Intro to the world of racing...

MichaelCarter · Post by **MichaelCarter** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:24 am

Armed with a couple of these intro chain gangs I'm going to dive in and do the last TLI on tuesday. Needless to say I'm bricking myself at my first competitive non time trial race and any tips and guidance from the experts would be much appreciated! Couple of specific questions...

I've found the map on their site but I can't find out how many laps of it we do and in which direction we go? Anyone know?

I've got the form printed off, should I be OK turning up with it on the night, if so what time should I aim to get there?

I'm going to cycle up during the afternoon, does it finish in time to get back to York before dark? If not, has anyone got any space in a car for me and my bike please?

Much appreciated

Michael

p.s. oh and a tip to any Clifton people doing it with aspirations of doing well, when approaching a corner make sure you are not behind me, I'm useless at corners!

willhub · Post by **willhub** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:08 am

Maybe its 30miles like the other TLi?

MichaelCarter · Post by **MichaelCarter** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:40 am

Have I managed to persuade you to do it yet Will?!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:40 am

MichaelCarter wrote:I've found the map on their site but I can't find out how many laps of it we do and in which direction we go? Anyone know?

Having never ridden these I really don't know, but for obvious reasons 99% of modern races go anticlockwise.

R

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:03 pm

Hi Michael

It's seven laps, anticlockwise (ie all turns are left turns, as Rob notes). Start under the motorway bridge. On the last lap you take a sharp left (watch out for gravel) just before the bridge and the finish is about a quarter of a mile up the narrow road, up a gentle rise. Total distance 32miles (unless varied on the night).

You'll be fine with the pace of it. This one starts at 7:00 so I'd aim to be there by 6:30 at the latest just so you can get signed on, numbers on and warmed up without drama. HQ is about five minutes' ride from the start. It'll be finished by about 8:15 but if you're staying for the prizegiving I'd assume you won't be away until about 9.

Only bits of advice I'd give are:-
-Try to stay up near the front but not necessarily right on the front
-Encourage people to take turns and work with you (but not too much since we'll be wanting to catch you

)
-If you're not moving forwards in a bunch you're probably moving backwards
-Don't be last going into corners as it leaves you with most work to do on the sprint back up to speed.
-Mind how you go!

MichaelCarter · Post by **MichaelCarter** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:04 pm

Thankyou very much Rob and Phil. Last thing I forgot to ask, I think it was Steve who suggested I set off in the middle group, I had presumed I set off in the first group being a first timer. Do the organisers tell me which one to go in or is it an honesty thing and if so which should I go for?

Cheers.

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:20 pm

Tends to be an honesty thing really. Giving a definitive answer is tricky. First group will be a slower pace but often falls apart due to differing abilities. If there are a few other familiar faces in the slow group then I'd suggest going with them and working together if the group splits. Take it steady and at worst you'll have enough left to jump in with the second group if you get caught. Second group tends to stick together better but pace depends on mood; it can be steady but it can also be very fast if you get a few people up front in a determined mood - three weeks ago we basically maintained the time gap back to the scratch group.

MichaelCarter · Post by **MichaelCarter** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:14 am

anyone up for a few laps round the airfield circuit this wed or thu?

BroomWagon · Post by **BroomWagon** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:43 pm

Nooo, need to take it easy this week ready for Tan Hill. Aren't you going to do that?

MichaelCarter · Post by **MichaelCarter** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:05 pm

"Aren't you going to do that?"

I wanted to, but at the moment my longest endurance ride I've done in the last few months is 3 hours yesterday (and I flagged half way through that!)