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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 20:13:57 GMT
Got to say that the riding from some of the boys in blue tonight was seriously woeful.
We were probably the most numerous club, with probably the greatest strength in depth, but some of the racecraft was really embarrassing.
1. First off, never, ever chase your teammate down. Even if you think you're bridging across to him, which is obviously fine, take a second to check you're not dragging the entire bunch with you. You are? Stop. Sit up. Look at the nice scenery. Have a drink.
2. It is not necessary to chase every move. Some would say it's not necessary to chase ANY move. There are people in the race who are laughing at riders burning their matches, as yet another move fails because they heroically pulled it back. But 2 laps later, when the race is teetering on the brink, when everyone is flagged, and even a pathetic but well-timed attack would succeed you're totally spent.
3. Look around and have a think. 2 Dulwich have attacked with 3 others? Those are very, very good odds. Let a gap go. There's nothing in the rules to stop you. Use that moment to adjust your shoes and think about what you need from Sainsburys.
To constantly cane it around, as one of the strongest riders, methodically hauling the bunch with you is bereft of any finesse/tactics/intelligence/racecraft. Look and think and bend the race to suit you, and then win it.
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Post by Alex Ioannides on Jun 4, 2014 8:57:54 GMT
More great advice, that should be read in conjunction with the great advice available here: dulwichparagon.proboards.com/thread/7531/tips-road-racing?page=1Personally, my aim in a race is to do as little as possible. I like letting breaks go, with or without Dulwich in them. Then, if the move looks like it has 'legs', I might bridge across and join them - or even better, let someone else drag me across...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 8:58:07 GMT
I would add that with five strong guys present, if it's all together on the last lap we need to be at the front en mass...all 5 of us. Then it is virtually guranteed one of us will win.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 9:24:39 GMT
Like it David, My riding was woeful too...just couldn't cycle fast enough. Add speed to the list. And the 'S' could as well stand for sprint, squirral-away (matches) or smile when crossing the finish line. But don't laugh if you've outwitted other riders. That would be rude.
Think FIRST, finish first - finess, intelligence, racecraft, speed, and tactics
Now that I've figured that out all I can say is.... Jake and Mike....watch out.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 10:23:43 GMT
We all have bad days at the office, Mark
My diatribe was wholly towards the 3s and 4s race I was in.
The Elites race is much more entertaining, both to watch and to ride, because the reason people were promoted was mostly due to their ability to read a race and not ride like donkeys. Albeit strong donkeys.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
I wasn't racing last night, so I can't comment on what happened, but perhaps criticising your club-mates on a publicly searchable forum might be considered poor form too. There is a members-only section. My experience of Cat 3 racing with Dulwich has been very positive, and as a club we should be trying to nurture the talent that we have coming through the ranks.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 12:09:13 GMT
Fair point about the members section, I'd forgotten it existed.
But no names mentioned, and it was hardly revelatory material.
Most of the bunch could see the car crash. At one point I heard a Dynamo laugh at us. A Dynamo!
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Post by Alex Ioannides on Jun 4, 2014 12:30:45 GMT
At one point I heard a Dynamo laugh at us. A Dynamo!
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Post by Dynamo on Jun 4, 2014 16:08:38 GMT
Stop moaning you sore losers
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Post by Ben Knapp on Jun 4, 2014 16:19:53 GMT
Stop moaning you sore losers Gold. Now reveal your real name as per forum rules!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 18:57:29 GMT
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Post by Ollie Williams on Jun 5, 2014 8:47:53 GMT
I agree your comments David and have seen it first-hand too. However would it not be better to set up some form of sessions to hand down this race knowledge down to the less experienced Dulwich riders, rather than having a grumble on the forum? This thread has some great tips on it (as mentioned above): dulwichparagon.proboards.com/thread/7531/tips-road-racing?page=1 Maybe some of the 2 and 3 cats could share more of their knowledge and we might start to improve on the quality of riding within 4 cats. I don’t necessarily think this needs to be out a bike, maybe an open session in Cadence for experienced Dulwich races to share what they've learnt and help with race strategy.
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Post by Charlotte "Charly" R. on Jun 5, 2014 10:36:18 GMT
Maybe you don't know David... This IS him being encouraging. (...Dynorod... Priceless!!!) As someone who had raced and won palace many times over he has a lot of worthy advice to pass on. If not sooner maybe a good conversation to have at the next Tuesday pub social at 'that' pub?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 11:21:02 GMT
You're very kind.
But racing with your head and for your teammates isn't a uniquely Palace related thing. Everything I mentioned could equally apply to a SERRL race, La Cantonale, or even a track comp. And it's pretty basic - just thinking of how your actions may help/hinder teammates/opponents.
4th cat racing is totally different. As far as I'm concerned you should be allowed to race for fun and do exactly as you feel like as a 4th. Enjoy, in other words. But none of the people I 'encouraged' in my post above are 4th cats, and I think ones just made 2nd.
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Post by Alex Ioannides on Jun 5, 2014 12:28:38 GMT
Some might say that 2nd cat is the new 3rd cat, and that 3rd cat is the new 4th cat.
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