SERC GP 2014, Sunday 3rd August

serc

This is the same route as was used last year, i.e. the N11 between Arklow and Gorey roundabouts, but with a slight change. The finish is now an up-hill finish at Scarnagh.

Sign-On 09:30 for an 11:00 start.

Combined A2/A3 Race: 5 Laps, 100km
A4 Race: 4 Laps, 80km

See southeastroadclub[dot]com for Sign-On Location and Route Map or check our Facebook page for updates.

Hope to see you there

pprendeville

is the finish on the N11 circuit?
Edit: just looking at last years Strava file and it looks like it's on the N11. Good choice there as the sprint last year had an accident I believe despite the width of the road.

serc

Finishing at the stop of the drag at Scarnagh, not at the same flat finish as last year.

upthe19th

serc wrote: »

Finishing at the stop of the drag at Scarnagh, not at the same flat finish as last year.

Same finish as league? Looking forward to it.

serc

upthe19th wrote: »

Same finish as league? Looking forward to it.

The league hasn't finished here this year, but has on previous years. Looking forward to a decent turnout and a good race.

elchupanebrey

Can we can sign up on the day?

serc

elchupanebrey wrote: »

Can we can sign up on the day?

Of course, as long as you have a full racing license.

jimzy

Do you happen to have a map with the new finish lads?
Or how far off the main road is it - near the finish on last years route?

MichealD

jimzy wrote: »

Do you happen to have a map with the new finish lads?
Or how far off the main road is it - near the finish on last years route?

Its not off the main road. its on the circuit (Old N11) heading north about 2kms from Arklow south roundabout/turn. Uphill drag maybe 3%, very wide road, straight with good vision of finish line for last 400/500m. If anyone manages to crash on this finish.........!

serc

MichealD wrote: »

Its not off the main road. its on the circuit (Old N11) heading north about 2kms from Arklow south roundabout/turn. Uphill drag maybe 3%, very wide road, straight with good vision of finish line for last 400/500m. If anyone manages to crash on this finish.........!

Also see our website southeastroadclub[dot]com for a link to the route on Strava, with a route profile.

1750W

I love this circuit. If lads are prepared to ride 3-5 man breakaways can usually get clear.

fondriest

Looking forward to it , always well organised races by SERC

michael196

fondriest wrote: »

Looking forward to it , always well organised races by SERC

Well organised , but not as good as wexford one's: am I right Fondriest ?:):):D:D

fondriest

michael196 wrote: »

Well organised , but not as good as wexford one's: am I right Fondriest ?:):):D:D

If you say so Michael :-)

fondriest

I hope SERC can sort out the weather for tomorrow .

serc

fondriest wrote: »

I hope SERC can sort out the weather for tomorrow .

Whatever happens, cant be as bad as a couple of years ago on the Kilmurray circuit where the water was up to the axles at Bakers Cross.

Think its going to clear up in the morning though. ;-)

serc

Well done to everyone involved and thanks for supporting the event. We had record numbers with over 100 in the A2/3 event. We also had a SERC winner in the A4 race in Andy Loughlin. There was a crash just as the A4 was starting to wind up for the gallop. No reports yet on casualties. Hopefully all involved are ok.

A2/A3 Race

1. Kieran Keane – Kilcullen
2. Paul O’Flynn-Kilmallock CC
3. Shane Power – Dungarvan CC
4. Martin McCormack – Lucan CRC
5. Garret McGonagle – Dublin Whs
6. Bryan Cullen - Barrow Whs.
7. Denis McCarthy -Slipstream
8. Donal Daly. – Garda
First unplaced Junior – Dermot Whyte - Lucan CRC
First unplaced SERC -John Maguire

A4 RACE

1. Andy Loughlin -SERC
2. Stephen Conroy - Lucan
3. Bradley Turner – Laois CTC
4. Lee Pyke SERC
5. Hugh Power SERC
6. Graham Scanlon- Lucan
7. Justin Lohan - Dublin Whs
First unplaced SERC – Kevin Ryan
First unplaced lady – Marie Claffey – UCD

Harrybelafonte

No points for eighth in A4?

serc

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

No points for eighth in A4?

A Sundrive Track rider. Couldn't make out the name but commissaire has his number and will ensure points are applied.

Plastik

Pity about the crash at the end of the A4 race. There were still some lads on the ground for a long time afterwards, hopefully there was nothing majorly wrong.

Other than that, a well run, well marshalled A2/3 race. Break of 11 got away after about 30km and stayed until the end, i think a few other bodies bridged on the second last lap. There must have been a lot of messing on the last lap as the gap shrunk from 1.5 minutes to about 25 seconds without the bunch riding hard. But they turned and with the tailwind stayed away for the last few km.

Harrybelafonte

Crash was awful. No idea how it happened as rest of race seemed really safe with at least one warning handed out in A4.

fondriest

Plastik wrote: »

Pity about the crash at the end of the A4 race. There were still some lads on the ground for a long time afterwards, hopefully there was nothing majorly wrong.

Other than that, a well run, well marshalled A2/3 race. Break of 11 got away after about 30km and stayed until the end, i think a few other bodies bridged on the second last lap. There must have been a lot of messing on the last lap as the gap shrunk from 1.5 minutes to about 25 seconds without the bunch riding hard. But they turned and with the tailwind stayed away for the last few km.

Spot on Plastik , was in the break and when we were told we had 1.5 minutes everyone started messing then we hit the last roundabout and seen how small the gap was and started to work again . It was obvious for the last couple of km we would make it and started to mess again . Well run race . Thanks Serc .

serc

fondriest wrote: »

Spot on Plastik , was in the break and when we were told we had 1.5 minutes everyone started messing then we hit the last roundabout and seen how small the gap was and started to work again . It was obvious for the last couple of km we would make it and started to mess again . Well run race . Thanks Serc .

Thanks Fondriest. I spent half a lap in the break before realising the pace was going to be too hot :eek:. Fair play to you and the rest to hold out for 4 full laps (which is exactly what happened last year)

brainstorm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Crash was awful. No idea how it happened as rest of race seemed really safe with at least one warning handed out in A4.

i rode this and ended up with a fractured collarbone for my troubles. Three of us (that i know of) ended up in hospital. I heard speculation as to what caused the crash, but i won't repeat it here.I was mid bunch when it happened. Crash seemed to happen high up the bunch at speed and then wiped out a lot of others. There was around ten (maybe more), on the road. Lots of nasty road rash, and a few more serious injuries. Season over for a few people.

Credit to the organisers, ambulance crew, comms, A3 rider/medic, others, all on the scene quickly to deal with the carnage. Hope all recover quickly.

Harrybelafonte

brainstorm wrote: »

i rode this and ended up with a fractured collarbone for my troubles. Three of us (that i know of) ended up in hospital. I heard speculation as to what caused the crash, but i won't repeat it here.I was mid bunch when it happened. Crash seemed to happen high up the bunch at speed and then wiped out a lot of others. There was around ten (maybe more), on the road. Lots of nasty road rash, and a few more serious injuries. Season over for a few people.

Credit to the organisers, ambulance crew, comms, A3 rider/medic, others, all on the scene quickly to deal with the carnage. Hope all recover quickly.

Sorry to hear about your injuries, and the others too. It happened right behind me so I saw nothing. I really thought that with such a small bunch we'd be safe enough. Hope you recover well.

sheepfield

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your injuries, and the others too. It happened right behind me so I saw nothing. I really thought that with such a small bunch we'd be safe enough. Hope you recover well.

Speedy recovery to all involved. Unfortunately, racing incidents occur at all level of competitive cycling and we all fall eventually. But for god's sake, this crashing in A4, especially near the finish, has surely reached the 'enough is enough' stage. All partners in race promotion could validly question whether to bother putting on the A4 race at all, given the very strong likelihood of the incidents described above happening. And a relatively small club like SERC, who did an excellent job overall, could do without the hassle that it brings to their day.

I know we don't need to resurrect numerous threads on this issue. But I do wonder how about 10 riders - nearly half the field who were left in contention - managed to fall over on a very wide main road, perfect surface, with a hard shoulder, going up a hill? At least that is what appeared to happen and it is incidents like this that is dissuading people I know from open racing in A4. Should culprits be named (not on here obviously) and simply thrown out by the comms and not let back till they go through a compulsory series of skills lessons? At least the youths and many of the women go through skills and coaching days and ride in Corkagh Park/Mondello. And I believe that all the women in the A4 race avoided falling, or at least I didnt hear they were involved nor party to the cause, which is interesting.

ht9zni1gs28crp

Am sure its a lack of the new riders Clubs not teaching the trade officially. I see plenty of riders from 'new' and 'tri' clubs causing absolute havoc and mayhem when the sprint starts. Don't get me wrong its not all them but established clubs too....

Also a lot of its down to negativity throughout the race meaning there are a lot of people with bags of firepower left come the sprint.

To avoid these crashes surely your best placed in top twenty throughout? Its what I have been taught time and time again. that advice coupled with ''if you have no legs left then get out of the sprint''

Then again, what do I know. My first season in A4, I suppose if I can survive a season in A4 without any spills im okay for A3 when I eventually get an upgrade?

brainstorm

sheepfield wrote: »

Speedy recovery to all involved. Unfortunately, racing incidents occur at all level of competitive cycling and we all fall eventually. But for god's sake, this crashing in A4, especially near the finish, has surely reached the 'enough is enough' stage. All partners in race promotion could validly question whether to bother putting on the A4 race at all, given the very strong likelihood of the incidents described above happening. And a relatively small club like SERC, who did an excellent job overall, could do without the hassle that it brings to their day.

Agree with everything you said here.

sheepfield wrote: »

I know we don't need to resurrect numerous threads on this issue. But I do wonder how about 10 riders - nearly half the field who were left in contention - managed to fall over on a very wide main road, perfect surface, with a hard shoulder, going up a hill? At least that is what appeared to happen and it is incidents like this that is dissuading people I know from open racing in A4.

the crash seemed to happen coming off one incline and then straight into the start of another. Well at least from where i hit the road.So it all happened fairly fast. thinking back, it looked like the crash happened on the left and it went from there.

sheepfield wrote: »

Should culprits be named (not on here obviously) and simply thrown out by the comms and not let back till they go through a compulsory series of skills lessons? At least the youths and many of the women go through skills and coaching days and ride in Corkagh Park/Mondello. And I believe that all the women in the A4 race avoided falling, or at least I didnt hear they were involved nor party to the cause, which is interesting.

true, i didn't see any of the women in the crash. having said that i don't think many signed on (less than 5 perhaps). I'm not sure how we put an end to these crashes, but road accreditation should be looked at. Similar to the track accreditation. The A2/3 race had a sizable field and looked to be going way quicker then us. No incidents there that i know of!

Granolite

I raced in A4 yesterday too and narrowly avoided being taken out in same crash..it happened to my left and ahead of me..but i still had a bike wheel come across my path but it just touched my back wheel and I retained my balance...now i dont know what happened exactly but as other posters have pointed out for various reasons there was no real reason for a crash like this to occur unless there was a freak mechanical issue / wheel disintegration issue..the only other cause for this had to be sheer imcompetence / stupidity / recklessness...take your pick.

the race was conducted in a pretty safe manner and no major violations of crossing the white lines except a few eager rider's trying to get to the front in the final few km...it was good to see these riders getting Phucked out of it for it too by the road race commisaire who drove up the side of the bunch to hand out warnings/disqualifications. Not enough of this kind of discipline being enacted in other races this season.

i saw a clubmate go down yesterday and it could have been me with those injuries if I had made a different decision a few seconds earlier and stayed in centre of the pack..makes you think. i can handle risk in an out and out sprin situation but this wasnt even full blown gallop territory.

Anyway I think I will be attending the Cycing Ireland AGM this year or at least bring this issue of poor riding skills and enforecement of action on riders found guilty of dangerous riding to my club secretary for our Club AGM..we need to introduce some deterrrent to blatently dangerous riding in the A4 field particulary.

upthe19th

Thanks SERC. The club covered all the bases yesterday, well done.

Accident happened up the road ahead of me. Like someone threw a hand grenade into the bunch. Really not nice to see. Very wide bit of road too. Know a few guys that were hurt, one very good mate of mine. Spoke with one guy when I went back down after the race. He was fearing a shoulder injury, hope he was ok in the end and all the rest of those who fell.

2 of the girls rolled over the line just behind me. I was talking to one of them afterwards briefly, from UCD I think.

Colm_D

I don't post here much but I do lurk from time to time whenever a search leads me here.
Not wanting to go over old ground or point fingers at anyone in particular in anyway, here's my account of yesterdays pile-up: There was a car pulling out of an exit on the left but had only barely his nose out on the hard shoulder so shouldn't have caused issue as he stayed put.. However right in front of me the 2 initial fallers had a coming together, perhaps thinking the car was going to come out further, almost exactly like Cavendish's coming together in the tour; shoulder to shoulder. With better skills they may or may not have managed to stay upright but that's as maybe, they didn't. I had no-where to go but straight over the top of them, took flight and ended up looking at the sky!! and loads of others followed like dominoes. I was lucky to come out of it with a few cuts and bruises. This makes 3 race crashes this year so hopefully my run of bad luck is at an end now.
I hope those with more serious injuries recover fully and quickly.

Big Mig

As someone has already said......I think some sort of accreditation should be mandatory for those going into cycle racing.......

I know there are some riders who will still be "cowboys" no matter what accreditation they go through but surely it would make a difference to the vast majority of riders? And, should end up with safer races in the future....

In the past, riders used to learn their craft with the club or in the under-age / junior races but now given the popularity of cycling anyone can get a licence (and do get licences), enter a race, regardless of whether they are in a club or not or whether they have even ridden in a group before....!

This sort of thing is going to keep happening until it is addressed by someone "on high"......

Anyway, I'll get off my soap box now!.....

Harrybelafonte

I think I asked before this, but what do other countries do?

Would accreditation keep numbers at races down?

A4 bunch was relatively small on Sunday, pretty well-behaved, the course was clean, safe. In fact, there were very few who crossed the white line while at the same time same time some of the A3 riders were over the white line as we passed almost colliding with A4 riders. Rider error will always be an issue, but I think more than one measure may need to be considered.

I'd also like to add that accreditation won't stop crashes, obviously We've had a number of crashes in Sundrive of late and some really, really close calls. Bunches in those races can't go over 34 and speeds are substantially higher, plus there's a massive f'kin fence around it, which some have hit. Personally I'd argue for smaller bunches and an effort to introduce rolling closed roads. I know, I know, pipe dream but as I've said before, I can't afford the expense, loss of wages or complicated family situation of a broken collar bone.

MichealD

MichealD wrote: »

Its not off the main road. its on the circuit (Old N11) heading north about 2kms from Arklow south roundabout/turn. Uphill drag maybe 3%, very wide road, straight with good vision of finish line for last 400/500m. If anyone manages to crash on this finish.........!

I was sooooo wrong!

brainstorm

MichealD wrote: »

I was sooooo wrong!

ironically i read your post at the time and thought "famous last words" and look at me now . wonder if anyone else did..

To be fair there was nothing wrong with the course, it was not dangerous. so the crash happened coming down a slope just before starting up another. it was fine for all the laps before. Some people just reacted ...... differently the last time around.

sheepfield

brainstorm wrote: »

ironically i read your post at the time and thought "famous last words" and look at me now . wonder if anyone else did..

To be fair there was nothing wrong with the course, it was not dangerous. so the crash happened coming down a slope just before starting up another. it was fine for all the laps before. Some people just reacted ...... differently the last time around.

reacted .... differently

That must be the euphemism of the year. I think the clubs of the two 'bumpers' at the front need to have a nice quiet chat with them. Other than that, not sure what more can be done.