Palace 17.06.08

[Toks]

Er...that was a funny old race. Another big field - 60/70 perhaps. A good group of ACC'ers on show in the 3/4's: Brian, Kieran, Hal, Steve B, Daniel and Mark . I'm having real trouble clip in with my speed plays at the moment so despite being on the front row I hit the hair pin bend in about 25th place. It was a fairly steady pace early on but Kieran (in that distinctve blue helmet) and another guy were given some rope at the beginning and they both dangled ahead of the pack for 2 or 3 laps.

A little after this, I think, the whole bunch was put on a collective 'go slow' as we tried to let some dropped E12 riders pull away. This seemed to take forever and in fact even after 4 laps they couldn't manage it so we cruised past I think and kept racing. Soon enough two guys attacked and quickly gained around twenty secs on the rest of us. On the flatish section near the start line I powered clear and the chase was on. Could I catch them without being dragged back by the bunch? How lovely would it be if we could made a 3 up and stayed clear of the bunch for the whole race race mmm...with around 20 laps to go it wasn't going to be easy.

With my tongue out 'trying to catch flies' according to Stephanie, I finally managed to get over to them on the climb. It took two and a half laps and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest from the effort. Sadly one guy died just as I approached and was pedalling in reverse gear; I went straight to the front to started working with his breakaway buddy but alas we were back in the cluthes of the bunch a lap and and half later.
During this time I later discovered Hal had crashed out (he's ok). In the end it came down to a bunch sprint. I still make silly mistakes after 3 years at Palace. For the sprint you really need to be no less than 3rd or 4th position as you begin to crest the climb. Sadly I wasn't so only grabbed 10th spot I think. Oh well there's always next week. As I said to Kieran this 3/4 stuff at Palace is definitley getting harder.

[kieran]

Well, a quick write up, present for the 3rd/4th cat race were: myself, Toks, Steve B, Dan, Mark (now you know, Toks), Hal, Brian and no one for the E/1/2, except Adam. No ACC support crew either! Although Toks did have one, he forgot to introduce her to his fellow ACCers! Another big field today. The race went off and I was near the front, a few laps in and I found myself off the front so stayed there by myself for about 2 laps and then an Edwardes guy joined me but after another lap and a bit we were caught at the top of the hill. A few others tried to get away, including Toks and Steve B (I think).The lead group of about 20 (only Toks and me left representing ACC) was all together at the end for a big sprint finish, where Toks maybe got a point, I didn’t as I hadn’t placed myself well enough but also maybe not enough left in the tank anyway for the mad dash up the final hill. Anyway it was fun off the front so will try again next week but maybe later in the race. The race seemed harder to me, certainly my legs ached more than usual, but on the way home I was talking to another rider who felt last week was harder, so maybe its all subjective.

I must admit I don''t like this neutralising bit to let the E/1/2s through, how did we manage before? I think it really messes up the 3rd/4th race (which must be the main source of money, due to field size).

Three crashes in the race, I saw 2, missed one. Hal did a nice one at the bottom righthand corner (where his wheels went from under him) so he was out of the race with some nice scratches. Another one occurred in the finishing sprint but luckily the rider ended up on the grass. In all cases I think only one came down so no big pile ups.

[Hal]

Not much to say for me really about last night. Things were much as usual, a full field, some good weather, I got a bad start and spent 3 laps getting up into the top 20. Dan, Brian, Mark were all riding too but an early crash had split the rear of the field. Early on Keiran got off the front for a couple of laps, a bit later Toks got off the front for a good while, Steve B got off the front and accross to Toks and the group pace quickend.

Then about 15 laps in SLAP I hit the deck on the bottom corner by the bush and slid accross the track and down the bank.

Luckly I didnt bring anyone else down and I didn't break anything, (me or the bike)

So I sat on the grass feeling sorry for myself trying not to look at the left side of my body which has some sore road rash, inluding a beef steak on my hip.

I think that my oldish (2500mile) winter tyres (michelin carylon) reached there limit as I have been round the corner faster. The pedals did not touch the ground and I dont recall hittig any debris on the track.

Oh well I guess this happens from time to time, hopefully I will be able to be back next week.

[Andrew G]

Never going to join you following the Dragon on Sunday, I don't have the same force (or ability) as Hal. Bad luck with the crash.

Kieran, was the Edwardes bloke a real poser? I rode passed one on my way home. He had Carbon rims and bike and was just cruising along trying to make sure everyone could see him. I just though he looked a bit of a twat as he opted for keeping his helmet clipped to his rucksack rather than on his head (spoil his lovely hair ) when commuting through Central London.

[kieran]

might have been, certainly his bike was carbon, also very tanned wiv dark hair.

[Andrew G]

Sounds like him.

[Toks]

[quote="kieran"]might have been, certainly his bike was carbon, also very tanned wiv dark hair.

[Toks]

[quote="kieran"] The race seemed harder to me, certainly my legs ached more than usual, but on the way home I was talking to another rider who felt last week was harder, so maybe its all subjective.

[Brian Robinson]

3rd attempt at Palace and I seem to be getting worse . I only managed 5 laps before being spat out the back of the 3/4s. I was towards the back and on a number of occasions I thought I was still in the bunch only to realise that a gap had developed 10 riders ahead and was widening. It seems to be a real problem when there are 70+ riders in the field. Irrespective it is still too spicy for my lardy rear. Big respect to Steve, Hal, Toks, Dan and Kieran who have the power to keep with it (and of course Adam in the E/1/2s). Myself and Mark L were left to our own devices.

Although I was spat out early I was going to get my head down and ride round until they kicked me off . I wanted my money's worth! Rode a few laps on my own and managed to reel in a few guys (2 Dulwich, 1 Pearson and another) or was it the other way round? We stayed together for the rest of the race and had a good hard ride round. There wasn't any chat but the strongest riders kept coming through and pulling it along. I actually did quite a bit of work although one of the Dulwich guys was very strong. The one area that I noticed where I could gain quite a bit of time was on the corners, especially when I was at the front.......in hard, light on the brakes and smooth out as opposed to hard on the brakes, virtually stop and then sprint out to gain momentum again. I definitely rode more aggressively this week.

There was no support out this week although Bridget turned up towards the latter half of the race. When I was being lapped I thought I would offer words of encouragement. At that point Toks was off the front with Steve in no-mans-land trying to chase things down. Good effort guys. Unfortunately, when we were being lapped there was a bit of confusion in the main bunch. I heard the clatter of bike and rider at the double apex bottom corner only to see poor Hal on the deck and another rider doing a Lance Armstrong down the grass. Fortunately, Hal still managed a smile at the end of the race which was good to see.

By the time I rolled in after 30 laps (less 2) it had been just shy of an hour's racing round Palace. Not a bad training session in anyones book. Unfortunately, I can't make next week but will be there in a fortnight weather permitting.

Must try harder !!

Bri

[quote="Toks"][quote="kieran"] The race seemed harder to me, certainly my legs ached more than usual, but on the way home I was talking to another rider who felt last week was harder, so maybe its all subjective.

[quote="Brian Robinson"]By the time I rolled in after 30 laps (less 2) it had been just shy of an hour's racing round Palace. Not a bad training session in anyones book.
Must try harder !!
Bri

[Michelle]

Well done everyone on sticking with it, sounds like a bit of a piglet this week.

Hal, sorry to read about your road rash. Hope it all clears soon.

Your reports get the hands sweaty and the heart thumping, even though I think I forgot how to race ( did I ever know?) I haven't been for so long.

Were there chicks racing last night?

[-Adam-]

Yes the ladies were racing last night Michelle. Beleive Dynamo cleared up again, Charlie, Susie and Curly in that order I think.

Has to be said, the way in which the races are being managed this year isn't great. You can't have a 35 rider E12 field trying to get past a 70 rider 3/4 field on that circuit. Consequnently, the ''dropped'' riders that Toks mentioned, including myself and team mate John (also ex ACC) weren't actually dropped. What happened was some of the 3/4s would not stay out the way, so we got distanced from the front 15 or so riders. Which meant that we had no hope of getting back as the strongest guys were of course at the front, and still racing obviously. So thats why the group I was in never pulled away from the 3/4s. Then just as you swallowed us up, at the bottom of the hill, two guys went down right in front of me. It seems the 3/4s like to ride into each other quite a bit. So I was forced onto the grass, and was practically in Penge by the time I could safely start to turn back towards the track. Put it this way, I still don't want to ride cross... ever. SO that left me with just one other rider, Chaz Hollosi of Gemini so together we rode the entire rest of the race alone, until the 3/4s caught us again That said, on the hill we were just cruising and only going full gas through the corners. Which by the way, in the E12 race and on my two-up, was about 8km/h faster than the 3/4s. Christ the cornering was dire amongst the 3/4s. I witnessed at least 4 crashes last night, including a rider nearly taking out Susie from Dynamo who technically had right of was as she was on her final lap. Very very dodgy riding last night in the 3/4s.

So, why don't they use the shortcut anymore to avoid the two groups meeting?? And... should the fields be limited? Which in my opinion MUST be done. Last night was dangerous.

On a more sporting note, the E12s was stupidly quick. A much tougher field than last time, meaning my 7th place was not to be improved upon. Still was around 13th just for finishing mind!

[Stu Merckx Man]

crikey sounded like a not so good night then. i didnt race as im resting

sorry to hear about the crash there hal!

adam- i know what you mean about trying to pass 70 odd 3,4s. thats why i got dropped last time. there was about 100m that i had to close on my own, felt like a full on sprint for a lap just to get back on, but once i was on i didnt last long as i was far too much into the red!

[Steve B]

Bad news regarding your crash Hal, glad to see you were ok, albeit bloodied and road rashed .

With Sunday's hard core Brighton ride in my legs, I wasn't sure if the 'palace hill' would finish them off quite quickly or whether they would have that 'hard' feeling and be able to push through the pain barrier without flinching. As it was, it was the latter and I felt quite optimistic early on.

The race started with me and Brian almost at the back of a huge group of riders. As the commissaire said go, Brian shouted "go steve", so I did. I got a great entry into the pedal and I was off on a mission to gain as many places as possible. Straight down the outside, wide round the hairpin carrying good speed and on the power quickly. It worked, I was about 25 back from the front , I must have picked up 25-30 places in an eighth of a lap .

Decided to stay where I was for a while to gauge the speed and see how the legs were feeling. Kieran jumped off the front for a few laps and was joined by one other, but they never got too far ahead and were reeled back in 3 or 4 laps later. Legs were good at this point, so decided to use this race as a guide to see how hard I could ride. After 13 or so laps, a couple of guys got away, then another went (I think) and there was an 80m gap, but no reaction from the peleton. Next lap, Toks decided to try and bridge the gap. Down in to his tuck position with forearms on the top of the bars, and he was gone. This looked as if it could be a good breakaway if Toks could join the others. As he was half way across, I made my mind up to see if I could do the same. This was the first time I'd ever felt strong enough to try something like this, so I gave it a go. Down the straight I jumped up the inside and sprinted ahead of the main group. Wide in to the hairpin and sh1t im going too fast . "Tyres please stick, please stick", and they did (Hal, Continental GP 4000's ). Out of the saddle, into the next corner and down the hill with a clear line in to the bottom bends, trying to pick the double apex correctly to gain as much ground, as quickly as possible. Up the hill and I could see that Toks was on, but I was still a long way off - this was hurting- a lot. An encouraging shout as I went passed Brian gave me a boost, but when I looked behind me I was slightly dejected to see the front of the main bunch strung out giving chase. Obviously they thought that two Addiscombe in the breakaway was just too dangerous .
Out of the hairpin again and the small group were now only 30m ahead but my legs were screaming. Wow this is bloody hard stuff I was thinking but I had to keep going. If I can make it on I can get a small rest and then see if we can work together. Up the hill I finally made it and was over the moon, but unfortunately when I got there Toks was the only one with anything left in their legs and so the innevitable happened a couple of laps later and we were swallowed up . I'm glad I gave it a go though, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' .

I sat back in the bunch and was quite happy to let others do the work. Then after 25 laps, my legs started hurting and I was losing touch up the hill, damn - oh well, maybe next week . Next time round I pulled off the track (if I'm not in the main bunch, I just call it a day). So that's what I did. Quite please overall, although I do really need to start finishing some races .

Well done to Toks and Kieran - good ride guys . Well done Brian for sticking with it and riding strongly to the finish in your group.

Steve