Racing Etiquette

bodie

Yeah them's the breaks. I don't really GUF if someone is sandbagging. It all sorts itself out eventually. If we are improving we all have to move up at some time.

brycer

Exactly right - cant see how you would get a kick out of lurking in lower grades racking up wins

bodie

Also note that the originator of this thread Won today. Congratulations Peter. The training and strategies must be paying off.

peterlip

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodie Also note that the originator of this thread Won today. Congratulations Peter. The training and strategies must be paying off.

Good Evening All. Haven't looked at the forums for a while, holiday last week (no riding), and you've all been busy in the forums. And yes, I ride at Southern too, E grade. Usually wear a yellow top, short sleaved (I think I was the only one in shorts and short sleaves today).

If I'm not mistaken, Brycer and bodie, you guys started recently with trial rides in E grade.

If you're who I'm thinking of, bodie has the Garmin GPS (as I do), and decimated us at Dromana. Following, your friend Brycer, destroyed us over the hills at Cora Lynn. I spoke to you waiting at the start. That week, at the second part of the hill, as I changed to my small chain ring (yes I have a triple, soft), the chain popped right over and off. Spent a good 30 seconds getting it back on, while my rubber legs had trouble holding me up. I hopped back on, and spent quite a few biscuits trying to catch you all. The two you dropped near the top, I managed to catch on the descent. The three of us couldn’t catch you guys. Not sure if the dropped chain would’ve made a difference in the end, but it was a bit disappointing.



Since I originally started this post, it had started to become a bit more interesting in E grade, with a few attempted breakaway each week. Not many successful, but the pack has always been split.

Then you two came along, and really broke the pack up. Even though I suspect that you both really should’ve been in D grade (or above), it’s been good to see a bit of pain being handed out in our grade. I was normally spending most of my time at or near the front, but you guys pushed us just that little bit harder than I can. Was good to see.

Another thing I’ve discovered in the last month (or so) since I originally posted, is that I’ve finally discovered what type of cyclist I am. Having started in January, I have been experimenting with the attempted breakaway from time to time. But, it appears that my physiology is more suited to sprinting. So, my original (not complaint, but) observation that there are many who refuse to work, and wait for the sprint to run over the top, well guess what. I’m one of them!!

Having said that, in today’s win, I think I did do my fair share of work, at least for the first three quarters of the race. I then pulled out of the rotation for a rest before the end. It obviously worked, and I got the chocolates.

Despite my discovery of being a sprinter, I still plan to do my fair share of work, otherwise I’ll never get fitter. I’ll even attempt the break the pack if I feel strong.

Well that’s the plan at the moment. Who knows, after another 6 months, I may actually discover that I’m more suited to hill climbing (doubt it, but who knows). Even after almost 6 months, I’m still learning.

I now will take 3 weeks off while I get my eyes lasered. I’ll be returning just a Le Tour starts, which I’ve become obsessed with over the last 2 years. That means, not enough sleep. And not enough sleep, usually means little to no time on the bike. It may almost be August before I can get a bit of training under the belt.



Any one else race today? What grade?

__________________
Road: Felt F70
Commute: Raceline Comp LX

brycer

Hi Peter,

Remember you from Cora Lynn and quizzing you on your Edge 305 at the start. Picked one up a couple of weeks ago as well - happy so far but still a lot to learn about it.

Yeah bodie is a riding mate of mine from the NRR. Both got into this racing thing at the same time.

Good to see you got a win this week. Up to D when you return?

As posted earlier was on holiday so no racing this w/end.

Be back next week for another turn in D. Casey Fields I beleive. Looking at the track (flat crit circuit) it seems that solo breakaway (assuming you arent sandbagging) will be very difficult.

Good luck with the op - maybe you can do a corner when you are recovering.

peterlip

I think I'll leave the corner marshalling until I'm scheduled. As a newbie they won't shedule you for the first season or two (so I'm told).
And as my wife is always very quick to point out, I was treasurer at a tennis club for 7 years, so I've done my fair share community service for a while.
In terms of solo breakaway (or any breakaway), not that I've attempted this, I think Casey fields would be good in terms of keeping an eye on the chasers. Because of its layout, you would be able to keep an eye on exactly how far your break is without having to look over the shoulder. Granted, you can't disappear from the chase groups eye, but maybe that's not always the most important thing in making a break.

__________________
Road: Felt F70
Commute: Raceline Comp LX

peterlip

I think I'll leave the corner marshalling until I'm scheduled. As a newbie they won't shedule you for the first season or two (so I'm told).
And as my wife is always very quick to point out, I was treasurer at a tennis club for 7 years, so I've done my fair share community service for a while.
In terms of solo breakaway (or any breakaway), not that I've attempted this, I think Casey fields would be good in terms of keeping an eye on the chasers. Because of its layout, you would be able to keep an eye on exactly how far your break is without having to look over the shoulder. Granted, you can't disappear from the chase groups eye, but maybe that's not always the most important thing in making a break.

__________________
Road: Felt F70
Commute: Raceline Comp LX

brycer

Good and bad in that - out of sight out of mind does apply to a break away.

bodie

Bryce and I raced today. 2nd and 4th. Good day out. A bit surging but all good.

peterlip

Good work.
I've given my 2 cents over at bv RE tactics.

__________________
Road: Felt F70
Commute: Raceline Comp LX