Swords League Race #11, Bog of the Ring

Beasty

Tomorrow night, the 22nd, sign-on at Ring Commons Sports Centre from 6.30. Due to be 5 laps which is pretty much spot-on 50km

First League race for me for 6 weeks, so it will be interesting to see how Group 2 has "developed" in the meantime - will it be a relaxed pace with a fewer of the "Big Guns" turning up due to the Stephen Roche Grand Priix and everyone looking forward to their holidays, or will it be a case of sandbaggers dropping down from Group 3, increasing the pace and trying to break at every attempt.

At least on this course there is plenty of opportunity to get the up and overs working. Also, thanks to the Ras, the one particularly bad bit of road has been resurfaced which should allow us to stay on the correct side of the road and ride 2 abreast!

RobFowl

Beasty wrote: »

It will be a case of sandbaggers dropping down from Group 3, increasing the pace and trying to break at every attempt.
!

FYP

Also beware the fat sprinters....

shaungil

No racing for me for 4 to 6 weeks and I love that track too.

manwithaplan

I'm marshalling so might bring the young lad with me. It's a short enough loop so there should be plenty of action for him to see. I will bring a camera and a stopwatch but, as this is my first time marshalling, I mightn't get to use them as I give priority to keeping you all in one piece.

Dermot Illogical

If someone was to take a spin out to this to maybe take some pics/view the action, where would be a good place to set up camp?

Beasty

RT66 wrote: »

If someone was to take a spin out to this to maybe take some pics/view the action, where would be a good place to set up camp?

It starts at Ring Commons Sports Centre and the finishing line is a few hundred metres further down the road on the motorway flyover

Alternatively you could set yourself up somewhere near the Inch (North County cricket club) - there are a couple of small inclines where the action slows down a bit, one coming up from the main road and the other just beyond the rugby club

Beasty

manwithaplan wrote: »

I will bring a camera

RT66 wrote: »

maybe take some pics

If there are going to be cameras present I may have to dig out one of the "special" jerseys;)

manwithaplan

Beasty wrote: »

If there are going to be cameras present I may have to dig out one of the "special" jerseys;)

So I bring the camera and you bring the flash.

Lusk Doyle

manwithaplan wrote: »

So I bring the camera and you bring the flash.

Ha ha nice!

07Lapierre

Well whoevers bringing a camera, can you let us know where you'll be so that we can "put on a sprint" for the camera.

Beasty

07Lapierre wrote: »

Well whoevers bringing a camera, can you let us know where you'll be so that we can "put on a sprint" for the camera.

Just stay on Lusk Doyle's wheel (he'll know damn well where the cameras are;)) - as soon as he starts raising his arms in his victory salute sprint past to steal the glory

Lusk Doyle

Can't help it. See the camera. Think of the fans. Natural reaction!

kennyb3

Flag waving tonight. Hopefully it brightens up and stays dry. Best of luck all.

Hungrycol

Last minute thing and I can't make it tonight. Enjoy folks. Looks forward to reading the race reports.

Beasty

Sounds like a few no-shows tonight - With Lusk Doyle heading up into Group 3 it looks like it might be me and RobFowl making up Group 2 - can someone make sure there's a camera around when we get to the line (probably half a lap behind the other groups) in case it's a photo finish;)

07Lapierre

I'll be there, 3 of us in group 2...so we should stay away right?

Beasty

07Lapierre wrote: »

I'll be there, 3 of us in group 2...so we should stay away right?

I'm sticking to Rob's wheel until the final 50m or so, so if he's prepared to do the work, I guess so;)

07Lapierre

Beasty wrote: »

I'm sticking to Rob's wheel until the final 50m or so, so if he's prepared to do the work, I guess so;)

Excellent! I'll have TWO lead out men!

RobFowl

Only if ye catch group one ye will

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

Sounds like a few no-shows tonight - With Lusk Doyle heading up into Group 3 it looks like it might be me and RobFowl making up Group 2 - can someone make sure there's a camera around when we get to the line (probably half a lap behind the other groups) in case it's a photo finish;)

I'm sorry, I'm going to group 3? I must have not gotten the memo!

killalanerr

Beasty wrote: »

I'm sticking to Rob's wheel until the final 50m or so, so if he's prepared to do the work, I guess so;)

i dont care how much you shout at me am not letting rob out of my sights :rolleyes:

Beasty

Another large Group 2 again tonight, with well over 20 riders it was far bigger than any of the other groups. Group 1 had quite a good start on us (probably 7-8 mins), but given it was going to be 50km, if we got our act together we should be able to close the gap

We set off as usual at quite a rapid pace, although we did have quite a tail wind to push us along.

We got the up and overs working a bit on the main road, but it's a bit of a scrappy course with perhaps 3 decent stretches where riders can work together.

Overall it was going reasonably well, although it did break down quite a few times. Half a lap in and we pass manwithaplan's marshalling corner - "6 minutes" he cries out

We continue to finish the first lap at an average speed of 36.2kph. By the next time we passed manwithaplan it was down to 4 and a half minutes (with 3.5 laps to go). Towards the end of the second lap 4 or 5 riders created a break, then as we were approaching the starting line a Jeep nipped in between the lead group and main bunch from a side-road. This created a dangerous situation as some riders tried to move up, possibly to get some drafting benefit. However a car was coming in the opposite direction, and to pass each other on that road drivers have to slow down to a crawl.

One rider decided he was going to try an get between the 2 vehicles, causing a very dangerous situation and forcing both vehicles to stop - the rest of us had to slow down considerably

Fortunately the jeep turned off a short while later, although we had to slow down again. Anyway we still managed to up the speed to 36.3kph on that lap, although the car "incident" had allowed the break to increase their lead

We managed to reel them in by the end of the 3rd lap, having reduced the lead of the remnants of Group 1 to 3 minutes. Average speed on that lap was increased to 36.5kph

On the 4th lap we caught the remains of Group 1 and were then concerned to keep away from the faster groups. I was feeling strong and happy to take some long stints at the front when riders were not coming through. Speed for that lap dropped a bit to 36kph

There were no major events on the final lap until we came past the final turn. One guy got away, and no-one was making any particular efforts to close him down. I was towards the back of the group, and started working my way up it. About a kilometer further on someone veered across the road beside me, almost causing an accident.

The pace picked up but I was still feeling quite comfortable, and I managed to pass a few riders before the final sprint when I pushed on, passing more riders. The finishing line is on a motorway flyover on a bit of an incline. I was probably in a gear too high and someone managed to just get past me by the line. The guy who had broken away won, and I managed 8th place - my best ever in a Swords race, and first points other than those you get for turning up:D

Average speed on the final lap was 37.3kph, and the overall average 36.5kph. I'll put some more stats in the training log

Overall it felt like the easiest Swords League race I have done, but it was definitely the most satisfying

Just need someone to have brought their camera along to catch the boards jersey crossing the line;)

killalanerr

really enjoyed that ,group 2 was big and while the up and overs were a bit erratic we were moving along at a nice pace and it was nice to here the time to group one was steadily coming down,i done a fair bit on the front to bring back the brake away (was a bit hairy when the jeep driver decided to get between the brake and the group just as we were about to get across to the brake away ) but i done most of my turns on the narrow road and across the bog road as no body seemed to want to push on in them spots and felt it was important to keep the speed up if we had any chance of staying clear of the groups behind,

i was feeling good and it was good to be able to put my self any where i wanted to be in the group ,moving up with no bother to keep my self out of trouble

i had a bit of a dig on the cricket club hill on the last lap but when a rider came across to me i was at my max and was unable to ride through and it came to nothing but recovered well and moved back near the front on the bog road i got a handle bar in the thigh at the turn so decided to get nearer to the front it was all going well till the the gate of the carpark when riders started to come around me (i was lost without my leadout man rob where were you ) finished half way up the group i never could sprint,very happy and very enjoyable

manwithaplan

I brought the race's unofficial photographer, my 9 year old daughter Méabh, with me.



Méabh took the photos in the album below (apart from the one of her and the ones of the ground which were taken by her six year old brother Seán). She told me that I had to upload all of them so you can regard the ones not directly concerned with the action as pieces of visual narrative which contribute to a better understanding of the event.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v333/manwithaplan/Sword%20League%20Race%20BOTR%20June%202011/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16

Méabh and Seán can be a bit judgmental...



...but they liked this guy who was nice to them while he fixed his puncture.



Overall I think they did a great job but I might be slightly biased.

And well done Beasty.

Beasty

manwithaplan wrote: »

...but they liked this guy who was nice to them while he fixed his puncture.

... yeah - "nice" like the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ....:)

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

... yeah - "nice" like the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ....:)

I demand that you remove that comment! I will not have my good name besmirched in such a manner!

manwithaplan

Was just thinking. If the guy who got the visual "thumbs down" is reading this, don't take any offence. I just posted it because I thought it was a funny example of what can happen when you let two kids loose with a camera and I hope it's OK with you.

pprendeville

Last night was officially the hardest night on the bike for me in the Swords club league (only thing harder than this is probably an hour on the turbo as it’s a mental thing more so than physical). I was thinking to myself that group 4 was going to be a small outfit as I didn’t recognise that many faces from the previous week. No sign of Manwithaplan (marshalling), Raam, bike hub guys, Ryaner who is due to move up and 1 or 2 others who’s names.entities I don’t know. Then when group 3 went off there were at least 12 I rekon to go in group 4 including Stephen Halpin who had done the RAS so I was worried about the pace. Turns out I was right to worry.

1st lap started handy enough until we got past the 2 roundabouts and Stephen Halpin put the hammer down. He really strung us out. I had done my turns at the front and unfortunately he was after me on each one so trying to stay with him was proving tough but I just dug in. After that first lap I was thinking I’d be lucky to stay round for another 1 or 2.

2nd lap proved no easier and if anything the pace went up again and it was that flat section after the 2 roundabouts (Newtown/Delahasey) that was proving the hardest for me. Again, I was thinking how am I going to get through this but I just kept the pedals turning. One guy from Mdonnelly Stamullen kept saying “up, up” anytime he was behind me so I dutifully moved up even though my legs were refusing.

3rd lap and I was up to the pace more than the first 2 so it was probably the easiest but still tough. I remember Stephen Halpin
dropping off from front and not seeing him again. Thank god.

4th lap and we were catching a few of the groups ahead of us. I think we caught group 3 on this lap on the small hill on the turn off before Balrothery. Pace didn’t go up significantly I felt like it usually does when you go past a group so a lot of guys jumped on but none came to the front. Still 5-6 guys doing the core of the work, myself included although anytime I did go to the front the Stamullen guy would just come straight past me. There were actually 2 of them – one had a Bianchi and the other a Colnago (they must be A1/A2 riders). 2nd guy was an animal altogether in that he could mash away on the flat in a ridiculously low gear (opposite of Stephen Halpin who seemed to turn a really high cadence), low cadence and it was a killer to keep up with him.

Thank God for lap 5 is all I can say. I had done a turn at the front after the 2 roundabouts on lap 4 and it took a lot out of me and then the flat section, I really had to dig deep especially before Ring Commons when I nearly lost the wheel in front. I was very close to pulling over and putting the bike in the boot but I kept going and am glad I did. A couple of the group 3 did a few turns at the front on this lap and it made life a bit easier and the pace slowed a small bit. I got a good draft for the last 500m and got in a decent position for the sprint. Long socks was there again ((apologised to him before the race for biting his head off last week. He said he was unsure of the up an over system in which the fella was going up the inside (single line) instead of outside to get more protection from the wind so that left him confused)) and was looking strong and proved to be with a 2nd place finish from G3/4. I came In just behind him. Unfortunately I chose the wrong gear and couldn’t get a high enough cadence but was delighted I’d finished well.

Very enjoyable race (once it was over) and great training. Hope to get in a few more open races before summer’s end. Average speed of 39km/hr and Avg Hr of 170. Wondering is that the pace of an A1/A2 race for the full duration?

keno111

A1 pace would usually be higher on a circuit like that. Earlier this year with Messers Irvine laverty Nulty and meself we averaged 44 k/h. Of course it helps having an olympic class athlete in the group:D

Beasty

keno111 wrote: »

A1 pace would usually be higher on a circuit like that. Earlier this year with Messers Irvine laverty Nulty and meself we averaged 44 k/h. Of course it helps having an olympic class athlete in the group:D

Yes, but that was over 4 laps (40km) - I guess pprenderville's question was more along the lines of what speed would you guys average on a course like that over 120km?

shaungil

I've said it before and I'll say it again going in group 4 or 5 in club league is harder than any open race I've ever done, including combined races. You have to work so it kills you whereas in an open race you can hide if you're dying.

As Glenamaddy says Weds is the workplace and Weekend is the playground. TBH the pace on that course in scratch is normally 40kph +. Might have slowed cos you caught the groups ahead ealrlier and also a few lads were doing the Stephen Roche thing. The Stamullen guy is prob an A2 and back in the day did few Ras's. He's very strong and even I think he grinds out the gears too much. :eek:

biker_joe

Man I would love to be out racing again ... I do miss the Wednesday hammerfest ... I might get to one or two in August ....
Biker Joe

keno111

In the black and white days the second stage of the coast to coast galway dublin meself and ben hurs lead out man averaged 33 mph in old money for the stage. Races nowadays are shorter but very fast.120 km over bog ring circuit with good A1s would prob be higher than 44 kph. Last saturday on the first stage of the P flanagan I ended up in a chasing group off 10. we averaged 41 K/: for 100 K. The leaders took 10 mins out of us by the finish.:eek:

Beasty

keno111 wrote: »

In the black and white days the second stage of the coast to coast galway dublin meself and ben hurs lead out man averaged 33 mph in old money for the stage. Races nowadays are shorter but very fast.120 km over bog ring circuit with good A1s would prob be higher than 44 kph. Last saturday on the first stage of the P flanagan I ended up in a chasing group off 10. we averaged 41 K/: for 100 K. The leaders took 10 mins out of us by the finish.:eek:

You old guys are all the same - harping on about yer black and white TVs and all that stuff ....;)

And Ben Hur's lead out man - whatever happened to him? Are they letting him out of the nursing home at all nowadays?

Raam

Beasty wrote: »

You old guys are all the same - harping on about yer black and white TVs and all that stuff ....;)

And Ben Hur's lead out man - whatever happened to him? Are they letting him out of the nursing home at all?

I heard that he is growing his hair and calling himself Patricia so he can do some ladies races.

Hylander70

Hope these load I'm new to this and the fact my famous last words were "Computers will never catch on" , circa 84, I'm doomed

Beasty

Hylander70 wrote: »

Hope these load I'm new to this and the fact my famous last words were "Computers will never catch on" , circa 84, I'm doomed

When you say "these", I am assuming the plural, but there's only one image (it's a good one though) - do you have any more?

Hylander70

Beasty wrote: »

When you say "these", I am assuming the plural, but there's only one image (it's a good one though) - do you have any more?

Told you I was new at it have the missus working on it, shes the IT dept. in our household and after her its the cat

Beasty

Hylander70 wrote: »

Told you I was new at it have the missus working on it, shes the IT dept. in our household and after her its the cat

Welcome to boards - you'll fit in well around here:D

Hylander70

Maybe this time!!

https://picasaweb.google.com/114552163029237392498/Race11?feat=directlink