ACC Road Race 2008

[-Adam-]

A big thank you must go to Toks, Paul and Huw for getting the race organised. But lets not forget Joyce and everyone else who helped marshal, judge and cater for the race. Without which the race would not have been nearly so good. And Keith Knight for once again doing a sterling job of sheparding us and making sure that we had safe passage around the course at all times. Which with an un-marhsalled corner was a God send.

My only criticism for the race was the thinnly spread marshalling. I know it is hard to get people to help, but the B race got fully covered and the A race seemed to get neglected with a lot of people standing by the side of the road at the finish. With one corner totally un-marshalled Keith really did have his job cut out at times. Anyway, it was a safe race all the same, just something to think about.

Of course well done to all the riders who took part and made it such a great race. Particularly in the A race, I think everyone had a go off the front at some point. Which made my life difficult! I myself wanted to get away, but it seemed I couldn't even blink without being chased down. So you took me all to a bunch sprint, and well, the rest as they say is history...

Thanks again.

P.s. After Dave Ks post, see the seperate thread entitled two from two...

[Andy E]

Yep, huge thanks all round to everyone who made this happen. The A race was good fun with a quick pace straight from the off. Managed to get off the front with Dan on lap 3 i think but that didn't last long, and a couple of other attacks i put in came to nothing. Lack of experience showed a bit in the run up to the finish, had Adam's wheel on the final drag up the back straight only to lose it before the final corner . Was hoping to go for a long one on the final straight but as soon as Marek and George upped the pace there was no chance of that Still, managed to mix it in the sprint, but got stuck behind Keith as i tried to come round the outside.

I even managed to miss out on the muffins i made too After standing around chatting after the race at HQ i realised they'd all gone. Not to worry, i'd left 2 at home just in case. Got home and Mrs E had eaten them both

[kieran]

[quote="Andy E"]I even managed to miss out on the muffins i made too After standing around chatting after the race at HQ i realised they'd all gone. Not to worry, i'd left 2 at home just in case. Got home and Mrs E had eaten them both

[andyclark]

Hey Michelle, I came 3rd in the B race, 2 seconds behind winner. I didn't actually realize it was the last lap! I did hear the bell along with someone shouting "last orders", so not entirely sure if it was the last lap or somebody joking around! Well done everyone who took part and the marshalls and everyone begin the scenes, who really make these things happen! And great prizes too! Cheers, Andy

[Antloony]

[quote="-Adam-"]My only criticism for the race was the thinnly spread marshalling. I know it is hard to get people to help, but the B race got fully covered and the A race seemed to get neglected with a lot of people standing by the side of the road at the finish. With one corner totally un-marshalled Keith really did have his job cut out at times. Anyway, it was a safe race all the same, just something to think about.

[Alan M]

I'll post it here 3rd time lucky
Well, having allowed a bit of time to reflect what have learnt from this experience? Possibly surprisingly this was my first road race so I was cautious about my objectives - really I just wanted to finish in or around the mix and not get dropped, beyond that it would be a bonus.

We began quite quickly and I placed myself reasonably far back and just tried to overcome initial breathlessness and to get to know the course. The corners seemed OK but I experienced a bit of tyre slippage coming out of the first corner after the hall - but marshalling seemed secure and I grew in confidence. Overall the group was quite well behaved but a bit too much unnecessary braking on the front. I watched an early break of 2 and like Mark wanted to leave them hanging out on the front for a couple of laps but people went after them and they were soon back with the main group. Gradually I felt more and more comfortable and with others surging to the front I didn't feel stretched by the pace and probably could have done more work but hey!. I tried to position myself in the front third but people kept coming past and racing to front for a short burst before falling back - not sure what this was about. I think I went off the front once in the 3rd or 4th lap but only to test my energy levels and I quickly sat up and rested again.

So far, so good, I was rested coming into the final lap - so what went wrong? Well, I suppose I didn't really have a plan! Thinking about it, I would probably have been strong enough to form part of a 3 man break-away and ought really to have organised it in the penultimate lap or alternatively, why did I not cover Anthony's break - I knew he was strong and of course he would make a move and I think I could have covered it - ... but too late he and one other were gone!

To try and save the day, Phil set off after them and I clung on - he couldn't make the junction although we made up quite a bit of ground - I came through but couldn't do too much and I think Mark was also with us but it was really too little too late and, as we neared the final line realising we wouldn't get to the leaders the rest of the bunch joined us for the finish.

Well, all good fun and I learnt a bit and feel like I may have some other goes next year. What was it like for you?