Sean Nolan Meath GP 2014

harringtonp

Hi Guys,

Are details the same as at

http://navanroadclub.ie/2013/06/03/sean-nolan-meath-gp-2013/

except for it being June 8th this year ?

Paul

wav1

Don't know for certain,but it hasn't changed in 25 yrs so I expect everything will be as usual.Tough,rolly,circuit,with a fast run in to the finish which is a few kms off circuit

cianb13

Any guys heading to navan from dublin direction?

couerdelion

A4 Finish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXgT_MmENjI

A3 Finish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW_rYaUpngQ

Inquitus

Well run race, epic downpour just before the start made sure everyone was drenched and there was lots of standing water for the first half lap or so, thankfully the sun came out and things dried up as we went round.

A4 race was pedestrian enough up the climb both times and the headwind into the finish meant it was a large bunch heading into the gallop. Last 7km or so got very sketchy with people trying to go through gaps that just weren't there, or flying up the outside and squeezing in as traffic came the other way. These actions caused 2 crashes, one at high speed with about 7km to go that exploded ahead of me and to the right that ended up spilling onto the wrong side of the road, looked nasty and I could hear the crunch of good carbon gone bad. A second crash occurred to my left and just behind a couple of km later, not sure if it was as bad. I think all the wounded walked away, thankfully, but it was by far the sketchiest A4 bunch I have seen so far this year, and unfortunately a crash always seemed likely.

I was in the front few coming up to the line but eased up to avoid getting upgraded ahead of the Omagh 3 day that I signed up for yesterday and would like to target. Happy to be home safe and sound and enjoying a well deserved beer.

Harrybelafonte

Ah, thought you had to pull out with RD problems?

Stayed out the back for most of it. Climbs may have been pedestrian, but I still fell back on way up the second time and chased and chased to get on again. Managed it just before the turn into the head wind. Avoided the crashes by hitting grass verge and staying up. Took the wind out of me and left the idea of finale effort.

Crashes. Again. Stupidity. Again. Constant over white lines. Again. Wrappers all over the place. Again. It's getting tiring and putting me off the road tbh. I know Commisaires have a thankless job but the rules HAVE to be enforced or we're in for a lot more of the same. Welcome to Summer road racing I guess.

Inquitus

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Ah, thought you had to pull out with RD problems?

No one of the other Swords lads pulled out 2nd time up the climb, broke a couple of spokes, you probably had me mixed up with him.

Harrybelafonte

Inquitus wrote: »

No one of the other Swords lads pulled out 2nd time up the climb, broke a couple of spokes, you probably had me mixed up with him.

Yes. I've thought that was yourselves for quite awhile, hah. Lots of A3/2 riders at back of a4 bunch today too.

Inquitus

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yes. I've thought that was yourselves for quite awhile, hah. Lots of A3/2 riders at back of a4 bunch today too.

Aye I was told some of the A3's got involved in our finish, hope it's not true as if they did it's a disgrace and reprimands should be issued. There was definitely some in the bunch were they didn't belong.....

Harrybelafonte

Inquitus wrote: »

Aye I was told some of the A3's got involved in our finish, hope it's not true as if they did it's a disgrace and reprimands should be issued. There was definitely some in the bunch were they didn't belong.....

Really? Guys I saw seemed to stay out the back.

Inquitus

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Really? Guys I saw seemed to stay out the back.

Just what I was told by a spectator at the finish.

Solobally8

God that wind was tough! Really well run race, lots of parking, lovely food, great support from the marshals.. I liked the course, would be nice to do it with no wind sometime

surripere

Yeah regrettably one of my club mates is developing a habit of doing this, it's not on & told him so, although he doesn't contest the sprint he is a nuisance. Pinged of the front twice to little effect naturally, sure I needed the workout anyways Backed off in the run in (looked dicey), glad I did, witnessed three crashes, hope the lads are all alright.

daragh_

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Crashes. Again. Stupidity. Again. Constant over white lines. Again. Wrappers all over the place. Again. It's getting tiring and putting me off the road tbh. I know Commisaires have a thankless job but the rules HAVE to be enforced or we're in for a lot more of the same. Welcome to Summer road racing I guess.

+1 Wasn't racing today but all this messing is making the whole thing just a chore. Deenside last week was the same.

Inquitus

daragh_ wrote: »

+1 Wasn't racing today but all this messing is making the whole thing just a chore. Deenside last week was the same.

Deenside was nothing on today, worst I have seen since maybe Kilmessan last year.

wirelessdude01

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Crashes. Again. Stupidity. Again. Constant over white lines. Again. Wrappers all over the place. Again. It's getting tiring and putting me off the road tbh. I know Commisaires have a thankless job but the rules HAVE to be enforced or we're in for a lot more of the same. Welcome to Summer road racing I guess.

People all over the road again today. Staying 3 foot the wrong side of the white line even with cars coming against them forcing cars to stop dead. Some people obviously have a death wish. Big(ish) crash in the A3 as well.

Focus86

daragh_ wrote: »

+1 Wasn't racing today but all this messing is making the whole thing just a chore. Deenside last week was the same.

There was no crashes in the deenside. I didn't tink there was much crossin of de white line with the deenside in de A3 but tat could be down to de garda at de start line telling people to stay in

Focus86

daragh_ wrote: »

+1 Wasn't racing today but all this messing is making the whole thing just a chore. Deenside last week was the same.

There was no crashes in the deenside. I didn't tink there was much crossin of de white line with the deenside in de A3 but tat could be down to de garda at de start line telling people to stay in

daragh_

Focus86 wrote: »

There was no crashes in the deenside. I didn't tink there was much crossin of de white line with the deenside in de A3 but tat could be down to de garda at de start line telling people to stay in

I was in A4 and there were lads flying up before corners and both times before that humpbacked bridge. Luckily the marshalling was excellent. Not always the case.

Zyzz

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Crashes. Again. Stupidity. Again. Constant over white lines. Again. Wrappers all over the place. Again. It's getting tiring and putting me off the road tbh. I know Commisaires have a thankless job but the rules HAVE to be enforced or we're in for a lot more of the same. Welcome to Summer road racing I guess.

This really kills the temptation to try racing, and it doesn't seem to be a rarity.

daragh_

Zyzz wrote: »

This really kills the temptation to try racing, and it doesn't seem to be a rarity.

You should give Club League racing a shot and get a feel for it. I predict good things

Inquitus

Zyzz wrote: »

This really kills the temptation to try racing, and it doesn't seem to be a rarity.

You can mitigate the problem by being at the front if you have the legs, or sitting at the back if you don't. It's all the heroes who have no hope in the sprint but insist on doing anything to be near the front of the pack that cause the damage.

couerdelion

Inquitus wrote: »

You can mitigate the problem by being at the front if you have the legs, or sitting at the back if you don't. It's all the heroes who have no hope in the sprint but insist on doing anything to be near the front of the pack that cause the damage.

Agree with that.

Look at all the advice that gets given by the more experienced lads to new A4 riders. It's all about being in the top 25 of the bunch but not on the front so you get lads moving up the sides over the white line but not wanting to get on the front and god forbid do a bit of work. Instead they hover blocking the road whilst others come along and find that as they start to overtake that they're nearly on the front too so stay on the sides and before you know it the road is blocked. Suddenly a car appears coming the other way and everyone then pushes back onto one side which means some lads end up a bit further back. But they've been told to stay in the top 25 which means...

Deenside was pretty safe for me as I was either off the back or off the front so didn't sit in the pack.

Today was a disaster. Started off like a sunday spin and I lost patience after 3km so I jumped off the front and was joined by another. We were being caught so sat up but I decided to hammer down the hill towards Slane. There was no sign of the lead car and as I came to the first junction the marshals were jumping out of their cars and I thought they were just stopping cars from coming onto the course. Looked at a couple to see if they were going to tell me to turn - they weren't - so I hammered on. Sat up and looked behind 30s later to see no one behind me and realised that was the turning. Too late to catch back on so rolled back the way I came pretty annoyed - as much with myself as anything else.

Harrybelafonte

Good point re Top 25.

I headed off the A4s at start. I was going pretty slow cos I was freezing. Looked back and there was a gap between me and second rider so I wasn't gonna start pushing it any harder. Stayed in Top Ten, gave a run down the first incline to try and speed things up but legs just didn't like the drag and I slowed almost immediately. Passed by half the bunch. So just stayed there. I personally don't like that descent towards Slane cos I slipped on the corner there before and bike felt a little unsteady this time, so I was at the back soon enough. Pity you missed the corner.

Raymzor

I saw a good few white arrows painted on the road before that junction on the downhill

couerdelion

Raymzor wrote: »

I saw a good few white arrows painted on the road before that junction on the downhill

So I was told but at 60 kph I wasn't looking at the floor

easygoing39

I thought the A4 race was very safe today.The 2 crashes in the last 4 km were ahead of me in the bunch and on both occasions I managed to get around them.Not getting involved in either crash is certainly good luck for me,those who came down may feel different.
Maybe some riders who were in/near the crashes could write what they saw or experienced.
The tea and sanbo's in the hall afterwards were top class!!

sleepyg

Racing is racing, suffer like hell, mind your own manners, score your points and move on.

ht9zni1gs28crp

couerdelion wrote: »

Today was a disaster. Started off like a sunday spin and I lost patience after 3km so I jumped off the front and was joined by another. We were being caught so sat up but I decided to hammer down the hill towards Slane. There was no sign of the lead car and as I came to the first junction the marshals were jumping out of their cars and I thought they were just stopping cars from coming onto the course. Looked at a couple to see if they were going to tell me to turn - they weren't - so I hammered on. Sat up and looked behind 30s later to see no one behind me and realised that was the turning. Too late to catch back on so rolled back the way I came pretty annoyed - as much with myself as anything else.

I wondered what you were at? first thoughts 'Had lucan sent decoys into this race?''

I was out the night before painting arrows and I know personally that eight arrows were painted on this section as its quite fast approach.

Some absolute ridiculous riding from some people! Constantly over the white line to get to the front then wont work at all as they then realise the headwind!
I put in a fair bit of effort after Scanlons pub turn and in fairness an Emyvale rider helped out. The lad from Bikeworx who slipped off the front was nowhere to be seen then. Some engine on that fella!

And more of my pet hates, gel wrapper discarding. I have no problem shouting in the group at them and I know others did too. No problem naming and shaming either. Of the two Loughrea (pink jersey) riders one of them must have thought he was on the pro circuit and that there was a flock of cleaners coming up the road after him!

Eoin_Morton

Anyone came across any snaps?

daragh_

Forgot to say - well done to bellinter on the win.

wav1

Eoin_Morton wrote: »

Anyone came across any snaps?

Didn't see any of the usual suspects out snapping?but im sure its embedded deep in your head.Well done chap.

killalanerr

Eoin_Morton wrote: »

Anyone came across any snaps?

No I haven't come across any .super ride well done that course suits the hard men

killalanerr

Eoin_Morton wrote: »

Anyone came across any snaps?

No I haven't come across any .super ride well done that course the hard men

Inquitus

I meant to say Chapéau to whoever the A4 rider was who was out on his own for most of the 2nd lap, only hauled in about 10km tops from the finish, that was a hell of an effort.

ht9zni1gs28crp

Inquitus wrote: »

I meant to say Chapéau to whoever the A4 rider was who was out on his own for most of the 2nd lap, only hauled in about 10km tops from the finish, that was a hell of an effort.

That was the Bikeworx lad, spoke to him afterwards he was happy enough and susrprised he stayed out that long. He jumped just as we turned into the headwind, well not jumped just rather crept away. Very good effort and he wont be A4 for much longer with that engine

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Brett Fit Region wrote: »

That was the Bikeworx lad, spoke to him afterwards he was happy enough and susrprised he stayed out that long. He jumped just as we turned into the headwind, well not jumped just rather crept away. Very good effort and he wont be A4 for much longer with that engine

Yes strong lad, i had put in a big effort for 2/3 minutes to try bridge across to him but could not quite make it.