A4 cycling lreland

disco1

Hi.

Plan to race A4 next year with cycling Ireland so will be new to it.I have not raced in 15 years so how does it work...do you have to do some sort of beginners races or do I just pay up and arrive at any a4 race...I would be an experienced club cyclist...Dublin wheelers years ago...and swords cc until recently.

Thanks for any input lads.

Ken.

Inquitus

disco1 wrote: »

Hi.

Plan to race A4 next year with cycling Ireland so will be new to it.I have not raced in 15 years so how does it work...do you have to do some sort of beginners races or do I just pay up and arrive at any a4 race...I would be an experienced club cyclist...Dublin wheelers years ago...and swords cc until recently.

Thanks for any input lads.

Ken.

Did you not race in the Swords Club League this summer? That would have been an ideal stepping stone to A4 open racing? That aside you just get an A4 Open Race license and go racing as far as the rules go.

disco1

Ah ok.

I heard that or maybe it was something that was meant to be phased in ,talk of having to do 4 or 5 beginner series races as there tends to be lots of crashes because of the cycle to work brigade, I mean lads deciding after 4 months on a bike that they will try a bit of racing.?

Inquitus

disco1 wrote: »

Ah ok.

I heard that or maybe it was something that was meant to be phased in ,talk of having to do 4 or 5 beginner series races as there tends to be lots of crashes because of the cycle to work brigade, I mean lads deciding after 4 months on a bike that they will try a bit of racing.?

Lots of conjecture about this but as it stands, you just get an Open Race license, turn up, pay 15 yoyos and go racing.

Anyone here would recommend if you have no experience of group riding or racing the right route to follow would be club training spins -> club league -> open racing.

disco1

Ah no I would genuinely have loads of experience.

Thanks.

dermabrasion

Pick your races. Look back over previous boards threads to see where the crashey ones were and some of the comments. It might help a bit, but some (most) of the crashes in A4 have nothing to do with the course, the marshalling or common sense.
I know this topic has been trawled over, but I sincerely hope that there is some thought put in to A4 race licence by CI this year at the AGM. I think there should be a cap in the number of novice racers (1st yr of racing) in any A4 race, and that A4 should be a championship level.

Beasty

dermabrasion wrote: »

I know this topic has been trawled over, but I sincerely hope that there is some thought put in to A4 race licence by CI this year at the AGM. I think there should be a cap in the number of novice racers (1st yr of racing) in any A4 race, and that A4 should be a championship level.

The best way to ensure discussion is to get your club to put forward a resolution.

There was certainly a change a couple of years ago when it was made clear that A4 is considered an introductory level. Not sure what would be achieved by making it a championship event, as anyone who shows they have a decent chance would expect to have been elevated to A3 before any championship takes place (and it may encourage riders to sit up in races to avoid promotion, which probably already happens in A3)

In terms of "crashy" races these are often early season when the fields are often at their largest. My own view is they should allow club racing at weekends during February and March, both to spread the load a bit, but more importantly to allow novices to cut their teeth at that level rather than in open races

dermabrasion

I think you are correct about riders in contention sitting up if they want to stay A4 if they might win a championship. I think that happens in A4 anyway coming up to some of the popular stage races. My point about making it championship rather than introductory is that, there are a fair few in there that the A4 average speed is their level. The Junior infused A3 level is just a step above their abilities or the amount of time they can give to train.

Craig06

From what I've seen, people might be able to ride fast in a straight line but bike handling is quite frankly shocking. I think it's up to clubs to help promote rider development all round instead of just putting people in faster groups to move them on. I have only been riding my bike 2 years and the amount of people who can't react quick enough, deal with a little contact and eat and drink on the bike without being all over the place is awful.

RobFowl

dermabrasion wrote: »

A4 should be a championship level.

Not too sure a sanctioned King of the Freds would be something too many people are looking for

Maybe make a strava segment a national title as well?

daragh_

Craig06 wrote: »

From what I've seen, people might be able to ride fast in a straight line but bike handling is quite frankly shocking. I think it's up to clubs to help promote rider development all round instead of just putting people in faster groups to move them on. I have only been riding my bike 2 years and the amount of people who can't react quick enough, deal with a little contact and eat and drink on the bike without being all over the place is awful.

This makes sense and I think the point about learning to deal with contact is well made.

But clubs can only work with their members. Club membership isn't a requirement to sign up for A4. Anyone can pay the fee and rock up to an A4 open race where wackiness will inevitably ensue.

I'm (still) in A4 and unlikely to progress anytime soon :rolleyes:. More races with smaller bunches and less flat sprint finishes would make me a happy bunny next year.

dermabrasion

RobFowl wrote: »

Not too sure a sanctioned King of the Freds would be something too many people are looking for

Maybe make a strava segment a national title as well?

The day dawns, with scent of must and rain,
Of opened soil, dark trees, dry bedroom air.
Under the fading lamp, half dressed -- my brain
Idling on some compulsive fantasy --
I towel my shaven jaw and stop, and stare,
Riveted by a dark exhausted eye,
A dry downturning mouth.
We're all friggin Freds.

Lusk_Doyle

dermabrasion wrote: »

The day dawns, with scent of must and rain,
Of opened soil, dark trees, dry bedroom air.
Under the fading lamp, half dressed -- my brain
Idling on some compulsive fantasy --
I towel my shaven jaw and stop, and stare,
Riveted by a dark exhausted eye,
A dry downturning mouth.
We're all friggin Freds.

................


*tumble weed*

...............

Lusk_Doyle

disco1 wrote: »

Ah ok.

I heard that or maybe it was something that was meant to be phased in ,talk of having to do 4 or 5 beginner series races as there tends to be lots of crashes because of the cycle to work brigade, I mean lads deciding after 4 months on a bike that they will try a bit of racing.?

It's hardly fair to say right lads, you lot go over there and cycle together cos you're all newbs. Whoever makes it out alive can join us.

A lot can be learned in a short period of time.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Sounds very gladiatorial.

Peterx

Calling it the beginner category is part of the problem. If I read that something is a beginner category I expect a beginner to get around. The average pace in A4 is way to fast for beginners who would all be spat out the back within 2km of the start as they are not used to holding wheels.

Beginner men would benefit hugely from the approach taken by the women, with their centralised training days, Corkagh Park organised racing and so on. Expecting every club to dedicate time and resources to beginners may be impractical but having 2 or 3 dedicated training officers available to clubs could work.

daragh_

dermabrasion wrote: »

The day dawns, with scent of must and rain,
Of opened soil, dark trees, dry bedroom air.
Under the fading lamp, half dressed -- my brain
Idling on some compulsive fantasy --
I towel my shaven jaw and stop, and stare,
Riveted by a dark exhausted eye,
A dry downturning mouth.
We're all friggin Freds.

All those potholes in Wexford have brought out the poet in you.

dermabrasion

If there are beginners getting spat out, they are not typically in the pile of mangled bone and carbon at 20m from the finish. Road sense, common sense and realistic expectations.....and ....ah bugger me! this is a circular argument.
I think 'King of the Freds' would be an awesome accolade!

dermabrasion

daragh_ wrote: »

All those potholes in Wexford have brought out the poet in you.

There was no pot in any of those holes

disco1

Ok...all seems good advice. Only one way to find out so next spring.

Ken

luapenak

Peterx wrote: »

Calling it the beginner category is part of the problem. If I read that something is a beginner category I expect a beginner to get around. The average pace in A4 is way to fast for beginners who would all be spat out the back within 2km of the start as they are not used to holding wheels.

Beginner men would benefit hugely from the approach taken by the women, with their centralised training days, Corkagh Park organised racing and so on. Expecting every club to dedicate time and resources to beginners may be impractical but having 2 or 3 dedicated training officers available to clubs could work.

I disagree with you that the pace is too high for beginners (unless your talking complete beginner, first day on the bike sorta thing). One winter of training plus 2 to 3 A4 races of getting dropped and the pace is very manageable all of a sudden.

Wrt training days etc., it's not a bad idea. However, I don't necessarily think it needs that much club resources to address the problem, rather an awareness among the experienced riders. If somebody in a training spin or club league race is dangerous / reckless, it should be the other ordinary racing club-mates that call them up on it before they go anywhere near A4. Any beginner with a couple of months riding with more experienced racers should have no problem handling themselves correctly on the bike.

Inquitus

disco1 wrote: »

Ok...all seems good advice. Only one way to find out so next spring.

Ken

You can request an A3 license if you want and miss out A4 all together.

disco1

A3 might be a good idea..as I keep in fair shape all year plus don't Like getting dropped.

Thanks again.

Lusk_Doyle

disco1 wrote: »

Ok...all seems good advice. Only one way to find out so next spring.

Ken

You don't have to wait that long. Try some CX races which start soon and run during the winter. Great for bike handling skills.

StevieGriff

Thanks guys! Now this thread has me nervy about starting A4 racing. Think I might take up darts and drinking instead..