A Sunday in Hell, I mean Sutton.

[Andrew G]

Cat 3/4 Crit in Sutton town centre on Sunday afternoon. I'm going to ride over to watch the Womens National race earlier before dying a thousand deaths in the 3/4.

Anybody else going / racing? Want to meet up to ride over?

Full details of event [url=http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4777]here.[/url]

[Paul on the Pearson]

Good on ya Andrew, I wont be entering as my racing seasdon han't exactly gone quite to plan, but I'll be there to cheer you on.

[Maria David]

I was supposed to have been doing the women's race, but unfortunately can't go it now.

Give it your best shot Andrew. I don't know if you've done this sort of thing before, but basically it'll be the equivalent effort to do doing a time trial (10 or 25) all the way round but in a bunch and up and down a hill. There won't really be many places to rest. You'll also get to test your cornering !

I did a town centre race earlier this year (in Brentwood). That was the hardest road race I've ever done. People didn't really work together like in other races. People just attacked off the front the whole time, and it was just a war of attrition. The men's race that was on that day was the same too, with even more of the field (including good local riders) dropping out.
That course went up and down a drag, and even something as modest as that became a real slog to ride up at those speeds !

On a positive note, like you say if you are dropped there will be others to work with as many people will be shelled off the back. Just go there and enjoy it !

Maria
http://www.2wheelchick.blogspot.com/

[Andrew G]

Cheers Maria. I'm under no illusions and expect to get dropped very early, just fancy getting a kicking somewhere other than Palace.

I'm happy with corners and downhills, except that I believe you're down the hill here in seconds so it just feels like a continual hill climb . With my dreadful climbing ability I'll be happy if I can still see the bunch on lap 2! I just like doing these things for a bit of fun, I don't take it too seriously.

I may be crap, but it's all my own blood.

[Dombo]

Is 3/4th Cat the bottom category, or is there lower still? How many laps is it and would it be suitable for a newbie (to road racing)? Sorry for the numpty questions, but new to this.

[Sylv]

Brilliant Andrew, I will be there boo-ing you (that's what you do to your cycling heroes right?)

[Andrew G]

3/4 is a joint 3rd and 4th Category licence holders race - I'm a 4th Cat so bottom of the pile.

When you buy a racing licence you are start as a 4th Cat, finish in the top 10 in races to pick up points, when you have enough points you move up to 3rd Cat. If you don't have a licence you have to buy a day licence.

I gather the course is a box with 2 long sides which are a hill, so you have to keep going up hill, and some of these buggers do it at the same speed as the flat. 0.87km per lap and the race is 30 minutes + 2 laps.

To be honest from my experience at Palace the 3/4 races aint easy and I wouldn't enter this one (which according to Paul T might be harder) as my first race unless you are seriously masochistic.

Your best bet may be to wait until later in the year and debut in the ACC Road Race. A members only affair. Friendly atmos, you won't need a licence, and you can find out if you like it. That's what I did last year, enjoyed it so got a licence and having a go in a few races this year.

There are 4th cat only races which would be easier than a 3/4 but they're at Hillingdon on a Tuesday evening which is a bit of a faff for me, hence my kickings at Palace in the 3/4s. I'm not in it for the points (just as well really) so it doesn't bother me.

All that aside if you want to give it a go, what have you got to lose? I won't turn down the company. Might be worth checking with Paul T first for his opinion and how much it would cost to enter and get a day licence which are normally quite pricey.

[Andrew G]

Oh Dombo, Sean could give you a good idea as he raced (I think his first) at Palace in the 3/4 race in May as a birthday treat to himself.

In retrospect he may have preferred a bottle of wine though.

[Andrew G]

You've got a one track mind Sean . I actually meant because it's a national level event and should make good viewing....but if there happens to be something else that makes it a pleasant spectacle who am I to complain.

May as well go the whole hog and, following Apples comment in the other thread, go completely old school and break out the tabs and a beer while I'm watching . Ideal race prep.

[David Lombari]

Good luck Andrew....I've got the blood ready for you, so nip over Sat pm.

......and mind the gravel!

[Andrew G]

Cheers David, half a pint of yours and half of Jon H's should work fine.

[Andrew G]

Okee dokee,

I've put some info for those who want to race in the Racing section Sutton Crit post but basically I'm going along, plan to EOL and being there early I wouldn't have thought this a problem.

Who else is thinking of going, race or watch, and do you want to meet at GBs to ride over together?

How does 12:30 meet and on our way by 12:45 sound? This would give plenty of time to ride over and get there in time to watch the women's National race. Any people racing also have plenty of time to EOL.

Let me know and I won't leave GBs before you get there.

Weather: Looking a bit dodgy at the moment with light rain in the morning but due to clear up during the day. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but if the rain looks like it might set in then I'll either skip it or drive over later. I would post here by 11:30 if that's the case though.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Andrew G]

[quote="marco"]...it really is non stop climbing...