Thursday 28 June - NYERRL Event 4 - Escrick Circuit

[Cam B]

Cam, very sorry for not being there, I had an un-planned meeting in London (sounds like I have a really important job, but honestly I don't) and had no chance getting back in time.

That's ok Steve...no problem...Everyone got stuck in on the night and, apart from the crash , it seemed to go ok

cheers

Cam

[reubenbarrett]

I think I counted 4 crashes on today's TdF so I guess it is just one of those things that happens! Maybe the skill is learning how to land!

Toby, are you out yet? How are you getting on?

[fatsprinter]

Get well soon Cliftoners. Don't be put of Reuben, you have just had a bit of bad luck. Vets racing is good (but not perfect) and a little safer! Lots of old guys with mortgages and kids - changes perspective on things. But I totally understand why you might want to stop racing! My last few races (some time ago) I tried countering the last lap/last few miles nervousnous and bunching by trying death or glory full on last few k (or 5 or 6) Cancellaraesque attacks. Inevitably ending not in glory, but at least fun with a a story to tell Hope you both get better soon. University will be great Toby - don't know where you have applied and what course, but applications and the applicant pool could be a bit down(making it easier to get in), make sure you are in early for your results and ring the institution if you do not get the offer grade, they still may take you and there is always clearing. Just think of all the training you can do at Uni.

Just to put it into perspective, racing is relatively safe. My uncle was a paramedic and he attended countless calls out and masses of injuries, sometimes very serious, broken bones, tendons, concussions etc from Football and Rugby on Sunday morning. It was surprisingly busy with all the injuries. So cycling is relatively safe, honest. But all the same, get better soon.

[Tobzlerone]

I'm out Reuben which is nice, relying on a fair bit of help at home as my leg is fully casted so moving about is a challenge. All sickness has stopped now as my body seems to be getting used to the antibiotics.
The only thing keeping me sane is the rain, and the tour de France, so I got good TV and the the crave to get out on my bike is subdued.

So I'm ok
How are you doing Reuben?

Concerning racing, I certainly don't think I will be racing flat races like bishopwood or escrick again, they aren't fun in any way and the potential for points are outweighed by my current condition. The Kirby misterperton felt much safer, and I hope to race these sorts of races, but right now I am finding it hard to achieive the desire to do so. And I have a few years before vet racing.
Another point I dread to think is if this crash happened before my exams, which finished a week before.


Cheers

Tobz

[Cyan Skymoos]

I think if we run this series next year we ought to think about finding some more challenging courses. Bish, Escrick etc are always going to finish in scary and dangerous bunch finishes when you've got nervous 4th cats with not so good bike handling in the mix. Would also make it easier to pick out the top 10.

[PhilBixby]

Would welcome suggestions for alternative circuits. It's not hugely easy finding ones which are close enough to York to easily rustle up marshals yet hilly enough to break up races. Hills also bring challenges where wobbly 4th cats are concerned - not sure I'd be happy with a bunch of sixty of 'em piling down Terrington Bank together, for example.

I've ridden Bishopwood loads of times over the years in BC, vets and TLI races. It's often nervous on the last lap but with the exception of the evening TLI pile-up there a couple of years back (which could have happened anywhere, anytime) I've never seen a big crash. I'd agree that vets races are safer than 3rds/4ths but Reuben & Toby's experience is just incredibly bad luck.

[Cyan Skymoos]

There have been various races around Sheriff Hutton/Bulmer in years gone by which didn't involve going down Terrington.

[PhilBixby]

Sounds promising - give me a list and I'll stick the map in front of Rich Houghton (traffic management) and see what he reckons they look like.

[timj]

Been to awedding over weekend so just catching up.Hope everything is ok with you both and you get over it soon.

[paulM]

I tend to think evening road races bring issues of their own simply because they are shorter so more chance of more riders still being in the mix at the end. My only hospital visit was at an evening road race. Kind of why I tend to stay away from them (or choose my events very carefully) and mostly road race at weekends - midnight in casualty is no fun if you have to be at work the following day!
The Escrick or Bishops Wood circuits would make me nervous on any day of the week. That Escrick couse was used as the finishing circuit in my one and only 12 hour time trial - you come onto it after about 200 miles when your out of your face - thats how "selective" it is!

There is always the "old" road race circuit at Sheriff Hutton through West Lilling, left at Flaxton X roads over the lumps, left at Stittenham back to Sheriff. Safe roads, uphill finish on the opposite side to where we start on the Bulmer circuit & just about hard enough to split the field up a bit over 6 laps. Was always the road race circuit of choice used by all the clubs up to about 15 years ago. Cant remember why we stopped using it - maybe because it meant 6 x down through Sheriff and West Lilling and the back road has a very fast decent on a very narrow road. Rob was lead car last time we used it and is still having counselling! But I rode it loads of times and dont remember any problems or crashes.

Of course the other issue is all the evening time trials are all in Sheriff on the same night?

[Cyan Skymoos]

Yes I remember they used that circuit to finish on when Rob Harris won the divs in 92, just rode everyone off his wheel and won by about 5 minutes. That was when a div champs was nearer 100 miles than 75.

There was also the one which went down Bulmer bank, left and left through Thornton and Foston, up past the monument and back through Bulmer village. One lap and bodies everywhere. Rock hard races in those days, no wonder I look ill in all the old pics.
35 miles around Bish and everyone looks fresh as a daisy.

[Tobzlerone]

All these races sound epic

Should be back on my bike in no time lads, managed to get up and make myself a cuppa tea

[Rob]

Cant remember why we stopped using it.

Was to give the locals a break - too much racing through the village.

And, nostalgia ain't what it used to be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

[Cyan Skymoos]

The villagers would love it now, haven't you heard everybody loves cycling these days.

[paulM]

We used that circuit for a few years ago Darren for the club road race. I organised it a couple of times 98 & 99 and then Nick Scull for a few years after that which meant I had to ride it. About as hard as they come. In fact Rob nearly won it the first year such is his talent!
You are probably correct Rob - it must have been a killer for the villagers having to endure a road race once a year!
Now though What with Wiggins bound to win the Tour and Cavendish the Olympics we'll need crowd control if we use the Sheriff circuit again! I was having this banter with the drivers I was holding up at the Nationals - "You can get out and stand and watch this for nothing" I was telling them.

Please to hear you are on the mend Toby and I hope this is just a minor interruption to your upward progression. But if your results so far are anything to go by do you need to be "taking the risk" at this level in the future - think about it?