So I want to try ro...
 

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[Closed] So I want to try road racing + build a bike specifically for this

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I always but I picture from Dave. He's very talented and it is nice to look at my position on the bike. Have to look the part. I'm never in the finishing photo anywhere near th front.

A few of me off the front though 😯

Dave took THE most famous hillingdon picture. I presume you've seen it?


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 5:40 pm
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No, pray tell?


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 5:42 pm
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I think I have

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 5:45 pm
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Ouch! That's got to hurt!

I remember seeing this one:
[img] [/img]

For those wanting a decent look at hillingdon, I found this:

Tired features on it a couple of times I think?


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 5:49 pm
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http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/british-racing/cyclings-best-photo-finish-ever-149503

I wa forced off on the bends of that race on the last lap where I was right next to the unfortunate rider. He was back relatively quickly.


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 6:00 pm
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We should have a day where non smart owners go round to smart owners and try it.

I'm between Newbury and Didcot if anyone wants to try a wahoo snap.


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 6:22 pm
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Lol I put that in totally the wrong thread


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 6:46 pm
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Race 9 video has more TiRed action. I'm lying on the bank unconscious at about 44 minutes!


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 6:52 pm
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That vid ^ - what made the rider fall ? (apart from bunching due to the front seeming to slow down)

sounded like an impact about a second before he(?)fell but I couldn't see anyone else involved - did he brake because of something ahead and then just slid off all by himself ?


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 6:58 pm
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Pics are up Nath 🙂


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 8:21 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 8:26 pm
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Lol too slow (as usual 😀 )


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 8:28 pm
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Looking to go for it here CH?

No- just poor positioning after moving up I think. Like here too:

http://www.davehaywardphotos.com/Cycling/Cycling-Circuits-/Imperial-Winter-Series-2801201/i-gZvkTjT/A

Wasting valuable Watts 🙁


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 8:33 pm
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were as this week I don't think you'll find a pic with me out of formation 😆

Did you just buy that?


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:06 pm
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Yes! Birthday treat to myself 🙂


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:12 pm
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Haha fair enough, is that the 1mb option?

This is the moment I lost a good chance at a decent sprint finish 😆
http://www.hughesartandphotos.com/Photos/Cycling/Cycling-20162017/IWS-2016-2017/Imperial-Winter-Series-7/IWS-7-2016-7-Men-Cat4/i-hKD4d85/A


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:17 pm
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Yes, the 1mb one.
I think buying an odd one or two helps ease the guilt when relentlessly pressing the refresh button on their page 😉


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:23 pm
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TiRed's list 🙂

1. Buy a race license and enter a race (this IS the biggie)
2. Not get dropped (took me a few races)
3. Finish mid pack (needs skill not fitness)
4. Finish top third (Yes!!! I'm a "racer")
5. Work on the front (actual training required)
6. Contest the sprint (try not to lose position)
7. Bridge to a break (more training)
8. Attack (You have to be able to do something in the race)
9. Contest the points (Cat 3 here I come!)
10. Win! (Hmmm, still working on this one)

How many are you claiming Nath?

I need to wait for the results to see how close I got to no.3 😉


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:26 pm
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1. Buy a race license and enter a race (this IS the biggie) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
2. Not get dropped (took me a few races) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
3. Finish mid pack (needs skill not fitness) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
4. Finish top third (Yes!!! I'm a "racer") [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
5. Work on the front (actual training required) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
6. Contest the sprint (try not to lose position) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
7. Bridge to a break (more training) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
8. Attack (You have to be able to do something in the race) [i][b]Tick[/b][/i]
9. Contest the points (Cat 3 here I come!)
10. Win! (Hmmm, still working on this one)

9's debatable and 10 not yet...I'd like to do 10 in the 4s.


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:34 pm
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I think that's a successful first series for you already 🙂

I think I'd give you no.9.....


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 9:40 pm
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Thanks!

Fingers crossed we get a place on Saturday, looking forward to it already!!

Giving my notice in on Tuesday, with no job to go too, so the rest of the week should go quickly after that haha.


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 10:10 pm
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Crumbs! Sounds exciting!!


 
Posted : 29/01/2017 10:24 pm
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That was more on my mind on Saturday than tactics, obviously not killing someone was also up there 😆

Going to drop my saddle 5mm or so, see if that helps the knees.

I'm using "squirt" chain lube as recommend off here, for the first time in my cycling life I have a rusty chain that squeaks!!!!! Back to wet lube and GT40 I think!


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 7:12 am
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@CH:

Priority Name
[b]1 Nathan B
2 Andrew S[/b]
3 Stuart McLay
4 Iain Campbell
5 Dan Gates
6 Scott Shellien-Walker
7 James Barrell
8 Andrew Deans
9 Chappman Sin


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 10:42 am
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Check out this road race crash from the US....one very lucky guy towards the end, almost over the bridge and a 30ft drop


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 10:50 am
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I'm using "squirt" chain lube as recommend off here, for the first time in my cycling life I have a rusty chain that squeaks!!!!! Back to wet lube and GT40 I think!

I use Muc Off dry lube (non ceramic) in winter. After a ride I rinse the bike and chain to remove the grit, dry the chain with a cloth, leave next to radiator overnight, then lube and store. Bike didn't need a clean after Saturday for the first race so far. GT40 is not really a lubricant, and wet isn't great for shedding grit.

I'd definitely give you 9. And I'm still working on 9 in the E12/3. In fact I failed on 7, and 10 is a distant dream!

Away next weekend too, sadly for a 90th Birthday celebration. Back for the last one.

Fall from a bridge, you say?

[url= http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/german-rider-arnold-fiek-survives-horrific-12-metre-plunge-from-bridge-during-gp-lugano-race-213737 ]Bindun[/url]


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 10:56 am
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On Sunday's my routine is to clean the chain with water, apply fenwicks chain cleaner, leave for 5 mins while I do the rest of the bike. Agitate with a chain sponge, rinse the bike and chain. Towel dry the shiny clean chain. Apply squirt lube to the inside of every chainlink. Leave to dry. Now I've got rust 🙁

I thought you were the break in one of those, therefore you've got 7 covered?


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 11:31 am
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Booked in for Saturday 😀


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 3:06 pm
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Me too 🙂


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 3:11 pm
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See you Saturday!

What're your training plans this week?


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 3:26 pm
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I'm going to train through this weeks race with a view to peaking for the final round so:
Rest today. (Loads of walking though)
KISS 4x Watopia Hilly Tuesday.
Z2 Wednesday (Loads of walking so may swap for Z1)
3 or 4 sets of jump intervals on Thursday
Z1 Friday
Saturday RACE!!
Z2 Sunday.


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 7:18 pm
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That's quite intense.

I'm planning on KISS tomorrow night, the pre race workout thing on Thursday night and gentle commuting. Try and stay as fresh as possible for Saturday!

Need to sort tactics out, ideally I don't want to be chasing 2/3 attacks down solo again - need to save the legs for that sprint finish. It's not glamorous but gets the job done.


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 9:34 pm
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Friel recommends a race like effort every 3-4 days during your 'peak' so that's the idea behind KISS.
The jump sets are hard but add virtually no fatigue.
The Z2 is subject to change and all the rest is active recovery so it's not too bad.

My easy days last week yielded some great feeling legs- but I'm not where I want to be yet 😀

I've just been looking at my Power Curve and wondering where to spend 1:30 @ 400w- and whether I can gather up 1450 watts at the end of it 🙂


 
Posted : 30/01/2017 9:52 pm
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Use 700/800w on the 2nd or 3rd to last lap to get a good position, then then the 400w to maintain it. Then the 1400w again for the sprint finish. I'd recommend sprinting even if not in contention for points. It's not the same as practicing on your own.

I think I top out at 1,200w or 17w/kg: https://www.strava.com/activities/846964675/power-curve


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 7:24 am
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Lol! Sounds like a plan 🙂 I probably can't do much in 10 seconds @ 800w mind you 😉

Annoyingly, my position wasn't too bad on the penultimate lap until I got shunted onto the bricks trying to catch you up 😀

I also mentally 'stood down' a little through Brian's on the final lap as I doubted myself and whether I wanted to mix-it for no points lol

That's not to say I had any more in the tank to give had I wanted to 😀


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 7:42 am
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Course you can, 800W is plenty to move up. Just have to defend it.

I'm refreshing the site every 30 mins at the moment hoping I've got a point!!


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 3:41 pm
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Lol! When do they normally come out?


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 4:25 pm
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Tuesday evening at some point, usually ready for the morning.

What position are you thinking you got?


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 4:44 pm
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31/40 ???


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 5:00 pm
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Goal is top 1/2 this week to get no.3 ticked off the list 🙂


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 5:01 pm
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Aim for 4. 🙂

I'm thinking 9th or 10th for me.


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 5:13 pm
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I'm trying to under-promise and over-deliver 😀


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 5:15 pm
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Haha I see.

It's not updated yet, not that I've been checking every 5 mins 😳

Looks like I'll be joining you in B category on Zwift!!

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 9:25 pm
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What's the stats then mate?
Where does that sit you as ftp/weight?


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 9:47 pm
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If it's correct my power over 20 mins averaged 299w.

Which gives an FTP of 284W / 70kg = 4.06W/KG.

At hillingdon my best 20 mins has been 285w - but I've never gone full out for 20 mins...


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 9:59 pm
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That's still A cat though- and still very impressive 🙂


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 10:12 pm
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Thanks CH but it's no consolation for a 20% loss of power 😆

I'm going to try again next Tuesday, and get into the routine of recalibrating the stages each time. Also need to adjust my saddle height as my knees are killing after that race - should have left my saddle as it was lol.


 
Posted : 31/01/2017 10:38 pm
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Results then ?


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 6:54 am
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Pending: http://www.imperialracingteam.com/results1617.html?

Making us sweat it out this week 😆


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 7:15 am
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9th 🙂

Well done CH!


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 9:11 am
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Unlucky 11th again 😉 But a good showing from the team on what was a pretty brutal E12/3 race. Enjoyed it immensely. Just a bit more training needed for that last push for me.


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 10:40 am
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Well done mate, those E123 races look to be at a brutal pace! But argh that's tantalisingly close to a point isn't it, feel your pain getting 12th the other day.

Want to get 8 points in the next couple of races, this weeks concentration is solely on seating position. 😆


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 11:07 am
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nath, you'd have a much easier time getting points if you went somewhere hilly rather than needing to sprint at the end of a flat crit.


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 11:31 am
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I thought the whole thing with Crits was that they're fairly flat and techie ?


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 11:34 am
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The Redbridge circuit that's close to where I live has a pretty serious hill on it and suspect it'd be somewhere that'd suit a rider like nath. They might just use the bottom circuit for crit racing though, as it's pretty flat.

https://www.strava.com/segments/643523


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 12:29 pm
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I'll still take that 🙂

Well done Nath!!!


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 12:52 pm
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@fifeandy & epicsteve - Yeah I'm up for trying other circuits after IWS. Good thing about Hillingdon is it's 25 mins cycle ride away and there will be races every Tuesday night from April. Leaving the weekend to do some visiting of other circuits.

The only reason I really want my 3rd cat is my folks live up north (around lots of hills) so the plan was to join some friends in E123 races up there. I'm happy to move up slowly though - don't feel ready for the higher races yet.

@CH well done to you sir, keeping with the bunch & 35/45 is epic!


 
Posted : 01/02/2017 1:06 pm
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Update;

Shouldn't have done the Zwift race on Tuesday night with the knowledge that my bike wasn't setup correctly (from Saturday's race). Knees are hurting which isn't ideal.

I've got tomorrow off work so I've bought the [url= http://bikefastfit.com/ ]Bike Fit Fast[/url] app, some string, red dots, a spirit level and a long ruler. Tomorrow's task is to setup my bike comfortably, I'm tempted to drop my stem level slightly too.

I do need to chop some steerer off, but I daren't risk it until after IWS in case I mess it up 😆


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 9:54 am
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Knees are hurting which isn't ideal.

At the risk of stating the obvious, sore knees aren't always caused by bike fit. I've ended up with sore knees through biking twice and on both occasions it was cured with some simple exercises from the physio rather than changing position on the bike.


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 10:09 am
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Normally I'd agree, but the knee pain came when I spirit leveled the saddle (it was accidentally slightly pointing nose down previously). I can also feel the new position pulling at my knees. I don't think there's any harm in giving it a go?

Obviously going to record my current setup in case I make things worse 😆


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 10:41 am
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Are people really generating 1400W in cat 4 sprints?! Glad I've given up road racing! That'd give you 60 odd km/h, wouldn't it? It is also higher than the average peak power required to win a tour de france stage according to this study

https://sportsscientists.com/2014/07/profile-sprint-take-win-sprint-stage/

Interestingly there doesn't seem to be a correlation between power and success in that study...


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 11:42 am
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Ianpv- Sadly, no! It was in my warm up with Nath on a calibrated Stages...

I couldn't do it after an hour of racing let alone in a 3 week stage race 😀

It's about all 89kg is good for 😉

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 11:52 am
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No, too many variables, particularly the wind.

Couple of examples of my "sprint" finishes

1,006w sprint = 33.6mph (very windy - fighting against)
721w sprint = 34mph

I was side by side with Andrew for his sprint, I used 939W and was confused how he kept up until afterwards lol.

I think this is the best sprint data I've got so far: https://www.strava.com/activities/839245106/analysis


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 11:58 am
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crosshair - Member
Hmmm! Sounds like some crafty carb-loading tactic to me!!
Or extra weight for those sprinting legs

I'm back on MyFitnessPal today after a relatively kind few days off! Should be back within 1lb or so of last weeks race weight.
Aiming for 85kg for the Spring races.

Oops- veered off-topic

Quoted you from the other thread.
I've actually put on weight this week, weighing in at 71kg this morning 😆
I keep using that for 3/4 days then giving up, this is my last week of junk food then I'm back on it.

Setup a today's plan on their app to see how it looked too, looks okay.

I've been watching some gcn bike fit videos, using the inseam measurement method of inseam - 10cm I got 77.5cm.

Guess what my saddle height is? 77.5cm 😆
So out came the plumb line - saddle is way too far back. Moved forward 1cm and spirit levelled (which is crazy hard in my saddle). See what the app says tomorrow.


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 8:49 pm
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Where are you classing 'bottom of your knee' in the measurements?


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 8:51 pm
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make sure you recheck height - most saddle rails aren't "accurate" for sliding


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 8:52 pm
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@weeksy - the boney bit under the knee cap

@scaredypants - yeah I've been rechecking everything as I go along


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 9:26 pm
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I had to put my saddle up about 20mm after the week Jesper came to watch 😀
Much happier again now- no wonder I got cramp that evening lol

I just use the 'heel on the pedal at full extension' method and it seems to work ok.

When I had my CX bike fitted at the bike shop with all these fancy tools from America- it put my saddle way too high! One ride of knee pain soon had it lowered again!


 
Posted : 02/02/2017 9:39 pm
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Excited about tomorrow!! I have two races left to tick off some more achievements. I'd like to think I can finish top half before the series finishes 🙂


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 8:26 am
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I'm still thinking you can get points!


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 8:45 am
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I'd say follow my wheel on the last few laps but it was mental last week. Everyone bunched up sprung to go. I'd probably cost you points haha.

I think you can get points too! Best upgrade your licence though!


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:33 am
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Its so random though. I don think I have the pace to force anything so a lot of it will depend where I end up on the penultimate lap. If there's been a few hard attacks- I may not even be on the same lap as the leaders 😀


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:38 am
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3 or 4mph winds tomorrow - perfect for TT'ing 🙄

You just need to do exactly what you did last week, but try and get a decent position on that last lap. Even if it annoys others.

I'm in a different disguise tomorrow - no bright colours 😆


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:43 am
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License upgraded. I don't think I can take the pressure! I've got crazy butterflies!!!!


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:44 am
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Doing exactly what I did depends on everyone else doing exactly what they did 😀


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:45 am
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Good man!

I've got butterflies for you 😆

If the wind really is 4mph or less (given past weather history I doubt it) then I expect the pace to be higher than previous weeks.

My objective for tomorrow is be as lazy as I can get away with (hold my nerve) until the last 2-5 laps. I want to be able to access my measly 1,200w for the sprint finish.

I need 2nd to move up lol


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:48 am
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And more importantly- you need a win to complete TiReds list 😀


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 10:58 am
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Haha doubt it!

Okay I've been pratting around with the software, need to do it when it's lighter but I've marked my dots.


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 4:56 pm
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Is it really sad that I actually watched it!


 
Posted : 03/02/2017 5:14 pm
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