Alfold 2/3 cats

[-Adam-]

Well well well,

2nd Cat is a very long way away is all that i learnt yesterday...

I arrived quite late in the end due to the fact i couldnt find the bloody sign on! oops, wouldnt have got a ride in the 3rds only anyways by the sounds of it.

However, i did get to cheer on the boys which was nice.

Now, to the 2/3 race. I was one of a handful of 3rd cats in a mainly 2nd cat field. And i think thats where i really lost it, i felt out of my league... So the race started hard, with people jumping away from the gun. I was about 2 thirds down the field, just learning how to race on the open road. Well, then i realised i was actually just hanging on. I looked around and there were literally just a couple of guys behind me.

So a break of six went clear and the tempo seemed to slow a little. Tim H was in at by the way... Then a chase began to get organised. It seemed like i was out of my depth and sinking fast. By the end of the first lap i was struggling big time, i was trying to tell myself i could do it. But it was hard, really hard. I seemed to recover a bit during lap two, but then as we rolled into lap three, i began to lose contact. The gap was slowling gorwing to the point where i could here the brakes of the following vehicles waiting for the gap to be big enough to pass.

That was it, 1h 20mins in, nearly 30miles covered, my heart was thumping at 195bpm, and would not drop. I was gone. I wasn't exactly suprised, but felt dejected all the same. I sat up and took my time to get to the finish line, where i pulled in with 2 laps to go. I was gutted, i thought i could finish at least, but apparently not. I waited for the finish before going back to the HQ and going home.

I couldnt have gone harder, thats what got to me. I just couldnt keep the pace, i was ok for an hour, but after that. The legs just burnt to s***.

However, ive gotten over it and have anaylised it in my mind and found the odd positive to draw from the 'experience'

1. first race of the season over and done with, the nerves will be less next sunday.
2. a brutal realisation of how f****** hard its gonna be if i get to 2nd cat.
3. I was able to follow for at least an hour, so palace is gonna be a walk in the park... hopefully!

Anyways, roll on next week. Paul T has my pre entry for it, so itll be third cat only for sure!!! hopefully my legs can keep me with paul, george, marek and max, for another break...?

Its only March afterall, i know i can improve...

[Stu Merckx Man]

nice on adam! will be a good bit of training

and yeh you have ages to get fitter!

[Marek]

Adam, do not worry mate, 2nd cat is pretty hard core. I have only finished a couple of 2nd cat races in my time, the others I have been dropped in.

As you have not raced that much you should be happy with staying in for as long as you did. In fact last year I did the 2/3 race and also got dropped in the first couple of laps so do not fear.

As you get used to racing in the 3rds and if you work hard on the front and try to attack and break etc, then your fitness will build. Then when you next go to a 2nd cat race you will be able to sit in and finish.

Once you have then achieved a finish in a 2nd cat race you should then do as you do in the 3rd cat races. Start attacking and sitting on the front, it is the only way to build up the fitness to actually compete, unless of course you can do race intensity sessions on your own, which in my opinion is too difficult.

Overall you should be pleased that you got to where you did, and you should look forward to next week as you will now be that much stronger.

See you next weekend.

Cheers

Marek....

[Andrew G]

Well done for sticking in so long Adam. Apart from the physical exersion of having to race with the 2nds, I'd imagine it's difficult mentally when you've prepared yourself (game plan etc) for a 3rds only.

[-Adam-]

yeah that was half the battle lost andrew, id got myself in the mood for the 3rd only race, big breakfast etc... so by the time 1.30 came about id had 4 hours to contemplate all possible meanings of the term 'dropped'!

cheers for the advice marek, im super motivated for sunday now...

hopefully i can stick with you guys near the front and make myself useful!

[Dr Frigo]

Adam there should be enough of us ACC next Sunday, to sit at the front, take the whole width of the road and prevent anyone else from overtaking

[Paul H]

It sounds like you did alright but its good not to be happy as that is more likely to spur you on.

Its probably listening too much to Sports Students with their LSD theories from East Germany which date from the 1970s.

A few high intensity races will sort you out.

[George]

Well done Adam, I felt sorry that you didn't get a ride in with the 3rds after you'd been geeing youself up all week.

If it was me I probably would have gone home instead so good staying power mate.

Next week were gonna kick some Dynamo Ass, we'll all gang up on them.

We'll talk tactics before the off so we know what to do during the race.

Cheers George

[Toks]

Hi Adam, my overall feeling is, like Andrew hinted, it was probabaly more psychological than physical. Unless your super confident in your ability being forced to ride in a 2/3 race instead of a 3rds would probably put most people quite anxious. Don't worry about it. Everyone who races, pros and amateurs, pull out of races because for all the reasons you gave and some pretty poor ones too. There's absolutely no shame in that. You actually did really well to carry on. Tips:

1. Don't use a HRM for the next couple races.
2. Get your self mid pack or in the front 2/3rds of the race right from the beginning and keep checking your position
3. Try and mentally prepare yourself - relax relax and focuss
4. Stay sharp and alert and expect the attacks

Just between me and you mate I'm sh1tt1ng myself for Sunday's race. I've only done three groups rides since December. My heart rate is at 120bpms just thinking about it. I'll probably get there for the 3rd cat finish so see you on Sunday

[huw williams]

Quote: "there should be enough of us ACC next Sunday, to sit at the front, take the whole width of the road and prevent anyone else from overtaking"


Good point - judging by the Alfold results at the weekend, and the addition of Sylv and Adam, there's enough competitive ACCers and 2nd claims to make a serious tactical assault - has anyone considered talking tactics?

[Paul H]

What tactics would the experienced racers like Toks recommend?

[-Adam-]

Well if you boys want to try a break again, ill do my best to block/disrupt any chase that the bunch tries to put on...

Then that way, if you stay away, great. if not, ill go for the sprint at the finish.

One things for sure, im gonna make myself known at the front on sunday. Im gettin worked up just sittin here writing this!

[Robh]

Sure you want to be discussing tactics openly on this forum when anybody and I mean anybody (like from an opposing club) can view this board...

[Phil S]

Road race tactics are hardly rocket science. Anyway most 2nd and 3rd cats are clueless divs who either sit in the pack like sheep, attack their own teammates, or shout at guys who have teammatesin the break for not helping chase at the front.

[huw williams]

Speaking of divs and sheep


A Scottish mate of mine called Dave Stewart was a clueless div who raced for about 30 years, devoting all his life to it but never progressed beyond 3rd cat - the only time he was ever away from the bunch and certain of victory was in a race north of the border when a sheep got under his wheels on a bend close to the finish and fetched him off.

He gave up shortly after that and became a race photographer.