Yes well done Darren any result on a day like Sunday is a good result and they spelt yer name right in the results! I'd entered but had my entry returned as over subscribed. Was toying with just turning up and entering on the line - feel sure as it turned out I would have got a ride and likewise not a course I've ridden for nearly 20 years -can't remember anything about it which suggests I've never lasted long there!
So yes under the circumstance I would be crazy to go out training on a day like that - well it wasnt so much training as turning the pedals. I rode the Reliability route - just like we do in February only this time I did it the reverse way round, it was colder, wetter and I was wearing more clothes and on me race bike for no good reason! I had a puncture decending Birdsall and nearly called it a day. But I'd convinced myself conditions would improve. They never did although the rain did stop briefly near Helmsley. I think I would rather have been at work!
Racing Roundup
Moderator: Moderators
It was a double joy to roll up to the start line at today's Doncaster Wheelers vets race - mainly blue skies and only a light breeze, and the front row lined up for the A/B race was almost entirely Clifton. It's great seeing new young talent come up through the club, but nice seeing an ever-strengthening old blokes squad too. Will leave Cam, Tim and Nigel to tell their tales, but sounds like they all had a good go at it.
In the C/D race a break of about six or seven took off pretty much from the gun, and was out of sight by the time we finished the first of eight laps. Thankfully a fair few strong riders had been left behind and after a lap or so mucking around, a dozen or so of us got into fairly serious paceline mode and by four to go they were back in sight.
Then came a bizarre incident. On the narrow-ish road running towards the finish line we found ourselves, including the lead car, stuck behind a van, which slowed and drove right down the middle of the road, occasionally braking for no reason. We shrugged our shoulders and settled in, but the lead car driver was clearing going increasingly spare, hugging the right kerb and gesticulating at the van driver. Both of them accelerated away eventually but as we neared the finish they'd stopped in the middle of the road, apparently so the van driver could give the lead car driver a mouthful. However as we passed, the lead car driver jumped out, flung the van door open and chucked the keys across the road! We moved swiftly on...
This rather disrupted the chase of the break but by the bell they were a matter of yards up the road, whereupon everyone who'd been hiding near the back of the bunch piled up to the front... ...and then promptly sat up. And the break cruised away again, taking the top placings. An overcrowded sprint for eighth didn't seem worth risking life & limb for, so it was somewhere around 20th for me. 43 miles at 25.4mph, Normalised Power 233W, good fun if ultimately frustrating!
In the C/D race a break of about six or seven took off pretty much from the gun, and was out of sight by the time we finished the first of eight laps. Thankfully a fair few strong riders had been left behind and after a lap or so mucking around, a dozen or so of us got into fairly serious paceline mode and by four to go they were back in sight.
Then came a bizarre incident. On the narrow-ish road running towards the finish line we found ourselves, including the lead car, stuck behind a van, which slowed and drove right down the middle of the road, occasionally braking for no reason. We shrugged our shoulders and settled in, but the lead car driver was clearing going increasingly spare, hugging the right kerb and gesticulating at the van driver. Both of them accelerated away eventually but as we neared the finish they'd stopped in the middle of the road, apparently so the van driver could give the lead car driver a mouthful. However as we passed, the lead car driver jumped out, flung the van door open and chucked the keys across the road! We moved swiftly on...
This rather disrupted the chase of the break but by the bell they were a matter of yards up the road, whereupon everyone who'd been hiding near the back of the bunch piled up to the front... ...and then promptly sat up. And the break cruised away again, taking the top placings. An overcrowded sprint for eighth didn't seem worth risking life & limb for, so it was somewhere around 20th for me. 43 miles at 25.4mph, Normalised Power 233W, good fun if ultimately frustrating!
In the A/B race I lined up (as Phil says) alongside Tim and Cam at the front at the start, working on the theory that it may well be the only time i'd be at the front- not the case as it turned out!
The first two laps saw the bunch settle into a 'battle rhythm' where we would all bunch up, then someone would attack and the whole race would string out until the front guys gave up pulling and we all bunched again. I spent the first couple of laps in the back half of the bunch and could see Cam and Tim up near the front stretching things out.
As we got to the top of the rise after the roadworks on lap 3 everything slowed again, so I decided to give it a go, expecting the same formula- stretch out then regroup.
I was bl**dy well amazed when no one came after me, and soon found myself with a decent gap on the bunch, even getting out of sight of them once we hit the narrow winding lane towards the finish line
It felt good to be on my own off the front of the bunch instead of off the back for once, but with my HR bouncing between 98 and 100% of my max it wasn't to last and I got caught after half a lap
I spent most of the rest of the race in the back half of the bunch. I managed another couple of little digs on later laps but never got more than a few metres off the front. I could see Tim and Cam up the front and at one stage it looked like Cam was away with two other riders, but again his group were caught.
Finally met my aim this season which was to finish in the bunch
- I finished in the back half but was more than happy to have stayed with them for the 9 laps. Just under 49 miles for me at a whisker over 25mph average.
As for the Transit Van incident, I suspect it was a result of the events with the A/B group when the same van came haring around one of the S bends on the narrow section to be confronted with 30 or so riders, some of whom narrowly avoided going headfirst into his front grille! The van had clearly not heeded the front race car, but equally there were lots of riders across the road on a blind left-hander going at some speed. I heard the verbal exchange going on behind me, neither the driver or the riders behind were particularly complementary about each other!
A good reminder about the need to take care in these events- no placing is worth killing yourself on a blind bend on roads that aren't closed...
All in all a fantastic day, good weather, lots of club jerseys in evidence, and back home in time to carry on sofa shopping with Mrs T, earning lots of brownie points in the process!
The first two laps saw the bunch settle into a 'battle rhythm' where we would all bunch up, then someone would attack and the whole race would string out until the front guys gave up pulling and we all bunched again. I spent the first couple of laps in the back half of the bunch and could see Cam and Tim up near the front stretching things out.
As we got to the top of the rise after the roadworks on lap 3 everything slowed again, so I decided to give it a go, expecting the same formula- stretch out then regroup.
I was bl**dy well amazed when no one came after me, and soon found myself with a decent gap on the bunch, even getting out of sight of them once we hit the narrow winding lane towards the finish line
It felt good to be on my own off the front of the bunch instead of off the back for once, but with my HR bouncing between 98 and 100% of my max it wasn't to last and I got caught after half a lap
I spent most of the rest of the race in the back half of the bunch. I managed another couple of little digs on later laps but never got more than a few metres off the front. I could see Tim and Cam up the front and at one stage it looked like Cam was away with two other riders, but again his group were caught.
Finally met my aim this season which was to finish in the bunch
- I finished in the back half but was more than happy to have stayed with them for the 9 laps. Just under 49 miles for me at a whisker over 25mph average.As for the Transit Van incident, I suspect it was a result of the events with the A/B group when the same van came haring around one of the S bends on the narrow section to be confronted with 30 or so riders, some of whom narrowly avoided going headfirst into his front grille! The van had clearly not heeded the front race car, but equally there were lots of riders across the road on a blind left-hander going at some speed. I heard the verbal exchange going on behind me, neither the driver or the riders behind were particularly complementary about each other!
A good reminder about the need to take care in these events- no placing is worth killing yourself on a blind bend on roads that aren't closed...
All in all a fantastic day, good weather, lots of club jerseys in evidence, and back home in time to carry on sofa shopping with Mrs T, earning lots of brownie points in the process!
Racing
Racing on sunday gave me a real buzz.After a few weeks of chaingang and hilly training at and above threshold i am really enjoying my racing with a few others in the club.Seeing Cam going up the road and forming a nice little escape and plonking myself on the front soft tapping i thought this is great and although it was brought back all the clubs riders cant be faulted for trying.Nigel had a go and iwas off the front with a few others a couple of times to no avail but something Darren said when i started racing sticks with me" It wont happen if u dont try it"Ended with 3 away and a bunch sprint with all of us in it somewhere.cheers
-
Cyan Skymoos
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:46 pm
Haha Tim, sounds like something I read in a book.
Wakefield CC evening Road Race tonight, undulating little circuit south of Normanton around the little mining villages. Muzzy was down to ride, where were you fella? I know these roads like the back of my hand after 30 years of various Cas/Wakey chaingangs, but I still managed to hit every pothole.
Try as I might I cant seem to clip off the front and stay away, maybe it will never happen, still got 3rd so it's another placing, and the prize list wasn't bad. A nice warm up for tomorrow night and the big one on sunday..The Tom Simpson LVRC.
Wakefield CC evening Road Race tonight, undulating little circuit south of Normanton around the little mining villages. Muzzy was down to ride, where were you fella? I know these roads like the back of my hand after 30 years of various Cas/Wakey chaingangs, but I still managed to hit every pothole.
Try as I might I cant seem to clip off the front and stay away, maybe it will never happen, still got 3rd so it's another placing, and the prize list wasn't bad. A nice warm up for tomorrow night and the big one on sunday..The Tom Simpson LVRC.
-
Tobzlerone
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:48 pm
Not that i've had many, but today's race was probably my most enjoyable.
After winning the 'cat 4 only' race, i didn't really know what to expect speed wise.
Yet it seemed easy enough within the group and i found myself in a breakaway for a good half a lap and a bit with 3 other riders. Up the hill towards the finish a few others bridged across and we kept the pace up through Kirby Misperton in to the climb outside the village, i was unsure just how much of a gap we had, but we had to slow right down as the lead car couldn't get past another car, which was a shame....silly motorized vehicles...
I attacked again on the descent but there was no getting away from the group, had a great time mind.
I sat in the group for a bit and recovered, not really satisfied i found myself back towards the front and helping out to chase riders down... always secretly hoping that no-one else was chasing behind me and i managed to get into another break, it didn't happen.
Coming into the final lap a group of 6 or so were out up ahead, no-one was really working to chase them back apart from what seemed to be clifton on the front, i joined them and sat on the front for a few pedal strokes, no-one came through... i wasn't impressed so shouted and waved people through, it took a while but people finally came...
...is this just my inexperience showing through, or do people tend to know if the break will come back?
I helped bridge the last couple of meters to the group, only to realise that it meant i was on the front with a kilometer to go, which wasn't the best place to be and looking back i probably worked a little too much in that last stretch.
The rise up to the finish arrived, i looked to keep my pace up, only to lose it behind a struggling dirtwheels chap. And i really didn't have anything left in the legs to accelerate around him and back up to pace.
I've squeezed as much experience from this race as possible, and i'm certainly looking forward to my next one.
Aside from me it was a really good performance by Clifton today, it seems there was always someone either on the front or attacking off it.,and if such statistics existed we would be right up there on time spent working on the front.
Good effort
cheers
Tobz
After winning the 'cat 4 only' race, i didn't really know what to expect speed wise.
Yet it seemed easy enough within the group and i found myself in a breakaway for a good half a lap and a bit with 3 other riders. Up the hill towards the finish a few others bridged across and we kept the pace up through Kirby Misperton in to the climb outside the village, i was unsure just how much of a gap we had, but we had to slow right down as the lead car couldn't get past another car, which was a shame....silly motorized vehicles...
I attacked again on the descent but there was no getting away from the group, had a great time mind.
I sat in the group for a bit and recovered, not really satisfied i found myself back towards the front and helping out to chase riders down... always secretly hoping that no-one else was chasing behind me and i managed to get into another break, it didn't happen.
Coming into the final lap a group of 6 or so were out up ahead, no-one was really working to chase them back apart from what seemed to be clifton on the front, i joined them and sat on the front for a few pedal strokes, no-one came through... i wasn't impressed so shouted and waved people through, it took a while but people finally came...
...is this just my inexperience showing through, or do people tend to know if the break will come back?
I helped bridge the last couple of meters to the group, only to realise that it meant i was on the front with a kilometer to go, which wasn't the best place to be and looking back i probably worked a little too much in that last stretch.
The rise up to the finish arrived, i looked to keep my pace up, only to lose it behind a struggling dirtwheels chap. And i really didn't have anything left in the legs to accelerate around him and back up to pace.
I've squeezed as much experience from this race as possible, and i'm certainly looking forward to my next one.
Aside from me it was a really good performance by Clifton today, it seems there was always someone either on the front or attacking off it.,and if such statistics existed we would be right up there on time spent working on the front.
Good effort
cheers
Tobz
One of those f*****g nights Darren. I love that circuit its absolutely tailor made for an evening race as its just about hard enough to soften the field up in 35 miles and the finish is just made for me. However I nearly always have a nervous breakdown just getting there. I was still on the York ring road at 6 o'clock as late leaving work. Then I took the wrong exit off the A1 with not enough time to do anything else other than find my way home. Actually spent about 2 hours in the car and only did 70 miles. Its why I never ride evening road races - too much depends on other things escpecially traffic and its a nigtmare getting from the north side of York to anywhere. But to be honest I was feeling rubbish anyway and like I've said before sometimes these things are meant to be........
But well done - presume you got your entry fee back?
But well done - presume you got your entry fee back?
-
Cyan Skymoos
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:46 pm
Entry fee, petrol money, and Normanton's finest fish and chips Paul
Great job done by Malton Wheelers tonight, shame about all the potholes, but we seem to be saying that about every race we do now.
Proud of the Clifton tonight, everyone had a good go. Toby was so strong, and will win some good races if he wants, I'm sure of that.
Race was a predictable bunch sprint in the end, I had enough left in the legs to negotiate through a few gaps and get 5th or 6th..just got to be careful I don't get a 2nd cat now, that would mean no beer and chips next winter.
See you at the Tom Simpson on sunday, looking forward to that one, and the legs are coming good just in time
Great job done by Malton Wheelers tonight, shame about all the potholes, but we seem to be saying that about every race we do now.
Proud of the Clifton tonight, everyone had a good go. Toby was so strong, and will win some good races if he wants, I'm sure of that.
Race was a predictable bunch sprint in the end, I had enough left in the legs to negotiate through a few gaps and get 5th or 6th..just got to be careful I don't get a 2nd cat now, that would mean no beer and chips next winter.
See you at the Tom Simpson on sunday, looking forward to that one, and the legs are coming good just in time
Those darn potholes!
Spent the first lap hanging onto the back of the main bunch. By the second lap I was used to the pace and was beginning to settle in.
I used the second time up the hill to move up the bunch and get myself off the very back where I'd spent most of the race. Then ...BANG! I managed to hit a huge pot hole. My tyre completely exploded.
I've been quite lucky with punctures so far and, like my tyre, I was left totally deflated, especially as I felt as though I could have finished within the main bunch. I would have been more than happy with that as in my first few lumpy 3/4 cat races I was getting spat out the back within a lap.
Anyway, potholes aside, I thought the course was great. The lumpy bits and corners making it interesting. Good job done by Malton. Also, well done to all the Clifton guys. Another strong showing.
Martin
Spent the first lap hanging onto the back of the main bunch. By the second lap I was used to the pace and was beginning to settle in.
I used the second time up the hill to move up the bunch and get myself off the very back where I'd spent most of the race. Then ...BANG! I managed to hit a huge pot hole. My tyre completely exploded.
I've been quite lucky with punctures so far and, like my tyre, I was left totally deflated, especially as I felt as though I could have finished within the main bunch. I would have been more than happy with that as in my first few lumpy 3/4 cat races I was getting spat out the back within a lap.
Anyway, potholes aside, I thought the course was great. The lumpy bits and corners making it interesting. Good job done by Malton. Also, well done to all the Clifton guys. Another strong showing.
Martin
-
menticknap
- Posts: 133
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:13 pm
- Location: Malton
Thanks for your kind comments!
Our forum is down at the mo, so thought I would post the results and photos here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigzad/s ... 068195589/
Awaiting confirmation, but here are the results to 10th
1. Christopher Fothergill - Rock Racing - 3rd Cat
2. David Morris - Harrogate Nova - 3rd Cat
3. Lewis Jackson - Cottingham Coureurs - 3rd Cat
4. Ben Roberts - Bridlington CC - 3rd Cat
5. Peter Cox - Slipstream RT - 4th Cat
6. Darren Bendelow - Clifton CC - 3rd Cat
7. Constantin Manole - Rock Racing - 3rd Cat
8. Richard Douthwaite - Clifton CC - 4th Cat
9. Jason Livesey - Dirtwheels - 3rd Cat
10. Paul Drop - Wilsons Wheels - 3rd Cat
Our forum is down at the mo, so thought I would post the results and photos here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigzad/s ... 068195589/
Awaiting confirmation, but here are the results to 10th
1. Christopher Fothergill - Rock Racing - 3rd Cat
2. David Morris - Harrogate Nova - 3rd Cat
3. Lewis Jackson - Cottingham Coureurs - 3rd Cat
4. Ben Roberts - Bridlington CC - 3rd Cat
5. Peter Cox - Slipstream RT - 4th Cat
6. Darren Bendelow - Clifton CC - 3rd Cat
7. Constantin Manole - Rock Racing - 3rd Cat
8. Richard Douthwaite - Clifton CC - 4th Cat
9. Jason Livesey - Dirtwheels - 3rd Cat
10. Paul Drop - Wilsons Wheels - 3rd Cat
-
Tobzlerone
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:48 pm
Thanks for that Toby! I bottled the sprint however and any powder I had hoped to keep dry for the run-in was well and truly saturated by then! Well done to Richard and Darren for having the legs/being brave and alert to get in the top 10.
Cracking picture of you Toby(above)....leading from the front..stringing out the bunch ...Definitely one for the album
Well done to Tim for a strong ride and getting in a break
Thanks to Matthew and everyone at Malton Wheelers for putting on a good race
Cheers
Cam
Cracking picture of you Toby(above)....leading from the front..stringing out the bunch ...Definitely one for the album
Well done to Tim for a strong ride and getting in a break
Thanks to Matthew and everyone at Malton Wheelers for putting on a good race
Cheers
Cam
Racing
i got in that break i hope you werent chasing down :wink 4 were away and 3 more of us joined them working well for about 3/4 of the second to last and last lap but i got distanced onthe second last climb then had to hold on to the bunch as it came flying past.: Anyway a great little course that had a bit of everything in it including holes everywhere.Good pace all the time with all Clifton working hard.Heres to Sunday which i presume will be quite interesting.cheers
-
Cyan Skymoos
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:46 pm
The training is working. I'm pretty sure Muzzy has been the only Clifton rider getting any BC points whilst I've been in the club, and maybe for a while before that. This year there must be 5 or 6 of us in the points, and still plenty of racing left.
Tim you did great getting up there in that break, I think it's the best I've seen you race.
I spent mile after mile in the 12 and 13 sprocket thursday, and wednesday for that matter..the speed of these races really surprised me.
Tim you did great getting up there in that break, I think it's the best I've seen you race.
I spent mile after mile in the 12 and 13 sprocket thursday, and wednesday for that matter..the speed of these races really surprised me.
Racing
My polar had just shy of 25 mph on that circuit as an average so pretty fast.Ithink i heard someone saying that we should have sacrificed some of our riders to win the race which to me sounds like a team idea and a good one if our riders are going strong in races which they are.Is it worth havind a talk before a race or during to decide what we can do or does that sound a bit 2 "pro".I personally would not mind riding for someone else as there are a couple who are obviously capable of winning races like these with a bit of luck.Is this just pie in the sky talk.