Corkagh Park Ladies Racing Series 2015

smurphy29

It's back again!

The Corkagh Park ladies racing series is back for another summer, each Tuesday night from 26 May to 25 August, brought to you by the Women's Commission and local cycling clubs. Open to all female cyclists, especially beginners. No racing experience whatsoever is required and these are the only races in the country for which one day licences are still available, to encourage as many women as possible to give it a try.

Full details available at http://womenscycling.ie
https://www.facebook.com/CorkaghParkLadiesRacing

Eido

Well done to Orwell for organising a great night's racing in Corkagh Park, and a slap up feed afterwards. There was a good turn out for both A and B races and Orla Hendron's cornering skills session provided a nice warm up. The sunshine also played a blinder! Report and photos to follow. Word of warning - summer closing hours for the car park have yet to kick in, so everyone should park outside on the road. Some of us learned this lesson the hard way tonight and had to be rescued by a kindly park ranger! Merci, sir!

NamelessPhil

I reckon it's the best value racing in the country, €3 entry and a high probability of getting a prize. I've done it for the last two years and I'll be doing it this year too.

eeeee

Was a great nights racing. I went in the B race, we started after the A's. Bunch stayed together for the first 13 mins or so, then a few attacks started and strung things out a bit but nothing stuck. I attacked a couple of laps later, and it strung out again. Shortly after the first A rider went by, then another 2. I jumped on the back with another B rider and we distanced our bunch. The other B lady dropped off after while so it ended up being me on the back of the two A ladies. I was on Aideen Keenan's wheel for the most part of it, then, with 3 laps to go she went and caught the first A lady. I stayed on O M's wheel and won the B's, sprinted in on the third A lady's wheel for no reason other than to see if I could do it! I could not as it turned out but it was a great experience. I learnt so much, being on Aideen Keenan's wheel and following the lines she took around the corners, it was deadly. I think I may have ridden myself out of the B's, as I've won the two I have done (one was the crit league a few weeks ago) They're still the only 2 non track races I have ever done though, I have a lot to learn.

The shoulder to shoulder stuff was great, I need lots of it as I am a pathetically scaredy cat. Thanks to the Tiernan's lady for being my partner for it!

And there was tea and fruit and cake after-amazing! Fantastically organised. There was a prizegiving too which I have never done before, I forgot to take off my gloves

It's a pity It's on the night before the track league or I'd do more of them. I have only done the two as I couldn't make the track league and corkagh. I'd do both if corkagh was on the day after rather than before the track league. My legs hurt now!

Well done to Orwell, great night. The most fun you can have for €3 of a Tuesday!

Beasty

gadetra wrote: »

It's a pity It's on the night before the track league or I'd do more of them. I have only done the two as I couldn't make the track league and corkagh. I'd do both if corkagh was on the day after rather than before the track league. My legs hurt now!

Give it a go - you may suffer a little initially at the track league, but you will soon get used to it and it will help no end long term

I used to do IVCA Tuesday (40km RR or TT) and track on Wednesday (and then throw in an 80km IVCA race on the Sunday) and will start doing that again a little later in the season (without the extra weekend race for now as my own recovery progresses). I personally think it's better to do the RR/TT before rather than after the track league, because the races are short (albeit sharp!) and the Tuesday night stuff was not taking that much out of me.

Eido

Race Report by Orla Hendron of Orwell Wheelers

The first round of the Summer Crit Racing in Corkagh Park was hosted by Orwell Wheelers.
The evening kicked off with some coaching from Orla Hendron, who put together a skills exercise that taught the women how to ride close to each other in a bunch and also brought them through some cornering techniques. The skills session also acted as a good warm up and both new and experienced riders benefited from practising the skills.

As time was ticking, the organisers decided to run a handicapped race with the Bs getting a full lap advantage on the As. Some of the riders who had topped the B table of the Stickybottle beginners league were encouraged to move out of their comfort zone and join the A race.

With 25 mins and four laps of racing ahead of them, the B group worked well together, taking turns to keep their advantage on the slightly larger A group.

After only a few laps of racing, Aideen Keenan attacked the A group determined to make it a hard night of racing. However, Roisin Kennedy, Orla Montague and Jennifer Bates were in no mood to let Keenan away and chased hard to create a big split in the A group. These four worked well together and soon bridged across to the B group where they took a breather before another flurry of attacks saw first Kennedy, then Keenan and Montague go clear of Bates. The upgraded Bates just missed the move and while she chased hard taking with her a number of B riders, she was going to have to settle for fourth place in her maiden race with the As.

In the move however was a wily Deborah Madden from the B race, who jumped on Montague's wheel to make it across to the lead group, where she hung on for dear life. With Madden and the three A riders heading the race, there was now a large group of As and Bs in the chasing bunch, so with one lap to go the organisers announced a special prize for first across the line from this bunch too.

The race came to an exciting climax with Kennedy attacking her group and going clear for two laps only to be reeled in again by Keenan. With one lap to go Kennedy gambled on her sprint and forced Keenan to lead it out, but Keenan was on fire and held her lead to the line. Madden tried her hand in the sprint against Montague for third, but Montague had the edge. It was a gutsy performance from the the freshman road racer, who's more familiar with the track, and worthy of an upgrade to A. Bates took 4th in the A race. And Eimer Lopez of local club Towers took the final prize for first in the bunch sprint. Agnieska Ruda of Naas put in another strong Corkagh Park performance to take 2nd in the B race, followed by Maeve O'Grady while another Naas rider Caroline Hannon slipped in for 4th.

A great night's racing in the sun.

flymac

Hi, this looks really interesting- I have never raced on the bike, except in duathlons, where drafting is illegal, and mostly train by myself so I wonder if I would be mad to try this before getting more experience of riding in groups? I want to improve my speed on the bike as I am really slow and someone suggested I do some bike races..any advice appreciated!

eeeee

flymac wrote: »

Hi, this looks really interesting- I have never raced on the bike, except in duathlons, where drafting is illegal, and mostly train by myself so I wonder if I would be mad to try this before getting more experience of riding in groups? I want to improve my speed on the bike as I am really slow and someone suggested I do some bike races..any advice appreciated!

I would het some experience riding in a group first before even thinking about doing this to be honest. It's a very different thing to riding on your own. You have riders up tight to you, moving around you, hold your line around corners, not shut the door on people beside/behind you.
Do some group spins with a cycling club, get used to being in a group and the associated etiquette then race away! ( I might see you there ) You have until the end of august so you have plenty of time. It's great fun, but having a few skills will make it safer for you and those around you.
Where are you based? There will be a club you can head out of a Sunday with near for sure!

flymac

Thanks, that makes sense, when I read my post I realised how mad it sounded and I'd probably kill myself or some unfortunate other riders! Will go out with local cycling club and see how that goes. Best of luck with the races!

eeeee

flymac wrote: »

Thanks, that makes sense, when I read my post I realised how mad it sounded and I'd probably kill myself or some unfortunate other riders! Will go out with local cycling club and see how that goes. Best of luck with the races!

Not at all sure if ya don't ask ya don't know! I'm in no way knowledgeable about non-track stuff myself (and even that !).
See ya racing soon

NamelessPhil

There's going to be a nice headwind on the bottom corner of Corkagh Park tonight

Adamstown are the organising club tonight and they're holding their annual icecream fundraiser for Down's Syndrome Ireland. Sign on €5 with €2 going to DSI.

https://www.facebook.com/events/882831795125834/884689601606720/

So bring a friend and come and cheer us on.

Beasty

NamelessPhil wrote: »

Adamstown are the organising club tonight and they're holding their annual icecream fundraiser for Down's Syndrome Ireland.

Could add a bit of interest if you make a chicane out of the cones .....:)

NamelessPhil

The wind is going to be blowing us around enough anyway!

Eido

flymac wrote: »

Hi, this looks really interesting- I have never raced on the bike, except in duathlons, where drafting is illegal, and mostly train by myself so I wonder if I would be mad to try this before getting more experience of riding in groups? I want to improve my speed on the bike as I am really slow and someone suggested I do some bike races..any advice appreciated!

I agree with gadetra. You're best off building some skills riding in a group before trying racing. But don't think that there's any great mountain to climb. Once you have the key skills down (riding on wheels, holding your line while cornering etc.) you are welcome to come and try out the racing in Corkagh Park - there are two races, A and B so it caters to all levels. You'll get your speed up in no time! We've got a special dispensation to offer one-day licences for the Corkagh Park series so come on down any Tuesday night between now and the end of August.

Eido

Great evening's racing run by Adamstown on Tuesday. I had a great chance to view the race from the sidelines for a change when I showed up late and missed the gun. The wind was fierce which made for a hard night's racing. The B race was shot to pieces, and there were riders dotted throughout the course by the latter half of the race. A very enthusiastic McGill from Blanch Wheelers launched herself off the front of the group once the B's were caught by the A's and was leading the race for a while, much to her own surprise she told me afterwards. In the end, the Lucan colours were prominent at the front and a very strong Kristina Rutkauskaite took the win with her teammate Aisling Hoare in 3rd. McGill fought a good race to come in 2nd. In the A race, most of the small group of strong riders - Montague from Dublin Wheelers, Marconi from Orwell, Kennedy from Adamstown, Bates from Clondalkin and Lopez from Towers - stayed together for the majority of the race. Any attacks were neutralised by the strong SE headwind at the bottom end of the course. And so it was the case in the final lap heading for the finish line. Any lead that Kennedy had eked out was reeled in by the final corner and Montague powered to the line to take first place followed closely by Marconi, Kennedy and then Bates. Well deserved home-baked flapjacks and ice-cream was then the order of the day. And a nice bit of money raised for Down Syndrome Ireland to boot - they exceeded their target amount.

EAD

Sounds like a great night. No Naas CC riders there; most of us are unfortunately off our bikes for one reason or another. Hopefully we'll be back in the middle of the craic soon.

Eido

"Smaller numbers than usual for the A race this week, 6 in total including Helen Horan who was recovering from a crash in the national league race at the weekend with corkagh pk regular and sister Ann Horan – hope you both make a speedy recovery. Great numbers in the B race including a strong Lucan CC contingent and some newbies which was great to see. Adamstown CC organisers were keen to get the race underway with imminent rain moving in which was unfortunate for Corkagh pk super star Aideen Keenan who was running late and just missed the start... which was secretly great for the rest of us!! The B group got a 1 lap advantage and with Adamstown organisers advising at the start line that if the B group don’t get caught they will take all the prizes, the A bunch got working together quickly. We took a lap each initially and began to catch some of the B group. Then the attacks star ted from Roisin Kennedy, Eimear Lopez and myself but nothing stuck and everything generally regrouped in the headwind with Jenifer Bates and Monica Marconi using their strength to close down every move. The race actually went quickly for a change!! And suddenly it was 3 laps to go. Roisin from host club Adamstown made a strong dig to open up a gap but coming into the final corner Jennifer again had the power to pull the group back together resulting in a 4 up sprint. Learning from my mistakes last week I got onto Roisin’s wheel and thought I was in good position until Monica came flying passed us. I put the head down and bust myself and was lucky to just get in over the line in the right position. Another great race, I am learning so much each week from the experienced riders. It is a brilliant, friendly set up to practice racing, attacking, cornering and “tactics”- sometimes they work, sometimes they definitely don’t but either way it is great fun and you have nothing to lose! Thanks to Adamstown CC particularly Roisin for a great event, super prizes and delicious ice cream."

Montague is definitely one to watch on the scene. She's keen to learn and is doing so very fast indeed! Well done to her on another great win.

Eido

Race Report – Round 3 hosted by Clondalkin Cycling Club.



We were already off to a winning start with the sun shining on Tuesday 9th for Round 3 of Corkagh Park Ladies Series hosted by Clondalkin CC. Gazebo, Balloons, Sambos and cakes all ready to go it was great to see so many cyclists arriving with a total of 18 in the B group and 11 in the A. With the numbers big we decided to have two separate races with the B’s starting off first.



B RACE

St. Tiernans and Orwell were putting in hard work leading for the first 3 laps with Kristina from LCRC moving to the front for Lap 4. Kristina was not left here for long with Helen K from St. Tiernans moving towards the front again to put in some hard graft. It was a game of cat and mouse as Helen (Tiernans) and Kristina (LCRC) both battled for a lead on the group of 10 riders that had now separated from the other riders and the pace was being picked up. Lucan where looking very strong in amongst the group with 3 riders digging in hard. With the final 3 laps being called Helen K (Tiernans) moves towards the front again to take the lead and is looking very strong making the rest of the group work hard to ensure she does not get away. When the bell rang for the final lap Karen D (DRVC) attacks and jumps off the front of the group. However, she is quickly chased down by Kristina (LCRC). Kristina puts the head down and goes clear of the main group to take the win with no one left behind her to challenge her on the final sprint. Not long after was Karen (DRVC) for second place followed by Helen (Tiernans) who put in a hard race from the beginning. Well done Kristina you have earned yourself an upgrade to the A group after a fantastic race on Tuesday.



A RACE

From the minute the race started the speed was high and it remained this way for the full 30 mins of the race. Jennifer B (Clondakin) takes the lead on Lap 2 and splits the group up on the drag she is not left out on her own for long as Bates is quickly chased down and remains sitting on the front for Lap 3 putting in a fast pace around the track. Catherine (Garda CC) takes over on the front and drills it around the park for a few laps. The group remains steady until the bell rings for the Prime Lap and everyone digs in hard with Suzie Mitchell powering up the drag to take the Prime. The group settles back down again with few riders taking turns coming to the front there were no major attacks or breakaways until the call came for 3 laps to go. Roisin K (Adamstown) is sitting on the front and approaching lap 2 attacks to get a clear lead from the main group. Roisin stays out on her own for the final laps drilling it around the track but with the main group chasing her down all wanting a piece of the action she was reeled in on the last corner. With the group altogether it was everyone for the sprint finish with Suzie Mitchell (Sundrive) taking the first spot quickly followed by Sandra T(Orwell) and Eimear O’Reilly (Towers) rounding it off. Great racing by everyone

greenmat

Link to some pics from tonight's race, well done all. Feel free to download etc.



https://plus.google.com/u/3/photos/105265777200352970835/albums/6161097873847069793

QueensGael

Great photos - any race results available?

Beasty

They are on the CP Ladies racing FB page

Hopefully will get some photos up myself when I get chance (may be a few days as I'll be away a lot until the weekend)

daragh_

greenmat wrote: »

Link to some pics from tonight's race, well done all. Feel free to download etc.



https://plus.google.com/u/3/photos/105265777200352970835/albums/6161097873847069793

Ok to grab some for the STCC Web/Facebook?

QueensGael

Thanks Beasty! Found 'em


B Race
1. Lorraine McGill, Blanchardstown Wheelers
2. Alicja Roslaniec, McNally Swords RC
3. Emma Molloy, McNally Swords RC
4. Aisling O’Connor, Orwell Wheelers
5. Jessica Lamb, St. Tiernan’s
6. Noreen Mallon, Links Bush Cycling Club

A Race
1. Aideen Keenan, DID Electrical RT
2. Susie Mitchell, Sundrive
3. Orla Montague, Dublin Wheelers
4. Orla Hendron, Orwell Wheelers
5. Eimear Lopez, Towers CC
6. Kristina Rutkauskaite , Lucan CC

greenmat

daragh_ wrote: »

Ok to grab some for the STCC Web/Facebook?

Feel free to Download, share and use.

Unknown Soldier

Some more pics of the B group here...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.505379836275917.1073741833.100004117142305&type=1&l=55e821560b

Unknown Soldier

A group...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.505664912914076.1073741834.100004117142305&type=1&l=f206158ec9

Eido

Great night's racing at tonight's fixture hosted by Dublin Wheelers.... to say nothing of the multitude of cakes that were on offer!! Huge turnout in the B race with more than 20 riders on the start line. And there were some well-earned promotions to the A race for some of the stronger riders, who held their own in the bunch for the race. Well done to all the racers and thank you to Dublin Wheelers, who brought along droves of support, as well as a load of first time racers!

Full rundown of tonight's results:

B Race:
1. Naoise Sheridan, Orwell Wheelers
2. Alicja Roslaniec, McNally Swords
3. Emma Molloy, McNally Swords
4. Lyndsey Bryce, Dublin Wheelers
5. Angela Hoare, Ossary CC
6. Aoife Dempsey, Links Bush CC
360 Cycles Combativity Prize: Lyndsey Bryce, Dublin Wheelers CC
Unplaced Dublin Wheeler: Deirdre Watters

A race:
1. Eimear O'Reilly, Towers CC
2. Orla Montague, Dublin Wheelers
3. Ann Horan, Orwell Wheelers
360 Cycles Combativity Prize: Brianne Mulvihill, Orwell Wheelers

And the DWCC Star Baker Award went to Marie Watters, for her stunning strawberry flan.

eeeee

Had a shocker of a night. My nerve went going round the bottom corner, it wasn't getting better, I was getting dangerous, so I pulled myself out. Absolutely gutted. Had a good weep coming back to get my stuff. Was fine the two races I did, don't understand it at all. Took my sorry self away from the afters and talked at Unknown Soldier in case of public weepage

Great racing though, some class attacking in the B race and your long solo Eido, super tight finish for the A's, I couldn't call it! And a fantastic spread. Uber baking!

Eido

Gadetra, you are in no way alone with your experience last night. We've all been there, believe me. The thing about bike racing is that you're at the mercy of the bunch. It's like wrestling a gorilla - you can't ease off when you're tired, you ease off when the gorilla's tired! That's what makes it hard. You just have to come back next time and give that gorilla what for!!

There are peaks and troughs in bike racing, and everyone experiences them. A natural first reaction is to question your ability and whether you have what it takes...etc. But you should instead focus on the times you did well, and remember that those times aren't far away again. Take inspiration from some of the recent stories of the corkagh park winners who struggled many times in races and will probably do so again. Listen, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!!

By the way, not sure who you meant with "the solo break" but it wasn't me. My broken collarbone has put paid to any solo break efforts ...for next few weeks at any rate!

eeeee

Oops sorry I thought you were Orla!

Yes you're absolutely right. My legs and fitness are fine, no problems there but my nerve went in that particular corner, and the lines i was taking were getting worse every time, I was dangerous in the bunch so took myself out before anything happened. I'd go crazy wide around it, braking way too much coming into it etc. etc.

I will keep racing on track and when my nerve cops the fcuk on I'll be back

Get better soon with the collarbone, It's a pain in the hole. I think they're a design flaw. Upgrade needed!

Beasty

gadetra wrote: »

Had a shocker of a night. My nerve went going round the bottom corner, it wasn't getting better

Have you tried doing that corner alone? - I spent an hour on the circuit on my own one Sunday morning a few weeks ago with the track bike, and one of the things I did was to gradually increase speed around that bend just to build confidence.

Hmmzis

What helped me with that corner was just going along it on foot and seeing the mad camber it has. It's crazy steep, might not be far off the banking of a track oval. Also seeing other people dive through there at mad angles while taking ridiculous lines helps.
Even in the less banked corners the grip is mental, you're more likely to dismount a clincher than loosing grip on that track.

eeeee

I'll give both a go, thanks.

Maybe not on the track bike, it takes me an hour to cycle there on the road bike!! :eek:

I had a great wheel the last time I raced there, got tons of confidence and went faster through it than I would have ever done on my own. I assumed I'd fly through it last night as a result.

The problem is entirely in my head, that's why It's so frustrating :mad:

Beasty

Is it the sweeping bend at the far corner to the gate, or the one entering the home straight? It's the former I needed to work on, but soon got myself very comfortable taking it at speed via different lines just by practising

eeeee

Beasty wrote: »

Is it the sweeping bend at the far corner to the gate, or the one entering the home straight? It's the former I needed to work on, but soon got myself very comfortable taking it at speed via different lines just by practising

The one diagonally opposite the gate, the furthest away, 'downhill'.

smurphy29

The theme of the night was 'attacking', with a quick workshop on how and why to attack the bunch, and a reminder that bike racing is "licking your opponents' plate clean before starting your own meal" and Most Combative Rider prizes awarded in each race.

The spirit of combativity abounded with Lyndsey Bryce taking the Combative Rider Prize in the B race for attacking almost from the off on her Corkagh debut and spending half the race on her own, and despite eventually being brought back she had another dig later in the race, and still had enough in the tank to take fourth in the gallop.

In the A race the combativity prize was won by Brianne Mulvihill of Orwell Wheelers who staked all her chips on a big attack late in the race and very nearly pulled it off; she left the chasers looking at each other for a number of laps before she was eventually swept up just before taking the bell.

Both races came down to bunch sprints in the end, and in the B race it was Orwell's Naoise Sheridan who galloped to the win, followed by the up-and-coming Alicja Roslaniec and Emma Molloy of McNally Swords, with Bryce taking fourth. The A race came down to a photo-finish, with O'Reilly edging out DWCC's Montague by a tyre-width. Ann Horan of Orwell rounded out the placings.

Full rundown of results:

B Race:
1. Naoise Sheridan, Orwell Wheelers
2. Alicja Roslaniec, McNally Swords
3. Emma Molloy, McNally Swords
4. Lyndsey Bryce, Dublin Wheelers
5. Angela Hoare, Ossary CC
6. Aoife Dempsey, Links Bush CC
360 Cycles Combativity Prize: Lyndsey Bryce, Dublin Wheelers CC
Unplaced Dublin Wheeler: Deirdre Watters

A race:
1. Eimear O'Reilly, Towers CC
2. Orla Montague, Dublin Wheelers
3. Ann Horan, Orwell Wheelers
360 Cycles Combativity Prize: Brianne Mulvihill, Orwell Wheelers

Eido

Eimear O'Reilly from Towers CC is finding her form again, despite only getting back on her bike late in the season. She took a great win in the A race on Tuesday in Corkagh Park. Here's her story:

"I started cycling about 4 years ago, doing the usual Saturday and Sunday spins out with the club and enjoying the sportives on offer. I never dreamt of racing until Tony K (head honcho of Towers CC) suggested at the beginning of last season that he train myself and Lisa [Darley-Ronan] and enter a team into Rás Na Mban. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for and entered my first race in Clonard last March. It was nerve-wracking and scary but I loved it!!

"This year, my second season got off to a late start, as I only came back in late May. I even contemplated not racing at all as - understandably - motivation was lacking. I went to one of the Orwell Women’s Crit League races in Corkagh in April, got dropped at the start, rode 2 laps and went home not a happy camper. So I decided to refocus and get my ass back out training properly and make another come-back when the Corkagh Park Women’s Racing Series started at the end of May. I’m really happy I did too. I’ve placed in the top 5 in Corkagh but never quite managed to get the win…until last Tuesday! It felt so good to finally get it.

"The race on Tuesday went as expected, with a few riders (including myself) throwing in some attacks, but not quite being able to get away. I decided to go on the bottom corner but the group reeled me back in. Orla Montague from Dublin Wheelers then counter attacked and managed to stay away for a few laps. I didn’t panic as I knew there was still enough time for the group to bring her back, which is what happened. The pace was up and down with a few more attacks thrown in. Then when Brianne Mulvihill from Orwell was finally brought back, it was all back together for the sprint.

"I knew on the last lap I had to watch out for Orla M and also Ann Horan from Orwell, as they are both very good sprinters. I knew Orla was on my wheel going around the last corner (which wasn’t ideal) so I decided I had no choice but to go fast into it and power as hard as I could to the line and hope they wouldn’t catch me. I could see Orla coming up fast from the corner of my eye but thankfully the line came just in time and I managed to take the win!! Woooooohoooo!! "