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But maybe worth bringing your bike down and seeing what you can do a lap in on your own, or even on mine/CH wheel, as a simple benchmark?
It's certainly an option for the week before yes. I'm out at Swinley this weekend with my lad and mate, so can't do this weekend, but i'm tempted by that idea for sure and just to see how i'd get on in a lap or 2 at 'pace'... Obviously not your TT speed as we both know that ain't happening, but between you and CG you can work out roughly what sort of speed we're doing and put it somewhere around the right sort of pace... if i last 1/2 a lap, then i know the answer quickly and simply.
But if i can see in actual terms when running the Wahoo, i can get closer to him... Then why not.
Why not indeed! I think you'd enjoy it.
Happy to help if you and CH fancy a bit of outdoor race pace training 🙂
Not sure I can do the 4th, it's in discussion with the missus at the moment as it's my birthday weekend. If I can race i'll be shooting straight home sorry. Then on the 11th I have the in laws round with dinner in town.
But the 18th is still showing as free from 12:30pm (if CH can get out of anniversary things?) I was planning on doing an FTP test there before sending the PM back.
Could aim for the next series?
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/154841/BC-West-Thames--1
Happy to help if you and CH fancy a bit of outdoor race pace training
Cheers fella. It's a bit chilly out at the moment but there's plenty of riding to be had over my way just a smidge north of CH's place when it does warm up slightly... I think between me and him we can be quite flexible for getting out for a little pootle...
Weeksy, also the OTRT winter crit series over at Abingdon ([url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/156700/OTRT-Winter-Crit-Series---Round-1 ]here[/url]) starts on the 4th of Feb. Still 9 places left in the 4's.
I'll be riding all the remaining races. Weeksy, I'm happy to pace you around to give you a feel for pace of 4th cat. I'm also happy to pace at E123 as well, but that is for a much shorter lap or two (I'll have ridden 55 laps by then!).
Seriously, just give it a go. I never expected to race. Started in a club and tried it. Was out the back of my first few Winter Series races. But it clicked, I learned to race in masters racing, and never looked back.
And there are some very big guys in the pack. Just sit behind them and learn how to hold a wheel!
And there are some very big guys in the pack. Just sit behind them and learn how to hold a wheel!
You say that like i won't be lining up and everyone in there waiting for me to go so they can all get bahind me. At 15st+ i'm going to be one of if not the biggest i'd expect.
Nah wont be, have a skim through: http://www.davehaywardphotos.com/Cycling/Cycling-Circuits-
Plenty of different shapes, sizes, bikes & kit choices.
No one cares and everyone's very supportive. As long as you don't "chop" (I'm still not sure what that means), then everyone's your friend.
As long as you don't "chop" (I'm still not sure what that means), then everyone's your friend.
I'm sure TiRed can better explain, but I think it's basically holding your line and not cutting across anyone, especially going round corners.
That could be a major issue... i'm yet to really see... a test lap or several would help that.
I don't really 'do' road bikes... as much as it may seem i do from the number of zwift hours, i don't really do outside much. Where i do ride on teh 2 times a year i usually do roads like the Newbury/Wantage road, the road from Lambourne to Newbury, the roads around Streatley/Newbury etc.. So not really tight and twisty.... but you can see quickly when we get to a downhill, my road bike handling skills are not as good as some of the regulars by a long way... they FLY down/round and i sort of mince my way round there...
Assuming i'll be able to speak, i'll apologise nicely to anyone i chop 🙂
Until Hillingdon I hadn't been anywhere near those cornering angles out on the road, nor would I now!
Hillingdon is silky smooth, no potholes or metal grid etc to fly into 🙂
Chopping is not holding one's line and cutting across to take out a front wheel of a following rider. Being known as a "chopper" is about the biggest insult in road racing. Being a "safe wheel" is the best complement. Being a good "attacking rider" or even a "Winner" doesn't even feature (for we pack fodder 😉 ). You have to learn to ride smoothly and become a safe wheel.
Ah so that's what it means!
I don't think I've been called a chopper, but then again no one has ever called me a safe wheel either. I've been called crazy and combative though, for attacking that is. 😆
By the way TiRed, what happened on Race 6 4th January 2014? bar your photo being taken that is 😆
http://www.imperialracingteam.com/results1314.html?
Well in the 4th cat race, I didn't do much. In the E12/3 race, a newly promoted third cat locked handlebars with another rider and brought down the bunch on the small incline before Hospital Bend (I tell everyone that's where the crashes take place). One rider fell very heavily onto some handlebars and broke ribs and punctured a lung. The air ambulance was called, and the HEMS doctor provided care, but didn't get a ride.
The injured rider spent a week in hospital, the new third cat never raced on the road again!
Christ, I wish I hadn't asked now! 😯
Wow! Scary stuff!
I haven't been called anything as such! A couple of guys "FFS'd" me this week but it was misplaced as I had nowhere to go either.
I have had loads of random support though from guys on the way back to the car. The atmosphere is great!!
(I'd imagine it is less supportive if you go around attacking everyone all the time of course 😀 )
As an ex-racer on motorbikes, I'm cool with risks and broken bones. I've done a few this year without any other riders.
@CH there's a couple of people who think they're Froome, but they never seem to hang around after the race nor do I see them get a decent result. 95% of riders are there for fun though - definitely get a good vibe off the majority.
I seem to get a lot of locker room banter, which is great.
I hope the next series is as friendly, I've just had confirmation from the boss I can do something called flexible working!
Yes! Me too Nath- I hope it's not just the cold weather causing the camaraderie! I definitely need to improve for a 3/4 though. The hardest thing so far has been arriving in decent form- hopefully there won't be as many colds floating around in April 😉
I think if you practiced your bursts to stick with the bunch you'll have nailed it for April to be honest mate (ie inters).
Not going to lie there was points on Saturday (particularly after I'd just been caught) were if there was an attack and the front bunch responded I would have been spat out. I was mentally pleading with them for a few laps haha.
Lol! That's because you were still soloing in the wind 😀
Yes! Five minute power is a definite focal point.
<tootles off to look at Naths Strava....>
Does your Mio have 'autolap' Nath?
What you trying to find on my strava? 😆
I have no idea to be honest... it's a Mio 505 and I'm consulting google....
Nothing in particular 🙂
I like Autolap on my Garmin so I can see when I get dropped 😀
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CH it's your first lap that's letting you down 🙂
🙂 I'm not sure what happened there. We did have a neutral lap but it was a little quicker than that 😀
Is there any software where I can do that manually with the gpx file? I'll have a look through my mio's options later.
I know- I didn't want to miss laps this week so pressed the button really early 😉
My fastest lap in the bunch is 10seconds slower than Nath's fastest solo lap 😀
How do you know 2:02 was my solo lap? ❓
It's your pb for the Hillingdon Winter Series segment. If you scroll down all the segments you'll see it for each lap.
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But that's quite far down isn't it? From power numbers it was lap 4/5 that I went for the solo?
Good point! Not sure... perhaps it was in the bunch then??
Must have been! The pace really picked up on the last couple of laps.
Results pending, I'm predicting 12th.
Exciting! I wonder if I'll make it to the list for only finishing 1 lap down?? Small steps and all that 😀
Woo congrats CH:
Round 6 4th Cats
Place Club
1st Charlie Woodall Big Boys Bicycle Club
2nd Alex Randall Twickenham CC
3rd Mark Aldred Kingston Wheelers
4th Dan Adams London Dynamo
5th Lloyd Molton Kingston Wheelers
6th Pierre Jackson G.S. Henley
7th Max Kingdon unattached
8th Rufus Greenway Twickenham CC
9th Dan Ferguson Amersham RCC
10th Scott Shellien-Walker SD Racing Team
11th Chris Brown Kingston Wheelers
12th Nathan Bond unattached
13th Edward Flight unattached
14th Simon Pearce Berkhamsted CC
15th Sam Gregson Velosport
16th James Barrell BMRT
17th Alastair Blowers VCGH
18th Stuart McLay Hart Evolution RT
19th Orlando Whitehead University College London Union
20th Gianluca Palazzo Kingston Wheelers
21st Gregory Woodford Reading Cycling Club
22nd Mark Weight Sigma Sport
23rd Joe Bennion University of Manchester CC
24th Alan Nixon Amersham RCC
25th James Ackerley GS Henley
26th Johnathan Sargeant unattached
27th Robert Broderick Watford Velo Sport
28th Ross Greening Velosport CC
29th Dan Gates Amersham RCC
30th Billy Flinn Hart Evolution RT
31st Iain Campbell VC Londres
32nd Richard Metcalfe Berkhamsted CC
33rd Ed Neaves unattached
34th Andrew Shutler TFC
35th Peter Cornwall unattached
Lol!! I know it's sad but I'm genuinely well chuffed 😀
No, you should be happy!!!
Looks like a good 20 people bailed?! I hope that wasn't because of my splitting of the group, that won't make me friends 😆
You're not there to make friends 😉
You tore it up mate!! Trouble is, I don't even escape you in the Spring if you move up 😀 (Unless you choose the big boys race??)
Woohoo, I got a mention:
A super clear crisp day with several parts of the circuit shaded from the sun dusted with frost but welcome relief from previous weeks. Another good entry for all categories with 15 ladies and 41 4th cats racing; the 4th cat. started steadily with the first serious attack coming from Nathan Bond. It then settled down for several laps until another effort from Iain Campbell (V.C. Londres) stringing the field out. Probably the most aggressive rider was Mark Aldred (Kingston Wheelers) who constantly attacked off the front and in the end was awarded third place behind Alex Randall (Twickenham CC) and the winner Charlie Woodall (Big Boys Bicycle Club). Woodall will be picking up a pair of Ryder Eyeware glasses as he now moves up to a 3rd cat rank along with Aldred.
@weeksy haha it's good to make friends 🙂
@tired I'll be sticking to the 3/4s until they boot me out, that is if I even get the points to move up to 3rd!
That's awesome! Well done 🙂
Thanks 🙂
So that's:
Round 2 - 17th
Round 4 - 28th (punctureee)
Round 5 - 7th
Round 6 - 12th
3 more to go and I'm not solo TT'ing in any of them 😆
3 more to go and I'm not solo TT'ing in any of them
What fun is that! Death or glory i say 🙂
What fun is that! Death or glory i say
Damn right mate... if he's going down, he may as well going down fighting.
By TTing it he's actually living the dream that all of the back runners want to live... he's gone for it and destroyed a field.... by sprinting into 8th place he's only finishing 8th...
By going death or glory he's covered himself in golden glitter and been the man everyone wanted to be !
Helmet has arrived. Let's hope it's sunny again 🙂
crosshair - MemberHelmet has arrived. Let's hope it's sunny again
Maybe so, but it's not in outer space you're riding...
Weeksy- not quite, the guy who sprinted for 8th place got 3 points 😀
Haha @weeksy - the death or glory approach hasn't really got me anywhere other than banter afterwards. 😆
@CH - erm have you seen the forecast? 😥
My app is saying cloudy, 10mph wind and possibly light rain. Not too bad. At least my hair will stay dry 😀
It also said the other week was going to be sunny mind you 😉
Helmet has arrived. Let's hope it's sunny again
CH, might be going for a spin in about an hour if you're keen.
Weeksy- not quite, the guy who sprinted for 8th place got 3 points
Of course, but no-one knows the guy who was 7th or 9th... they just wander through the locker room anonymous
Nath walks through and it's not "oh there's the bloke that was 8th"... it's "Jesus there's that bloke, he's a bloody lunatic, i wish i could do that "
MrBlobby- ah, would have loved to! I've already been roped into being the 'Back-stepper' on my wife's carriage this afternoon 😯
My job is to throw our son into the hedge if it looks like the pony is about to tank off 😀
Thanks for the offer though 🙂
Lol! Are you going to troll like his until your leg is fixed Weeksy 😀
Nobody is taking away Nath's achievement- he's a strong rider and very inspirational. But he's a big fish trying to escape the small pond..... and that means getting points which means using the bunch to your advantage which means not upsetting everybody 😀 lol
The TT was a ballsy effort though- no denying that.
Lol! Are you going to troll like his until your leg is fixed Weeksy
It's my only sanity i have ! and it was Blobby who started this train of thought 🙂
I'm also updating reverse DNS records today which means i'm about 30s from suicide at any given moment.
weeksy - Member
Weeksy- not quite, the guy who sprinted for 8th place got 3 points
Of course, but no-one knows the guy who was 7th or 9th... they just wander through the locker room anonymousNath walks through and it's not "oh there's the bloke that was 8th"... it's "Jesus there's that bloke, he's a bloody lunatic, i wish i could do that "
I was the bloke who was 7th, forgotten already 🙁
Thanks @CH. Yeah felt like the bunch punished me for it though. On saturday I'm turning up in a different non bright jersey and sitting in inconspicuously, I may even fake a cold (I'm "practicing" sneezing as we speak) so I'm left alone 😆
I think there's quite a lot of the guys moving up after last weekend.
Lol! Nath has signed up at the local drama academy to learn how to fake being slow 😀
Haha the stem extender is being fitted as we speak.
Saturday is 12mph winds and rain on my phone - I'm bringing a ass saver this time!
just popped in to say that I ordered a smallish item from shopto the other day, after the conversation with nath
£65, nearest other shop was a tenner or so higher. Free delivery and arrived next day. splendid ! (even sent a freebie water bottle, though it smells toxic 😯 )
They remind me of the good old days of play.com. When you ordered something and it showed up the next day without a subscription (such as prime).
You just have to get passed their website, which is a bit of a mess!
I've been hovering over the buy it now button on a Ultegra Power Meter. The only thing stopping me is I'm about to hand my notice in on Tuesday and I don't have a job to go to yet haha. 😆
Well done both. And the guy who sprinted for 8th, was left by the side of the road last night with a snakebite puncture on his racing tubs as he didn't have time to change wheels. Taxi! Our two young riders Alex and Sam are well on the way to third cat (a second place for each so far). But... for many riders, it will be a steady accumulation of lower placing points. For some it will be no points but a clear improvement in race skills, and then serious training. I raced 38 4th cat races before promotion. Never scored a point at Hillingdon, but learned a lot about racing.
All that matters is that you enjoy it, and the racing is safe. I'm a third cat, I'd like to be second, but the course closest to me (Hillingdon) is a power course, and I don't have a lot of it. I do better at Cyclopark and should really race Redbridge for the hill. That doesn't stop me enjoying racing. As a veteran (V50 in fact 😯 ), I can race all the races I want to, including Regional A and the Nationals (circuit and road). For younger riders, you need to become a second cat to race Nationally. And I really don't fancy those races!
Thanks Tired. I think without the TT attempt I could have got a point or two on Saturday.
Feel like I've learnt a hell of a lot in my 4 races so far, but without your racing advice I would be in the last 10 or would have given up by now. So thanks for it 🙂
Looking forward to Saturday already!!
Just noticed this for the 4th Feb:
Priority Name
1 Tom Owen
2 Scott Shellien-Walker
3 Sam Hodges
4 James Scrivener
5 Nathan Bond
6 Andrew Shutler
7 Stuart McLay
8 Iain Campbell
there's a couple of newly promoted 3s on the racing list so that should free up some spaces!
That's it really isn't it.... whether your looking for points to move from 4-3 or 3-2, looking to get on the results sheet or looking to hold the bunch for the first time- it's still the same personal challenge. Learn, improve and get fitter.
I have no aspirations to do anything much- I just love the racing!
I'm trying to decided when to upgrade my provisional license though- there's not much point for the foreseeable future 😀
Oh, I didn't even realise you can race on a provisional?!
I went ahead and just bought the full one along with silver membership..
Yes, but you can't get points so lucky you did lol. I think mines safe for this year 😀
What if you get points though? You may!?
Cheers for the optimism 🙂
Nath- I have the perfect disguise for you 😀
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Erm you can keep your disguise, thanks though Murphy 😈
Happy with it? You need to make the straps more aero though haha.
I'm on a purchasing freeze, it's horrible, Rapha have a sale with stuff in my size in it...
Yes straps are now tight- that was fresh out of the box 😉
It fits really well actually- very light and comfy.
Are you leaving the goggles attached?
It's a Zeiss visor thank you very much 😀
If I would have worn my shades then yes, otherwise I'll wear my clear glasses.
Haha I'm only joking.
Looks nice! I'll expect to see lots of pics of you next week in an aero tuck 😆
Just done my first commute on GP4S' - should have gone for 28s instead of 25s as they look very narrow on it. But there's not a huge compromise in comfort. Definitely roll quicker than my 28mm Vitoria Rubino Pro Techs it had on previously!
Lol! I have been working on my position this week. Fiddled with the stem and saddle height and kept reminding myself to relax my shoulders and grip to get the arms bent. If only I'd been doing that for the last 3000 miles of Zwifting 😉
If you want to do a deal on some 28mm GP4000s's in the future- let me know. They're not going to do many miles on my CX bike...
They have got sexy shiny sidewalls mind you......
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They'd look cool on my commuter lol.
Wear through the GP4S' first thanks 🙂
I've been doing all my Zwifting (which isn't a lot) on the drops recently. My back isn't enjoying it though....
Heart? Legs? Power? Cadence? What seems lacking, you must have plenty of comparison data?
You've realised Zwift racing is dull compared to Crits?
overdoing it generally ?
I'm quite a lot older than you two (nath, weeksy) but still it amazes me that you never seem to rest from ragging it - injuries apart
Is the fitness/freshness thing on strava actually worth the pixels it's printed on ? Have a look on there ?