Club Duathlon champs anyone

[Marek]

No drafting, but if we are going to do this we should do it proper, a sprint distance is not worth getting out of bed for. I think we should make it pretty tough and make the distances meaningful. So I would be much more interested in 5km run, 40km bike, 10km run.

I would prefer it to be somewhere green and pleasant than the baron land of Hillingdon, also it is so boring at Hillingdon that the distances above would be a nightmare. Horne circuit is not good for a run in my opinion as there is no pathway all the way around. How about something like the following in terms of course:

1. Start at top of Ashdown Forest. Go for initial run in the forest area at the top of Kidds Hill. I know a good little route that is a few miles long that we could run around a couple of times. Then into the car park to pick up the bike.

2. Descend the hill towards Hartfield, turn left and take the road back towards Forest Row. A few miles down the road turn left and then go straight on to Kidds Hill and go up that monster. Do this loop 3 or 4 times.

3. Back into the Car Park and final run in the Forest again, adding on a couple more laps.

Now that would be a proper day out.

Cheers

Marek....

[mlocke]

Few people in the ACC road races got dropped as far as I am aware - I should know I think I finished almost dead last!

[mlocke]

I am struggling to see how no drafting helps us lesser mortals?

Surely if they get help on the ride then the run is going to be closer?

Even if some of the faster guys get 2 minutes on the ride thats a lot to make up.

I run 4 mile most days and finish a couple of minutes ahead of the peeps I go with normally and its pretty tough - they arent very quick runners either whereas the guys in our club should all be pretty fit

[carl f]

As far as i'm aware only elite's race drafting duathlons
By keeping it non drafting as marco sais will appeal more to novices as well
You will still have to run fast on the 1st run to get in the pack for the bike leg, if you don't get dropped you might have a chance on the 2nd run i guess
Lets keep it non drafting,that way its fair for everyone
you'll have to up your running training in the summer......

[huw williams]

[quote="Marek"]-

2. Descend the hill towards Hartfield, turn left and take the road back towards Forest Row. A few miles down the road turn left and then go straight on to Kidds Hill and go up that monster. Do this loop 3 or 4 times.

[Andrew G]

Can't see why you'd want to run at the best of times, let alone when you have a bike to hand, but for a starter event I think it should be a sprint event at Hillingdon with no drafting. Simple logistics of having a few marshals on an open course could cause problems before you start otherwise, also safety/first aid etc can be more easily managed.

Stop moaning Mark . If you had drafting them as Paul says he'd just adapt his tactics to whatever style was needed, as would anyone else. I thought the bike leg of duo/tris was supposed to be a TT not a road race, tri bars and bunch racing don't make happy bedfellows.

Another reason to have it on a circuit is to stop Mark getting lost, although he might try and ride round the wrong way .

[Marek]

Huw, I am thinking about trying it out one morning, do you want to come along with me. Can lock the bikes up in the car and then when we transition to bike we can grab em. I only have one key to the car though, so you will have to wait for me.

Andrew, circuits are dull, I think we should try to make it at least a bit interesting so people actually come back for a bit more. Running and riding around Hillingdon has got to be the dullest idea. Am sure we can think of something better, and ok if you don't like my initial circuit I could try and think of something else. What about doing something that starts at the top of Farthing down? Reckon we could work on a good run course around that area, although will be a bit lumpy and then could jump on the bikes and do a TT route something like out to Merstham, turn left then turn right. Keep going up past the Church, then turn left on a25 and then over the motorway bridge and before you reach Bletchingley you take a left. Keep going down that road and then turn right before the motorway bridge and up that nice hill which would eventually take you back up to Farthing down for your next running leg.

I will see if I can work out how to use that Google map thing again and post a link to some ideas.

Cheers

Marek....

[huw williams]

I'm a bit tied up at the moment to get down there in the week - but it'd be great if you could do a test - see how long a lap of the running course takes and how long a lap of the riding course takes at medium-pace

[Andrew G]

[quote="Marek"]Andrew, circuits are dull, I think we should try to make it at least a bit interesting so people actually come back for a bit more.

[Snoop Doug]

This sounds like an interesting idea. Sorry to be a party pooper but I too think it ought to be on a closed circuit from a logistics perspective.

I mean, with the number of helpers we currently have for the ACC RR that's gonna have to be relocated to the Coulsdon South Station car park. If the event proves popular then perhaps the following year we could drop the RR in favour of a duathlon on the open roads? I'm sure that'll have some purists wailing but why shouldn't we shake things up a bit eh?

Cheers - Snoop

[joyce]

Yes a good idea.I have a couple of john's trophies that I can re donate to the event.Goblet style just need cleaning.Let me know and I can bring them up for you to see Wednesday.joyce the boss.

[huw williams]

[quote="Snoop Doug"] If the event proves popular then perhaps the following year we could drop the RR in favour of a duathlon on the open roads?

[Sylv]

[quote="huw williams"]So. I've had a request to sort out a club Duathlon championship at the end of the seson and I like the idea.

[quote="huw williams"][quote="Snoop Doug"] If the event proves popular then perhaps the following year we could drop the RR in favour of a duathlon on the open roads?

[neilb]

My 2p's worth

I'm defo up for it, depending on the date.

The other good thing about non drafting is it's safe to use tri bars or time trial bikes as we woldn't be riding in a pack. If it was draft legal you might need to consider a no tri bars or tt bikes rule or have rules about the design of the tri bars like the elite duathletes / triathletes have just to keep things safe.

I think that a circuit is a good idea as it's easy to marshal and if you do have a mechanical you're not up somewhere without a paddle.

I'm not sure I'd have the energy to look at the scenery if I'm racing I find breathing hard enough....

Cheers

Neil