The Last Palace 26th August 2008

[Michelle]

Rocked up about an hour early. Had been nervous earlier in the day, but before the start was just looking forward to racing my bike.

Keith took on marshalling duties for the junior races and was then replaced by someone.

Saw lots of ACC ers marshalling - Amy, Sean, Marky M, Connor, Apples. Great support all the way round, thanks guys.

Anyway all the beefy lot went off before us ladies, it was getting very dark so only 20 laps for the session. From the start there was a much faster break from the front, which I was not going to keep up with, but within a lap we were down to four, very nice thank you very much. Two from Agisko and one from ? Anyway after beating ourselves up for a few laps we all did some turns on the front. We got lapped by the boys about 3 times in total, a bit nerve racking but not too bad especially as miss bossy boots here got to shout at them a bit. Always makes my day, that

God I love Palace. It was the first time I had been there, the bends are absolutely fantastic, so sharp and sweeping and technical. I love my bends. The hill on the back is a bit draggy, but the group I was with was relatively slow so i was fine with it.

So, round and round we went, we tried to catch the 3 on the front but they were out of reach so we gave up after about 4 - 5 laps, and just sat there and worked together and waited.

On the bell the pace upped a bit but no one took off up the hill into the final straight. I was warning myself to be careful and not to sprint off the front - that's how I lost 1st place at Chersey in July - so when one of the Agisko girls went, I sucked her wheel. For too long really, in retrospect I could have gone round her a lot quicker and got to the line further up the pecking order. But hey, it's only my 3rd ever sprint finish so I have a lot to learn.

Came in 6th! Very happy, 3 points. And bearing in mind I have been off the bike for 4 weeks, doing easy spins for 10 days and only properly training for the last 6 days, I am pretty chuffed with that. New PB for the heart rate too. Smiles all round.

All in all a good night out, nuff said .

[Keith]

Michelle, I think that 6th place is worth 4 points.

I now appear to be communicating with my wife via The Forum .

Anyway, I expended a bit too much energy at the beginning of the race, having a little go off the front, then got to sit in for a while as a lone ACC rider went for the solo break. I then started slipping back, and before I knew it I wasn't up there to react to 4 going off the front about 3 laps from the end. Bugger.

Anyway, I decided that I didn't want to slip back any further, so moved up on the bell, and then went for the line at the bottom of the hill . Eased off the pace a little at the top, looked behind at the masses building up the pace, so went again to secure 5th place.

[Snoop Doug]

Brilliant! Well done to the racers and a huge thanks to all you marshals, an excellent job representing the yellow and black at such short notice - good work!!

Snoop

[Marky Mark]

That was a weird one last night.

Grrrrrrrrrreat effort by all in the first Junior race, they really did give it their all. So funny to see their little legs flying up the hill.

I'll tell you what, marshalling really does open your eyes to cycling. The amazing updraft you feel as the pelaton flies past closely followed by half a tonne of leaves being sucked up the hill.

I was a witness to 'Cycle-Rage'. 3 women racing surrounded a single man racing and shouted these immortal words lovingly in his face... "Take your Testosterone, put it in a box and F*CK O**!!!". I think the 2 old ladies walking past with their dog were as shocked as I was.

Thank you Michelle for sticking your tongue out for me . I'll bring a camera next time so I can capture the moment, even my friends were asking me what I had done to upset you after the third time [img]http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/hysterical.gif[/img]

Well done to all that did ride, My time will come..... One day

All the best........... Marky Mark

PS you're welcome Snoop

[-Adam-]

Another night at Palace, another 7th place...

Maybe next year I'll make it into the breaks and actually be able to sprint for the win!

Thanks of course to the Marshals, particularly the heckling from Sean at the top of the hill!!

Was a mighty short race last night, only 39mins long, 26km. But my it was fast, that was the first time I have been put under pressure cornering there for a while. Although I did manage to only ground my pedal once last night

I did however hear a rumour that racing at Palace may not happen next year, can anyone elaborate on this??

[Andrew G]

Well done Keith, another good placing.

For some reason I thought you'd enjoy it Michelle .

[Matt Robbins]

Adam,

The LDA had some major redevelopment plans for the park due for approval by Bromley sometime soon. If this has been approved and work was commencing next year I guess you can envisage a scenario where the racing may be affected.

Matt.

[-Adam-]

I would almost bet my life against housing, but you just never know. There will be someone who states the claim that its a brownfield site because it had a palace on it ( ), and has a dodgy UK sport facility!

[Jon H]

http://planningaccess.bromley.gov.uk/Pu ... hform.aspx

Planning Application 07/03897/OUT
Comprehensive phased scheme for landscaping and improvement of Park comprising demolition of and alterations to existing buildings and structures including removal of existing hard surfaces; changes of use including of part of the caravan site to public open space and museum to park rangers base; erection of new buildings and structures for various uses including museum/ park maintenance facilities/ community facility/ information kiosk/ greenhouses/ retail kiosks/ cafes/ toilets/ classroom/ children's nursery/ treetop walk/ student accommodation and up to 180 residential dwellings; erection of new regional sports centre including indoor swimming pool; alterations to ground levels with new pedestrian paths/ vehicular access roads/ car park/ highway works/ water features together with associated and ancillary works/ plant and equipment

Planning Application 07/03906/CAC
Demolition of walls/fences/gates and various buildings including park maintenance and office buildings/3 public conveniences/cafe/St John's Ambulance premises and One O'Clock Club (Nos. 23 and 27 Crystal Palace Park Road)/Paxton Suite and the hostel at The Lodge/Jubilee Stand and Stadium Stand/buildings at Caravan Club site and dwellings at Nos. 1-7 (con) National Sports Centre

Planning Application 07/03907/LBC
Internal and external alterations including floor over swimming pools/provision of toilets and showers within existing squash courts/ removal of Crystal Suite mezzanine structure at level 6/ refurbishment of facade including replacement glazing/ replacement roofing systems including copper roof and central roof lights. Demolition of high level walkways and ramps/ covered football pitch and restaurant/ training pool building/ concrete ventilation duct structures. Associated/ ancillary works including plant and equipment

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Don't get too excited - none of this is going to happen until the LDA take ownership of the park which may not be for another 3 years.

I believe that once the planning consent is granted, which is a lengthy process that Bromley will hand over the park - and yes it will include some houses - to pay for the redevelopment, but much scaled down from what they wanted to do.

I have been assured that the circuit will remain.....but that was by a politician!!

Guru P

[Grahame]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]
I have been assured that the circuit will remain.....but that was by a politician!!

[carl f]

sean-why does the park need re-development?
I quite like it as it is,although a decent cafe would be nice
cheers
Carl

[Lisa]

Nice one Michelle. A really great start to your Palace career.

Thanks very much to the ACC marshalls last night.

[Toks]

Hey well done to everyone who raced last night. Marshalling at the bottom with Stephanie gave a great perspective on how fast the various bunches go. Chris Moores (DP) and Warrick Spence (Cyclefit) looked particularly speedy in the E12's.

[-Adam-]

Chris is NP not DP!