Ned Flanagan Road Race, Monasterevin, 16 February 2014

Daithi BC

Koobcam wrote: »

I think that route looks about right. Let's hope for weather like today. It will be interesting if the wind picks up though, that last stretch along the old N7 into Monasterevin can be tough if the wind is up

If it's the same wind as last Sunday, you'll have a strong tailwind coming into Monasterevin.

morana

Ah used to love the first race of the year. Day before wash the bejaysus outta the bike and then get out the car wax and give the frame liberal amounts of it. Polish it up with a soft rag and have it gleaming.


best of luck to you all I am sure it will be great, be friendly!

Slo_Rida

morana wrote: »

Polish it up with a soft rag and have it gleaming.!

And then wait 12 months before washing it again!!!!!!!

Chips Lovell

If I do it, it'll be on the winter bike. Feels a bit mad to be breaking out the good gear in February.

Harrybelafonte

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

If I do it, it'll be on the winter bike. Feels a bit mad to be breaking out the good gear in February.

This year I've learned my lesson. I'll have a winter bike for next year. The rear derailleur alone took almost a half hour to clean off. And all the cables need replacing, whicvh I won't be able to do before the race.

daragh_

My winter bike is much too heavy to race on. Plus it has disc brakes. And my good bike is a collection of parts looking for a frame. So no racing for a bit.

Sniff.

Koobcam

Would you get away with disc brakes on Sunday? Presumably they are illegal since it's a UCI sanctioned event, but is anyone going to be checking?

Chips Lovell

They probably won't be drug testing either.

GMCI

Koobcam wrote: »

Would you get away with disc brakes on Sunday? Presumably they are illegal since it's a UCI sanctioned event, but is anyone going to be checking?

Yes they will. After what was seen last year with riders placing numbers on their chests, a very close eye will be cast on who is turning up on what for the first race.

moch

Speaking about racing on winter bikes, are mudguards allowed in races, or did I read somewhere that the are not allowed?

Lumen

moch wrote: »

Speaking about racing on winter bikes, are mudguards allowed in races, or did I read somewhere that the are not allowed?

Not allowed.

killalanerr

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

If I do it, it'll be on the winter bike. Feels a bit mad to be breaking out the good gear in February.

Vlad get the good bike out thats why you got,marginal gains and all that!

And its a defo no for the mudguards

Harrybelafonte

killalanerr wrote: »

Vlad get the good bike out thats why you got,marginal gains and all that!

And its a defo no for the mudguards

Reminds me that someone did it last year with a pannier rack and lights on the back.

daragh_

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Reminds me that someone did it last year with a pannier rack and lights on the back.

Snap. Thought I had imagined that.

Harrybelafonte

daragh_ wrote: »

Snap. Thought I had imagined that.

Hah, he stuck in for longer than I did I think.

Down tube shifters. Bike looked heavy.

Chips Lovell

killalanerr wrote: »

Vlad get the good bike out thats why you got,marginal gains and all that!

And its a defo no for the mudguards

If this weather keeps up, it'll be a cyclocross bike I'll be doing it on.

Homer1798

For those of you worried about crashing, don't be. Last year the A4 races were safer than the A3 races. Yes there are crashes and last years crash in this race was caused by riders trying to keep the pace of A1's but hadn't the ability to match the speed. The A4's themselves were quite safe on their own and it only got sketchy when less fit riders were riding out of their skins to keep up with the leaders that the crash happened. So if your riding dangerously in order to keep up just back off and live to fight another day, remember many of those racing with you have to get up for work on Monday, try not be the reason they can't go to work. If your dropped early on just treat it as a training ride and complete it, it's much better for your confidence to finish an early season event than be a non-finisher.

cantalach

Homer1798 wrote: »

[...]

Are you a member of the host club? If so, any chance of a route map?

Harrybelafonte

nilhg wrote: »

If that is the route then mostly it's fine, much better than last years, though as anyone who did the Portlaoise spin last week knows the old main road has it's own challenges in the wind.

The one spot to watch would be here, this is at the bottom of the descent off Chicken Byrnes hill and just after a tight enough left hander, but I'm sure it'll be well signed and marshalled.

Are we definitely going over this?

Koobcam

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Are we definitely going over this?

Yes, this is on the route. There's a bit of a drag, which has a steepish section for a couple of hundred metres, then a descent, with the cattle grid at the bottom if I remember correctly.

Koobcam

cantalach wrote: »

Are you a member of the host club? If so, any chance of a route map?

I'm pretty sure this is the route

Morrisseeee

If the weather continues it'll be renamed : Ned Floodagain !

Harrybelafonte

Koobcam wrote: »

Yes, this is on the route. There's a bit of a drag, which has a steepish section for a couple of hundred metres, then a descent, with the cattle grid at the bottom if I remember correctly.

Great, have never crossed a cattle grid on a bike. Got my leg stuck in one once though.

Koobcam

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Great, have never crossed a cattle grid on a bike. Got my leg stuck in one once though.

Just pretend it isn't there. Hopefully there will be a piece of carpet or something to cover it on the day

cantalach

Koobcam wrote: »

I'm pretty sure this is the route

Did you mean to include a link there?

Harrybelafonte

cantalach wrote: »

Did you mean to include a link there?

There is a link. Maybe a Strava sign on is required?

Koobcam

Yeah, didn;t realise you have to be signed into strava to access it. Here's a mapmyride route, should work

cantalach

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

There is a link. Maybe a Strava sign on is required?

Sorry, the word 'this' wasn't highlighted as a link on touch.boards.ie. On the desktop browser now and I can see it. Thanks for that.

Welshkev

Will the decision on whether to run a seperate A4 event only be made on the day?

Chips Lovell

Yeah. They wouldn't know about numbers until then.

duffyshuffle

So if its still freezing, what will people wear, full gloves, long tights, jackets/gillets... etc? like the mudguards, is there an allowed list?

Slo_Rida

duffyshuffle wrote: »

So if its still freezing, what will people wear, full gloves, long tights, jackets/gillets... etc? like the mudguards, is there an allowed list?

I think it's more of a not allowed list
That said, I'm not sure of the rules.

Koobcam

duffyshuffle wrote: »

So if its still freezing, what will people wear, full gloves, long tights, jackets/gillets... etc? like the mudguards, is there an allowed list?

Forecast looks quite good for Sunday (compared to the last few days anyway)-temperatures around 6 degrees, hopefully any frost/ice will have cleared by race time (one of the benefits of winter racing, as opposed to audaxing is the civilized starting time). I certainly plan on wearing the full winter kit, maybe a gillet for the extra layer. Also a good idea to have something extra in case you puncture in the wrong place and have a long ride back to the finish.

daragh_

You can't wear anything that will obscure your numbers. Something to think about if you decide to stick a Gilet on at the last minute.

Chips Lovell

Clothing for early season races is hard to get right. I've made the mistake before of racing in a winter jacket and ended up being far too warm. Bear in mind you'll be going harder than a training spin.

Best approach is to wear layers, with stuff you can take off during the race. You can take a gilet or arm and knee warmers off and stuff them into your pocket if you start getting too warm.

cantalach

duffyshuffle wrote: »

So if its still freezing, what will people wear, full gloves, long tights, jackets/gillets... etc? like the mudguards, is there an allowed list?

I've always assumed that leg-warmers or knee-warmers are acceptable when cold but tights might be a bridge too far. Article 2, paragraph 1 of the technical rules reads:

"All riders shall when racing, wear a jersey with sleeves and a pair of shorts, possibly in the form of a one piece. By shorts it is understood that these come above the knees. Jerseys without sleeves shall be forbidden. It is also forbidden to wear non-essential items of clothing other than where weather
conditions make them appropriate for the safety or health and safety of the rider."

Harrybelafonte

cantalach wrote: »

I've always assumed that leg-warmers or knee-warmers are acceptable when cold but tights might be a bridge too far. Article 2, paragraph 1 of the technical rules reads:

"All riders shall when racing, wear a jersey with sleeves and a pair of shorts, possibly in the form of a one piece. By shorts it is understood that these come above the knees. Jerseys without sleeves shall be forbidden. It is also forbidden to wear non-essential items of clothing other than where weather
conditions make them appropriate for the safety or health and safety of the rider."

I'd use this reasoning.

ericzeking

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Clothing for early season races is hard to get right. I've made the mistake before of racing in a winter jacket and ended up being far too warm. Bear in mind you'll be going harder than a training spin.

Best approach is to wear layers, with stuff you can take off during the race. You can take a gilet or arm and knee warmers off and stuff them into your pocket if you start getting too warm.

Oh to be strong enough and have the bike handling to remove layers mid race!!

I remember last year in my second ever race in Broadford there was a guy taking off a skull cap from under his helmet on the climb, in the middle of the A4 bunch....nuts

dermabrasion

So, for A4, this is the recommended attire

smurphy29

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I'd use this reasoning.

I raceed in full length tights or legwarmers for plenty of the early season races last year, there was never a problem and lots of others did likewise.

The worst part of these cold races is the teeth chattering at the start line, but you tend to get warmed up pretty quickly once the action begins. Base layer and a jersey and you'll be fine. I never bothered with a gilet but it's another option.

Harrybelafonte

smurphy29 wrote: »

I raceed in full length tights or legwarmers for plenty of the early season races last year, there was never a problem and lots of others did likewise.

The worst part of these cold races is the teeth chattering at the start line, but you tend to get warmed up pretty quickly once the action begins. Base layer and a jersey and you'll be fine. I never bothered with a gilet but it's another option.

Totally agree. I might go all Fred and wear my Gabba for it. Need arm warmers first I guess.

Welshkev

Would a jacket on top too much (assuming the race numbers are visible of course)?

Harrybelafonte

Kevinleeowen wrote: »

Would a jacket on top too much (assuming the race numbers are visible of course)?

I say yes. You'll be roasting in a few minutes.

Chips Lovell

ericzeking wrote: »

Oh to be strong enough and have the bike handling to remove layers mid race!!

I have neither. Any time I've had to do it I've had to complete the operation whilst swinging at the back.

buffalo

ericzeking wrote: »

Oh to be strong enough and have the bike handling to remove layers mid race!!

And to have faith in the bike handling of everyone around you while you're vulnerable.

morana

you gotta, gotta, gotta wear arm warmers and leg warmers at this time of year! a jersey with a tshirt, light gloves unless its lashing and light lycra overshoes.

anything more and you are in training mode!

MichealD

Email from CI out on road racing 2014

Important notice for Road Racers from Commissaires

13/02/2014



http://www.cyclingireland.ie/cycling-news-item/important-notice-for-road-racers-from-commissaires/143?utm_source=Circulator&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Important%20Notice%20for%20Road%20Racers%20in%20the%202014%20Season

wav1

Just to let you all know that it has been relayed to me this morning that the e20 entry IS going ahead.Various negotiations etc over the past few days.
Personally i totally disagree with it but just to let you know.Please dont shoot the messenger.

Koobcam

wav1 wrote: »

Just to let you all know that it has been relayed to me this morning that the e20 entry IS going ahead.Various negotiations etc over the past few days.
Personally i totally disagree with it but just to let you know.Please dont shoot the messenger.

Sorry, you mean it's €20 to enter the race ?*!!!

Harrybelafonte

Koobcam wrote: »

Sorry, you mean it's €20 to enter the race ?*!!!

Yes. Same as last year.