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Tell us about your race today.
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24-02-2013 5:13pm#1Howdy,
Was racing today in Loughrea. Really well organised by West Coast Wheelers,
It was a simple one for the a4s: lumpy with a single climb. Usual rubbish for the peloton, shakey, shouty, nervous, unconfident, and it pretty much guaranteed for crashes. I couldn't wait to get to the climb, set a pace, and hope it was long enough for me to take KOH, and hopefully break up the bunch to leave behind the less experienced and rubbish. It didn't happen like that. Arriving toward the foot of the climb I was visibly delighted. It was quite steep and seemed that it would go on long enough for me. (I was really scared in the bunch, I just couldn't trust anyone, shouting rubbish and CONSTANTLY braking). But all of this was torn asunder by one chap whose chain came off and instead of putting his hand up and freewheeling, went hard on the brakes and I ran straight into him and fell into a ditch. I exchanged words with this chap, explaining with expletives what he should have done, what he did do, and what I thought of him. And because of that he wanted to fight me (chest bumping me and other rubbish). The stewards told us to cycle back to the group: which I did. The pace was easy, but I lost like 15-20 seconds on the bunch, so by the time I got to the top of the climb I was toward the front, when I should have been making a breakaway, and contesting a KOH.
I was bloody mad. It spoiled my day: the only thing I'm good at I was prevented from doing.
.
Plenty of crashes, mostly from stupidity, our club lost 4 members to crashes today! All from the faults of others: taking out wheels.
How did your race today go?1
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without wanting to sound like an ass, what you describe sounds like a racing incident. You were going up a steep hill, the chaps chain broke. If your going up hill even a small dab of the brakes will stop you. Maybe he should have reacted differently. Maybe you should have reacted differently (IMHO squaring up to people is not worth it, eventually you will meet a nutter!!).
IIRC this was your second race, (ned flanagan last week being your first) so I think its a bit unfair calling A4 racers rubbish and questioning their experience, id wager a lot of them have a similar amount of experience to you, and quite a fair few of them have more. If you are worried about the riding in the peloton go towards the front of the pack, a lot less erratic riding happens there. You are a lot less likely to be involved in any argy bargy (until there is a sprint) but it takes a good bit more work to stay there.
Anyway, if i was you, id mark it down as experience, you weren't hurt, your bike sounds like its ok. Onwards and upwards!
As for my own race today, Traders cup in Dundalk, lumpy circuit, felt quite good, although there was one swords guy (lusk doyle) who just kept riding in front of me. It was like he anticipated every line I wanted to take and was just in front of me for most of the race
I rolled in in the front bunch.0 -
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without wanting to sound like an ass, what you describe sounds like a racing incident. You were going up a steep hill, the chaps chain broke. If your going up hill even a small dab of the brakes will stop you. Maybe he should have reacted differently. Maybe you should have reacted differently (IMHO squaring up to people is not worth it, eventually you will meet a nutter!!).
IIRC this was your second race, (ned flanagan last week being your first) so I think its a bit unfair calling A4 racers rubbish and questioning their experience, id wager a lot of them have a similar amount of experience to you, and quite a fair few of them have more. If you are worried about the riding in the peloton go towards the front of the pack, a lot less erratic riding happens there. You are a lot less likely to be involved in any argy bargy (until there is a sprint) but it takes a good bit more work to stay there.
Anyway, if i was you, id mark it down as experience, you weren't hurt, your bike sounds like its ok. Onwards and upwards!
You misunderstand me (or, more likely, I didn't explain clearly). It wasn't yet that steep as far as I recall and it was clear he braked quite hard. He would have rolled on a fair bit if he'd left the brakes alone. Or putting his hand up would help.
I didn't pick a fight. I did shout a bit, then he stepped into me, then I shouted more and explained what he should have done. After which he hadn't much to say. I didn't take part in any sort of pre-fight behavior, aside from shouting (if you want to call that pre-fight behavior, or whatever). I had no intention of fighting anyone, but was certainly going to confront him about his behavior, and I really didn't fancy pussy-footing around.
That's where I sat for most of the remainder of the day, aside from trying to break a few times. I missed all the crashes because of it, so that was grand.
Definitely will be chalked down to experience.
One thing I learnt is how much you really have to bury yourself to make a break stick. It's attack, attack, attack: constantly!
Onwards to Broadford!
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You misunderstand me (or, more likely, I didn't explain clearly). It wasn't yet that steep as far as I recall and it was clear he braked quite hard. He would have rolled on a fair bit if he'd left the brakes alone. Or putting his hand up would help.
I didn't pick a fight. I did shout a bit, then he stepped into me, then I shouted more and explained what he should have done. After which he hadn't much to say. I didn't take part in any sort of pre-fight behavior, aside from shouting (if you want to call that pre-fight behavior, or whatever). I had no intention of fighting anyone, but was certainly going to confront him about his behavior, and I really didn't fancy pussy-footing around.
That's where I sat for most of the remainder of the day, aside from trying to break a few times. I missed all the crashes because of it, so that was grand.
Definitely will be chalked down to experience.
One thing I learnt is how much you really have to bury yourself to make a break stick. It's attack, attack, attack: constantly!
Onwards to Broadford!
Thats why its important to be at/near the front when you get to hills esp in A4. lots of new guys going into the hill in the wrong gear, fluffing changes, stopping on the hill etc.
Broadford has a decent hill so we expect a different tale next week!0 -
... One thing I learnt is how much you really have to bury yourself to make a break stick. It's attack, attack, attack: constantly!...
+100, and you need LOTS of help in order to make it stick or be in a class of your own and just ride away solo to the finish.
About my own race today, did the Traders Cup. Was very cold, it snowed for a bit.
The organisation of the event was very good and nobody got led the wrong way (unlike last week). The handicaps were quite generous in my opinion though with the attitude of the A4 bunch even that was not enough.
Anyway, after a nice stroll to the start line we were called to the line and off we went. The pace initially was kind of OK but it soon settled and we were into club spin territory. Wiggled my way to the front and saw a familiar bike and club kit, introduced myself this time properly to Lusk Doyle, had bit of a chat and went for my first stint at the front. Was dead set on not going for a solo this time so kept the jumps under control (well, most of the time, think I opened a gap once or twice later on).
There were a few of us keeping the pace up for most of the time, a very impressive performance was shown by a lad in black (white number) on a steel framed bike. When none of the usual suspects were at the front the pace slowed considerably, at one point I looked down at the speed and it read 34km/h and that's with a tail wind. When Lusk Doyle or any of the other suspects went to the front the pace went up and we made a good few attempts to get a gap going but either I jumped too quickly and was alone or the bunch just somehow hung on. I remember one attempt quite vividly, went to the front and just started pulling like I meaning it, speed went up to about 50km/h (we had turned into a mild headwind by that time) one lad was trying to go over but apologetically said he can't get there (I know the feeling, had it last week during the 5 man break, want to but can't). On the return leg we had a tail wind again and I was actively looking for anything that even remotely resembled a drag or anything that even hits of an upwards slope and tried to get some attacks going, nothing was working. On the way back I was again a bit at the front an nobody coming over and I just started to slow the pace intentionally just to see at what point I'll get someone to the front. If I'm not mistaken that magic number was 30km/h.
After the last turn we got reeled in by the A2/3 bunch and the pace went up a bit but not roaring like last week. Introduced myself to Colm_gti and continued on. Had a quick chat with a fellow club member (A3) who had just arrived and started to make my way to the front. That was much easier said/thought than done. The constant surges and swerves in the pack made it very difficult, at one point a lad almost took me out from behind, just ploughed straight through me like I wasn't there at all. Somehow stayed upright and was thinking of having a word with him but a gap opened up to the right and went for that instead. With about 10k or so to go some attacks were launched by the A2/3s, bridged over to some but none got anywhere. Then started some attacks of my own, one got a small gap going up a short drag but when the road evened out we got swamped again. Tried to get back to the front again. With just a few kms to go the attacks came one after another and the pace shoot up. Before I know it I saw yellow signs with numbers on the side of the road and some people standing at the side of the road, finish and there was a gap in front of me. Mustered every single ounce of power I had still left and sprinted like trying to save my life. From the finish photo it looks like I might have got to the second line in the bunch.
After the finish was approached by a Bray Wheelers lad who very politely introduced himself while somehow he already knew my name (another boardsie maybe
). He explained to me that in one of my jump attempts I had shifted back and almost caused an incident. Felt very bad about it, apologised about it. I've been on the receiving side of some silly stuff and it sucks but being on the cause side feels a lot worse. He showed exactly what the move was that caused the lads behind me to step on their brakes, we had a short chat and parted ways. Thankfully no harm done.
Was very delighted to have been able to hang in there with the bunch and even more so with still being able to launch some attacks or bridge over to breaks so far into the race. I still have a long way to go get into the placings but today showed me that it is possible given the right circumstances.0 -
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You misunderstand me (or, more likely, I didn't explain clearly). It wasn't yet that steep as far as I recall and it was clear he braked quite hard. He would have rolled on a fair bit if he'd left the brakes alone. Or putting his hand up would help.
I didn't pick a fight. I did shout a bit, then he stepped into me, then I shouted more and explained what he should have done. After which he hadn't much to say. I didn't take part in any sort of pre-fight behavior, aside from shouting (if you want to call that pre-fight behavior, or whatever). I had no intention of fighting anyone, but was certainly going to confront him about his behavior, and I really didn't fancy pussy-footing around.
That's where I sat for most of the remainder of the day, aside from trying to break a few times. I missed all the crashes because of it, so that was grand.
Definitely will be chalked down to experience.
One thing I learnt is how much you really have to bury yourself to make a break stick. It's attack, attack, attack: constantly!
Onwards to Broadford!
Another aspect you should take as experience is, chains break, people fall. Get over it, no one needs your opinion on the side of the road. Especially the lad thats going to be already annoyed his chains broken.
If your only good for the climbs focus on your weaknesses so that your able to form and work groups on the flat and put yourself in a safer place.
You'd also be surprised how many of those you describe as rubbish will mostly likely have you eat humble pie at somestage of the season.
Respect for fellow racers, lack of it leads to a swollen ego and careless riding that will be someone elses downfall someday.
Everyone has a bad day be thankful yours wasnt today.0 -
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Fair play to you V, you were going very well, and I was being nice to you, when you were about to launch an attack at the finish you stood up out of the saddle but didn't pedal for a couple of seconds, hence going briefly backwards and caught the guys behind by suprise!
+100, and you need LOTS of help in order to make it stick or be in a class of your own and just ride away solo to the finish.
About my own race today, did the Traders Cup. Was very cold, it snowed for a bit.
The organisation of the event was very good and nobody got led the wrong way (unlike last week). The handicaps were quite generous in my opinion though with the attitude of the A4 bunch even that was not enough.
Anyway, after a nice stroll to the start line we were called to the line and off we went. The pace initially was kind of OK but it soon settled and we were into club spin territory. Wiggled my way to the front and saw a familiar bike and club kit, introduced myself this time properly to Lusk Doyle, had bit of a chat and went for my first stint at the front. Was dead set on not going for a solo this time so kept the jumps under control (well, most of the time, think I opened a gap once or twice later on).
There were a few of us keeping the pace up for most of the time, a very impressive performance was shown by a lad in black (white number) on a steel framed bike. When none of the usual suspects were at the front the pace slowed considerably, at one point I looked down at the speed and it read 34km/h and that's with a tail wind. When Lusk Doyle or any of the other suspects went to the front the pace went up and we made a good few attempts to get a gap going but either I jumped too quickly and was alone or the bunch just somehow hung on. I remember one attempt quite vividly, went to the front and just started pulling like I meaning it, speed went up to about 50km/h (we had turned into a mild headwind by that time) one lad was trying to go over but apologetically said he can't get there (I know the feeling, had it last week during the 5 man break, want to but can't). On the return leg we had a tail wind again and I was actively looking for anything that even remotely resembled a drag or anything that even hits of an upwards slope and tried to get some attacks going, nothing was working. On the way back I was again a bit at the front an nobody coming over and I just started to slow the pace intentionally just to see at what point I'll get someone to the front. If I'm not mistaken that magic number was 30km/h.
After the last turn we got reeled in by the A2/3 bunch and the pace went up a bit but not roaring like last week. Introduced myself to Colm_gti and continued on. Had a quick chat with a fellow club member (A3) who had just arrived and started to make my way to the front. That was much easier said/thought than done. The constant surges and swerves in the pack made it very difficult, at one point a lad almost took me out from behind, just ploughed straight through me like I wasn't there at all. Somehow stayed upright and was thinking of having a word with him but a gap opened up to the right and went for that instead. With about 10k or so to go some attacks were launched by the A2/3s, bridged over to some but none got anywhere. Then started some attacks of my own, one got a small gap going up a short drag but when the road evened out we got swamped again. Tried to get back to the front again. With just a few kms to go the attacks came one after another and the pace shoot up. Before I know it I saw yellow signs with numbers on the side of the road and some people standing at the side of the road, finish and there was a gap in front of me. Mustered every single ounce of power I had still left and sprinted like trying to save my life. From the finish photo it looks like I might have got to the second line in the bunch.
After the finish was approached by a Bray Wheelers lad who very politely introduced himself while somehow he already knew my name (another boardsie maybe). He explained to me that in one of my jump attempts I had shifted back and almost caused an incident. Felt very bad about it, apologised about it. I've been on the receiving side of some silly stuff and it sucks but being on the cause side feels a lot worse. He showed exactly what the move was that caused the lads behind me to step on their brakes, we had a short chat and parted ways. Thankfully no harm done.
Was very delighted to have been able to hang in there with the bunch and even more so with still being able to launch some attacks or bridge over to breaks so far into the race. I still have a long way to go get into the placings but today showed me that it is possible given the right circumstances.
Keep up the good work0 -
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i'm in a club but no fellow racers for A4, usually wearing FDJ gear was riding old Look 96
I really must apologise again for hitting you in the face, it was purely unintentional. Thanks for not hitting me back
*There was an obstacle on the road up ahead on the left, and in the process of
warning the riders behind me, i inadvertantly hit a rider in the head!! (im assuming it was pmurp as he was the only one i saw in fdj gear on a look bike!!)0 -
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I really must apologise again for hitting you in the face, it was purely unintentional. Thanks for not hitting me back
ha ha that was me alright, lucky i have the reaction time of a wealterweight boxer!!not!!
good to know a face or too might know when a break is worth commiting to! if near the end in bunch finish look for me (if i've not blown!) and i'll give a lead out if able!! i think its worse to finish in top 20 with some in the tank than blowing early in the race!0 -
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elchupanebrey wrote: »OP should have known where climb started if this was his aim and made it his business to lead the group up the hill. Hard to expect a guy to raise a hand in the middle of a peloton going uphill when his chains broke. If he had done that and fallen off you'd be giving out about guys taking hands off their bars. One of our lads chains broke towards the end and he came off, it looked like it jammed. Maybe the same thing happened here.
Was just going to leave this alone. But anyway, to clarify for those who don't want to actually read my post: his chain didn't break, it came off. Pretty sure he got back on. Secondly, we weren't on the hill yet, but arriving to it. I found it very easy to push start myself, get my feet clicked in etc. so he COULD have freewheeled and kept his hand up for a few seconds before coming to a stop. I did say all that before.
Yes, ideally being at the front would have been best. But I couldn't position myself at the front at the start, and I didn't want to be in the forward-middle of the bunch because it was really dodgy, so I kept near the middle and back where I had a bit more space. I knew it would blow up quickly and I was told it was a 5km climb, so I thought there'll be space and it'll be long enough to sneak through towards the front and into position to do whatever. That's all lads. Lessons learned, and all that.
Did anyone hear anything about the rider in Loughrea who was thrown into a 10ft ditch? Hope (s)he's OK!0 -
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