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Nice one CH!
Thanks guys 🙂
It frees me up mentally now to race to win, as a single point was a goal for the whole year!
Cat 3 can be next years target as not sure how many races I'll fit in between now and Nov 30th. May have to do the Abingdon 3/4's after all 😆
Well done CH!!! I beat my mate in 16th but they have placed me 28th....WTF?!
That's not good! I hope they don't have a re-count though, they may change their minds 😆
Yes!!!! Congratulations. The first point(s) are the sweetest.
March on to victory. Or crawls slowly in my case 😉
Thanks TiRed- and for all your help and encouragement. I think a Cat 4 win is my only hope of ever experiencing one..... in pretty much any dicipline of cycling 😆
As I say, the points are just a carrot to make sense of the madness but I've thoroughly enjoyed the process so far.
Perhaps if I stop enjoying it so much and start going a bit deeper into the red, I may achieve a bit more 😆
Congratulations crosshair!
Congrats on all the results recently chaps. I've been off in the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales hurting myself on some silly steep roads (set a big new 10 minute power PB doing Hardknott!). Can't believe Brexshit got the front pages again instead of CH Gets First Point - shocking.
Chapeau CH! If you get people working for you at Dalton you'll get Cat3.
As promised 😆
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Tried them out today and braking is going to take some getting used to!!!!! I need to start dragging my feet to slow down instead I think 😆
Swiss Stop Black Prince pads are your friend, minimal difference versus alu rims on mine.
Brill thanks! To be fair they did stop once I'd learnt to pull a lot harder but it was crazy the difference.
Just wait till it rains.... 😥 😉
Just wait till it rains....
Yeah. Make sure you go for a few rides in a downpour before you race them in the wet!
Or race on a track with no hills or corners 😉
In the wet: When approaching an area you may have to potentially brake just hold them on ever so slightly to clear the surface water.
They're perfectly fine for everything other than emergency stops 😆
So a brief report. Operation 2nd Cat means I need another 13 points to reach 40. Sadly races are getting thinner on the ground and my sprint is as absent as ever.
A change of plans meant I had Saturday free instead of Sunday, so noticed the Welsh National Circuit Race Championships. Now I love Wales, but dont qualify for the jersey contest, but it is an open event, with a vets race too. So a long drive to Builth Wells and treated to some gritty racing at the showground.
I sign on for the 3/4 race first, and straight away the wind cuts the bunch to shreds. The flat course features SIX 90 degree corners, so Hillingdon this is not. I'm in the second group 6,7,8) and we chase hard for about thirty minutes, those behind never get close as we work well, despite me saving myself. Corners felt smooth and of course come the inevitable sprint, I'm third of three and eighth overall. 29 points.
Immediately join the vets race. Big field and some big riders. I know there will be a break, I've practiced the corners 25 times, but wow the pace of the first laps. And the cornering is terrible. Break. Sprint. Break. Sprint. This is a race for riders with bigger power numbers than me! And those who rode a shorter warm up! Fall off the back of the bunch, fight to get back on, then the pack shreds. We are second or third group, working well together. Cornering improves. Less sprinting. Rain falls hard, so I'm cautious having seen two juniors overcook a wet final corner and go down earlier in the day.
Two laps to go, we are caught by the lead two, bell lap, but I didn't hear the bell as I was on the front. So come the sprint, I rolled in thinking one more lap to go. Nil points, but good fun and tougher than I expected.
The drive back through Wales was lovely, and the M4 uneventful. A long way to go for a race, no mtb or track bike (my usual Wales rides). But a good day out in a lovely part of the World. I just hate crits! A few more races lined up, one more masters race and a few 3/4's (including my favourite Cyclopark), but I need a sprint rather than endurance. Still that's racing. I always saw myself as the domestique rather than the stage winner.
Awesome! Shame about not hearing the bell. Fingers crossed for your upcoming races. I think you've certainly put the miles in this season in to earn your 2nd Cat!!
Found a few more races - A series down in Portsmouth (not a great circuit that one) and one at Winchester. And of course the Abingdon series gets underway. I quite fancy Dalton Barracks instead of Hillingdon, as I lived near Abingdon for 15 years - bit it's also a power circuit rather than a bike handling skills race.
We shall see...
Get MrBlobby to play and you two can TTT away to victory 😉
Not booked in for this weekends Hillingdon TiRed??
Not yet. Hillingdon is convenient, but vets races aside, it's not a circuit I score points on! Not enough technical corners to break up the bunch racing. And I'm rubbish in the inevitable sprint. Cyclopark is much more fun.
Cat 3 only race though this week 😉 If it's similar faces from the WThames races, you should get away from that lot 🙂
I'm not even half tempted;
A) I've got it in my head that racing season is over
B) The missus has me looking at flooring options 😆
Hmm tempting, but I fancy Cyclopark Saturday and possibly Winchester Sunday. Of course, when I win the last vets race of the season tomorrow night, it won't matter!
Nath- I'm still sticking to my theory that the more races I do, the better 'per race' value my bike becomes 😆
It's down to about £42 a race already 😀
I'm 10 days in to trying to salvage my FTP for the race on Saturday and ultimately Big Events in October. 'Just racing' for a few weeks cost me around 6% although my top end improved.
I have sadly pulled a muscle in my lower back whilst chainsawing today so am about to brave the Turbo and see if training is even viable until it's better. If I want to race Saturday, I may have to write the rest of the week off 🙁
Good luck TiRed! Fingers crossed!
Haha I work it out cost per mile...
Current mileage is 4,145 so around 36p at the moment 😆
My current training plan, now I don't have targets is:
Mon - rest & if possible Z1/2 commute
Tues - 1 hour & if possible Z1/2 commute
Wed - rest & if possible Z1/2 commute
Thur- 1 hour & if possible Z1/2 commute
Fri - rest & if possible Z1/2 commute
Sat - 1.5 hours
Sun - 2-4 hours
Also work is paying for a gym membership so I might do some strength stuff...core & legs.. but I much prefer Zwift 😆
I think that will keep me at a sufficient base ready for next years training plan - once I've found some specific races to target.
[url= https://www.strava.com/activities/1182605308 ]Last Masters race[/url] of the season last night. Started fast from the usual suspects. I tried to attack and break it up a few times, but was chased down by the bunch (again). Attacked a lap after the Prime too, hoping that the sprint (which I did not contest) would catch people in a lull. No good.
A VC Meuden rider goes up the road and we know he's strong. I tried to bridge, but just didn't have the legs after my efforts. Then two of his team mates broke away, and another group of three. I sat on the front of the main bunch (who I think were expecting me to tow them) letting the attackers out to about 50 metres, and a friend goes off to try and bridge. A lap later I do attack on my own and bridge to my friend, but the five up the road are dangling ahead of us and pulling away - 5 vs. 2 is never going to be a fair contest. Still the two of us are pulling away from the main bunch and my fellow rider only needs two points for his 2nd cat.
Cruise in for a seventh place and three or four more points (depending on the points grading) to go with the extra Brucie Bonus point from Saturday, where I discovered I was seventh not eight. So possibly only six to go! Cyclopark beckons, followed by the Winchester Park and Ride on Sunday, that looks an interesting course. Back racing with the youngster too 😕
Other races I've lined up are Portsmouth closed track and useful to visit Son1, Abingdon, Hillingdon (of course) and Redbridge. Might have to apply some selection criteria (ideally no 3/4 races). Not to mention our TCC Surrey League Ottershaw road race series in October and November. I won't be getting any points in those (E123) 😆 , but I like to show the jersey. So hopefully I might achieve a result or two before then.
Great stuff! Sounds like a fun race and well done on the points.
It's funny how life is all about momentum. After just a couple of weeks of not racing, it suddenly seems an extravagant use of my time with other more pressing things competing.
Nothing a good dose of endorphins on Saturday won't sort out 😀
I keep hovering over the BC page for Abingdon. My hunch is I won't have the legs to mix it at the front in a 3/4 and I'm sick of sitting in a bunch for this year. On reflection, the races that leave me buzzing are the ones where I mark the front 10 all race and get in a few moves. So I'm going to see what happens on Saturday first. More point may change my mind 😉
Do it crosshair!! I keep eyeing BC site but unsure due to my CX debut the Thursday before and velo Birmingham the day after...
I'm torn. A 3/4 is just too hard for my fitness in the surges but in the bunch too easy for much training value.
I should decide tomorrow night 🙂
One of my biggest problems is thinking too much- that much should be painfully obvious by now! Even mid race, I find myself acutely aware of things that others wouldn’t even notice so my mental game needs to be top notch to have any chance of putting in a good showing.
Trying to work out what work I had to get done this morning to leave my mind clear for the race, I stood waiting for my toast to pop and suddenly wondered where I had parked the buggy last night (Polaris Ranger D1000 if you’re wondering) as it wasn’t on the front lawn.
I tried to remember why I had left it down the farm and then slowly realised it was long gone! Probably in the bowels of a grain lorry heading to Ireland as we speak.
So, the morning was spent literally shaking with anger, panic, stress and worry about the resultant mess! The police were as helpful as they could be and came and took a detailed statement etc.
But by 10:30, the dust was settling and the nausea subsiding enough to suddenly remember the race.
Game plan then. As mentioned, I love the thrill of getting off the front so that was as far as my aspirations took me. Get in a break. Callum was due to be there and sure enough, he was and I helped him fettle his gears. This kid is strong! He finished just out of the points in a 70mile 3/4 road race the other day and eats 90mile 22mph club rides for breakfast looking at his Strava. He’s also faster than me up Streatley Hill lol
Anyway, as we chatted, I said “I’ll be honest mate, my goal today is to mark you. You can win this thing and I’d love to try and come with you. I won’t hold you back though- if I can’t hang I will drop back and block for you.” Which he seemed both happy and flattered by- he clearly doesn’t know his own strength!
As we warmed up, I developed my own gear problem and nipped back to the car to screw the life out of my inline adjuster. I didn’t risk the Allen key in case I frayed the cable. It was ok but just rubbed enough in certain gears to drive me potty!
My back has been getting better each day but I hadn’t tested it on my race bike. Despite the painkillers, it was a dull ache all race but I can’t say it held me back, just kept me on my toes.
There weren’t many friendly faces there beyond Callum. Fighty McFight face was there and as sketchy as ever although stayed upright today at least. There were a few familiar people from the recent West Thames races but nobody I knew as such and one guy I recognised from Thruxton.
A quick note on my fitness in case it’s interesting to anyone, from a peak mid-season of 318w FTP and 85kg, I’m now 89kg and my FTP is down to 300w. I’m a few days into a salvage operation for that and aim to try and get some back by the Big Events race in October.
Off we went and the Comm said 45mins + 5 laps. The first lap was steady but a couple of Rapha Cycling Club guys and a few other strong folk looked to be chomping at the bit. The first few laps were brutal. I think everyone thought the same as me, that they were strong enough now to just rock up and ride away to points. (Ok, I didn’t really think that but I knew I had a good chance)
Attacks started on the next lap and were pretty serious efforts. I just jumped from wheel to wheel and covered the lot. Callum was always there mixing it, usually in the front 3-5 wheels. It was nice as we naturally gave each other more room in the corners and could rely on each other not to shut the door as the bunch meandered around in the headwind sections. As usual, the forecast 7mph was more like double figures!
As the laps ticked by, Callum was more frequently the guy making the moves rather than following them and I still kept trying. We rarely got a significant gap though and we would generally get countered and have to go again. Fun perhaps but it was starting to take it’s toll.
In my hyper-aware state, I was able to notice that my NP was 320 so far- over my pb FTP let alone my current one. And it felt like it too. So when Callum launched after the Apex of Brians (anti-clockwise today) I decided I was holding him back.
Of course, the rest of the players had clocked me covering every move and no doubt expected me to do the same again. I shifted to the drops, did my best impression of a fast rider but didn’t churn out any more power. By the time we had rounded the Bus-stops, he had a great gap and people were starting to twig. I kept up the façade a little longer and then just sat up and coasted around the last corner. Callum was way down the straight and happened to look back. He realised he was well clear and pressed on.
Talk about poking the hornets nest!! Riders streamed past, one or two in full on sprints. Several shouted muffled comments but one guy said “If you’re not going to race, then get out of the f***ing way!!”
“I AM racing!” retorts I wishing I had had some wise crack ready.
I upped the pace to get a tow and watched as Fighty McFight face (I think he’s called Adam) nearly wiped out the guy who had been shouting at me and they angrily shouted at each other whilst one guy reached Callum and the others started a hard chase.
I was so pleased my tactics had worked and felt it went a little way to repay the good Karma Jesper had given me.
Sadly though, a few laps later, it was back together again. I was recovering nicely, my mind was wondering how I was going to do my work without a buggy tomorrow morning and time was ticking on.
Freshly caught, it was time for Callum to chill, drink and recover right? Uh no, he was soon off again and got a gap not long after. One guy was with him and another bridged.
With the finale approaching, I chugged back my drink and waited for the five to go sign.
Next lap, 3 to go appears! I know it’s minor but it annoys me when they say +5 and then don’t show you 5 to go. Anyway, too late now, time to get up the front.
I moved up where ever I could gain an advantage and was soon hovering in the front bunch. Last lap and I felt I was in as good a spot as any.
A bit of apathy had set in though and getting in the car safely overtook sprinting to victory (well, 3rd lol) as a priority. I made up a few more spots and started looking for a gap as we approached the final bend. I was fresh and had no reason not to expect good legs.
Deciding to go right, I positioned myself nicely and got ready. With that, two simultaneous near misses occurred, one to my left and one to my right ending with a scrape and a guy on the grass but everyone staying upright.
I pushed on again just in case but the good spot was gone and I got 12th or 13th I reckon.
Callum ended up dropping the other two and finished alone for his victory! What a ride by him.
Anyway, home in one piece, enjoyed blocking for Callum and now back to reality to sort this mess out!
Well done CH, to race after such a crap morning and get within a whisker of a point is bloody good going in my books!!
I've got a little experiment ahead: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/lchfketosis-diet-anyone-tried-it
Probably should have raced Hillingdon myself. 25 keen third cats at Cyclopark, a windy day ready to break the pack, but only about five wanted to do anything (except sprint at the end). I attacked on the first bend on the first lap to string it out. Got 10 seconds with another couple of riders, but aside from one young man (who was great all race), the others looked too scared to try. Anyway lots of attacks from a few riders, three away and reeled in, ten shed off the back, and the inevitable sprint. I'm last in that sprint. Maybe I should have sat in too! I could have held that pace all afternoon. But you have to do something in the race.
Anyway, my young clubmate who sprints well got his fifth place and second cat. So some good news. Sadly my efforts to shred the pack saw his supporting dad off the back.
More races to come but a 7am TT this morning just showed that I worked very hard yesterday.
CH my usual retort for blocking is that "it's a team sport". Tactics in a 4th cat race, whatever next? I once led a clubmate out in a sprint for him to get his points, then peeled off and sat up. That didn't go down well, but it's a team sport. Get in a team and get stuck in!
Lol! Yes, they were pretty peeved. I can definitely see the attraction of a well drilled team. Being able to feel useful on an off day or to help each other achieve goals adds another layer of interest and intrinsic motivation.
Was it Johnny joining the attacks? Black guy in West Drayton kit?
Trying to get away again with Callum
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Blocking for him a couple of laps later
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I see bent elbows!
Nice write up TiRed!!
Barely! I had been working on it too but my pulled muscle made it agony. I don't have the appetite for Abingdon 3/4 so I think Big Events will be my last race of this season.
Which means I'll still be a 4th Cat next year!!
Any news on the replacement Winter Series???
Crosshair..common sense prevailed for me, and I didn't book Abingdon due to velo Birmingham Sunday.
I didn't make the Swindon cross Thursday either though due to people in hospital in Bec's family...
Winter Series will be run by Tony Gibb's promotion company -details have not been announced yet, but he's run the Full Gas series at the Velopark.
As for Abingdon tomorrow - For those that are about to die, I salute you! [b]EIGHTY points-hungry 3/4 riders[/b] on a wide pan-flat course 😯 . No thanks, I'm going elsewhere! (probably a club ride and some fixed training).
80 at Abingdon is probably safer than 50 at Hillingdon.
A crash will still happen though 😆
Callum got close but was squeezed out in the final corner for about 15th I think. His max speed was 36mph! Where the heck do you do that at Abingdon!!! Mega tailwind perhaps!!
Thinking of an afternoon/evening practice session at Hillingdon if anyone fancied it? It will be one of the first three weeks in October.
Only if it's not wet 😉
I can only get there for 6:30-7, by which time it’ll be pitch black 😆
My cycling is a bit weird at the moment.... I’m commuting Mon-Fri still (when it’s not raining), but I have no real desire to take the racing bike off the turbo at the weekends. It’s weird - I’ve kind of lost my confidence to cycle at the weekends? But I’m fine commuting into central?!
(Not sure if I posted this earlier but a few weekends back someone used their car as a weapon against me - it’s probably this 😆 )