2008 club road race - opinions please

[huw williams]

Following the success of last week's event

I've spoken to Toks last week and Keith Butler this morning and both are in agreement that after the success and numbers involved in last weekend's club RR - the possibility exists that we might hold the 2008 club race on proper open roads

That's right a REAL road race to decide the road race champion

My thinking behind this is that we wouldn't have to traipse over to West London but could use one of the local habdicap courses. Keith suggested either Newdigate, Norwood Hill or South Nutfield - all roads easily accesible to ACC member for training and easy to get to on the day.

Keith is more than willing to get involved, reckons Glynne would be able to sort a comissaire etc, the cost would be no greater than Hillingdon and depending on which course we used, marshalling we need to be minimal.

His only caveat was that he wouldn't allow complete novices to race but wanted novices to undergo some dedicated race training groups such as the one Toks suggests on this thread in the 'general' section.

At the moment this only a tentative suggestion to see what members think and we are in no way commited to doing it - but I can't see any reasons why not and it would be far more convenient for everyone wanting to take part on the day.

So to recap... some of our club's top racers will have a training structure in place to help you prepare, the race will be end of season on roads close or on the club route - meaning more riders able to compete and more friends, familys able to spectate

Over to you guys... what do you think?

[kieran]

well me thinks its a brilliant idea, given that I'm still 4th cat the oppertunity for racing on the open road is rare, I'd love to do it. - Would this also allow it to be held a bit earlier in the season? A course with smooth(ish) roads and real hills would be nice.

[huw williams]

End of season but a bit earlier than this year

Proper BIG hills course, though tempting, would deter many riders and also split the race too much early on - hence the idea of a flater handicap course - fairer all round - that said there's still proper long drags on all of the three courses mentioned.

My initial favourite is Newdigate cos half of it is on the club run route so its familiar to everyone

South Nutfield short-course is tempting too cos you could go up that little climb a dozen times

[MJ_1993]

I like circuits, because at least when u get dropped, you get swept back up again (despite falling rapidly straight out the other end). Whereas on open roads, novices might find it daunting when theyve got dropped

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

And don't forget Under 16's cannot race on the road under any circumstances

[Stu Merckx Man]

that would be a fantastic race if we could do it!

the rusper circuit is a good one too...

[quote="marco"]doing it as a season opener rather than a season's finale would mean we have more people keen to get stuck into road racing during the summer rather than during the winter

edit: we could have club road race champs early and club crit champs late ?

[huw williams]

Early season race - not many riders - excuse? haven' done any training cos the weather was bad or I don't want to risk crashing so early in the season

Late season race - loads of riders - excuse? None

[quote="Toks"][quote="Mo 'Give Me a break I just wanna race' Jaffer"]I like circuits, because at least when u get dropped, you get swept back up again (despite falling rapidly straight out the other end). Whereas on open roads, novices might find it daunting when theyve got dropped

[MJ_1993]

[url]http://www.kalaswear.com/promo.html[/url]

hehehe, can we get one of these??????

[higg]

Having the "crit" version early in the season would be a good target for novices and give the opportunity to develop further into racing during the Summer. By the time the "road" version came round in September/October any novices who were interested would have enough experience to be able to race.


So,

March/April training sessions (club or similar, Prime/John Leitch etc.)

April/May club crit race

Summer - take your pick of Palace, Hillingdon, Surrey League, SERRL, Handicaps etc

Sept/Oct club road race

[MJ_1993]

If I cant race, then this smells!
Ah well, I shall come along and support

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Mo when are you 16?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

The hall is booked for a club road race at Horne on September 20th.

[MJ_1993]

I am 15 on Feb 17 2008