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Personally I think it'll be bloody hot under there! I like my mojito, it was great in summer last year. Even if it does cost a few W in the wind tunnel department..
If you've got £100 burning a hole in your pocket some deeper rims may help you more?!
No- it's my birthday soon so thought I'd get somethin I wouldn't normally bother with.
Oh haha.
I hear full length gloves are handy in winter 😆
So Micky taking aside, is it appropriate or not?
I've got an Air Attack (not with a visor!) I like it, it's my day to day helmet. I've never found it too warm, at least not in the UK. Worth a few watts over a vented helmet. And it's not that expensive. TiRed wears one too I believe 😉
Tired wears a Giro with events: http://www.davehaywardphotos.com/Cycling/Cycling-Circuits-/Imperial-Winter-Series-Hilling/i-ffqkf5S/A
I raced an Air Attack for two seasons, well technically I raced two, because I crashed one at the last Winter Series Race through a metal sign, and slammed the second into the road over the bars in a Surrey League Race. Lost consciousness temporarily both times, but no lasting head injuries or even concussion. If you have a Giro-shaped head, they are an excellent helmet and size the same as their other helmets (I'm a medium). Not at all hot in summer, believe it or not. Nicely crash proof, and they are aero, and you do notice the difference head down into the wind. Not as aero as a skin suit, mind.
I haven't replaced the bright yellow one yet. I chose white for kit matching first time around, then yellow for easy spotting in photos 😳 . They are superb, but I'll probably go with a Synth this season, just because a few of our team are now wearing silver/white ones. My head is not Kask shaped.
I don't really feel the cold lol
I normally wear my Sealskinz shooting gloves for Brass Monkeys and endurance rides but 50 adrenaline packed minutes aren't really worth worrying about 😉
Cool, thanks all. I think I'll give it a shot. The Yellow one would match the TFC kit 😀
Not as aero as a skin suit, mind
I don't think STW is quite ready for crosshair in a skinsuit 😛
Zipp wheels @CH? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zipp-Crest-Carbon-Clincher-Wheelset-x/dp/B014UZBRI4/ref=sr_1_2?m=A2OAJ7377F756P&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1485181851&sr=1-2
😆
Don't start 😀 Next investment will be a whole new build. Ive just bought a wheel anyway 😉
Yay! In for Saturday now 🙂
Woo see you Saturday then!
You going to go for that build then? Ready for April? 😆
Let's see how the rest of the series goes 😉
CH, was it this guy you were talking to?
I think that's Rupert Graham - the guy who lapped the 4s in the first two races, a legend!
Looks like he upgraded his ride too: http://www.hughesartandphotos.com/Photos/Cycling/Cycling-20162017/IWS-2016-2017/Imperial-Winter-Series-1/IWS-2016-7-1-MenCat4/i-Cq93qT5/A
That guy doesn't look like your typical cat 4 rider!
You won't be cat 4 for long 🙂
Ah yes, of course it was him!! I thought he looked familiar 😀
(I was joking at me looking pro lol)
Quite happy in cat 4s for the IWS! E123 looks scary haha.
If I ever do get to 3s then I know if he can't do it I definitely can't!! 😈
If I do get up to 3s I'm going to add a splash of colour to my bike.. but where? 😆
I doubt it will come as much of a shock to anyone who knows me, but after seeing the recent potential Garmin/Stages/Bkool data, i'm giving this serious consideration for an afternoon out.
Sure, i'm a big lad, as a big lad even on the small hill i'm going to be destroyed by the lightweights...But i'm hoping too that if the power calculations are where they seem to be the on the flat i may just be able to hang a wheel for a lap or 2.... Maybe.... maybe maybe...
I've emailed the race secretary to see what i do or don't need regarding a British Cycling licence, as i don't have one and they're about £40 that i don't really have spare right now after an expensive heating problem at home... but if we can overcome that aspect of things AND when the new Wahoo arrives it shows me in a 45 mins Zwift race that i can put out 300w or more for the total, then what have i actually got to lose by giving it a go? Worst case, i go out, i do 1 lap being able to hang in there on pure power and i get blown out and am never seen at Hillingdon again LOL... at least i'll know... at least i'll have given it a try.
Until this last few days i've been of the logic of "if i can't get anywhere near Crosshairs times on Zwift, then why would it be any different in the real world..." The simple answer is, it wouldn't be... i'd be bombed out the back very quickly.... But if i can see in actual terms when running the Wahoo, i can get closer to him... Then why not.
Last week after E123s CH & jesper got out on the course for a few laps until hunger got the better of them.
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?
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 🙂