2nd road race - bit of an eye opener

[Davep]

I had my second road-race recently, a cat3/4 event.6 laps of a 10mile loop on the open road,
including a nice hill towards the end. I stayed in the middle of the bunch, climbing the hill for
the first time with everyone else. The second time I went up a little slower and on the brow as the
pace quickened I found myself at the back of the bunch ( some others were further behind ) then 2
metres off , then 3..... someone else dropped off and I caught him up and drafted for half a mile,
then took a turn for 400yds. Then he went past and didn't seem interested in taking turns. I went
past the finish line and thought "did I want another 40miles on my own, shall I wait for some other
individuals or even the bunch or call it a day". Points, or loosing them, don't worry me yet as I've
paid for a day licence each time. I was prepared in the event of being dropped, to work with some
others to finish, to treat it as a hard training run but couldn't see anyone coming up behind. I got
talking to someone who was spectating and decided to quit and we watched the race from the top of
the hill for a couple of laps. I kind of regret not carrying on (is racing the best form of
training? ) and seeing my name on the result sheet but it was good experience and I know I need some
harder training in my legs ...and pounds off my middle, a nice lightweight bike, a larger ticker :)
I'm looking at a couple of cat4 only closed circuit events next as I believe I may have jumped in to
this 60miler a bit quick. btw, most laps averaged 25mph.

davep

[Mark Drayton]

In article <3EBABF8A.62A0348C@craggyisland.btinternet.com>, davep wrote:
> I had my second road-race recently, a cat3/4 event.6 laps of a 10mile loop on the open road,
> including a nice hill towards the end.

[..]

> I may have jumped in to this 60miler a bit quick. btw, most laps averaged 25mph.

Where/what was this race? What was your first race?

Well done for trying, shame you had to drop out but 40 miles is a long way on your own!

Mark, first road race tonight..

[Davep]

Mark Drayton wrote:

> In article <3EBABF8A.62A0348C@craggyisland.btinternet.com>, davep wrote:
> > I had my second road-race recently, a cat3/4 event.6 laps of a 10mile loop on the open road,
> > including a nice hill towards the end.
>
> [..]
>
> > I may have jumped in to this 60miler a bit quick. btw, most laps averaged 25mph.
>
> Where/what was this race?

It was a SurreyLeague RR. Norwood Hill , organised by Addiscombe CC

> What was your first race?

No. See my post of apr14

>
>
> Mark, first road race tonight..

good luck

davep

[Dave Kahn]

davep <fatherted@craggyisland.btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:<3EBABF8A.62A0348C@craggyisland.btinternet.com>...
> I had my second road-race recently, a cat3/4 event.6 laps of a 10mile loop on the open road,
> including a nice hill towards the end. I stayed in the middle of the bunch, climbing the hill for
> the first time with everyone else. The second time I went up a little slower and on the brow as
> the pace quickened I found myself at the back of the bunch ( some others were further behind )
> then 2 metres off , then 3.....

Once you're off the back, particularly on lap 2 of 6, you'll be very lucky to get back on again.
It'll only happen if the bunch slows right down for some reason as they occasionally do. You really
need to put a big effort in immediately you realise you're slipping off the back.

> Points, or loosing them, don't worry me yet as I've paid for a day licence each time.

That's an expensive way to race. Get your Surrey League and BCF memberships in quick if you intend
to carry on.

> I'm looking at a couple of cat4 only closed circuit events next as I believe I may have jumped in
> to this 60miler a bit quick.

Probably, but you're actually not doing too badly. It takes most people a few races to be able to
ride comfortably with the bunch. If you'd carried on riding you would probably have been lapped
eventually and could have had a go at sticking in again. You would also have got a much better value
work out, although it can be demoralising riding round on your own as I know from personal
experience.

--
Dave...

[John B]

Dave Kahn wrote:

> > I'm looking at a couple of cat4 only closed circuit events next as I believe I may have jumped
> > in to this 60miler a bit quick.
>
> Probably, but you're actually not doing too badly. It takes most people a few races to be able to
> ride comfortably with the bunch. If you'd carried on riding you would probably have been lapped
> eventually and could have had a go at sticking in again. You would also have got a much better
> value work out, although it can be demoralising riding round on your own as I know from personal
> experience.

Hillingdon, Eastway, Goodwood and the Wednesday evening Eelmoor events all come to mind as
suitable events.

John B

[Mark Drayton]

In article <3EBAB17E.7D8B4C7B@craggyisland.btinternet.com>, davep wrote:
>> Mark, first road race tonight..
>
> good luck

Thanks!

Turns out it wasn't too hard; I entered one of the regular Thursday night Barnsfield Heath
[1] Handicap TLI [2] events. 13 laps of a 3 mile more-or-less flat circuit (couple of
dips/short climbs).

After the nerves had gone (about a lap) I got into riding in the pack and managed to stay with the
main bunch all the way to the finish. I think a group of fast riders might have gotten away at some
point but all I could see was about 100 other people moving extremely fast!

Average speed was exactly 25mph; by far the quickest I've ever covered 39 miles!

I don't feel too bad today; popped out for a 10 mile recovery ride earlier. Depending on tomorrow's
weather and how I feel I may enter the Sandie Radford memorial race at Nomansland, though I expect
this will be much tougher.

Cheers,

Mark

[1] http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=411500&y=100500&z=3&sv=barnsfield+heath&st=3&tl=Barnsfi-
eld+Heath,+Dorset+&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf
[2] http://t-l-i.org/