DKmac wrote: » FTP is not a direct indicator of how decent you'll do in a race. You could have a high FTP but still ride like a moron e.g. ploughing off the front repeatedly and getting caught or sitting on the back and having to sprint flat-out through every corner to stay on. IMO FTP is useful for training but in A4 its the wheel in front you need to be watching not your watts. If you're planning a breakaway or sprint you'll need to go flat out to get away and stay away but sure everything is chased down anyway.
Inquitus wrote: » I'd agree, most important things in Irish racing:Race sense A decent sprint Good Short term power in the 1-10 min range FTP I would caveat that without an FTP sufficient to get you round in the bunch without suffering too much you are fecked.
niceonetom wrote: » http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/a4-riders-first-race-attacks-gun-wins-minutes/ Is that lad on a TCR?
harringtonp wrote: » Suspect you are right here even though you'll usually get 1 or 2 each year who just time trial away on their own and are out of the category in a flash. .
DKmac wrote: » ploughing off the front repeatedly and getting caught or sitting on the back and having to sprint flat-out through every corner to stay on.
CramCycle wrote: » But it is so much fun, I done it in several club races last year and enjoyed all of them. In one race I done it three times but the race was repeatedly neutralised for safety. Ride it like you stole it in A4, tactics are for the higher up types.
dahat wrote: » As I'm a fat old man in cycling terms I'm quite likely to head off the front if I can manage it in a race or two. Highly unlikely to place in any race do may as well have a ball and enjoy the cost of the license at least.
Kaisr Sose wrote: » I know you say you are no eagle, but it's always worth having a pop off the front at, or near the top of a hill/drag.
Kaisr Sose wrote: » Exactly! The fun is greater if you make the others work for their bunch sprint. Attack, attack. Sometimes they stick or you get like minded riders with you and you will be gone. I know you say you are no eagle, but it's always worth having a pop off the front at, or near the top of a hill/drag.
InTheAttic wrote: » I didn't make annaclone GP on Saturday, but my buddy did. He told me that A4 were free-wheeling down the drags. He spoke to the fella who won and mentioned that the winner did not free wheel down the drags. He kept the power on and he won, in fantastic fashion!
Kaisr Sose wrote: » Makes me want to race again...at 48, I may not win anything but I would certainly be attacking off the front just to be social
Plastik wrote: » You're overthinking it. Just go and race. On the week of a race I'll have commuted 46km each day Monday to Friday. I'll have done anything from 1.5 to 3h extra on a Tuesday evening. I'll have done an hour at a club league race on Thursday evening. And if the race is Saturday I'll race Saturday, or if it's Sunday I'll take Sat off.
dahat wrote: » Being honest I do over think things...
dahat wrote: » Going to race in Limerick on March 12th as a starting point but in the week build up I'm not entirely sure how to go training wise.. Sunday spin...2 rest days (stretch etc) an easy 15km road spin, 2 rest days (stretch etc) then a 20k spin with 3/4 sprint's day before race. How does this sound to experienced racers?
dahat wrote: » Looks like I may head to Newbridge Sunday, weather dependant . Apparently it's a handy enough circuit? Any one able to confirm?
sullzz wrote: » Its a hard circuit , couple of tough drags each lap . Clonard on the saturday would be a lot easier , flat and fast .
dahat wrote: » Must have gotten them mixed up then. Can't make Saturday so I'll see, how tough are tough drags?
sullzz wrote: » Thry are very manageable if you can climb , but it will split the group so make sure youre near the front
