. Pace started ridiculously fast with 5-6 riders opening a gap and it took a good while for the group to actually get together. The group never got working together at all - once or twice we got it going but it broke down fairly quick, with people not coming through. May have been because of the speed?
Had a discussion with one rider when I shouted warning "careful" as he pulled over a little early for my comfort but made no impact and was told to keep my warnings to myself. Got dropped of the group on the slight drag to the school when I lost the will to keep going for about 15 seconds. More then enough.
Got picked up by group 4 a few km later and jumped on - found the corners the hardest and managed to stay with them on the hills, which was nice, but then I wasn't doing any pulling (I wouldn't have been able to do and turn and not get immediately dropped I reckon, or maybe even do a turn!). Stayed with them until they caught group 3 and then the combined group 1 & 2. Was a fairly big group at this stage and being very cautious (I've an IM in 2.5 weeks) I decided to stay well clear of it. I sat at the back till the top of the last hill and then dropped off completely. Pedalled in to the finish. Happy, first race this year, I've made it to the finish with the group (I'm counting it as such:). Next target is to make it to the finish with group 3.

Nice to see pprenderville going well in group 4 after upgrading from group 3.

kennyb3

Really enjoyed last night, form is coming on nicely with some consistent training. Managed about 12th or something but most importantly no problem staying with group 4 when they came through.

First lap, group 2 did feck all work. No riding through, a few doing work but quite pedestrian. If we d have worked then we might have stayed away. I went to the front about half way round and rode tempo which other lads seemed happy enough to let me do. Just as i dropped back towards the end of the lap Paddy attacked and few lads went after him so the pace shot up. Feck want a bit of break. Chase, chase, chase.

Second lap and i tried to bridge across to him on the hills but only suceeded in dragging the group along with me. We all reformed and the pace was much better - bit of up and overs for a while anyway.

Third lap had another few go's more for a workout than thinking id get anywhere. Few lads came across at one stage but it was going nowhere so just let it fizzle out. Towards the end of the third lap and start of 4th seemed like we were waiting on the other groups. I just sat in and waited myself. Had a gel and some water.

Fourth lap, was only a few from the front when group 4 caught us but was boxed in. No way was i letting them off, so manuveured out and jumped on. Hopped on Raam's wheel, as knew that would be a good one, and just followed him through. Only a few seemed to get round so pace not too high - good. Thought the pace might go up on the final hill or at the school but i think long socks was floating so the group 4's only seemed to go up half gas - happy days for me. After that pace went up significantly but was surprised i'd no problems hanging in.

Split at last left hander and about 20 of us away - perfect! Pace goes nuts again - have we started for the line yet? Hadnt a bog! Just hammered. Ball's got boxed in as one lad was coming back. Forced my way through then, left calf starts to cramp - ah fuc'k. Mommentum carried me past a few more and rolled in. Happy with that. Great night for it.

Thanks to marshalls et al. Plenty of strong lads in group 2, just no trust and therefore nobody will follow a wheel through. About 8 lads doing most of the work. Couple more weeks with group 2 then would like to give group 3 a shot for a race or 2 before the seasons out.

49km @ 36.3km/ph

El Director

Race Report

Met with Kennyb before the race and great to see him in such good nick. He gave me some good pointers and a run down of the lap. The last time I saw KB was when he was leaving me for dead in the Simon 8k race last Oct

Competed in my 3rd league race of the year last night, one of which was a TT. This was my 3rd proper road race though and still learning/getting used to them.

I went with group 2, my plan was to try and get an idea of the course, it was a four lap affair and there was a nice mixture of ups and downs, flat and really bad road surfaces :rolleyes:

We headed off about 5 minutes after group one, I had totally forgot how these races take off, before I knew it I was losing touch with the group after a km :eek: I didn't panic and just woke up and caught up with them, using more energy than I would have liked this early in the race. We got motoring then for a while but the pace was very much up and down, having to tap on the brakes quite a bit. I'm not used to this group racing but if I had to say something it was that we were not working well as a group. I took my first turn at the top going up the 3 sisters (I think-the hill after the left turn??) I was feeling fine and comfortable. I noted one part of the circuit - a quick right turn (chicane of sorts) followed by left and up a hill. Most guys seemed to accelerate into this section but I was slowing going into it and then really pushed going up the hill to keep contact. This was to be my downfall on lap 4.

We were about 3 min down on group 1 after the first lap. I'm used of TT'ing and a nice constant speed (as much as possible) but this continuous accelerating/decelerating was proving a little frustrating at times. Especially when accelerating out of a corner going up a hill and finding you just had to sit back down again. This meant losing momentum thus making going up the hill more difficult and less efficient. Again on the second lap I found myself at the top of the group going up the 3 sisters.

Half way around lap 3 I noticed KB had gone out on his own at the top, I said to myself 'can't leave him on his own go after him and see if anybody comes with'. When I caught up with KB I asked him how he was feeling and if it was worth a go, he said, and rightly so, 'probably not, there isn't enough of us'. A young lad did follow but wasn't taking his turn, at least we pushed the pace a bit. I continued to push hard enough after being caught especially after the school, I tired to take the chicane as fast as I could in prep for what would be the most important part of the course on the last lap imo.

We were caught by group 3/4 half way around lap 4 and I was chuffed to be able to up my speed to match theirs. This is were the race really began. You could really feel the sense of anticipation. I took a turn or two at the top at this stage but when we got to the more tech bits I was losing ground. I would make it up again but when we got to the chicane I was rightly caught out and by now the top of the group was too far away. When we took the last left onto the finishing straight which was flat I went all out. I've never been involved in a sprint finish and I was delighted to find out I had a decent sprint in me. Caught loads and just got in at the back of the main bunch of sprinters, top 20 or so I'd say.

Really enjoyed it and learned loads. My weakness is cornering, descents and in general technical bits, these races are perfect for me to improve and even last night I found I improved on each lap.

Thanks to the marshall and organisers on the night too.

manwithaplan

I wasn't sure what the legs would be like after the Wicklow 200 but I lined up in Group 4. I found the pace on the first lap tough as did some others because the up and overs completely broke down and there was only six of us left by the end of the lap. I struggle to get into races and I find myself thinking that there's no way I can sustain the pace but I usually manage to keep going - not sure if it's the pace slowing or me settling into it.

One of the Bike Hub lads got us organised early on lap 2 into a single line, team track style. I had Bike Hub shorts on (great racing bibs by the way) but that's where the similarity ended! From then on, the time gaps started to tumble. We picked up Group three coming off the main road at the end of the third lap. The lads that went with us were strong (many stronger than me) and almost all worked well.

I will be a good poster and obey the mods and leave out the next bit!

I came very close to hitting the car on the turn for the main road - I was lucky that I took the corner more narrowly than on previous laps.

Anyway, we caught groups 1 and 2 on the main road on the last lap. I stayed close to the front and was in a great position coming out of the last corner and down the straight but I misjudged where the finish was and used up too much effort in an early move. I realised my mistake and eased off but I was pretty useless in the final sprint (I can't sprint worth a damn anyway!).

Another good night's racing and thanks to all that made it happen. I'm marshalling next week so I look forward to seeing you all suffer.

Lusk Doyle

El Director wrote: »

Race Report

if I had to say something it was that we were not working well as a group. I took my first turn at the top going up the 3 sisters (I think-the hill after the left turn??)

Probably because myself and Kellt were not racing last night

El Director wrote: »

Race Report

Half way around lap 3 I noticed KB had gone out on his own at the top, I said to myself 'can't leave him on his own go after him and see if anybody comes with'. When I caught up with KB I asked him how he was feeling and if it was worth a go, he said, and rightly so, 'probably not, there isn't enough of us'.

He was probably missing me

kennyb3

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

He was probably missing me

I was, my heart was broken when i didnt see you at the start line. You missed a good one last night!

Lusk Doyle

kennyb3 wrote: »

I was, my heart was broken when i didnt see you at the start line. You missed a good one last night!

Me ar*e was still sore after the 200 on Sunday

Raam

Would any budding reporter like to do a report for the Swords website on their race?

thanks

P

shaungil

You should getty Poppy Long Stockings to do one. Now that I'd read.

RobFowl

Raam wrote: »

Would any budding reporter like to do a report for the Swords website on their race?

thanks

P

I came, I started, I punctured, I watched the race go by, went home and drank some very nice Belgian beer.

Raam

RobFowl wrote: »

I came, I started, I punctured, I watched the race go by, went home and drank some very nice Belgian beer.

What kind of beer? I had some Lithuanian stuff which was actually very nice.

RobFowl

Raam wrote: »

What kind of beer? I had some Lithuanian stuff which was actually very nice.

http://www.pascalkolkman.com/delirium/eng.html

Raam

Nice
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delirium_tremens

kellt

I was marshalling last night at clonalvy church. Seemed like group 1 got a good headstart more than usual. Seemed to be not as many racing as usual. 1st lap round the ambulance and 3-4 riders went straight on and not left at sweep. 2nd lap seemed like everyone found their feet and no stray riders.

Beasty

shaungil wrote: »

You should getty Poppy Long Stockings to do one. Now that I'd read.

I presume you were not racing last night shaungil, but I could imagine what your report would be if you had been (and indeed would probably be for every club race):

shouted a lot, blasted it, unplaced

pprendeville

abc_xyz wrote: »

Enjoyed the race tonight, mostly cause I hung on till the finish this evening (first time). Went with group 3 as usual, did notice a few of our usual went in group2 this evening. Pace started ridiculously fast with 5-6 riders opening a gap and it took a good while for the group to actually get together. The group never got working together at all - once or twice we got it going but it broke down fairly quick, with people not coming through. May have been because of the speed?
Had a discussion with one rider when I shouted warning "careful" as he pulled over a little early for my comfort but made no impact and was told to keep my warnings to myself. Got dropped of the group on the slight drag to the school when I lost the will to keep going for about 15 seconds. More then enough.
Got picked up by group 4 a few km later and jumped on - found the corners the hardest and managed to stay with them on the hills, which was nice, but then I wasn't doing any pulling (I wouldn't have been able to do and turn and not get immediately dropped I reckon, or maybe even do a turn!). Stayed with them until they caught group 3 and then the combined group 1 & 2. Was a fairly big group at this stage and being very cautious (I've an IM in 2.5 weeks) I decided to stay well clear of it. I sat at the back till the top of the last hill and then dropped off completely. Pedalled in to the finish. Happy, first race this year, I've made it to the finish with the group (I'm counting it as such:). Next target is to make it to the finish with group 3.

Nice to see pprenderville going well in group 4 after upgrading from group 3.

you mean suffering to a higher degree.

pprendeville

kennyb3 wrote: »

Really enjoyed last night, form is coming on nicely with some consistent training. Managed about 12th or something but most importantly no problem staying with group 4 when they came through.

First lap, group 2 did feck all work. No riding through, a few doing work but quite pedestrian. If we d have worked then we might have stayed away. I went to the front about half way round and rode tempo which other lads seemed happy enough to let me do. Just as i dropped back towards the end of the lap Paddy attacked and few lads went after him so the pace shot up. Feck want a bit of break. Chase, chase, chase.

Second lap and i tried to bridge across to him on the hills but only suceeded in dragging the group along with me. We all reformed and the pace was much better - bit of up and overs for a while anyway.

Third lap had another few go's more for a workout than thinking id get anywhere. Few lads came across at one stage but it was going nowhere so just let it fizzle out. Towards the end of the third lap and start of 4th seemed like we were waiting on the other groups. I just sat in and waited myself. Had a gel and some water.

Fourth lap, was only a few from the front when group 4 caught us but was boxed in. No way was i letting them off, so manuveured out and jumped on. Hopped on Raam's wheel, as knew that would be a good one, and just followed him through. Only a few seemed to get round so pace not too high - good. Thought the pace might go up on the final hill or at the school but i think long socks was floating so the group 4's only seemed to go up half gas - happy days for me. After that pace went up significantly but was surprised i'd no problems hanging in.

Split at last left hander and about 20 of us away - perfect! Pace goes nuts again - have we started for the line yet? Hadnt a bog! Just hammered. Ball's got boxed in as one lad was coming back. Forced my way through then, left calf starts to cramp - ah fuc'k. Mommentum carried me past a few more and rolled in. Happy with that. Great night for it.

Thanks to marshalls et al. Plenty of strong lads in group 2, just no trust and therefore nobody will follow a wheel through. About 8 lads doing most of the work. Couple more weeks with group 2 then would like to give group 3 a shot for a race or 2 before the seasons out.

49km @ 36.3km/ph

My Garmin's average speed was 35.5
As far as I know it doesn't have a time warp button although that's high on my request list.

kennyb3

pprendeville wrote: »

My Garmin's average speed was 35.5
As far as I know it doesn't have a time warp button although that's high on my request list.

I dont know but yours seems low for group 4 although mine seems high too. Maybe someone else in that group has some stats??

Hungrycol

kennyb3 wrote: »

I dont know but yours seems low for group 4 although mine seems high too. Maybe someone else in that group has some stats??

Group 3, my average speed 37.1, Distance 48kms. Max speed 61.2kph. Average cadence 89.

Raam

My stats from G4...

Time: 1hr 15min
Distance: 49.02km
Avg Speed: 38.7kph
Max Speed: 60.4kph
Total Ascent: 454m

kennyb3

Thanks lads. P - you need a new garmin! Fathers day sunday - get get dropping the hints... phew not mine.

cipo

Paul in group4 (Bikehub) said avg speed just under 39kph

He came 2nd not first and it was my fault his name wasn't on sign on sheet!!! He went for a piss and I paid for both of us... Noticed his license no. was wrong and changed it, didn't forge his signature!!! D'oh.

Neither of us were too concerned to be honest! Points for league are neither of our concern, just wanted good hard training.


Enjoyed last night, good group of riders in 4! Solid work for all 4 laps. The Bikehub shorts give you POWAAAAAA!!!! (manwithaplan)

No comment on the dangerous riding incident it will be dealt with properly.

Scary moment when the car came through the marshal.... probably nothing the poor marshall can do!! I was 2nd or 3rd through the corner.... We definitely weren't going as fast through that corner as we had been the first 3laps. So it was lucky enough!!

Thoroughly enjoyed my little lead out from the church down to the finish straight!!

Will marshall next week I think it's only fair to give a dig out!!

Dave.

(I'm the fatter, but much more attractive, one of the two in Bikehub gear)

clashextra

Fair play to you all for giving such incisive reports, it's only from reading them that I remember I was racing too! My memory of every race is a blur at the best of times but last night my bottle, full of life giving Hi-5, unceremoniously lept from it's cage early on the 1st lap, so all I can recall, with absolute clarity is thirst and pain:)
Started in G2 and the plan, after doing the Wicklow on Sunday, was just to see how the legs held up and if they were good, to finish.
That I did, just behind the bunch sprint. Great nights racing.
km 48, average speed 35.9 kph

Ryaner

pprendeville wrote: »

Think there were 4 groups off tonight (correct me if I'm wrong) with group 1 getting what seemed like 5 minutes to me and maybe 2 minutes for the rest of the groups. Ryaner started in group 3 which raised a few eyebrows!!

I will be going back to group 4 next week. Had intended on going this week just the world conspired
Groups weren't helped by the fact that a few of the lads for group 3 went off in group 2, some of them very strong lads who all placed at the end.

Overall it was a good race and nice to see people in group 3 working well together. The few times things started to slow, one or two different guys would shoot off the front and force the pace up again.

Stats
Time: 1:18:11
Avg Speed: 37.7km/h
Cal: 1264
Avg Power: 270W
Normalised Power: 332W

One 30second period was 714W, presumably the third time up the hill when I took off a bit too fast. If only I could do that while on the flats and aero.

pprendeville

forgot about the warmup so that was why my avg speed was down. still looking for a time warp button though as a future add on.