Orwell League 2014

buffalo

I'm out of the county tonight, how'd everyone get on with the TT?

Hmmzis, that your first ever TT?

joker77

buffalo wrote: »

I'm out of the county tonight, how'd everyone get on with the TT?

Hmmzis, that your first ever TT?

Some fast times

Mr. Grieves is a mutant!

Hmmzis

@buffalo, didn't do it today, was marshalling the kid . Did two TTs last year but made pants of both of them.
Just had a look at the times in the forum and Strava. :eek:

Lots of people have taken rule #5 quite seriously this year I think.

buffalo

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/racing/19-club/601-plus-ca-change

Lashed together that was!

Chips Lovell

Perfect night for it. Dry with a bit of a tailwind. Made a nice change to racing in the rain.

Hmmzis

That was bloody fast, went out the back on the second lap. Was going as fast as I could but the guys just sailed past me. And Buffalo, that was a very impressive showing from you!

buffalo

My lungs were burning, and my legs have felt better, but it felt great going around those corners at 40kph with a a 45 degree angle!

Chips Lovell

First time properly racing that circuit and I really got found out. Road racing it ain't.

Hmmzis

OMG, I survived!!! Even managed to try a sprint at the end. It turned into something more like cyclocross and not much of a sprint, the tanks were properly done by then.

Then again, a lot of the big gunners were missing today, so it could have just been a bit easier than last week.

buffalo

Hmmzis wrote: »

it could have just been a bit easier than last week.

That was not easier than last week - tonight was a lot more stop/start. Good stuff on hanging in there!

Hmmzis

Just saw the results. Well done buffalo on the podium! And good luck in Ras Mumhan, you're in good form for it.

Hmmzis

That hurt so much! At least the pacing this time round was spot on for me. Did about the same time as last year but given the added aero aids I'd say I'm a bit slower this year.

Vlad, did I see that right, no TT bars?

Edit: And buffalo, I'll have to try that cake eating technique of your's

Chips Lovell

Yes, no TT bars. It's on my to do list.

Hmmzis

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Yes, no TT bars. It's on my to do list.

Then that result is even more impressive! :eek:

Did you have your power meter along, what was the wattage?

buffalo

Incidentally, if you're looking to join the league, you've got one week!

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/50-news/618-2014-league-latecomers

Hmmzis

This thread has become a bit quiet lately. How did it go for any boardsies tonight in the races?

Mine was probably the best of the year so far. Managed to stick with the bunch till the end, even managed to follow a late attack by Mr Grieves. Big kudos to the lad (not sure if he's on boards so not mentioning his name) who counter attacked solo right after Mr Grieves and me were pulled back, he almost made it to the end, the bunch got to him in the last 150-200m. Tried a bit for the sprint but got no clear line so sat up and rolled over the line.

buffalo

Hmmzis wrote: »

This thread has become a bit quiet lately. How did it go for any boardsies tonight in the races?

My legs were in bits after a return to circuit training this week. Didn't feel that fast, but I didn't do a whole lot of work. Was hanging out for much of the race. Started to move up in the last couple of laps, that little touch of wheels just after the bell did me a favour. Had to sprint to get back on, but it was a small enough group then for the actual sprint.

buffalo

Videos of the finishes - L/SL:

And SS/S:

Chips Lovell

That touch of wheels on the last lap put paid to my race. We all stayed up, but I completely lost momentum and the bunch was gone.

Great evening for racing.

seamus

Tough in those conditions, I was happy with how I did though. We had a small group with a big handicap which was nine riders, then dropped to six, then dropped to five. Ten minutes in I was dying with the heat and the pace, knew we had 20 more minutes to go and reckoned I had no way of keeping it up. But in the front group of five and 3/4 of a lap ahead of the chasing group it would be silly to drop out when there was the potential to place.

Managed to hold it on for the next twenty minutes, we were all fncked at that stage, you could see our pace was dropping and the chasing group caught us when the whistle blew for the final two laps. So that was a bit tough to be caught after all that work, but the guys in the chasing group were ****ed too, which I take solace in. I lack the killer instinct to fight in a big group so ended up falling back down the group and coming in about halfway down the field. But very happy with the level of effort I managed to maintain with such a small group.

I feel bad for the guy who basically kept cracking the whip to get us around. He took more than his fair share of time at the front in between shouting at us to come forward and keeping us in line. He placed fourth in the end, but if we'd been a bigger group he would have taken first.

Chips Lovell

It took me a long time to realise that often when I'm feeling fried in a race, everyone around me is just as wrecked.

DirkVoodoo

seamus wrote: »

Tough in those conditions, I was happy with how I did though. We had a small group with a big handicap which was nine riders, then dropped to six, then dropped to five. Ten minutes in I was dying with the heat and the pace, knew we had 20 more minutes to go and reckoned I had no way of keeping it up. But in the front group of five and 3/4 of a lap ahead of the chasing group it would be silly to drop out when there was the potential to place.

Managed to hold it on for the next twenty minutes, we were all fncked at that stage, you could see our pace was dropping and the chasing group caught us when the whistle blew for the final two laps. So that was a bit tough to be caught after all that work, but the guys in the chasing group were ****ed too, which I take solace in. I lack the killer instinct to fight in a big group so ended up falling back down the group and coming in about halfway down the field. But very happy with the level of effort I managed to maintain with such a small group.

I feel bad for the guy who basically kept cracking the whip to get us around. He took more than his fair share of time at the front in between shouting at us to come forward and keeping us in line. He placed fourth in the end, but if we'd been a bigger group he would have taken first.

My strava says the pace was pretty consistent for L. Just losing too much time through the corners and there seemed to be a fairly concerted effort from behind to make the catch. Too few men really to work against a much bigger bunch.

buffalo

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

My strava says the pace was pretty consistent for L. Just losing too much time through the corners and there seemed to be a fairly concerted effort from behind to make the catch. Too few men really to work against a much bigger bunch.

According to the spreadsheet, there were 21 SL chasing 9 Limit. It was always going to be tough to stay away - fair play for making it stretch to the second last lap!

Hmmzis

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

My strava says the pace was pretty consistent for L. Just losing too much time through the corners and there seemed to be a fairly concerted effort from behind to make the catch. Too few men really to work against a much bigger bunch.

Regarding the corners, this year I've learned (more like was forced to learn) that there isn't a single corner there that you need to use your brakes for. If you're on the front hands off brakes and just lean into them and you can keep pedalling through most of them. All of the corners except one there are banked a good bit, even in the wet there should be no grip issues.

seamus

I'm fine in the corners on my own, pedalling all the way, it's when I'm surrounded by other riders that I become a pussy

Hmmzis

So, the Sally Gap round is done and dusted. Any boardsies who did it still alive?

As for myself, just not up to scratch in scratch. Was dropped with about 10k to go, even before the actual climbing started. Until that point the average speed for the scratch group was 43km/h. Was well into the red even before we turned off the N81 for the lakes. At least it was some good training. Next week is a TT, will take that at my own pace, still it'll hurt though.

buffalo

It was definitely another fast night - more Strava records broken on what must be one of heavier raced circuits in the country. Couldn't hold the wheels when two Scratch rode away, but came good at the bottom of the climb. Cracking night for it, and the handicaps were spot on.

Leroy42

Just about managed it. Broke a few records today, unfortunately it was records such as highest HR! Was really tough, and really struggled on the last part of the climb and blew up.

The guy who won (Seamus Nolan) was strong all day and was always at the front so deserved it.

Great day for it, really well organised, thanks to all the marshalls, a great evening on the bike

Chips Lovell

Enjoyed that one immensely. There was only six of us in Semi Scratch, but we opted to go off on our own and worked very well together on the lap of the lake. We were hearing 20 seconds on Semi Limit as we turned up the Sally Gap, so were confident we'd make the catch. Sure enough, we could see them up the road after a while and then could see another group, presumably Limit, just ahead. We all came together on the steep big near Kippure House and there was a bit of a selection as various people pushed the pace and tried to get away.

Surprised myself by staying with the group until after the last Liffey Bridge, but then around 10 or 12 guys just moved away as it kicked up and that was my race done. Diarmuid and Mr Grieves were the first of Scratch to pass me on the final kick and they were really motoring. Buffalo followed shortly afterwards and looked like he was emptying himself to try get up to them.

Diarmuid

Oscar Gateaux wrote: »

Diarmuid and Mr Grieves were the first of Scratch to pass me on the final kick and they were really motoring.

Couldn't hold his wheel the whole way up. uggg. Nasty race.

buffalo

Oscar Gateaux wrote: »

Buffalo followed shortly afterwards and looked like he was emptying himself to try get up to them.

Legs came back to me too late after dropping their wheels. Figured I may as well get a workout in. Second unplaced Scratch!

Kurtosis

Thanks very much to all the organisers and marshals, it was a really nice route last night. Unfortunately I had trouble clipping my cleat in for a minute at the start and despite chasing didn't have the legs to get on the back of the group so I did as solo ride, but it was a lovely evening for it and I'd some great company for the ride home from the Sally Gap. Already looking forward to that route again next year!

Hmmzis

There were a good few boardsies braving the soaking conditions tonight and there were some really fast times set despite the less than perfect conditions. Including a new club record! Well done Oscar/Vlad (or whoever you might be these days ).

My race went better than I had hoped for, despite the leg ripping last night in the Roche GP I managed to smash my PB by 39 seconds. I think the Evade helmet might have helped in that a good bit. It was only it's third race out and I'm starting to think that there might be something to the claims Specialized are making about it.

buffalo

The winner set a savage pace, I'm in awe of the time.

Briando

buffalo wrote: »

The winner set a savage pace, I'm in awe of the time.

Only 1 out of the top 5 have TT bike?

Any of the top 5 ride without clip-on aerobars?

buffalo

Briando wrote: »

Only 1 out of the top 5 have TT bike?

Any of the top 5 ride without clip-on aerobars?

I'm told the top placer had a TT bike, 3rd also, possibly 4th. 2nd only had clip-ons, and 5th too.

Kurtosis

Thanks very much to all the organisers and marshals, appreciate it must not have been much fun standing around in the rain most of the evening. There were some seriously impressive times, especially considering the conditions. I kind of lost my rhythm for the first few km of the return leg but was still happy with my time overall.

seamus

Massively impressed by the times in those conditions, especially considering the pace drop everyone had to make at the turn. Probably would have shaved another 5-10 seconds off those times if you'd been able to hammer around the roundabout.

I felt bad for the second guy last night. The first guy came onto the roundabout and one of the marshalls noticed that his entrance was less...uh...graceful than it should be. So I was making my way over to the roundabout entrance to start warning people about the slippy conditions but before I got there the next guy came flying through and came down hard as he tried to turn. Between tending to him, I missed the next two guys through (Dirk was one I think), who also had hairy moments on the roundabout. So it's a bit unfair that some people crashed out or nearly did because they happened to be the first riders through

Probably worth sticking a fifth man on that roundabout in wet conditions - 3 to stop traffic, one to stop people taking the wrong exit, and one to warn people as they enter the roundabout.

Hmmzis

buffalo wrote: »

I'm told the top placer had a TT bike, 3rd also, possibly 4th. 2nd only had clip-ons, and 5th too.

1st full TT kit
2nd clip-ons
3rd full TT kit
4th full TT kit
5th clip-ons

Well done to the 2nd guy (whoever he might be)! Beating fully kitted out top riders with just clip-ons is some going.

Chips Lovell

I was on a TT bike alright.

There were loads of great performances, with the majority doing new personal bests for the 10. Really impressive in those conditions.

Around half a dozen early starters warned me about the roundabout and I ended up freewheeling right the way around it. I had my back wheel slide out in the first TT earlier this year on a drier night than that, so I reckoned it was going to be really treacherous last night given that it hadn't rained in weeks.

Nearly didn't make it to the start. Completely destroyed my rear tyre with a triple puncture on the way into work and had to mount a new tub at lunchtime.

buffalo

Oscar Gateaux wrote: »

Nearly didn't make it to the start. Completely destroyed my rear tyre with a triple puncture on the way into work and had to mount a new tub at lunchtime.

On an unrelated note, if I contracted someone to sabotage a rival, and they carried out said sabotage, but it wasn't successful in stopping said rival, should I still pay the saboteur?

Hypothetically speaking of course...

buffalo

buffalo wrote: »

On an unrelated note, if I contracted someone to sabotage a rival, and they carried out said sabotage, but it wasn't successful in stopping said rival, should I still pay the saboteur?

Hypothetically speaking of course...

I tried a different tactic tonight, releasing a swarm of wasps in the hope the pre-race favourite might be stung sufficiently badly, but alas...

My arse still hurts. Long night in the pain cave, as Carlton Kirby would say, several times, until I felt the need to bludgeon him. Broke the hour for the first time, and very pleased with my time.

Was trying to catch my minute man, but he was like a mirage. Think I had him pegged at about 50" at one point, and then I caught a youth rider who had been ahead. Was about 50-60" at the turnaround, and then I never saw him again - I kept trying to pick him out, but got confused by bushes and traffic signs.

Couldn't spot the chequered flag at the finish, could've knocked another 2" off my time, but not the 12" I needed to beat the next placer. Knocked nearly 8' off my PB, so that'll do. And I'll bloody sleep well tonight!

Hmmzis

Did you get stung by a wasp in the arse? As if a 40k TT isn't painful enough. Fantastic time btw., all you need now is a full in TT bike.

joker77

8 minutes off your personal best is ridiculous.

Random testing for the Orwell league I say

buffalo

joker77 wrote: »

8 minutes off your personal best is ridiculous.

In fairness, it's been two years since I attempted one. And my arse is still sore this morning.

I stopped right after the finish, and the sweat that had been being blown off my brow instantly poured into my eyes. Rubbed them with my likewise salty hands, increased the pain and seared the skin of my eye sockets, before remembering I had contacts in, and that they were now somewhere at the back of my eyeballs. After a few minutes cycling to try ease my arse cramps, while blinking rapidly and grunting/howling in pain, I found a bottle of pure water to splash on my face. The pain receded, and both contacts ejected themselves safely.

Chips Lovell

That was so hard. My legs today feel like I've done a whole weekend of racing. I think the 25 is a different beast to the 10. It takes so much out of you to sustain that level of effort for the guts of an hour.

Turned into a great night for it though after looking like it was going to be a washout earlier in the evening.

seamus

That was just insane Oscar G.

As usual I finished that one feeling like I could have squeezed a little more out of it, though my arse and my legs last night disagree with me. I think my body is slightly fitter than my legs are, meaning the heart is willing but the flesh is weak. The result of a winter with very few spins, that'll have to be rectified this year.

Still though, my first TT this year and I shaved a tiny bit off my PB, so I'm happy with that. Also got too much into the zone. I saw a guy come out of a side road ahead of me, looked he was wearing Orwell gear so assumed it was my minuteman after stopping to take a pee or something. Used him for a chase, reach the roundabout, he goes straight through, and I nearly did too until the marshalls started shouting at me

Really stunned by the weather. I got soaked walking from work to my car, so I was expecting that to be a thoroughly miserable hour on the bike. It appeared on the drive out that the Dublin/Meath border somehow magically held back the rain, the roads were bone dry.

Chips Lovell

Great result Seamus. You took a fair old whack off your PB there.

Lusk_Doyle

Congrats Oscar. Vlad would be proud of you.