crystal palace 17/7/07 - mission to get 5 points for 2nd cat

[Stu Merckx Man]

good bunch of the A team out today, representing both races, sylv and george in e,1,2s and then keiren, steve, me, hal, polish andrew and andrew G representing the 3,4s.

my mission today was to get 5th place or higher to get me to 2nd cat before my birthday (this thursday hint hint ).

so the race got under way and attack after attack went. i went with every single one of them and putting some in myself and was getting nakered. it was real windy, and i had to bridge so many gaps, i was just shattered.

on about lap 6, the 2 strongest riders of the group, that rapha condor bloke, and an ozzie duwlich paragon guy got away together.

at this point i think most of the pack were together and we chased hard but couldnt get them back.

still people kept attacking and eventually there was a split. 4 guys got away. i realised i had to get onto them. but how? i was shattered. then i realised i had no choice if i wanted to get to 2nd cat because my points were up the road! i chased as hard as i could and eventually got on to the back of them. i looked behind me and realised i had left the rest of the guys behind, except Kieran and another young rider.

we were in a break!! we were working reasonably well together, and sometimes got the odd glimpse of the 2 guys in front. the next set of laps are a blur, i was THAT tired. somewhere among it though the young rider i had dragged across was dropped.

the next clear bit of memory is when i was taking a turn on the front and then some idiot attacked the rest of the breakaway riders came passed me except Kieran. i gave the elbow for him to come through but he was to exhausted having done a huge turn on the front. he came through anyways and took me down the hair pin. the 4 riders were about 150m ahead of us both. i new i had to get over to them though. just like before my 2nd cat licence was metaphorically up the road. i stupidly charged passed Kieran (sorry!!) not giving him a chance to hold my wheel. but at the time i did not realise, i was just so tired and i was not thinking straight!

i chased harder than i have ever chased before, i went beyond the red line, i went into full body numbness, i was nearly vomiting i was pushing so hard. somehow i got onto the back of the 4 riders as we got to the top of the hill. it was then i looked round and realised what i had just done to Kieran . THANKFULLY 2 laps later he somehow managed to chase us back down and tag onto the back. i have to say, it was real comforting having Kieran there. i felt safer knowing that with a team mate it made us both pretty much stronger than the other guys as we would be able to trust each other (except my earlier antics ) as they were from different teams and constantly attacked one another.

the last few laps were the hardest ive had to push physically in my life. i was holding back the vomit, my lungs felt like they were bleeding, and my legs constantly burned!

finally though the last lap came. its amazing what your mind can make your body do, because all those feeling disappeared and i got into race finish mode. we hit the hill and i somehow found myself attacking, even though i was already nearly chucking up. i sprinted as hard as i could. at the top of the hill i looked back and saw i had dropped all bar 3 of the riders. i got into the least wind resistant position i could, clunked down a few gears, sat right on the end of my saddle, practically put my face on my stem and just motored my legs as hard as i could.

1 of the guys came passed me on the left, and then very slowly the other one edged passed me, but i was pleased to hear him growling with the effort, even though i had played lead out man .

so there we go i finished 5th, which bumps me up to 2nd cat!!

and Kieran also got his first points of the season, and probably in the hardest way too! the next lot will be easy!

that was the hardest race in my life, and i dont think i have ever pushed so hard. i had to really concentrate to stop myself vomiting! the constant attacks, having to bridge huuuge gaps, and hardly able to shelter just crippled me! but im well happy now!

average speed was 23.3 (but into an uber strong wind!)
cheers
stu

[George]

Stuart getting to 2nd cat in his toy car

[img]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z13/spider666_bucket/Barbiedrift.gif[/img]

[Sylv]

Wow seems like your race was more eventful than ours Stu good report and well done, as well as the other ACCers.

It was good though - fewer riders (20-25?), cleaner lines (someone could come and stay on your inside in a turn without you worrying about them cutting you or doing something silly - then you realised you could do the same), and didn't seem that much harder - still our average was 25.1.

I had promised myself not to go to the front and just try and get a feel for the race, and I didn't except a couple of short times when I found myself in second and the guy in front peeled off after his turn, but mostly I was refining the art of wheel sucking. I wasn't too far off the front though and could see George doing big digs then being brought backwards, before coming to the front again.

There were some attacks but I guess the crazy wind made them that much harder (I was convinced no-one breaked but some said after they'd thought a group of 5 had ... which they did now that I see the results). Warrick Spence is so strong though and a few times he went up the hill leading in the saddle, and I was just about able to keep up out of the saddle.

George seriously attacked on the climb towards the end, he got reeled in, then soon after attacked again . That was with two or three laps to go and the bunch just sat up to a crawl as we were cresting the climb. I certainly wasn't going to chase and I thought this was going to give George a good chance of staying away. Soon after though the chase started and I followed suite.

Still George was far ahead and it seems he got caught pretty much on the line, finishing second of the group. I hadn't seen him looking pissed off ever before, but boy did he look it afterwards. I got a bit boxed in on the climb for the sprint, the pace upped a lot but I was amazed that a couple guys who'd been towards the front just decided not to contest the sprint, so they just eased off and we had to swerve our way around them. I gave it all but when I finally looked back when crossing the line I was the last of the group who'd gone for the sprint ... I think 8th of our group, 13th overall.

Anyway it was doable, a few times the pace was higher up the climb and was sustained as we got onto the flat (but into the wind, very hard) and I feared I'd lose a wheel, but there wasn't that much of a difference with the other race (I kind of expected it seeing the average speeds, but wanted tangible proof!) and I am not too worried for Stu next week. Obviously the sprint was harder and that is probably the biggest difference - but what a difference. Also the group that split must have gone super fast, I never noticed they'd went away, and they got a 40 seconds gap

Now if only we still had Jon C with us, and if Paul H would learn how to go round corners, we'd be the most represented club in the E/1/2 race ...

[Andrew G]

3/4 Cat
1 Patrick Jones Dulwich Paragon
2 James Wilson Rapha/Condor
3 Billy Joe Whenman Marin/Wilier @ 1.04
4 Michal Prachar N/A @ 1.05
5 Stuart Chamberlayne Addiscombe CC
6 Thomas Burman Team Economic Energy @ 1.16
7 Keiran Brennan Addiscombe CC @ 1.18
8 Anne Boorsma Dulwich Paragon @ 1.24
9 Hal Bransby Addiscombe CC
10 Mark Lloyd Dulwich Paragon
11 Paul Richards Mosquito Bikes
12 Guy Phillips Dulwich Paragon

E/1/2
1 Dan Santoni Pearson Cycles
2 Warrick Spence Cyclefit
3 Ben White Finchley RT @ 5 secs
4 Sam Humpheson London Dynamo/Cyclefit
5 Paul Wills Kingsnorth Int
6 Iain Paine London Dynamo/Cyclefit @ 9 secs
7 Matt Holmes Arctic/Shorter Rochford @ 26 secs
8 George Brent Addiscombe CC
9 Guy Pearson Pearson Cycles
10 Kevin Knox Dulwich Paragon
11 John Sadler Trisport News
12 David Jones Dulwich Paragon
13 Sylvain Garde Addiscombe CC
14 Alistair Tullett Arctic/Shorter Rochford
15 Jason Pidd Mosquito Bikes

Blimey you don't see time gaps like that at Palace very often.

Tales From A Tail Gunner
Okay so you've heard how the quick boys go, now for something completely different.

I had planned on doing palace quite a bit this year but with one thing and onother this was only my 4th visit. Jack n' Jill next week, but after that hopefully I can get a few more in the bank.

"Stay at the front it's easier." That's what people say and it's true, you do of course need the strength to stay there though. I started on the front row and the first 2 laps were the easiest I've done at Palace, so it is true that it's easier up there. Now the strength problem. The hill is a real power drag, and while I'm a 1.6 the fast guys are all packing 2 litres! On lap 3 people started coming past me on the hill and I started going backwards.

I managed to hang on to the bunch until lap 7 before finally slipping off the back though, but just couldn't hold on any longer. I'm fine everywhere else and could keep up, just don't have the power in my legs to knock out 19/20mph up the hill every bloody lap.

The thing is that while I may be one of the first (actually I think I was the first tonight ) to get dropped my pace stays pretty constant. I just continue to blunder around without really getting any slower. As a result of this I plough round on me tod picking off people who are blowing for the remaining laps. I think I caught, passed, and dropped 10-12 people tonight, but that doesn't really help as they never seem to have enough left to be able to form any form of useful working group. All I managed was jumping briefly on the back of the 3/4 and E/1/2 leaders as they lapped me to grab a bit of a tow for half a lap at a time.

It was quite tough tonight with the wind but I managed to average 21mph, just wish I could find people to work with, or ideally stay in the pack, as then upping the speed would be so much easier.

Doing your own thing at the back does give you quite a good vantage point for watching how the rest of the race pans out though . Stu and Keiran both rode excellently in a race that had small groups scattered hither and yon around the park. T'other Andrew and Hal also did great and rode strongly in the second group behind the two leaders. Good to see Keiran and Hal in the top 10 and picking up points and congratulations to Stu on his 2nd cat licence, get rid of the hat for your photo on the new one or people will get you mixed up with Huw .

Cheers,
Rear Admiral Green.

[Steve B]

Oh well, back to reality for me tonight

With the really strong wind blowing into our faces down the finish straight, the only respite from blustery conditions was the short bit out of the hairpin, which made the race very tough, and for me, just too tough!

Started near the front and the first couple of laps were pretty easy, lulling me into a fulse sense of security. Thoughts of sitting in the pack getting pulled around and then contesting the sprint, were totally shattered a few laps later when the whole thing went ballistic

Now usually a break will last for a lap or two and the pace will then ease and you can regroup, take shelter and wait for the next one. But not tonight, oh no, tonight was full on. Once the initial break had gone, and I'm not sure who or how many went, the remainder of the race was basically a chase, with the main chasing group containing all the Addiscombe (exept Andrew G, who lost touch after a few laps)

Riders were getting shelled like peas, and eventually It was my turn. The lactic in the legs was just too much and at the top of the hill the elastic band snapped. But this was happening to lots of riders that finished in the group last week so I knew it must be a tough race. I thought about pulling out but decided to cruise round for a bit. Polish Andrew went past, then a group of three riders, the big guy from Dulwich, Guy from Mosquito and another. I jumped on and we proceeded to work together.


We were doing well. We picked up 'P' Andrew and then quite a few more riders as the main group split to pieces, leaving only 8 riders at the finish. Our group held ground, if not gained on the group in front, but the pace was too fast, my legs were burning like hell. I felt totally exhausted and pulled out with 4 or 5 laps to go. Dissapointed - yes

I watched the rest of the race and hats off to Stu, Keiran and Hal, great rides. Stu 2nd cat Also a mention to the two Andrews. Polish Andrew looked extreemly good in the chasing group, doing lots of work - good effort. Andrew G, Well done for sticking in there and finishing, riding most of the race on your own, thats tough

George was his usual self riding round the whole race in 53-12 Probably not far off actually.

Sylv looked very comfortable in his first 2nd cat race

Well done all , exept me of course

Steve(not looking forward to the next one)

[Sylv]

Stu 2nd cat before reaching - is it 17 or 18? That's impressive

[kieran]

Well, I have finally got a few points! So I am well pleased with last night. When I turned up and saw the small field I knew the race would be more to my liking than the big groups that have been going around recently. Anyway, as the others have said the race was very hard but much safer and we could take the turns almost at full speed. A few laps in I got up to the front, but hadn’t realised 2 had gone off by themselves, well done to them for keeping away. Anyway it was good having Stu up there with me as we could help each other rest (Stu don’t worry about leaving me behind that time as I thought myself I wouldn’t get back on and I didn’t want both ACCers to get dropped), the others in the break, whilst seemed to like attacking on the hill, weren’t up to doing much turns on the front, apart from a DP guy who would go up front and sit there blocking for his team mate in the 2 man break, so a number of times I went past him to pick up the speed, more to keep away from the bunch behind us than to catch the break, as I had realised if we stayed away I would get some points. So, like Stu, I had the motivation to really dig deep and keep going, which I had to do for 2 laps when dropped, luckily they slowed up on the crest of the hill second time round and I got back on then. Coming near the end no one was sure when the last lap was, as we passed the sign saying 3 laps but they didn’t ring the bell, but when we came around again they did, good to know. The last lap wasn’t too bad as everyone was trying to keep a bit for the sprint, which started about half way up the hill, most of the others in the group slowly pulled ahead, I hadn’t much left in the tank after doing my 2 lap chase to get back on a little earlier, but I managed to leave behind one or two, including the DP rider who did the blocking, to get 7th ! (In the heat of the last lap I wasn’t sure where I came, I thought 7th or 8th so hopefully 7th is correct).

Well done to Stu on getting the points for 2nd cat, you’ll be missed in the 3/4ths but I’m sure Sylv and George will like the company, well done Guys in the E/1/2s. Well done Hal as well on getting some points.

Who is Anne Boorsma, 8th in our race? According to LCS Charley Blackman was the 1st woman last night, and I don’t remember any women in our group, assume it’s a misspelling?

I must work on my sprint!!

[Sylv]

He must be Dutch, Anne can be a male name there.

[Toks]

[quote="Stu Merckx Man"].

the next clear bit of memory is when i was taking a turn on the front and then some idiot attacked the rest of the breakaway riders came passed me except Kieran.

[Sylv]

Forgot to say, Polish Andrew got confused with the number of remaining laps (who wouldn't) and didn't go for the sprint.

I think next week I might go back to my mtb roots and do a round at Beastway

[Andrew G]

[quote]Ain't it a bummer you've recovered but they've fcuked off with out you;

[kieran]

toks:

[quote]Kieran is that really you at 7th on the 3/4 leader board? Fantastic well done mate - big things are about to happen I'm sure

[Hal]

Well in the top 10 at last, but what a huge effort.

I was so please this morning when I saw that I had got 9th place and my first point Although I don't think I could bare doing that 9 times to get to 3rd cat. (I assume I get 1 point for 9th or is it 2)

First three laps no worries, half way round I am on the front and a cheeky monkey comes blasting past to make a break and I go with him. After a couple of laps I am blowing seriously and the field is spread out in a huge long line on our tail. I let a couple of riders past to try and shelter from the barrage. Two riders get away. We get away with Stu and Kieran but soon I am getting toasted and I find myself in no-mans land with a Dulwich guy for about 10 laps. I was wondering if it was possible to be sick while riding a bike. Trying to keep Stu and Kieran in sight, trying not to get caught by Polish Andrews group behind.

About 4 laps to go Andrew and 5 others catch us and I am wondering if there are more than 10 people ahead. I decide that there may not be and I will have to come in on the front of this group to get a top 10 finish.

Andrew was doing a sterling job out front keeping the group motoring. I was sitting on the back observing. Lapped riders out. Bell rings. On to the climb. One attack goes. I follow head down. Making a good gap by the top of the climb. Legs starting to swell with lactic. Head down in the saddle to the line. Comfortably clear of the group. Lungs on fire.

Thanks to Andrew without his effort in the last few laps I'm not sure I could have made such an effort for the finish.

Well done Stu for 2nd
Well done Kieran points at last
Well done everyone.

[-Adam-]

Well done guys, especially Stu!

And Sylv of course, great effort for your first E/1/2 experience!

So Steve, Kevin and Myself... Is anyone left a third cat now other than us!? Man i wish i didn't crash so bad.

[Andrew G]

Never mind Adam some of us are only 4ths. I thought you were going to be there last night but then Stu said that you had, ahem a better offer.