Mark Mullen league, Drogheda wheelers starts 25th June

lennymc

The Mark Mullen league will commence on Mon night June 25th and will run for 6 x Mon nights up to and including July 30th.Sign on will be in Donore village and will start each night at 7.30pm.All welcome including youth riders.All abilities will get their chance as the league is run on a handicap basis each week.

Anyone doing it?

granda

would love to do it lenny but i work every monday, any chance of changing it to tuesday:rolleyes:

lennymc

Reminder - this is starting next Monday.

Anyone doing it?

Inquitus

lennymc wrote: »

Reminder - this is starting next Monday.

Anyone doing it?

I might give it a lash, Monday is an approved cycling night with the missus! How much is it to sign on etc. ?

bren_mc

lennymc wrote: »

All abilities will get their chance as the league is run on a handicap basis each week.

what exactly does that mean lenny?

lennymc

i think it means that there will be handicaps (i just posted the response i got), slower riders get away earlier. Not sure what way the groups will be organised or what the time gaps will be.

its 3 euro per race.

manwithaplan

I might give a couple of them a go but not this Monday.

levitronix

whats the format for tonight ? and distance ?

Inquitus

Aye I am going to head out to this, some details would be appreciated.

lennymc

only details i have are that sign on is 7.30, its 3 quid, and there will be groups. Sure its a lovely evening, pop along anyway

Beasty

last year's thread

I presume the circuit will be the same as the one they used then

lennymc

that is the circuit beasty. I thought i put a l ink to it somewhere earlier, but i obviously didnt,

lennymc

well that was fun.

I was in the same group as inquitus, and, after a rush of blood to the head i attacked the group at the start. i figured id be dropped anyway so may aswell go out in a blaze of glory I was obviously caught, hung on to that group for a bit then got dropped. Its a draggy course, and really hurts the legs. I was on my own for most of the 5.5 laps, caught and passed a few people and finished with an average speed of about 32 kmph, which is about 3 or 4 kmph faster than my previous best round that circuit so its all good. My first race in about 6 weeks, and it reminded me how brilliant racing is. Roll on thursday for the chuculainn league!

well done inquitus, nice to see you again.

Inquitus

lennymc wrote: »

well that was fun.

I was in the same group as inquitus, and, after a rush of blood to the head i attacked the group at the start. i figured id be dropped anyway so may aswell go out in a blaze of glory I was obviously caught, hung on to that group for a bit then got dropped. Its a draggy course, and really hurts the legs. I was on my own for most of the 5.5 laps, caught and passed a few people and finished with an average speed of about 32 kmph, which is about 3 or 4 kmph faster than my previous best round that circuit so its all good. My first race in about 6 weeks, and it reminded me how brilliant racing is. Roll on thursday for the chuculainn league!

well done inquitus, nice to see you again.

Well run race on a nice course. Epic fail from me though. Set off in plenty of time in my car, and in order to keep my race weight down I just took the Car Key with me which is diff to the petrol cap key, only the car had no petrol. 10km trip up to the Apple Green and a realise my dilemma! Charge back home, nab the wifes car and charge off towards Donore. Arrive 2 mins before the off, Lenny kindly puts my bike wheels on while I sign on, good to catch up aftre the evil 200 of a couple of weeks ago.

Chatting to a Swords lad at the start in the Grp 2 bunch, "so what Grp do you head off with in Swords races then?", Grp 4 he says, hmmm this isn't going to end well thinks I. Got dropped as the first lap finished with Lenny though the legs did come round afterwards, and did 15km TT'ing on my own until Grp 3 caught me.

Pulled off after 3 laps as my TT efforts had taken it out of me. Will be back again hopefully to set the record straight, might have to wait til next year though as I don't think I get back from my holidays til the series is over.

http://app.strava.com/rides/11728051

padjo5

I enjoyed that! Same boat as lenny, 5 weeks since last race, set off in group 2. We tipped along and after lap or so we were down to 6lads. There was 3/4 of us doing all the work. We pushed on for the rest of the race. With about 1.5km to go I attacked, as I did last year to win. Got a gap of about 10-15mtrs I think but I couldn't hold it, the lads were strong. So I crossed the line for 6th, happy as Larry! Distractions coming up so I reckon I'll miss the next 4 weeks. Best of luck to the lads here.

granda

well done to all, just watching tired me out but hopefully i'll be hanging in somewhere at the back next year

bren_mc

i think i'd like to give this a go. what sort of license do i need and how long will it take to get that sorted out?

lennymc

minimum licence is a club race licence. If you intend to do any open races you will need an a4 licence, but club licence is fine for this. If you have a cycling ireland licence i think you can transfer online. Im not 100% sure on that tho.

bren_mc

thanks Lenny. I currently have a non competition license. I don't see any option to upgrade it online, so i've just sent off an email asking how I go about it. if i get it done in time for next monday you'll have one more finisher behind you:D

lennymc

good man bren_mc!!

ill be in the drogheda gear.

lennymc

anyone else doing this tomorrow? I think this course is used in the leinster 3 day, so could be a good recce.

Beasty

lennymc wrote: »

anyone else doing this tomorrow? I think this course is used in the leinster 3 day, so could be a good recce.

I suspect half of the Swords League (former;)) regulars could be heading up for this one

Do they use the same course every week?

lennymc

i think its the same course each week.

Inquitus

Watch out for some of these dodgy Swords types, fella from Swords Grp 4 going off in Grp 2 last Mon! Beasty will probably ask to be in Grp 1 due to his advancing years

dougal01

hi everyone just want to let you now that it is the same course every week see u all tomorrow

Beasty

Inquitus wrote: »

Beasty will probably ask to be in Grp 1 due to his advancing years

Too bloody right I will. Indeed I would expect it without even asking - a little respect for the elders in our community is surely only right

Looking at the course, it's quite short, and there is no way that handicaps similar to the ones offered in the Swords League could be applied (otherwise limit would be half-way round their second lap before scratch start!)

lennymc

not sure what the handicaps are beasty, but the a4 group won it last week. There was one group ahead of them on the road.

Beasty

lennymc wrote: »

but the a4 group won it last week.

So are the groupings broadly based on CI categoristions? I'll make sure I bring my A4 numbers if it is;)

lennymc

Beasty wrote: »

So are the groupings broadly based on CI categoristions? I'll make sure I bring my A4 numbers if it is;)

ill ask them to make a special exception for you beasty

Beasty

Thanks lenny, limit group it is then

manwithaplan

Pretty sure I will do this tonight. Just need to decide if Donore is a bit far to ride out and back to.

bren_mc

got the license sorted the other day (just rang Cycling Ireland and they did it there and then over the phone. Very helpful I must say). Anyway I was looking forward to this but am now feeling a bit apprehensive the way the weather is. I'm nervous as hell cornering in the wet and would hate to be the cause of a pile up (though I can't imagine too many behind me ). Any thoughts / advice for a race newbie ??

Beasty

bren_mc wrote: »

Any thoughts / advice for a race newbie ??

Yep - just stay well clear of anyone on a fancy Cervelo ...

If you really are that nervous on cornes it's probably best if you stick towards the back and take any sharp ones on your own. The problem with this approach is you'll struggle like hell to get back on. If you can get round a few and keep with the group, hopefully your confidence will grow with each corner.

Lusk Doyle

manwithaplan wrote: »

Pretty sure I will do this tonight. Just need to decide if Donore is a bit far to ride out and back to.

I've gotten a day pass from herself to go tonight also. It's not too far from me to ride out and back but with the weather I may decide to drive.

If I drive out I can give you a lift back as far as my place and you can head home from there if you like?

Beasty

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

I've gotten a day pass from herself to go tonight also.

Scratch for you "Young Man";)

lennymc

ill be in the drogheda gear on a boardman bike. pop over and say hello.

manwithaplan

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

If I drive out I can give you a lift back as far as my place and you can head home from there if you like?

Sounds good and I will probably take you up on that if I ride out. If I don't escape work early enough I'll have to drive myself. I think dario 28 is driving out too.

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

Scratch for you "Young Man";)

Me ar$e!

dougal01

Handicaps operate on ability in accordance with the best knowledge of the organisers but this is tweaked on a weekly basis depending on performances.Its a league that has been operating for about 15 yrs now and the emphasis has always been on the ''craic'' around the races.Nothing too serious but a good workout for all.Youth league also on at the same venue.The distance is approx 37km per night 5.5 laps of the circuit for the senior categories.Safe course with ambulance in attendance each night.The league will take a break on Mon 16th to facilitate stage 1 of the Leinster 3 day on the same circuit.

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

Yep - just stay well clear of anyone on a fancy Cervelo ...

If you really are that nervous on cornes it's probably best if you stick towards the back and take any sharp ones on your own. The problem with this approach is you'll struggle like hell to get back on. If you can get round a few and keep with the group, hopefully your confidence will grow with each corner.

You needn't worry about hitting that fancy cervelo. The lad who "rides" it usually only lasts the first lap with the bunch anyway

Lusk Doyle

lennymc wrote: »

ill be in the drogheda gear on a boardman bike. pop over and say hello.

Only if you apologise for slagging my PR up Howth the other day :pac:

lennymc

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Only if you apologise for slagging my PR up Howth the other day :pac:

that was a genunine misunderstanding

Beasty

dougal01 wrote: »

Handicaps operate on ability in accordance with the best knowledge of the organisers

Could the organisers please note the following :

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

You needn't worry about hitting that fancy cervelo. The lad who "rides" it usually only lasts the first lap with the bunch anyway

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

Could the organisers please note the following :

You're welcome "Old Man"!

lennymc

that was fun. 4.5 laps with the bunch of 6 before blowing up this week, which was an improvement on last weeks 1.5 laps. Nice to meet beasty, lusk doyle, manwithaplan and well done to bren_mc on his first race. He was going well. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Lusk Doyle

lennymc wrote: »

that was fun. 4.5 laps with the bunch of 6 before blowing up this week, which was an improvement on last weeks 1.5 laps. Nice to meet beasty, lusk doyle, manwithaplan and well done to bren_mc on his first race. He was going well. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Indeed!

Nice circuit that I never knew about. Our league suspension was a little blessing in disguise to facilitate this discovery!

Thanks to the organisers for having us and I will be back next week for more suffering, or to show those youngsters how CPs are meant to work

Beasty

A tough but enjoyable circuit - little opportunity for respite, as soon as we were getting over the drags it was a TT to hold on or get back on. I was in the same group as lennymc, second off with a 4 minute handicap to make up.

On the first lap there were 2 or 3 of us doing the work, but by the second I was holding on. It was a small group with a bit of a range of abilities, making it a bit difficult to get the pacing right, particularly as some of the riders were better on the drags, and others (me in particular) could pound it along on the flat

Up and overs were non-existant - there appeared little appreciation of the benefits, meaning riders were being left at the front for long periods making recovery more difficult, particulary as the group was getting strung out coming over the drags and round the corners

Anyway, for such a small group the pace was very good - we were averaging 35-36kph which was only a couple of kph slower than the A4s did in the open race in April, when the group was very much larger

We caught the limit group with just over 2 laps to go, although there was still one rider up the road. The sole scratch rider and Group 3 caught us early on the penultimate lap. I held on for a while but was dopped on one of the drags. I managed to keep with a couple of young lads until near the start of the final lap then it was me and another Swords guy until the drag round the back of the coure, when my legs had nothing left and I fell back to complete the race on my own.

Still my overall average was jus over 35kph, and it was a great workout - just short enough to encourage me to complete the race.

Nice to meet lennymc and bren_mc. Good organisation from Drogheda, and the smaller groups definitely make the racing a bit more enjoyable, with a lot less concern about potentially risky riding from others

bren_mc

nice to put a faces to a few of the names on here. enjoyed that hugely. will have to work big time on cornering as i was losing a lot of time on every corner (and no doubt making myself a mobile obstacle to the other lads in the group - apologies for that) then had to put in a big effort to get back on each time. managed to stay with the main bunch for maybe half a lap after they caught us but eventually got dropped on a descent and couldn't get back on so finished the last lap and a half on my own. anyway, already looking forward to next week !

manwithaplan

Went off in the third (scratch) group. Once things got going, it was really good racing with plenty of attacks. We caught the groups ahead. A lone junior took off with about a lap to go and the chase took a long time to get going. I tried to reel in him late on, mainly for my teammate who is strong in the sprint, but didn't manage it. I had buried myself in the attempt and just rolled over behind the sprint. Think I got eighth or something.

Fair play to the winner who attacked all night. He had Ireland Development Squad shorts on - hope he goes on to bigger things. Nice tough circuit - thanks to the organisers for having us Swords refugees.

dougal01

your all very welcome any week at the league,and with the problems ye lads have had it helps us when we have a garda superintendent in the limit group.We are also looking at having for the first time an A4 race only on the same circuit in conjunction with our Brendan Campbell Memorial races on Sun July 29th if we get enough feedback for same.

Beasty

dougal01 wrote: »

We are also looking at having for the first time an A4 race only on the same circuit in conjunction with our Brendan Campbell Memorial races on Sun July 29th if we get enough feedback for same.

I would certainly welcome this - the A4s were blown apart in April's race on that course with probably less than a handful managing to hang onto the main bunch

I presume it would need to be run before the main event, as that course is far too short to run a DMS?