Tuesday TLI

muscle · Post by **muscle** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:03 am

Accidents happen in sport, but unfortunately in cycling one mistake
can start a chain of disastrous events as demonstrated on Tuesdays TLI .
Every one knows this , even the pro,s crash as seen on this years Tour.
I have been cycling for 25 years now, ridden with lots cyclists, and to be honest some i have thought , i hope he never puts a number on his back!
I was brought off in Tuesdays crash , swerved round Cam avoided hitting
him the result , bouncing over the grass verge and flying over the Handle
Bars and 12 hours later realizing i had whiplash .
Like myself allot of us have been through the apprenticeship , had the telling
offs etc learnt about riding in the bunch etc , before racing in one !
I think two many inexperienced riders are running before they can
walk ,racing at speed 26mph + with 40, to 100 mostly experienced , competent riders and being out of there depth and as a result, accidents happen!
I am pleased willhub is ok ( love to know how his helmet came off , still fastened) , Cam who had a nice hole in his knee and also the Team Swift Guy!....

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:24 pm

Have to say I agree, this is basic stuff that you learn on chaingangs and training rides, but hey ho I don't think anyone was seriously injured on tuesday.

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:10 pm

Agreed. One of the things we've tried to do with the Saturday training rides is get people used to moving fast in a bunch while rolling through and taking turns on the front, plus as you say there's the chaingang too. It's hard to replicate race conditions (and not everyone does the training rides....) and at some point everyone who wants to race has to get out there and race. A pile-up on a closed circuit can be just as painful as a pile-up on the road.

It would be interesting at season's end to get feedback from those who've had a crack at road racing this year - with a mind to what we do over next winter to support people aiming at next season...

muscle · Post by **muscle** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:26 pm

p.s Cam , you left some blood behind in my car!....Will send you the valeting
bill!

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:38 pm

Sounds like a job for The Wolf....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANPsHKpti48

(Usual language alert in relation to any of Mr Tarantino's films....)

muscle · Post by **muscle** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:50 pm

Thanks Phil
But not that much blood ......Cam had a hole in his knee , he
still had his head!

photoBen · Post by **photoBen** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:28 pm

While I was not there on Tuesday night so can't comment about that race, I'd like to say not all first season road racers think they belong at the front of every race. I've done four races this year and learnt from each one, never been close to challenging for the win but never expected to. I have been taught a lot of lessons by more experienced riders and feel ready to go into Sunday's race prepared to hang with the bunch.
I sincerely hope the training rides continue, as for Winter I'll be racing cyclocross then coming back to the road for another season, not expecting anything grand just to put my best performance in and see if that earns me a result. When all the chaos of this weekend has died down and road race has been and gone how about another pub night as a review? Maybe someone else but me and Phil might turn up this time (not that I don't enjoy you're company Phil!)

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:54 pm

No offence taken

And yes, I'd echo your comments and say I'm impressed with everyone who's had a go this year - it's a big jump from doing a SPOCO to doing a road race where you risk being shelled unceremoniously out the back for a lonely and humbling ride. I'd also add:- never underestimate your own capacity to improve with training and application - and the stronger you get, the more you'll enjoy it.

willhub · Post by **willhub** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:02 pm

I gather people will be happy they won't be seeing me in any races again this year.

I hope the comment "I'd like to say not all first season road racers think they belong at the front of every race" Was not aimed at anything I have said.

I've never went into a race this year just wanting to sit in for the ride. I've always wanted to go to the front.

I've crashed twice this year.

The first time was simple clipping the pedal round a very tight turn and that sliding me over, a very novice mistake I shall not make again.

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:16 pm

I did show up for a pint too Ben! (only one obviously, in the cyclist fashion)

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:30 pm

I think too much been made of this crash tbh, I've seen many like it even in elite races, a lapse of concentration, a touch of wheels, it happens.
If everyone who caused a crash never raced again Mr Bixby might win that elusive fiver.

willhub · Post by **willhub** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:53 pm

Cyan Skymoos wrote:I think too much been made of this crash tbh, I've seen many like it even in elite races, a lapse of concentration, a touch of wheels, it happens.
If everyone who caused a crash never raced again Mr Bixby might win that elusive fiver.

I'm planning on racing again, just next year, and I want to get my fitness up so I'm faster. And I may have a much better bike than the CAAD9 and do not want to write another bike off EVER again.

Cam B · Post by **Cam B** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:21 pm

[quote="muscle"]p.s Cam , you left some blood behind in my car!....Will send you the valeting
bill!

My apologies for that Colin. Please send me a bill or I can send my Butler round to clean up any mess!

Sounds like you did not emerged unscathed either. Glad to see you got out on Sunday and looks like you did a decent effort there.

I would agree with yours and others comments. As a novice rider myself.....in hindsight I would definitely have done more training rides/chaingangs before tackling any races. I quickly realised my error after first LVRC I did in April but compensated by just concentraiting very, very hard! However, after doing regualar Sat. Training rides I have realised the value of these not just for fitness but for bike handling/concentation., etc. Ironically I thought I was getting getting hang of things last Tuesday but I don't think I was complacent and never took my of the ball (or wheel to be specific) but I accept that crashes are part and parcel of the sport. I think new racers, like me, should welcome constructive criticism, after all we are all in this together! Would not like another crash fora while. The cuts and grazes are one thing but the pain in my ribs and calf has prevented me getting back on the bike again. Hopefully a tentative ride tonight.

"Team Swift guy" (John Kettly - "yes, like the weather man") was ok just few cuts and grazes. Nice woman at St Johns looked after us