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Planet X

  • 03-12-2009 4:41pm
    #1
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Goal: Sub 24 minute 10 mile TT.


«1

Comments

  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    4th Dec.

    FRIDAY: 4 X (10 X 30kg.) Bench Press.
    Not alot but just starting off. Do some each winter.

    SATURDAY: 4:45min. Hilly. AvHR 132BPM.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    SUNDAY 6th. : 70 miles. AvHR 142bpm. 4hrs. 30mins.

    "Around The Block", Stillorgan Rathdrum Laragh Stillorgan.

    Tired, very tired.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    TUESDAY 8TH.: 5 x (10 x 30kg.) Benchpress.

    FRIDAY 11th.: Christmas Party, problem!

    SUNDAY 13th.: 5 X (10 X 30kg. ) Benchpress.

    Not a good week.
    Half hour commute every day. Piddle.

    Will crucify myself next week.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Crucifiction didn't happen.


    Saturday 19th. : 4hrs. 25min. AvHR 140bpm. Hilly.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    17th. January.
    Vets Tour; 5hr. AvHr. 146bpm.

    23st. January
    Club run: 5hr. 15mins. AvHr 142bpm.


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    6th. Feb.

    5hr. 15min., hilly, very. Club Tour. AvHr. 140bpm.
    Same same.

    Big downhill, going fast, right turn, strung out, front brake cable pulls loose on the bend..................nearly killed myself. Right turn, went left into the entrance to a big country farm house, 10 /12 foot high walls either side of the big iron gate, closed, 4/5 inches of gravel, rear wheel dug into the gravel, spinned and stopped me a foot or so from the wall. Stayed up.
    No damage thank God. Borrowed a multitool and tightened the front cable.

    The lads were saying "What's that smell of sh!te!" :)

    This morning I tightened my front brake and obviously didn't tighten the cable enough. I thought my number was up!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,135 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Planet X wrote: »
    6th. Feb.

    5hr. 15min., hilly, very. Club Tour. AvHr. 140bpm.
    Same same.

    How's the Enigma? Still happy with it? Any regrets? Just askin'. No reason...


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Yeah, it's fine. Haven't used it for months. Was out with it on a Boards trip this year. Using my Giant winter bike all the time, mudguards etc, nice n heavy so the racing will be a tad easier on a lighter bike I reckon.

    Mucky back roads with the club up in the hills, so can't be bothered with the good bike.
    No regrets, love the bike.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Club, Sorrento, 3.9 mile TT . First club league race

    Wednesday night.

    19 starters.


    Pulled in second at 7:56.
    Got second off scratch.
    12 seconds off a clubmate who done 21 odd Ras's. Dave Peelo.
    Just below, apparently, 30 mph. 3 turns.
    Disc rear..............but does it matter over 4?


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 77,496 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Congratulations Planet X

    That seems pretty good going, even over 3.9m. What was the course like? Was it a circuit or was there some net climbing (or descent) involved?

    I think your 24min 10m TT is well in your sights (just double the effort of the 3.9m, and then you can coast the last 2.2m in 8 minutes:D).


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Pancake flat I suppose. Up n down over a flyover was about it really.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Beasty wrote: »
    Congratulations Planet X

    That seems pretty good going, even over 3.9m. What was the course like? Was it a circuit or was there some net climbing (or descent) involved?

    I think your 24min 10m TT is well in your sights (just double the effort of the 3.9m, and then you can coast the last 2.2m in 8 minutes:D).

    Looking good for a 23 I hope.

    Next run is an IC (Inter Club) 22nd. April. 11k. Sorrento / Bray / Murphy n Gunn.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Came 5th last weekend, Longford,

    IVCA.



    RACE 2
    140 DOYLE Damien 1 10 BRAY WHEELERS
    147 GRIMES Brendan 2 9 TULLAMORE CTC
    191 DOOLAN Wayne 3 8 IVCA
    190 McNAMARA Aidan 4 7 TULLAMORE CTC
    119 KILROY Alan 5 6 SORRENTO CC
    186 SCULLY Mick 6 5 TULLAMORE CTC
    181 MORAN Francis 7 4 IVCA
    169 KEHOE Robert 8 3 TEAM SPORTS MED
    198 KENNEDY Seamus 9 2 DUNBOYNE CC
    196 DONEGAN Patrick 10 2 TULLAMORE CTC
    103 BYRNE Hugh 11 5 SUNDRIVE TRACK TEAM
    180 MONGEY Eddie 12 2
    118 KENNEDY Mick 13 4 DUNBOYNE CC
    160 FITZSIMONS Paddy 14 2 DUBLIN WHEELERS
    126 McSHARRY John 15 3 NEWRY WHEELERS
    101 BARBER Tom 2 GARDA CC
    105 CASEY Pat 2 LUCAN CC
    107 CLARKE Larry 2 BRAY WHEELERS
    111 DARRAGH Sean 2 IVCA
    115 HARTE Gerry 2 NAVAN RC
    120 LAWLESS John 2 DUBLIN WHEELERS
    125 McNAMARA Brian 2 ORWELL DTC
    128 HILL Michael 2
    144 O'TOOLE Shay 2 Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar
    145 NUGENT Jack 2
    146 O'BRIEN Damien 2
    156 EBBS Arthur 2 ORWELL DTC
    164 HENNESSY Mick 2
    166 HYNES Victor 2 IVCA
    173 LAVERY Tosh 2 DUNBOYNE CC
    176 McCANN Ray 2 ORWELL DTC
    178 McFEELY Kevin 2 SWORDS CC
    188 WALPOLE Leslie 2 LUCAN CRC
    189 WALSH Eamon 2 BRAY WHEELERS
    197 McINTYRE Kieran 2 DUBLIN WHEELERS
    199 HEARY Aidan 2 NAVAN RC
    102 BOYLAN JJ dnf 2 IVCA
    133 O'MARA Susan dnf 2 DUBLIN WHEELERS
    165 HOGAN Liam dnf 2 GARDA CC
    182 MORELLI Romano dnf 2 ORWELL DTC

    45 miles.



    ............Very dangerous run in as far as I'm concerned......................about 300 to the finish......................coming off the N4, into a roundabout, 40 odd, guy outside me did a front wheel wobble in about 3 inches of gravel, and I thought.................fcuk, he's off the bike. He stayed up.
    I was well down the bunch coming out of the r'about. Too far down I thought, RHS was open, now, after having driven the guts of a 100 miles in the car............"Come in legs", Yeah, I rolled up the RHS and, miraciously, passed about 15 odd sad souls, couldn't believe myself, started looking around in disbelief......................Jasus nearly there.
    4 Guys rolled in in front of me.
    Happy days.
    24844_1392822790024_1515796089_1-1.jpg


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


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

    and 4th last, last night......



    Sorrento Cycling Club
    17 Mile CP Road Race 14th April 2010
    NAME HANDICAP TIME ACTUAL TIME PLACE POINTS
    Paddy Mackey 00.57.38 00.45.38 1 11
    Roy Bowden 00.57.43 00.46.43 2 10
    Enda Ryan 00.57.43 00.43.43 3 9
    Stephen Healy 00.57.43 00.45.43 4 8
    Fintan Ryan 00.57.43 00.52.43 5 7
    Paul Murray 00.57.43 00.45.43 6 6
    Aidan Ryan 00.57.43 00.45.43 7 5
    John Dorris 00.57.43 00.43.43 8 4
    Denis Cummins 00.57.47 00.43.47 9 3
    John Connaghan 00.58.14 00.44.14 10 2
    Paul Cullinan 00.58.30 00.49.30 11 1
    Ian Murphy 00.59.21 00.47.21 12 1
    Dave Peelo 00.59.29 00.44.29 13 1
    Alan Kilroy 01.01.32 00.47.32 14 1
    Eileen O'Sullivan 01.02.03 01.02.03 15 1
    Colin O'Connor 01.04.07 00.53.07 16 1
    Ian Mulvaney DNF DNF DNF 1

    17 miles.

    ............blew up back side of Roundwood Village, nice, very short (200 m?) drag, to sort guys out, in a group of four, Dave Peelo 1 minute behind us. Once around Vartry Lake. I pulled out up the drag. Caught 2 on the way back, Dave Peelo hammered by me on a slight uphill on the way back in to Calary didn't put too much ground into me, had him in sight but was never going to get up to him,....................obviously?
    Pulled away, he did, not me ffs.
    Got back in with sweat dripping off my lid...........effort.

    Welcome to the wild world of racing?

    PS. Heavily handicapped after coming 2nd in the club first race, TT.

    Sorrento C.C. 3.9 Mile TT
    7th April 2010
    NAME TIME PLACE POINTS
    Dave Peelo 07.42.56 1st 11
    Alan Kilroy 07.56.53 2nd 10
    Denis Cummins 07.58.59 3rd 9
    Enda Ryan 08.02.50 4th 8
    Ian Mulvany 08.09.07 5th 7
    Aidan Ryan 08.25.04 6th 6
    Paddy Mackey 08.30.67 7th 5
    Stephen Healy 08.35.84 8th 4
    Paul Murray 08.39.99 9th 3
    Roy Bowden 08.41.66 10th 2
    Colin O'Connor 08.42.43 11th 1
    Mark McGarry 08.56.66 12th 1
    Mark Prendergast 08.56.82 13th 1
    John O'Reilly 08.59.89 14th 1
    John O'Sullivan 09.01.13 15th 1
    Paul Cullinan 09.04.43 16th 1
    Fintan Ryan 09.36.02 17th 1
    Malcom Goggin 10.40.44 18th 1
    Eileen O'Sullivan 11.06.04 19th 1

    Ah, C'est la vie, do your leaves all turn to brown.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Kentstown. IVCA DMS. 80k. Last Sunday.
    3 laps.
    Sorrento guy, Ian Murphy, legs it on the second lap with another guy.
    Stays away. Big lead. Good. Within view all the time. I suppose we sat up. Flatish run. Started raining, last lap, talking to Victorcarerra (Boards) about how mucky it was on a wheel, tight. Took the glasses off, still dogs.
    Got into the last 3 miles, up front'ish. Was going to get points! So I thought.
    Last bend into the run in (about 3/4 mile). Getting tight. Sean Lally on my wheel. Go Go Go.
    Two guys were about 200 in front of us. I was behind a good wheel. Bunch on my shoulder. Legs burning. Couldn't pull off. 5th in line.
    Burning legs. Couldn't hold for the sprint. Got 26th I think in a bunch of 50.


    I've done it before...............I still don't learn. Adrenaline.

    Stay in the bunch and kick with the bunch. Much better chance of gettin up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭victorcarrera


    Planet X wrote: »
    Kentstown. IVCA DMS. 80k. Last Sunday.
    3 laps.
    Burning legs. Couldn't hold for the sprint. Got 26th I think in a bunch of 50.

    Ditto: Burning legs and everything else on fire. Couldn't hold for the sprint either. I went from 6th to 29th in that sprint.:mad:

    I try to ride up front in the wet for safety reasons, and either make or go with a break at the risk of taking more wind, then go backwards in the sprint.
    I've ridden a couple of races from the front now without sucess so I'm going to try "Hide and steal" in the next one.

    Apart from last Sunday though, I've noticed that when you have good position for the sprint you are gaining rather than losing places.
    Anyhow bring your climbing legs next Sunday for the Hill of Allen.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    4 laps of the Newbridge Open circuit last weekend.
    Newbridge GP.

    Boston Hill was the killer.



    About 6/7 Boardsies did the initial race.


    Hilly.
    4 laps.
    Very hard.
    We, the Greens, split the Green bunch on the first lap.........................................stayed away till the 3rd lap.
    Caught by.....who was the first to fly by but Paul Dolan,...... again.,
    I don't know won, but alot of people hung up their pedals on 1/ 2 laps.

    Victorcarerra did well in the sprint. Admiration.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    21st. April.
    Interclub opener. 11k. ITT.
    9th outta 69.
    15:41 11K.



    A tad over 26mph.

    http://sorrentocyclingclub.com/docs/2010races/IC1.pdf


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Pulled in a 1:03:30 for 40K on Sunday. Apparently. Results not out yet.
    New PB. regardless.
    Disappointed.


    Thought I'd get closer to 2.
    C'est la vie.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    16 Sundays in a row.
    Racing.
    Getting tired of it.
    Really.............


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Planet X wrote: »
    Goal: Sub 24 minute 10 mile TT.

    Got it tonight. 23:57. New pb.

    Club Championship 10 Mile TT. Came 5th.
    (4th. got a 23:56. Didn't really want to hear that, anyway.........)

    Very draggy course, Kilpeddar (N11) down to Coynes Cross roundabout and back.
    Doing a Vets. 10 on Saturday morning on a flattish course so aiming to beat the above.
    Happy enough.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭ROK ON


    Well done.
    I passed a large group (maybe 15) of guys on TT bikes in Eniskerry tonite. They were going very easy. Maybe they were on their way out to the league?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Nah, wouldn't be our guys. Virtually everyone drives out.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Planet X wrote: »
    Got it tonight. 23:57. New pb.

    Club Championship 10 Mile TT. Came 5th.
    (4th. got a 23:56. Didn't really want to hear that, anyway.........)

    Very draggy course, Kilpeddar (N11) down to Coynes Cross roundabout and back.
    Doing a Vets. 10 on Saturday morning on a flattish course so aiming to beat the above.
    Happy enough.


    Nah, no good. Too windy. 24:33.
    Met Beasty at the race.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Planet X wrote: »
    Goal: Sub 24 minute 10 mile TT.

    Mission Accomplished.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Ah jasus, that was tough! Did 110+k this morning with the Orwell Fast Crew, 4 hrs. Down to Dunlavin on to Naas and back via Saggart. They took a wrong turn on the way back, which brought us through Naas, Rathcoole etc.

    Good bunch of Boards riders there, Joker77, Levitronix, both from yesterdays spin along with Barrabus, whom I haven't seen in a couple of years, Rottenhat, oflaherta (?), think that was it.
    Joker77 and myself were wondering what we let ourselves in for. Pace was quick enough, shot up the N81 hill out of Tala. etc etc.
    On the edge but got home feeling good. Big bunch of about 20 riders.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Getting ready for the Vets. kick off.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Reckon I'm kinda set for next Sunday, Warrenstown. Short Race but obviously will be run off fairly fast. Always are, the 1st. 10 mins. of any race belt off. Going to do my two regular mid week training spins regardless, short distance but 5/6 hammer intervals. Not going to back off. Been doing the same circuit for the last 3 months. 20 odd miles. Short but tough.

    On the TT forum in UK, they "swear by", "not to go stale before the event". Yeah, I know they're talking about TT's, but whatever......... No, I'll still drop sweat next week.

    Warrenstown finish will be the same as the Orwell / training race. Know it well. Blew it last year. Went early on the start of the uphill, on the front, only to be hammered by Damien from Bray and then the bunch.
    Hopefully learned a lesson.


    By this time last year I had 4 Open races raced, but because of the non "recognition" by CI. of Vets. licenses this year......... Miss it. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Miss the Opens. Not prepared to shell out €20 odd extra on top of Race fee.
    Hey, but's thats me.


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 77,496 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    I am guessing they will be doing 2 laps on Sunday, which makes it nearer 45km than the billed 60km - is that right?


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    You never know but I guess you're correct, 2 laps or so.
    Yep, less than 60k for sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭victorcarrera


    Beasty wrote: »
    I am guessing they will be doing 2 laps on Sunday, which makes it nearer 45km than the billed 60km - is that right?

    As per tonight's committee meeting.
    It will be 4 x 16Km laps of the (green sheds circuit)
    Drumree bypass, Dunshaughlin, Dunsany, Warrenstown.
    Finsish at (or near);) blue sign on Drumree bypass.
    Up hill finish. Armco barrier on the left starts at about 200m from finish.;)

    All the best for 2011.
    It will be interesting to see how the TT's unfold.
    Beasty seems to have done all the scientific training and bought the technology.
    You are not giving us much info in this log so as of now unknown.:rolleyes:
    As usual I have nothing done so I will try and get fit as the season goes on.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Trouble! Seán Lally in our Green Group. Game over already!!!!


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 77,496 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Planet X wrote: »
    Trouble! Seán Lally in our Green Group. Game over already!!!!
    ... and he's 70 this year:eek:

    I hear he's not been too well, and may not be racing at present


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Planet X wrote: »
    Trouble! Seán Lally in our Green Group. Game over already!!!!

    Wasn't too far out on that prediction. He takes the bunch sprint in the first race of the season, behind two who had already broken away and crossed the line.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Second Sunday League race this morning. Transferred from the Kentstown circuit to the same Warrenstown circuit as last weekend. The one with the uphill / bypass finish after 4 laps, 64k.
    Was going well considering I hosted a fairly "good, late, wet" curry Friday night, 7 adults. Third lap got a puncture about 5 minutes after the chasing bunch caught us but was up the front end of the mixed bunch. Not to worry, first puncture in 4 years of racing ain't too bad.
    Think mc2000 got a puncture a few miles earlier on from me.
    Popped around to the finish line to witness the sprints. Bray lad soloed to victory followed by a Tullamore? guy 50 yds back. Next came the main bunch thundering along uphill. Terry Cromer, Sundrive took that gallop I reckon.
    Unfortunately a crash about 300 from the finish, Clubmate, George O'Rourke was "bad" lying on the road for a good 5 minutes or so. Hope he's OK. :(


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 650 ✭✭✭jimm


    Hi Lads,

    From the IVCA website: http://www.ivca.info/

    "Best wishes to George O'Rourke recovering in Redwood ward Blanchardstown hospital after an accident last sunday. George has a broken collar bone and some other minor injuries. Tosh lavery has been in to see him and reports he is in good spirits. George is being kept in hospital for observation for a couple of days and sends his thanks to all who assisted him after the fall."


  • Registered Users Posts: 85 ✭✭mc2000


    Yeah I got a puncture starting onto the 3rd lap alright - big thorn stuck into front tyre, took me a while to fish it out. Haven't had a puncture in a race in ages either, so I can't complain. Took a lap out fixing that, and then the bunch came round again so I jumped in again, and just stayed at the back - let them go on up the road in the last 1km for the sprint mayhem, I wasn't in the race so certainly wasn't going to mix it for that - saw the crash where George came down, and along with a few other lads was trying to get the two of them to stay still until Tosh/Ambulance came along - happy to hear George is recovering, he came down fairly heavy and wasn't moving much when I got there at first.

    A real gent is George, hope he recovers ok.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Aha, I used one of those, and for the last time, CO2 inflators. Went off in my hand (again :D) in about 2 seconds. Never again. Got a ride back in the ambulance.

    That was hot cycling home this evening. Soaking wet, against the wind. One guy had a pop half way home so had to put distance between.

    17 degrees???

    Had a good spin this morning up Johnny Foxs' / Cruagh / Stocking. Feeling fairly bet now.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    My Thursday afternoon fix up around Johnnys. Listening to the news all morning at work, weather forecast saying that it'll clear up any minute and burn off, so I wore my short sleeved jersey to work for my afternoon spin.

    No, not going to happen. Actually, up at Glencullen Pitch n Putt Club visibility was down to about 70/80 yds. Dense fog. Tempted to turn back. Went down to Johnnys and travelled over to Cruagh Wood. Pea soup, the silence was really nice. Waiting for a big 'Hound of The Baskervilles" to jump out in front of me and rip my neck out. Really bad 'till I "hit" O'Connells Rock, went around a bend and it was crystal clear. Up to the Viewing Point and saw the sun shining out over Dublin below. Brill. Down Stocking and had a brief chat with a Lollipop lady at lights in Ballyboden.

    Sun came out a mile from home.

    With the extra hour am tempted to go up again tomorrow evening.
    "Up again, down Stocking and look out for the Lollipop Lady."


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Dundalk.
    80k.
    1 lap. Into Ardee. Back to Ardee. And back up da road.

    Problem was that no one knew exactly where the finish was, to a degree, big long drag to the finish, 4 odd miles............

    A few popped off the front, TT'ed it, reeled in, up and down, draggy.

    Eventually we saw the cars in the distance, chequered, hot mornings ride, a few shapes were thrown, slowed, who'se going to show their hand.

    Two guys got away half way through the race and held it, Chapeau, alot of Motorway riding, but come the gallop......there's, as, always a few noobs, who hammered away, before we saw the line, I tuck in, I thought I was doing too much on the front, I was.
    Thought I'd be wasted again, which happened the last few years in the Vets.. Then again, keep up front................
    Half mile............we all saw the chequered. Eyeballs, to a degree.
    Think I was 6th., heard Sean Lallys clinchers rattling on my right shoulder, distinctive sound, he pipped me on the line for 6/7 something like that.
    About 3 yds. out.


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    8th. :o


  • Registered Users Posts: 85 ✭✭mc2000


    hey mr. planet - i heard a sorrento got 1st in the vets cp today - as far as i could tell there was only 2 sorrento lads in the bunch - was that you?:cool:


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Eh no. :D

    Mate, Roy Bowden got it.

    I pulled up after the Tiernans guy went over his bars on the second lap. I drifted, along with alot of people, to the other side of the road to avoid any collateral from his crash. I hit deep gravel, tried to "gently" steer out of it, and had my handlebars spin round. Had to stop twice to right them, and by then, the bunch was well away. Bars were loose enough for the rest of the race, went around mostly on my own.


    Mate commented to me last week that "I seemed to be sitting up too high on the bike" and that I should "drop the bars a tad"
    Raised the saddle 3mm and dropped the bars 1cm. Don't ever mess with the bike days before the race. Not tightened enough obviously. Was gutted.

    That's four races and two mechanicals. Not good. Was going well in the two I finished aswell.
    Ah well, next week.
    Going to put in alot of training this week.............and tighten the bars, maybe.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Thanks to Karl the mechanic at Fitz Cycles who sorted my "loose Bar" problem out. I had put the stem bolts on the opposite way round and they weren't tightening enough. I was tightening them but they weren't "gripping", hard to describe.
    Anyway, sorted.

    Nice spin this morning on the "27lb. / 12+kg." hack bike :D. Doing intervals on that brings a tear to the eye.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Ah, the flat plains of Kildare.
    But the Curragh circuit is the hilliest on the Vets menu.

    8:30. Arrived, myself and Roy Bowden. It's bloody freezing!!
    Out for a pee, shivering through the gorse looking for a quiet spot.
    It was so cold that I wore my Winter Castelli windproof jacket for the race.

    Two years ago on this circuit, myself and Victorcarerra and about 5/6 others legged it before the first climb, Boston Hill, a four lap race, and we held out till about 3 miles from the end, until Paul Dolan and possee caught us and spoiled our day! :rolleyes:

    Anyway, from the start, about a mile in, I thought that the pace was a "Sunday afternoon spin" pace so went to the front and put the hammer down, like I did 2 yrs, ago. Kept going and heard a few guys behind me. Shared pace, great I thought, that's more like it, otherwise the Whites would be on us on the first lap or so.

    We went down a few back roads until we hit Boston Hill, not too long, not too steep, kept it in the big ring up the hill. Good, about 7 of us going. Threw a few glances back down the road......Green group split....into three bunches. Game plan. Up the hill and we kept going. Tullamore guy and myself got to the top on our own and went for it. First lap. Good. Break on. We're away from the small group.

    Second lap and we're still holding on. Up Boston again. Glances back. About 200 metres to the chasers. They're not giving up. I have a good idea who'se driving the chasing bunch. ;)


    Third lap:
    I start to crack on the next drag after Boston telling the Tullamore guy to head on. I'm not taking equal turns on the front but soon get a second wind, downhills, flats, I drive on but cannot hold the Tullamore guys wheel. I buckle and drop back to mix with the chasers, Sean Lally et al. I knew it! Sat at the back not working, couldn't. Dropped from that group of about 6, wasted. Came to the finish and pulled up.

    Embarrassed I thought, because it's the first Vets race in 4 yrs. of racing with them that I hadn't finished a race. Not too bad actually, because it seems that about 20 odd didn't do the full circuit. Loads pulled out. Talking to a mate at the finish, up in the scratch group, he pulled out in the first lap!

    Ah, Jasus, that was tough. Took a few days to recover. Rarely go on a breakaway. Hard enough.

    Passenger who I bring to the races, who has joined the Vets this year, Roy Bowden, took 2nd. behind Paul Dolan. Club mate. Won a race at Batterstown a couple of weeks ago.


  • Registered Users Posts: 85 ✭✭mc2000


    You were plenty strong on Sunday mr. Planet X, yourself and the Tullamore guy [he's actually very strong] were doing well to stay away as long as ye did in that bloody wind.

    I finished out the 4 laps with the groups of mostly greens - when you had said to me you were going to pull out after 3 I was sorely tempted I can tell you - but stuck it out anyway for the last lap as there was a group going round. I was bloody ker-knackered after that race, one of the hardest I've ever done, that bloody wind was really hard.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    That's handy:

    Vets Weekend Two Day.

    Starter: 3.2k (2 mile TT)

    My first Vets June Bank Holiday 2 Day race.

    Came tops in the Green group in the TT and, apparently, beat the everyone in the next group aswell, Whites, D's.
    5:35secs. / 1.98 miles.

    ;)


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    4 and a half years? Ah here......leave it out.
    New Years Revolutions n all that.

    Kings Mountain 200 6th. Feb.
    Orwell 200 6th. March.
    Midlands Meander 23rd. April.

    If this rain stops......I'll get out and give it a go.


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 77,496 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Welcome back Planet X - going to resurrect your IVCA career?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 3,995 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    I wouldn't race again.
    Considered joining the Leisure. Considered.


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