Swords CC Club League

Dermot Illogical · 03-05-2012 03:34PM

Some pics. Will add more later.

Hungrycol · 03-05-2012 03:37PM

I signed up for G3 but in the last few days decided I'd try and push myself in G4 this season. Joe decided at the last minute to let G4 and scratch go together. Oh bollix. This was going to be a very humbling experience, so I thought. The pace felt savage from the gun and we even dropped a few, IMO strong, riders on the first corner. It felt like sprinting for about the first km and I thought if I can hang on for one lap it would settle down and ease up. I was completely wrong! It was chewing the bar tape all the way for every lap. I started to get a stitch on lap 3 and while I was trying to do my bit up front I felt if they kicked I'd be spat out. Paul K is massively strong and did a lot of work at the front. So disappointed to hear he crashed at the end, he's a big asset to the club, hope he's ok.

Lap four came and we caught G3 but wasn't sure if G2 was still out or not. The bunch over doubled and it was impossible to get past G3. All I could do was hope that the increase in pace for already tired riders would see some drop off and I could get past which is kind of what happened. I found myself at the back of the front bunch and again no way around coming down the Bog road. Then the crash in front of us and all brakes we pulled hard. For only three riders to down in a bunch that size at that pace was a feat of good handling skills by the other riders. I had the front wheel of the bike behind me getting very amourous with my back wheel but we stayed upright and continued on. Such a good race with plenty of good bike skills in our group it's such a pity a crashed happened especially for the riders involved. Hope theyre back on the bike soon.

Glad I could hold my own with G4 and some strong A3er's (Paul K A2?) but admittedly only over 40kms. I did have another lap in me at the end but we'll never know if I could have held the pace

.

Thanks to all the marshalls and Joe and Breda. Good on the Marshall taking names in the car park for marshalling duty, good idea.

manwithaplan · 03-05-2012 03:50PM

07Lapierre wrote: »

I have the official results from Joe, Noel is down as 7th?

I had no firm idea of where he was placed but I thought it was in and around 6th so I just mentioned it in response to your request for ID. No reason to doubt the official result.

Hungrycol · 03-05-2012 03:52PM

RT66 wrote: »

Some pics. Will add more later.

Good one of you Beasty. Jens Voight style.

manwithaplan · 03-05-2012 03:55PM

Hungrycol wrote: »

Glad I could hold my own with G4 and some strong A3er's (Paul K A2?)

Paul K is A1 as far as I know. Dave Wherity and honkjelly in that group are definitely A2 and there may have been one or two others.

Well done - now bugger off down to Wexford on Sunday and dole out some serious punishment in A4 on a course that should suit you down to the ground.

buffalo · 03-05-2012 03:56PM

RT66 wrote: »

Some pics. Will add more later.

Nice mix of jerseys there. You take guest riders, right? How much to just wander out and try it some night? And is there a calendar of races around the Interwebs somewhere?

(This was probably all answered earlier in the 20page thread.

)

Beasty · 03-05-2012 06:49PM

buffalo wrote: »

Nice mix of jerseys there. You take guest riders, right? How much to just wander out and try it some night? And is there a calendar of races around the Interwebs somewhere?

(This was probably all answered earlier in the 20page thread. )

Guest riders - yes, but the Committee has imposed a limit on riders signing on with priority to club members who have pre-paid their race fees.

Given the problems last night, I would guess they would re-consider the maximum numbers allowed, particularly for that circuit

Full details of this year's league are here

sammca · 03-05-2012 08:51PM

I don't post that often but I was in the race last night. Some of the quality of the riding in my group last night was not good. Please remember this is a Swords league race and non Swords CC Members have to be invited. The league is for the benefit of Swords Members. The Committee have a limit of 85 riders in each race. Based on the standard of the riding I saw there will be riders who will not be allowed to ride again or will have a yellow card issued next week. Note also that as of last night, if we dont know you, you go straight into the scratch group, and secondly arrive late and you will be posted in scratch.

buffalo · 04-05-2012 07:56AM

sammca wrote: »

I don't post that often but I was in the race last night. Some of the quality of the riding in my group last night was not good. Please remember this is a Swords league race and non Swords CC Members have to be invited. The league is for the benefit of Swords Members. The Committee have a limit of 85 riders in each race. Based on the standard of the riding I saw there will be riders who will not be allowed to ride again or will have a yellow card issued next week. Note also that as of last night, if we dont know you, you go straight into the scratch group, and secondly arrive late and you will be posted in scratch.

Hey, my namesake!

No problem being posted in scratch, just a thought for when I can't make my own league on the Thursday night, yours is a good alternative. But yeah, from the sounds of it, might be a few more weeks before numbers settle down.

Do you think allowing guest riders is contributing to the mayhem? People showing up to 'have a go', without any training for riding/racing in a group?

Beasty · 04-05-2012 08:07AM

I suspect it is as much to do with the numbers of guests turning up when the Club has already seen an upsurge in members wanting to race. Many of the visitors are very good riders, although there are clearly some inexperienced riders amongst them (as is also the case with the Swords riders). At this stage of the season there are only the two main leagues in the Dublin area (although track racing has just recommenced), and the Orwell/St T/etc league is a closed shop leaving the Swords league as the main alternative.

07Lapierre · 04-05-2012 09:02AM

sammca wrote: »

I don't post that often but I was in the race last night. Some of the quality of the riding in my group last night was not good. Please remember this is a Swords league race and non Swords CC Members have to be invited. The league is for the benefit of Swords Members. The Committee have a limit of 85 riders in each race. Based on the standard of the riding I saw there will be riders who will not be allowed to ride again or will have a yellow card issued next week. Note also that as of last night, if we dont know you, you go straight into the scratch group, and secondly arrive late and you will be posted in scratch.

Anyone intending to race next Wednesday would benefit from this

Not only will you get to know the circuit itself, but there will be "experienced" Swords CC riders there to answer any questions and to give advice on "Racing in groups" etc.

(Beasty, you free??

)

TPMAC · 08-05-2012 10:22AM

Beasty wrote: »

I suspect it is as much to do with the numbers of guests turning up when the Club has already seen an upsurge in members wanting to race. Many of the visitors are very good riders, although there are clearly some inexperienced riders amongst them (as is also the case with the Swords riders). At this stage of the season there are only the two main leagues in the Dublin area (although track racing has just recommenced), and the Orwell/St T/etc league is a closed shop leaving the Swords league as the main alternative.

The sad news that came from the Usher League last week in which a rider died from his crash injuries just reafffirms the absolute seriousness with which this topic has to be taken, not withstanding the fact that I do not know the circumstances of what happened to the rider who sadly passed away. My sincere sympathy goes out to his friends & family.

We can talk all day about numbers, courses, crap surfaces, pot-holes, crazy riding (ie. switching lines & sitting up in a sprint, reaching for food at the front of a group, arguing instead of concentrating, cornering, riding on wrong side of road etc etc etc...the list is endless) but if the organizing clubs dont put mechanisms in place to control or at least mitigate for many of these occurrences, we will have more serious accidents. Secondly, as a father, husband, worker, able-bodied individual I have absolutely zero tolerance for any idiot who puts my well being at risk.

Riding the Swords League last week I witnessed so much ignorance its beyond belief with the crap lads are prepared to do for a 15th place finish. Cop the f€&k on.

We all have a responsibility to one another to ride in a manner that reduces the risks.
Be mindful of those around you and don't hesitate to enlighten any rider taking unnecessary risks...but find a safe time to do so.

Finally, Id like to see what the clubs intend to do? Reduce numbers? Choose safer courses? Increase number of groups if numbers dictate? Limit to riders with group riding experience? Get on a loud speaker before each race & cover some basic rules & ethics? Turf riders out for breaches of safety? Hold separate races for sub-groups? Just a few thoughts...be a pity to see lads leave the sport but I would if the risks are too great...and the risks are currently too great.

dario28 · 08-05-2012 11:19AM

Will there be any swords gear on sale before the race tomorrow ?

Hungrycol · 08-05-2012 11:29AM

FYI, no names will be called in the line up for the race this week and hereon. Only the group number that you're in or have signed up to.

greenmat · 08-05-2012 11:39AM

Was out around the circuit this morning. Bad sections of road coming out of Ballyboughal on R129 towards the R132 for about 3/4km, another section as you approach Ballyboughal from the Naul side and a horror of a sunken rain water gulley right on the racing line as you turn left at junction of R129/R132 (old Dublin/Belfast rd). Other than that the rest is fine.

Can someone tell me does the route continue straight up the R132 to the Five Roads Junction then left to Nags Head or does it turn right just after Murtaghs of Balough towards Oberstown then to Five Roads as map on Swords CC website suggests? Was told on Sat spin it goes straight to the Five roads. I ask as I can't attend tonight course intro as I'm working.

RobFowl · 08-05-2012 11:41AM

It goes straight on the R132 to the 5 roads then left up the Nags head.

greenmat · 08-05-2012 11:50AM

RobFowl wrote: »

It goes straight on the R132 to the 5 roads then left up the Nags head.

Thanks, thats the route I did this morning. Hard slog this one, better clean out my ears, I'll need them for breathing.

07Lapierre · 08-05-2012 12:30PM

Sorry about the Map guys....ill add that to the "to do" list.

dario28 · 08-05-2012 01:30PM

RobFowl wrote: »

It goes straight on the R132 to the 5 roads then left up the Nags head.

oh dear :eek: , this could be painful after the Orwell Randonee with 2000m of climbing on Saturday

Raam · 08-05-2012 01:32PM

dario28 wrote: »

oh dear :eek: , this could be painful after the Orwell Randonee with 2000m of climbing on Saturday

How much days recovery do ya need?

07Lapierre · 08-05-2012 01:53PM

Here's correct Circuit

(Start at Green marker and Finish at Red Marker)

manwithaplan · 08-05-2012 04:17PM

A big chunk of this circuit was used for the Sunday balbriggan cc race a couple of weeks ago. I was probably suffering too much to notice the surface but I don't remember anything remarkable about it.

Be careful on the downhill left hand turn onto the Naul/Ballyboughil road. It's a bit tricky.

amjon. · 08-05-2012 05:23PM

Is this the Swords GP circuit?

RobFowl · 08-05-2012 06:46PM

amjon. wrote: »

Is this the Swords GP circuit?

Yes (less laps though

)

07Lapierre · 08-05-2012 07:50PM

Thanks Beasty and Raam for coming along to the circuit intro this evening. I hope everyone found it interesting and beneficial.

Dermot Illogical · 08-05-2012 07:56PM

07Lapierre wrote: »

Thanks Beasty and Raam for coming along to the circuit intro this evening. I hope everyone found it interesting and beneficial.

It certainly was. Thanks!

Inquitus · 08-05-2012 08:01PM

07Lapierre wrote: »

Thanks Beasty and Raam for coming along to the circuit intro this evening. I hope everyone found it interesting and beneficial.

Aye thanks to both.

Raam · 08-05-2012 08:12PM

Thanks to Beasty for demonstrating how not to do up and overs.:pac:

Lusk Doyle · 09-05-2012 08:01PM

First race for me this season. Group 3 was too slow so hammered it off the front a few times with a few others and it got stretched out and then split the first time up the hill. Punctured just after group 4 and scratch came through and just before the main group 2 was caught so no chance to finish. Oh well, I did enjoy the hammering into the wind off the front on the r132 at least!

Edit: thanks to my wife for covering my marshal duty to enable me to race! What a woman!

bcmf · 09-05-2012 08:11PM

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Edit: thanks to my wife for covering my marshal duty to enable me to race! What a woman!

She didnt have a choice as she was dumped at the corner of the 5 roads a good 45mns before the race start and when myself and treborm (?) got to the roundabout she was freezing and very dissillusioned.
Anyway it was a pleasure to meet her and give here a lift to the finish as she hadnt a clue how she was gonna get back to the start/finish.

Swords CC Club League

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