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by **Andrew G** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:35 pm

If Sunday's weather puts paid to Chertsey I may end up not racing until the Tuesday evening jobs.

As Hillingdon is a bit of a trip, and Palace is sooo convenient, would I be mad to start at the Palace? I'm not looking for points, cat promotion etc, I just want to enjoy some racing. Obviously that's more enjoyable if you aren't spat out the back on the first lap

but I don't mind having to work my way in/up to bunch finishes, just don't want to ride solo for the whole race.

Is it insanity to start at the ACC local circuit and just keep plugging away?

Advice from Palace racers appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew.

by **Dr Frigo** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:29 pm

Gosh is it really starting that soon?

I think I only raced there four times, but the from the third time on have found it very different than the first two races:

First couple times which were some of my first road races, I stayed at the back trying to do as little work as possible to be able to keep up with the bunch. The problem is, as you know the bunch works as an "elastic" especially on a "technical" (not my words) course like Palace with tight turns and a hard (my words this time) climb. I found it increasingly difficult to get back onto the group whilst tailing the last riders, it was frustrating too as at the back of a large group the time lost through braking in the corners is incredible, and then you have to make up for it at the exit of the turn. It didn't take long for the elastic to snap and I finished the race on my own (with George once I remember) both times which wasn't great fun.

After that I got a bit more confidence and decided to stay towards the front (say between 1st (not too often!) and 10-15th place), which changed everything. I was able to brake late in corners and pick my lines, and never got the feeling I was going to get left behind. It was still hard mind, and the climb got tougher and tougher every lap, but the Palace circuit lost a bit of its mystique for me that day and I realised it was just another crit circuit.

I'd say if you're not afraid of riding towards the front of a tight group, on a sometimes-dangerous circuit (I have seen a few riders overcook their line at the bottom of the descent, not a pretty result), give it a go.

With the advent of a mtb summer series less and less likely I look forward to racing at Palace in the week this year.

by **-Adam-** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:36 pm

I dont think i can offer much more than sylv. I think you were there andrew when i made my palace debut, and you saw how tough it was, definately harder than hillingdon.

But what i will say is that the second time was definately easier. Sylv is right, at palace, you have to be prepared to stay at or near the front. For the exact reasons he says, sprinting out of every corner is not fun.

Well i guess you'll cope, given that you have done this chertsy race. You'll have a better idea of what to expect. So if your confident you can stay up near the front, and can 'hack' the pace, you'll be fine!

i think you've gotta be doing the training group to be fast enough though...

see you tomorow

by **Matthew Ives** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:41 pm

[quote]Mr Ives is the guys to ask, his first race he finished 5th

by **Andrew G** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:08 pm

Thanks for the help guys. I'm not frightened of being dropped Marco, and expect it first few times out, I'm prepared to plug away at it.

To be honest it's just that Hillingdon after a day at work, the trip home, and then another full day at work the following day seems like quite a bit of time and travelling for someone who's not chasing points and just wants to enjoy some racing. I'm sure I'll improve by just plugging away at Palace. If I stop enjoying it I can always change my plans.

Matt, thanks for the tips although it does sound as though I'll have to dust the dreaded turbo off. :wink:

Being a bit more old school in my riding (fixed over winter etc) I'm not sure I'm fully up to speed on a V02 max test. Is this where you warm up and then increase intensity in one minute intervals until you fall off the bike a quivering wreck?

Ta,

Andrew.

by **Matthew Ives** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:12 pm

[quote]Being a bit more old school in my riding (fixed over winter etc) I'm not sure I'm fully up to speed on a V02 max test. Is this where you warm up and then increase intensity in one minute intervals until you fall off the bike a quivering wreck?

by **mrP(Boonen)VT** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:27 am

Don't worry about all that malarkey, just turn up, suffer like buggery, get dropped, then do it again next week, and it'll feel easier.
Paul

by **Graham O** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:38 am

Andrew,

I'll be there next week. Think you have just got to jump in and do your best...

It will be fun.... :twisted:

ta,

graham...

by **-Adam-** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:44 am

May 8th will be my debut this season...

One of my goals for this year is to win at the Palace, though i doubt ill manage that at the first time of asking!

Its hard, but if you get dropped just keep going until the comissaires tell you to stop! Then at least you get a decent work out for your tenner. Plus the next week will get easier!

by **Andrew G** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:10 pm

[quote="seanhogan(CondorMan)"][quote]It will be fun.... :twisted:

by **mrP(Boonen)VT** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:41 am

If the circuit is wet, it gets too slippery to race on safely, and forecast is rain for Tuesday :cry:

- be warned.

by **-Adam-** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:42 pm

Yeah, i raced it when it was wet last year... certainly made a lot of people think twice about racing! A couple of people did lose it at the bottom of the circuit but overall i thought it wasn't too bad...

You just gotta be sensible!