Hillingdon 25th May

[Toks]

Well done Rogan
Cat 4s
1 70 Martin Prior Oxonian CC 4 45mis+3laps
2 118 Mason Dancey Team Zappi's 4 st
3 121 Nick Harper Welland Valley 4 st
4 32 Andrew McCombe CC Basingstoke 4 st
5 116 Mateusz Dykierc Twickenham CC 4 st
6 15 Paul Harold BC Private Member 4 st
7 111 Paul Derby Wyre Forest CRC 4 st
8 48 Adrian Chaplin Team Zappi's 4 st
9 92 Rogan Redfarn Addiscombe CC 4 st
10 96 Stephen Campbell BC Private Member 4 st
11 66 Tom McLaren East London Velo 4 st
12 113 Rubin Parker East Grinstead CC 4 st
13 43 Joe Noar London Phoenix 4 st
14 123 Stuart Hamilton London Dynamo 4 st
15 20 Alex Murray London Dynamo 4 st
16 61 George Kirkin Twickenham CC 4 st
17 60 Steve Sibley Inverse Racing 4 st
18 3 Mark Maliniak Archer RC 4 st
19 49 Tom Bowenny One Life Development Squad 4 st
20 39 Seb Greenwood Hounslow & District Wheelers 4 st
21 97 Tom London Willesden cc 4 st
22 46 Clive Green London Dynamo 4 st
23 6 James Curry Inverse Racing 4 st
25 19 Jim Mackay Willesden cc 4 st
26 117 Arglos Caristides Ermis 4 st
27 5 Graham Pettitt Hillingdon CC 4 st
28 11 Nick Glazier London Dynamo 4 st
29 122 Simon Wexley Hounslow & District Wheelers 4 st
30 107 Andy Keene East London Velo 4 st
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[George]

Nice ride Rogan it looks like you've caught the racing bug

[Rob W]

Way to go Rogan.Knew you`d enjoy the racing.

[Rogan]

Thank you Gents, I am enjoying it Immensely. Also, Placed 8th at Hillingdon on 18th May. So, going backwards
I might do that Surrey league race that you suggested Rob.

[Toks]

[quote="Rogan"]Thank you Gents, I am enjoying it Immensely. Also, Placed 8th at Hillingdon on 18th May. So, going backwards
I might do that Surrey league race that you suggested Rob.

[Rogan]

[quote="Toks"] And who knows you may inspire one or two others to put a number on the back of our very agreeable gold and black Jerseys.

[Bridget]

[quote="Rogan"]So, for now I am not in ACC gear.

[Rogan]

[quote="Bridget"]Who's this at Hillingdon on 25th May then?

[Rogan]

Race report - I’m a stickler for familiarity and after just three outings, Hillingdon is now hallowed stomping ground. Having gone through the anguish of defeating the simple un-known’s - ‘am I going to be able to park?’ (yes there’s parking) ‘do I have the right license?’ (I hadn’t on my first outing but all was good today) am I going to be able to have a wee before the off? (that’s a track side warm-up nightmare for those afflicted by stage fright) all the simple stuff is now part of the routine.

As for the racing; I will hold my hands aloft and confess from the start that the 4th Cat races are harder and far more competitive that I had imagined. Also, tactics are a much bigger feature of ths type of racing which I had not reckoned on.
So, with the warm up laps over the 3rd’s and above launch off leaving little time for last minute race tactics. I found myself sandwiched between a loan ‘In-gear developments rider’ and 5 ‘London-Dynamo.’ A coach reminded the In-Gear rider to stay within 5 of the front to help avoid any crashes, to conserve energy and be in position to unleash hell on the final two laps!’ This advice was familiar having read hints and tips on the ACC forum, and so, as we waited for the off I had ACC voices ringing advice in my ears. (Marco) “If a gap open’s don’t be the idgut who closes it for the rest of the group” (having never spoken to Marco he assumed an O-B Wan Kenobi voice). (John Hemming) "I didn't mention the speed wobble, or the big crash at Hillingdon when I broke my arm." Hmmm...

Then the Marshal repeats the same, “Thall shall not cut anyone up blah and blah,” which was followed by the most important instruction, “When the other race laps you KEEP TO THE LEFT!” I instantly corrected him, “You mean keep to the right,” which followed a hung silence which followed supporting calls from behind of, “Yeah, you mean keep to the right!?” which prompted our marshal to turn, face the track, and wave his left and right arms only to conclude, “what I meant to say was, keep to the right.” My half smug expression evaporated on the words “3-2-1-go!” as I struggled to get my bloody foot in my bloody peddle. That was NOT how I drilled it!

The organisers switched the racing to clockwise some weeks back and so the group is faced with a right-hand bend and slight incline within 40m of the start line. Immediately followed by a swooping 180 degree bend which falls to a left-straight-left towards a short and sharp-ish climb to the alternative start line which then swoops some way down to the final right hand long curve to the finishing straight.

Within 5 laps we had settled into our pace. I noticed a few things. One: the In-Gear rider was doing just as he was told to do. two: Dynamo were always in contention and doing some work out front and whilst there were no team tactics seemingly playing out they were full of encouragement for each other. Three: there is this short fat bloke whose stomach extends halfway down his top tube who managed to stay around the top 8 riders! I’m half convinced that Hillingdon follows its own set of planetary rules! The laws of physics left at the door and Hillingdon seemingly had its own micro-climate on the 28th too! One unwelcome feature of the race was the fierce head-wind everywhere. It seemed to be blowing in your face from every angle of the circuit which I still find most puzzling (?) Whether you faced North, East, South or West there seemed to be headwind of varying ferocity. Some of this has to be in the mind of course... Accept for the fat bloke!

Halfway into the race a group of four riders broke away and merged with the now slowing 3/2 race ahead. Within the next lap all riders were blobbed together with 4th Cats mixed with the 3rds much to the organisers dismay. The fourths were told to slow up and wait for the 3rds to get on with racing. We were seemingly back into warm-up mode and as the two races parted the 4th Cats wound it up again with an instant mini break-away of 8 or so riders heavily laced with Dynamo. ‘In-Gear’ was un-missable in Orange and still following orders. I joined them in what seemed a multi-lap thigh burning workout. It was during this phase of the race that I asserted my orders of, “keep to your line!” whenever I felt the need... It works too

And so to the ‘three lap’ board and a lunge to the front by the only other ACC rider (I will get his name ‘again’ next time – he’s not in the TG – he should be). By this point I was looking forward to the end as the lactic acid started to bite. But with two laps to go I was third and remained in position slipping a few places and gaining them back by the last lap. This is where race tactics, knowing the circuit, understanding the day’s weather and one’s own ability comes into play. This makes for a cocktail of conundrums I have yet to get to grips with.

We hammered round the last bend at 30 plus as I hung on to third place with gritted expression and so the 28th was all for the winning, or losing.
The headwind was so strong that timing the lunge for the line became crucial. I am not the strongest finisher and I will work on this aspect of my racing in the coming months.
It was clear that with around 300m to go my pseudo lead-out was slowing and so I broke away and faced the power sapping wind. 70m out and 5 riders, now facing the wind for the first time, surge passed me in what seems like an un-avoidable slow motion nightmare! The bastards, taking my points with each pedal! Of course they are all thoroughly agreeable guys and deserving of each and every point – I am in the moment as I write and despite willing mind I am having to grapple (in slow motion)with legs that are responding like a broken toy! Feeble of body, I nearly caught all but one of them back within 5m of the line, but the race was over. Still, it’s always good to get a point and good to see a well ordered race with no incidents. Still, lessons must be learnt.

I didn't see Dynamo feature in the results and so wiser riders had to be conserving energy in the middle of the pack. I salute them all....

[Ivor]

brilliant report. makes me want to have another go at this crowded pack racing again. maybe.

[Toks]

What a fanstatic race report! Chapeau Rogan

[Rob Q]

Great report Rogan and well done.

[Paul Blackburn]

Well, thank goodness the photo is from the second half of the race. That was actually me on a rare foray to the sharp end of the race.

I spent the first half yo-yoing off the back of the bunch trying desperately to hang on. Eventually there seemed to be a slight lull in proceedings, so I managed to get up the outside of the pack on the long drag up past the start / finish line and tucked in a few from the front. The next few laps were an absolute revelation as finally, after a fair few attempts at Hillingdon, I managed to follow the right wheels and right lines around the circuit. It was as if it needed only half the effort of riding at the back, but it still took a lot of concentration to keep position.

As we got towards the end of the race holding position was even harder so I thought I should try to get back towards the front of the group. With 3 laps to go I went up the outside of the bunch and, as no-one was showing any inclination to let me in, I just ended up on the front around the top of the circuit, through the bends and down the following straight. At this point half of the pack swarmed past me and I was back at square one. On the next lap I decided to try again (slow learner?) but did think that others might be keen to get towards the front immediately after the bends, giving me a decent position without having to lead. But no, I was left out there to do some more work. After all that excitement and effort, the inevitable happened on the final lap as I blew and could only admire the leading riders from afar as they crossed the finish line, but it was a real buzz to finally do something in a race other than just hang on for dear life.

[Rogan]

[quote="Paul Blackburn"]With 3 laps to go I went up the outside of the bunch and, as no-one was showing any inclination to let me in, I just ended up on the front

[Toks]

Nice one Paul, you look pretty resplendent in the Black and Gold. I look forward to more races and reports