Charleville 2 day 2013 (06/08/2013)

Pablo Rubio

Looks like a good race to finish off the season. Anyone doing this . entries seem to be filling up especially in seperate A4 race. Gonna need some good climbimg legs by looks of things on last stage.

luapenak

Just got a last minute entry in during the week. Looking forward to it. Are the A2/A3 and A4 races on the same routes? Anyone ridden the course, how tough are the climbs?

bwalsh1983

Got in on time but an untimely smash last Wednesday has left myself and my bike in a race to make it. Was really looking forward to it, especially the last stage.

dermabrasion

luapenak wrote: »

Just got a last minute entry in during the week. Looking forward to it. Are the A2/A3 and A4 races on the same routes? Anyone ridden the course, how tough are the climbs?

This is a great event. Did it last year as my 1st open race. I was nowhere near competitive, but great experience. I rode it like a sportive having been dropped early on, so my view is likely different to the one from the pointy end.
Stage 1 was great. Rolling road eventually turns up draggy about halfway through. The heat was turned up at this point, and I got shelled. I think I could've hung on with a (good) bit of effort and concentration. Stage 2 TT is about 7k. Mostly flat, but it hurt. It made a dent in the GC.
Stage 3 has a decent climb in it coming about 30K. Not exactly one for the goats, but tough enough to split the group. I got shelled just before it started, but then got a tow from the broom wagon! Started to pick up stragglers, so it's enough to cause hurt. There is a fast descent, on a small road. Would be tough in the wet, or if passing cars. Another shorter climb comes after a sharpish turn. It looks worse on paper than it was. Finally, there is a run into the finish on a coarse surface, suiting a small group that works together to stay away.
Anyway, been thinking about this all year, and how to ride it. I'm in better shape than last year, but form has slipped. Still, cant wait for this to start.

daragh_

@dermabrasion I reckon you'll kick ass on the TT this year

Really looking forward to this, particularly Stage 2. Will be my final race of my first year of racing and my second 2 Day. Can't save I've covered myself in glory but it's been fun.

bwalsh1983

I'm hoping that required parts arrive in the next day or two and I can get the bike patched up, ill timed absence from riding due to the crash but will give it a go anyway if I can!

daragh_

A4 TT now moved to Saturday evening.

Cut and paste from FB. Apologies for the Caps, was posted that way.

---

NEW UPDATED TIME SCHEDULE FOR WEEKEND TO GIVE A4'S MORE TIME BEFORE THERE TT.

CHARLEVILLE 2 DAY.
WEEKEND TIME TABLE.
Saturday 7TH & Sunday 8TH September 2013.
HEADQUARTERS: THE CHARLEVILLE PARK HOTEL & LEISUR CENTRE.
SATURDAY 7TH.

SIGN-ON: 12NOON – 1.15PM.
RACE LEAVES HQ: 1.45PM SHARP.

STAGE 1: NEUTRALISED FOR THE FIRST 2.40KM.
ROLLING START FOR A2/3’S, A4’S HELD.
START TIME 2.00PM A2/3’S, FINISHING APPROXIMATELY 3.53PM.
2.15PM A4’S. FINISHING APPROXIMATELY 4.20PM.

7.00pm A4 TIME TRIAL. Riders off at 1 minute intervals in race number order.

SUNDAY 8TH.
STAGE 2: TIME – TRIAL: START 8AM WITH A2/3’S IN RACE NUMBER ORDER 1 MINUTE INTERVALS. NO SIGN-ON FOR TIME TRIAL.

STAGE 3: SIGN-ON STARTS 11 am. RACE LEAVES HQ AT 12.50PM NEUTRALISED FIRST 2KM
ROLLING START FOR A2/3’S, A4’S HELD.
START TIME 1.00PM A2/3’S, FINISHING APPROXIMATELY 2.45PM.
1.15PM A4’S, FINISHING APPROXIMATELY 3.10PM.

fazer1

Entry closed for A4.
I may have to pull out due to illness, any one interested in taking my entry for this contact me to make arraignments to try and transfer entry.

Briando

I'm sick as a small hospital also, but gonna head down and try hang on.

Hows the weather looking for the weekend?

Anybody do the narrow steep decent in the wet before? Gonna be hairy enough with a big group flying down it?

daragh_

Repeat after me.

It's not going to rain in Charleville. It's not going to rain in Charleville. It's not going to rain in Charleville.

If enough of us believe it'll work. Right?

Briando

daragh_ wrote: »

Repeat after me.

It's not going to rain in Charleville. It's not going to rain in Charleville. It's not going to rain in Charleville.

If enough of us believe it'll work. Right?

I was gonna check weather but its good to hear its gonna be dry. See you tomorrow

Briando

That was brutal cold out there on Stage 1, came off the bike like a block of ice.
The TT was over very fast, anybody doing it in the morning don't save too much energy. Took a caffeine gel before the TT and it certainly got me going, still cant sleep now

Anybody know if the GC standings are published anywhere?

Some photos up here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.509187112504515.1073741853.415488098541084&type=3

elchupanebrey

GC upon Facebook.

A2/3 TT changed to 8.30

daragh_

I'm out. Crashed at the end of stage 1. Fractured Collarbone and little finger. Plus epic road rash.

Crash cherry well and truly popped.

Ouch.

NamelessPhil

Sorry to hear that daragh_ you'd had a great season to this point. Since you're walking wounded how's the bike?

buffalo

daragh_ wrote: »

I'm out. Crashed at the end of stage 1. Fractured Collarbone and little finger. Plus epic road rash.

Crash cherry well and truly popped.

Ouch.

Yikes, hope the recovery is swift and easy. At least it's the end of the season?

And well done Briando, going well!

Hmmzis

daragh_ wrote: »

I'm out. Crashed at the end of stage 1. Fractured Collarbone and little finger. Plus epic road rash.

Crash cherry well and truly popped.

Ouch.

Holy smokes, to a swift and painless recovery!

Regarding road rash, anyone up for a Tegaderm group order for next season?

wav1

Dylan Foley takes the A2/A3 TT and the yellow jersey.

Briando

daragh_ wrote: »

I'm out. Crashed at the end of stage 1. Fractured Collarbone and little finger. Plus epic road rash.

Crash cherry well and truly popped.

Ouch.

Ahh that was you Daragh, I was about 2 bike lengths behind yourself and the other lad and somehow got around you. Saw you walking about today stuck back together with bandages.

Some more pics from Stage 3 here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.509604005796159.1073741854.415488098541084&type=1&l=4fbeee76aa

I know there was some complaints about missing marshals and people not following the lead car got lost, but besides that I loved Stage 3, Stage 1 not so much due to the rain and it being so flat. Looking forward to being back next year already.

wanderer 22

daragh_ wrote: »

I'm out. Crashed at the end of stage 1. Fractured Collarbone and little finger. Plus epic road rash.

Crash cherry well and truly popped.

Ouch.

ugh, sorry to hear that man- best of luck with the recovery

Morrisseeee

Well what an experience that was, A4. Got up for 7th in the sprint on S1. I was shivering before the start, never really warmed up and I took the shivering up a few notches after the race, myself and another guy were in the van and we could barely talk or lift the flask of tea it was so bad !

Then onto S2, the TT. Back on with the wet helmet & shoes and off into the lashing rain..............for more pain, yipeee :rolleyes:

S3, at least the weather held, all was going well until half way up the first long climb, legs were screaming, but myself and a bunch of lads held it together and chased like daemons, until after Kilfinane, we were hammering it and we went straight past an un-marshaled junction, we were supposed to turn left ! doh ! day over.

/The yellow jersey guy :eek:

daragh_

Thanks all. Gutted that I didn't get to finish. Was really feeling good about this weekend and felt great on Stage 1, until my sudden halt.

Well done everyone. Today looked bloody tough from the comfort of the Tiernan's car.

Well chuffed for Maloner who took 3rd in GC and got an upgrade.

And a big shout out for my awesome club mates for patching me back together and getting me home.

skerry

daragh_ wrote: »

I'm out. Crashed at the end of stage 1. Fractured Collarbone and little finger. Plus epic road rash.

Crash cherry well and truly popped.

Ouch.

Was a couple of bike lengths behind that crash, sounded nasty. Was very messy conditions for a big bunch coming in like that, best of luck with recovery.

maloner

A great weekend for me, but tinged with disappointment for daragh_ after the training and work he put in, while at the same time grateful it wasn't worse for him. Shame about the marshaling mishaps too which left a sour taste for some I'm sure.

Really enjoyed stage 3 (a4). Was digging deep going up the first climb and my plan for the day was to stay near the front and hang on and managed that and once we were over that (about 20 of us I think) we worked fairly well to the second sharp climb. Felt better on this one and after that it was full gas all the way with most people contributing. We didn't get any time gaps so I didn't know how far back the yellow jersey was. I was 5th going into the stage and had passed him early on the first climb and he was struggling then so was reasonably sure he wasn't that close but couldn't know for sure so did a good bit of work on the final 6km stretch to the finish, coming in 7th in the end, just pipped for a place, but enough to get 3rd overall.

The gap to the next group was about 4 mins in the end but a group between our group and that group got sent the wrong way so it would have been a lot less I imagine as we were in sight apparently on the second climb. We were at the top of the steep ramp and they were at the bottom (so maybe 1.5/2 mins or more?) but we worked well to the finish but its hard to know if we'd have been caught but I reckon we'd have stayed away anyway.

bwalsh1983

Great weekend in Charleville, albeit with Saturday ranking up there with the Ballymore earlier this Summer as one of the worst days I’ve had on a bike. Rain started as we were gathering by the Hotel entrance and got even heavier as we waited for the off at the start point out the road. Pretty un-interesting stage, put in a few digs on some of the bumps to try and string it out a bit but it didn’t do much only raise the pace for a minute or two. Really began to suffer in the cold in the last 15k, especially on the descents which were taken carefully, numbing fingers not helping at that stage. Wasn’t in any good position to get up there for the sprint and given my state I wouldn’t have been confident in handling the bike. Saw that crash that the above was involved in, looked nasty, hopefully mend up sooner rather than later. After a crash myself only two weeks ago I was glad to be able to avoid it. No ill wishes on anyone involved in a crash at all but did it go down in a sprint for a top 40 place? Fair dues to Dave from West Cork Cycling who held on for the win.

Misery for the TT as was off in the dark close to 8 in the pissing rain. Middle of the bunch after losing 58 seconds to the winner who was eh…….really motoring…….some engine on him etc etc etc. The less said the better there.

Had been looking forward to Sunday and thankfully dry too. Sat in the bunch till Glenanar, made my way to the front and attacked at the steep part, had a little gap but was going nowhere fast and was joined by one other rider and we took some turns all the way up when we were rejoined by a group of only 20 who were only a couple of bike lengths back all the way. Job done in terms of the split, yellow jersey dropped early too but later on he was really motoring….some engine on him etc etc etc. Etc! Hammered down the descent and group worked together all the way to the next climb where we all paced it up there and worked again to Kilfinane and onto Kilmallock, some very strong guys on the flat kept it high. The chase group took a wrong turn amid the confusion at one of the last junctions but I think it would have stayed away given the work that had been done, easier to organise a group of 20 than an entire bunch! Pace slackened off on the TT course/finshing KM’s as people were trying to position themselves for the finish. Astonishingly (!) the yellow Jersey popped up next to us right at the line…some performance…he was really MOTORING etc etc etc. Didn’t place in the sprint but satisfying day in the split.

Really good days racing yesterday after the misery of Saturday. Got a respectable GC position but time trial was bad…think I need a team car. Congrats to all.

bwalsh1983

maloner wrote: »

A great weekend for me, but tinged with disappointment for daragh_ after the training and work he put in, while at the same time grateful it wasn't worse for him. Shame about the marshaling mishaps too which left a sour taste for some I'm sure.

Really enjoyed stage 3 (a4). Was digging deep going up the first climb and my plan for the day was to stay near the front and hang on and managed that and once we were over that (about 20 of us I think) we worked fairly well to the second sharp climb. Felt better on this one and after that it was full gas all the way with most people contributing. We didn't get any time gaps so I didn't know how far back the yellow jersey was. I was 5th going into the stage and had passed him early on the first climb and he was struggling then so was reasonably sure he wasn't that close but couldn't know for sure so did a good bit of work on the final 6km stretch to the finish, coming in 7th in the end, just pipped for a place, but enough to get 3rd overall.

The gap to the next group was about 4 mins in the end but a group between our group and that group got sent the wrong way so it would have been a lot less I imagine as we were in sight apparently on the second climb. We were at the top of the steep ramp and they were at the bottom (so maybe 1.5/2 mins or more?) but we worked well to the finish but its hard to know if we'd have been caught but I reckon we'd have stayed away anyway.

Highly enjoyable day yesterday, congrats on the overall position!

daragh_

For the record I was holding my line, making no attempt to move up and was thrown off balance by someone coming up at speed on my right, who clipped me on the bars or shoulder. It's hard to retain the details when you hit the deck at that speed.

Anyone who was near me at the end would have heard me shouting to people to hold their lines and that we were all going to get the same time.

I'm far too lazy to sprint for 40th.

dedocdude

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

some engine on him etc etc etc. The less said the better there.

Only that you keep mentioning what you dont want to talk about, its kinda like listening to Davy Fitz being interviewed - Did something fishy go on?

buffalo

dedocdude wrote: »

Only that you keep mentioning what you dont want to talk about, its kinda like listening to Davy Fitz being interviewed - Did something fishy go on?

See final GC:

Commissaire Communique

---

Rider Number 9, O Connor, Patrick Killorglin CC
Reg:18 Rider Holding on to his own team vehicle
Penalty: Disqualification
The College of Commissaires

---

bwalsh1983

daragh_ wrote: »

For the record I was holding my line, making no attempt to move up and was thrown off balance by someone coming up at speed on my right, who clipped me on the bars or shoulder. It's hard to retain the details when you hit the deck at that speed.

Anyone who was near me at the end would have heard me shouting to people to hold their lines and that we were all going to get the same time.

I'm far too lazy to sprint for 40th.

Thats awful for you then, don't know where other dude was going at that place in the bunch. Hit the deck at 50KPH two weeks ago myself, no notion of what happened, only sitting in the middle of the road with blood everywhere and my bike in pieces. Blood was from someone else!

3 days of Inadine dressings, 4 days of Jelonet dressings, and your rash should hopefully be close to repair.

As regards the yellow jersey. DQ'd for drafting in the TT which came to light yesterday after the reports of holding onto the Neutral service car (provided by him!) multiple times. Some Wexford lads told me he was struggling and suddenly appears the car and up the climb at 60kph. Laughable.

jinkypolly

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

As regards the yellow jersey. DQ'd for drafting in the TT which came to light yesterday after the reports of holding onto the Neutral service car (provided by him!) multiple times. Some Wexford lads told me he was struggling and suddenly appears the car and up the climb at 60kph. Laughable.

Ridiculous carry on.

dedocdude

jinkypolly wrote: »

Ridiculous carry on.

Ha! nailed - Pat knows there the door handles are

bwalsh1983

dedocdude wrote: »

Ha! nailed - Pat knows there the door handles are

Its not about the bike.....(its about the car).

ericzeking

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

Its not about the bike.....(its about the car).

Judging by some of the TT gear on show by some guys it's most definitely not about the bike!!

bwalsh1983

ericzeking wrote: »

Judging by some of the TT gear on show by some guys it's most definitely not about the bike!!

I was quite impressed by one chap with skinsuit, TT rig (disc wheel), teardrop helmet.......and two full waterbottles...for 6K TT.

You can buy a TT rig but you can't buy sense!

dedocdude

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

holding onto the Neutral service car

ericzeking wrote: »

gear

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

drafting in the TT

Lads, this sounds like the dirtiest race going! Did the Anti-doping officer make an appearance? ;-)

bwalsh1983

dedocdude wrote: »

Lads, this sounds like the dirtiest race going! Did the Anti-doping officer make an appearance? ;-)

He wasn't required as after the second climb most people knew he was a dope.

skerry

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

Had been looking forward to Sunday and thankfully dry too. Sat in the bunch till Glenanar, made my way to the front and attacked at the steep part, had a little gap but was going nowhere fast and was joined by one other rider and we took some turns all the way up when we were rejoined by a group of only 20 who were only a couple of bike lengths back all the way. Job done in terms of the split, yellow jersey dropped early too but later on he was really motoring….some engine on him etc etc etc. Etc! Hammered down the descent and group worked together all the way to the next climb where we all paced it up there and worked again to Kilfinane and onto Kilmallock, some very strong guys on the flat kept it high. The chase group took a wrong turn amid the confusion at one of the last junctions but I think it would have stayed away given the work that had been done, easier to organise a group of 20 than an entire bunch! Pace slackened off on the TT course/finshing KM’s as people were trying to position themselves for the finish. Astonishingly (!) the yellow Jersey popped up next to us right at the line…some performance…he was really MOTORING etc etc etc. Didn’t place in the sprint but satisfying day in the split.

Really good days racing yesterday after the misery of Saturday. Got a respectable GC position but time trial was bad…think I need a team car. Congrats to all.

Was in the same bunch going up the climb. Think your attack kicked it off early so fair play for that, hard to get away on a long climb like that but at least it got anyone with climbing legs going and split the bunch nice and early. Really enjoyed the racing in the front bunch after that, probably the first race I've been in this season that the bunch worked really well together once we got away. Pace was kept nice and high bar the last couple of KM with people looking to get positioned.

Saturday was utterly miserable but yesterday more than made up for that, stayed dry and good racing, can't ask for more. Finished a respectable 13th for my first stage race so happy with that, TT let me down, first TT and zero TT gear so something to work on.

Pity about the lack of marshal on that turn people got caught out on, and also the shenanigans with the yellow jersey, some neck.

bwalsh1983

Just out of interest, how did Brian Doyle take the overall over Jerry McCarthy? The official results have McCarthy placed higher on both road stages with the same time clocked in the TT.

bwalsh1983

skerry wrote: »

Was in the same bunch going up the climb. Think your attack kicked it off early so fair play for that, hard to get away on a long climb like that but at least it got anyone with climbing legs going and split the bunch nice and early. Really enjoyed the racing in the front bunch after that, probably the first race I've been in this season that the bunch worked really well together once we got away. Pace was kept nice and high bar the last couple of KM with people looking to get positioned.

Saturday was utterly miserable but yesterday more than made up for that, stayed dry and good racing, can't ask for more. Finished a respectable 13th for my first stage race so happy with that, TT let me down, first TT and zero TT gear so something to work on.

Pity about the lack of marshal on that turn people got caught out on, and also the shenanigans with the yellow jersey, some neck.

Bit sad from the yellow jersey really, its A4 racing not the Tour.

Great to have some racing in the A4 race as opposed to the usual loop de loop followed by a sprint.

buffalo

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

Just out of interest, how did Brian Doyle take the overall over Jerry McCarthy? The official results have McCarthy placed higher on both road stages with the same time clocked in the TT.

Doyle was actually slightly quicker in the TT: http://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/final-general-classification-and-all-stage-results-for-charleville-two-day-a4-race/

2 Doyle,Brian DTC DTC Orwell Whee @02.16″
3 McCarthy,Jerry MAN Manor West Tral @03.07″

bwalsh1983

buffalo wrote: »

Doyle was actually slightly quicker in the TT: http://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/final-general-classification-and-all-stage-results-for-charleville-two-day-a4-race/

He was indeed, oversight on my part, I was looking at the GC results.

1 Armstrong,Lance 4 Killorglin CC 2h14’01″
2 Doyle,Brian 4 DTC Orwell Wheel @03″;
3 McCarthy,Jerry 4 Manor West Trale =s/t

G200

LOL

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

He was indeed, oversight on my part, I was looking at the GC results.

1 Armstrong,Lance 4 Killorglin CC 2h14’01″
2 Doyle,Brian 4 DTC Orwell Wheel @03″;
3 McCarthy,Jerry 4 Manor West Trale =s/t

dedocdude

Swinging out of cars seems to be a very prevalent form of cheating in domestic irish racing - I can think of 3 domestic Irish riders that were put off the Ras for doing just that this year.

Pawlie

dedocdude wrote: »

Swinging out of cars seems to be a very prevalent form of cheating in domestic irish racing - I can think of 3 domestic Irish riders that were put off the Ras for doing just that this year.

Yea should have seen it on the vee climb suir vally,lads where putting glue on their hands instead off knecking gels in anticipation of the climb lol,the amount of lads stuck to the door was unreal.....

On a serious note you don't mind lads that have had a mechanical,puncture or had a crash and are then burying themselves behind the cars to get back on bunch,happened to me yesterday,chain dropped going up little dig about 1km long about 20km into stage and the bunch just flew past,one the hardest spins to get back on 10km being flat out,but was glad I could take a little breather behind cavalcade when they came along while weaving thru them,but lads stuck to the door is crazy,just takes one wobble and they will be in a serious mess.

bwalsh1983

Pawlie wrote: »

Yea should have seen it on the vee climb suir vally,lads where putting glue on their hands instead off knecking gels in anticipation of the climb lol,the amount of lads stuck to the door was unreal.....

On a serious note you don't mind lads that have had a mechanical,puncture or had a crash and are then burying themselves behind the cars to get back on bunch,happened to me yesterday,chain dropped going up little dig about 1km long about 20km into stage and the bunch just flew past,one the hardest spins to get back on 10km being flat out,but was glad I could take a little breather behind cavalcade when they came along while weaving thru them,but lads stuck to the door is crazy,just takes one wobble and they will be in a serious mess.

It is acceptable in that kind of situation, had to make my way through the cars twice this year after flats and you pretty much burn up anything you may have been trying to hold onto for other points in the race.

Hanging onto cars is another situation altogether as you should be taking your medicine that you have been dropped, guys in the RAS may have been trying to make time limits etc (not an excuse), but when you are doing it in A4 races you would be worried! As you say too, any false move and there are serious consequences.



It is actually comical what the guy pulled yesterday.

dedocdude

Bianchi00 wrote: »

Time for bans to be brought in for this carry on in a4 race, unfair on other riders close in gc positions

erm.. in all other levels of racing around the world right up to pro-tour its omission from the race, end of story, why do you think it should incur a ban for Irish A4 racing?

sheepfield

I enjoyed the whole weekend - the night stages were worth the trip alone and I paid a serious price on the climbs the next day. Overall, the race has a nice buzz and will surely be better organised next year. I wouldn't be too critical. Hurling is big in north Cork apparently.

I knew little of the shenanigans in A4, even though I was also supporting a team of mostly inexperienced riders from our club in the race; and having read this thread I don't know whether this protagonist in yellow is more of a pantomine villain or clown. If the alleged offences are correct (and the comms have had the final say there) then it looks like he has been reading too many accounts of big races like the Giro etc way back before the war - sure jayzus, he should have just taken the train from some where out the country and arrived in Rath Luirc station some time before the peloton!! While cheating like this makes him a villain, that he thought himself and his thoroughly "neutral" service man could get away with it really make him sound like a right clown.... :rolleyes:

On a serious note, it only dawned on me afterwards that I saw the yellow jersey guy in the TT - I was driving behind our team rider who was making a stage race debut; despite being 2 minutes back, he came thundering past in Tony Martin style shortly after halfway; I thought this was indeed a savage performance at the time but I didn't cop the neutral service as I was more concerned for our rider's safety with overtaking and oncoming traffic etc, plus the weather was making it a dark and murky evening.

Anyway, in years to come the stories from this race will grow a few legs. And next time, I'm bringing my own personalised neutral service car with me.
:P

dermabrasion

The yellow jersey story is really funny now I think of it. The TT draft, the sticky car up the climb, and still get dropped wayyyyyyy back! Then..tah-dah...appears by magic with the lead group! Then gets nobbled by the commissaires, and does a 'I'll get me coat', and disappears off. But the funniest part is the thought that this would succeed, in the cunning disguise of the yellow jersey

It is up there as one of the best cycling stories of the year.

Pablo Rubio

Saturday was a disaster for me . The commissaire ran over my wheels in the car park that I gave to the Neutral service Car (anyone else get their wheels back damaged)and then got two punctures after smacking a large pothole in the middle of the road in first 15km. Thanks to the Guys in Shannoside who gave me the wheelchange . Plus, feet weer like blocks of Ice at finish , took an hour to stop shaking. Joys of Bike racing !!!

cyclohead

Now that the weekend is over and still walking around with bandaged up fingers, palm, elbow, back road rash and a very stiff shoulder, its time to reflect. It was my first 2-day event in a long time (20 years ago). Stage one was a great course, with plenty kicks to warm us up. I was riding behind Daragh in last 100m or so of S1, a lad came across trying to cycle where I was, I let a roar and then he noticed that I happened to be there, he then went a little ahead of me and decided he liked the bit of road that Daragh was riding on and then to take that bit of road, he decided to lead with the shoulder, but the initial momentum knocked Daragh in to the ditch and sent the bike and Daragh flipping, I then, felt sorry for Daragh, so decided to go down also, hence the bandages and the rest. It all took place on the right hand side of the road. We were lying about 5 rows back and travelling at 60kph. That idiot was going nowhere. If that jogs the memory of anybody, please enlighten us. Was there any footage of sprint S1 ?
TT then was a barrel of laughs, luckily enough I had a complete change of gear so it was dry gear but couldn't warm up. got on ok and was lying 44 secs off the 'winner'
Stage 3 was a great route, but unfortunately on the lower slopes of that long 9.8km drag, I bagan to feel the effects of day 1 and not being able to apply pressure to the hoods while climbing, It was a shame to see everybody disappearing up the road, but was content enough to spin out the legs, knowing the second climb wasn't far away, and so up and over the 2nd climb and about 3 mins off main bunch, went bombing past the left turn, only that one of the guys in our bunch, shouted that we should have gone left as he spotted a sign. A few proffanities later and we were back on the road giving her welly again, then in to kilmallock where once again, missed the turn, and into the centre of town we went. turned left and onto the TT run for home. It was a weekend with mixed emotions, but on the plus side our club took the ladies overall title.
Roll on 2014