ACC SL Henfold Hill

[Andrew G]

March 29, 2008 - Surrey League/Addiscombe CC - Henfold Hill - 2/3 - 60 miles

Pos Name Club/Team Cat Time
1 Ben Wilson Private Member 2
2 Ian Alexander Cheltenham & County CC 2
3 Mark Perry Bournemouth Arrow 2 @ 0:15
4 Stephen Dring Team Echelon 2
5 Mike Hawkins Norwood Paragon CC 2
6 Craig Wilson VC Meudon 2V
7 Gareth McCullough Medway VC 2
8 Steven Saunders Kingston Wheelers 2
9 Julian Bray Citihub 2V
10 Ashley Holding Wildside RT 2V
11 Richard Mason London Dynamo 2
12 Guy Powdrill London Dynamo 2
13 Mike Wragg Team Milton Keynes 2
14 Jerone Walters Sigma Sport RT 2
15 Nigel Ling Citihub 2
16 Tim Dunford Hargroves Cycles 2
17 Gordon Kenneway London Dynamo 2 @ 2:27
18 Steve Atkinson GS Stella 2V @ 4:30
19 George Brent Addiscombe CC 2 @ 4:34
20 Valentino Fontana Gemini BC 3 @ 17:54
21 Matthew Day Addiscombe CC 3V @ 1 lap
22 Daniel Gower Addiscombe CC 3

From what Paul said last night when the bunch was stopped the break up the road, which wasn't going to be caught, contained more riders than points available so the result stood.

George, Matt, and Dan dropped from bunch so not included in the disqualified group.

[Sylv]

If only the break had had only 9 riders

[Toks]

Mmm...interesting. No reports guys?


"Soon enough though things started to happen. Although not part of the ACC race plan. Our super strong junior rider Stu had to pull out due to a mechanical. Although he got back on he was immediately a lap down so rode around looking like someone who lost the winning lottery ticket. The Smilin Assassin, George ran into more painful problems when he touched wheels and went down before eventually bowing out of the race"
http://theademerckx2008racingfiles.blogspot.com/

[George]

Arrived early in the A Team van with Sylv and Stu, lashed up all the cycle race signs and still got to the village hall too early.

It was just like being down the Charlwood cafe with so many agreeable faces around, we sure can get a good turn out of helpers and marshals, Thanks Guy's and Girls for all your hard work in enabling us to race yesterday.

The pace of the race was pretty quick today and with the relentless wind and conditions I could see why so many riders were straying across the white lines of the road. Although I didn't really notice this much during the race because I was nestled right up the front with Sylv just where we like it, and up here in the head of the echelon it was more orderly and we seemed to be keeping to the correct side of the road.

Sylv was very active doing lots of hard work and generally I would see him 100m up the road, but unfortunately the pace was just bringing all the break attempts right back in again. Marek "incorporated " also did his obligatory early race off the front surprise move, but this week unlike Alfold it wouldn't stick.

I love the idea of trying to break away from the bunch, I think it really spices up the race and is so much more enjoyable than just sitting in the bunch till the finish, well if you don't try, you won't get away, but if you keep trying sooner or later it's gotta work.

On the 3rd lap I started to test the water a bit and tried my luck off the front, a couple of times I managed to get free with one or two others but after a quick glance back soon had the bunch on our heels.

At one stage I must have drifted back into the bunch as I bumped into Tok's Then I realised I'd better get back into the action again

With 3 laps to got the pace was setting up for something, I looked round and saw the field strung right out behind in a long line, it was close to snapping point and all the faster riders seemed to be towards the front half.

Turning left into the wind stretch I gave it a good try to slingshot off the front, so I hooked up a gear or 2 and honked it off the front, only problem was there must have been a rider on my right, somehow we managed to bump/touch wheels together and next thing I know I hit the deck.

As I was brushing myself off one of the Paragon Boy's cheekily shouted "learn to ride George" kick a man when he's down or what

First thing I did was check the Boras's everything was OK and the bike was ridable so off I shot off in hot pursuit to try get back onto the peloton.

I nailed it for a lap and a half but there was no way on my own I was gonna do it and get back in the bunch, I passed another pile up next lap and after a while Steve Atkinson who also came a cropper caught me whilst being towed by a team van So naturally I hitched on for the ride. We were towed well fast up the road behind the van then, as we passed the lap board for the final time Paul T pulled us up early.

I was shocked to hear about all the fiasco with those plastic rozzers It was a shame that Team Addiscombe had the gremlins today, soon luck will change and we'll be firing on all cylinders together.

Thanks again to everyone for all the help and Support

[Toks]

[quote="George"]
Turning left into the wind stretch I gave it a good try to slingshot off the front, so I hooked up a gear or 2 and honked it off the front, only problem was there must have been a rider on my right, somehow we managed to bump/touch wheels together and next thing I know I hit the deck.

As I was brushing myself off one of the Paragon Boy's cheekily shouted "learn to ride George" kick a man when he's down or what

[MattD]

This was my first Cat 2/3 race , and I haven’t even got used to Cat 3 yet ! . Prompted by the club organising this event , I felt the need to enter , but knew I had definitely bitten off more than I could chew !

As the event started I realised that the combination of the 2nd cats at the front combined with the wind conditions meant this WAS going to be another baptism of fire . All of my races this season have been in the wet , windy , or snowy conditions - rumour has it that when the sun comes out SL events are still run

The intensity of the race this week meant that it was even more of a struggle to hold the wheels, but with the additional challenge of trying to hide from the wind without crossing the road into oncoming traffic .

I could occasionally see the odd break trying to get away , as I then felt the consequential surge as “we” tried to peg them back , but I was in misery land after these surges , hoping that the break would stick , so that the pace would reduce to a more manageable level !

The elastic broke on the third lap of the eight lap course , and I then performed by usual lone training ride to the finish , however it was made so much more manageable due to the terrific support from the marshals - thanks again !

So, another training session over with ! Motivation believe it or not is still on the up - I’m getting stronger in each race, learning new skills , but I think I’ll leave the Cat 2/3 events for the big boys until later in the season !

[Sylv]

[quote="Toks"]Being up front all day though, you never explained how the break got away without you in it

[quote="Sylv"][quote="Toks"]Being up front all day though, you never explained how the break got away without you in it

[-Adam-]

A note on power to Matt and Dan...

Well done firstly for Saturday. But what I was going to say is that there is a definate (obviously) jump from 3rd cat racing to 2/3cat racing. When I was near the front on Saturday I was probably having to work around 20% harder than in the 3rd cat races. For example, my couple of early digs would have seen me away on the 3rd cat races. Yet on Saturday everytime I looked over the whole bunch was on my wheel still So when you next ride a 3rd cat race, it should be easy

[Stu Merckx Man]

what kind of wattage did you need when just sitting in adam?

[MattD]

The basic data for the first hour on Saturday ( before i was dropped ! ) shows average power required was 270 watts , however the elastic breaking was caused by the constant pushes above 500w !

I will publish more data soon - ( if only i could access my power files from Work ! )