Road racing

Do you have a start time handy for this clubman?

I haven't quite got the hang of this new format yet - I'm replying here to Hippy's question about the start time for the Victor Berlemont RR.

All those words and I miss out the really vital bit, here it is:

Neutralized start from HQ at 11.00 am.

andyp

Join a club that also promotes events and help out as much as you can.

I couldn't agree more.

The Hounslow Road Race has been run (over four decades so far, excluding this year's failure) on the basis that our riders would stand a better chance of being accepted in other clubs' races because we promoted. I've no idea whether this still works, but it certainly seems a good principle.

I took this advice this weekend. Cycled to Clitheroe to race (~60KM). Though it was going well, a small group of 2 had got off the front and i'd managed to stick in for the first hour, figured i'd have a go at attackick and forming a chasing group.

Attacked, failed, tried again, failed, dropped.

Ride home was grim.

One race left this season, before a big winter and targeting Cat 1 next year.

Victor Berlemont RR

Here's a link to my report:

http://www.velouk.net/2014/09/01/report-victor-berlemont-rr/

I was a bit worried that I might have overegged the praise for this event, but I genuinely think it was a great effort to get overcome all the difficulties of RR promotion and effectively create what may well be the best National B event from scratch in less than a year.

The attached pic. is Harry Evans's ( the runner up) chain ring. Of course I'm a dinosaur who knows nothing about modern kit, but this looked really weird to me. Still, he did come pretty close to winning.

Although as I say I'm not up to speed, I did know that 'Thetic' chainrings (same basic idea) made their first appearance in the 189o's.

Another try at the Evans chain ring -

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While I'm here, there's another picture I like which isn't in that report

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What Club/team kit is that on the right with the bright argyle? Looks nice

Felt Colbornes Hargroves RT

This: http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/felt-colbornes-2013-team-sanremo-speedsuit?var=3972

They race in the SW a lot. Their kit is good!
http://www.feltcolbornes.co.uk/

comic sans ... my eyes !

Yeah, their site isn't good!

Dear all racers,

I've finally lined up my first race (just a club championship, but a race nonetheless), is there any particular training you'd recommend?

I've got very good base fitness and ride with others or on club runs a lot, but was just wondering more about that top end power? I presume overs / unders is a good'n to get used to the surges in pace etc?

Ta!

^Similarly to Jim I want to give racing a go.

Question is what's a good bike to start out on?
I can stick in a pack alright, but my nice bike is not soemthing I can afford to crash.
( and its more of a long day in the saddle geo )

I've also got a nifty steel 853 but the shifters aren't responsive enough and I feel I'd loose a yard or two at vital points by not trusting my kit.

Option 1.

Upgrade the current 853 bike
The geo on the frame is agressive so I was thinking a new group set and wheels
( currentlyly its 2nd hand 12 year old campag and 36h open pros )
Thing is, that's £500 of any ones money, and 853 although light isn't alu,

Option 2

Cycle to work scheme -get something new and start afresh,
I can go to 2 grand at work but not planning to max out as at my level I don't need to spend that much.

So thinking alu racer:
Caad 10
Rose Xeon
any other good options to consider?

Question is..

Is new alu noticabley better than updated 853.

Did any one used to race on steel and then move to alu?- what did you think..

Thanks,

Ben

Video from our road race, think it captures the UK racing scene quite well.

http://vimeo.com/107224464

Nice, needs embro/ village hall toilet smellovision for the opening sequence.

Took 6th in my final race on teh Great Orme in Llandudno. Good race, closing out a good season. Last in the break for about the 3rd time this year though, need a kick!

My first race bike cost $130AUD and that included a nice, new rear light.

Your race craft (or bags load more power than everyone else) is what wins your early races - it has nothing to do with your bike. The only exceptions are if you bike fails or if it's illegal so you don't even get a start.

Don't race what you can't afford to replace.

On that note, one of the Juniors at the Orme was racing on a BTwin triban, and doing well.

Down-tube shifters and Biopace. Beat that.

Pink highlights, Old gold. Trendsetter. #waffa

I think the kid @Kompute was talking about wasn't clipless and was riding in astro boots and a football kit.

Yep all sound advice, easy to get carried away when work just offer you free money schemes...

Considering attempting a week in Belgium next year, anyone with any experience of it? Thinking watch Roubaix and then 3 or even 4 races in a week.

Do it. Racing in belgium is the nuts.

You need a green card, but this canbe paid for on the day. 10euro I think.
You need a letter from BC stating you're okay to race in Belgium. http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/bc-Racing-and-Riding-Abroad---Top-Tips-Before-You-Travel-0
Racing is super cheap. There is a website and you can find all teh races on it. Can't remember it right now.