Sundrive Track League

SERCPRO

I agree with HarryB ...great to see our ladies' National road champ at the track anocht.

SERCPRO

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

****, I thought I saw flashes.

I was better off sticking to the lense tonight !!

eeeee

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

In fairness to the guys they've made a lot of effort to encourage women to get involved. Someone can confirm when there were enough ladies for a group of their own, but when I started three years ago we were all together and I could count the ladies on two hands. In fact, the ladies specific course I mentioned to you before is being run by the same people who made the decision tonight.

Nice to see Melanie Spath there tonight too.

I am not saying it's the worst thing ever, I have just started, what do I know?! But an explanation would have been nice, then there would have been no questions. I am trying to get a load of my lady friends down to the track. I keep telling them how much fun it is! (and also how awesome Geoffrey is ) I have one coming on Saturday, (hopefully!) I am hoping she is going to do the Ladies Track Day too.

SERCPRO wrote: »

I took some pics this evening. I'll try and upload them at some stage amarach.

Photos :eek:

Harrybelafonte

Good to hear more ladies coming down. Excellent. The ladies racing had really picked up this year which is good news for all involved as it helps everyone progress.

Make sure you take part in the Duane Delaney too and consider Nationals etc.

eeeee

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Make sure you take part in the Duane Delaney too and consider Nationals etc.

Don't know what the first one is and the Nationals? Ha ha good one!! :pac:

SERCPRO

gadetra wrote: »

Don't know what the first one is and the Nationals? Ha ha good one!! :pac:

The Duane Delaney is a great event. Be there ...:)

Harrybelafonte

gadetra wrote: »

Don't know what the first one is and the Nationals? Ha ha good one!! :pac:

Duane Delaney is the first weekend race of the year. Omnium events of a sort.

SERCPRO

How do you upload pics on here ?

Harrybelafonte

SERCPRO wrote: »

How do you upload pics on here ?

You need to use an image host like Flickr or imgur or one of the other ones whose name I can't remember. If you have hassles, mail them to me and I'll post them for you.

SERCPRO

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

You need to use an image host like Flickr or imgur or one of the other ones whose name I can't remember. If you have hassles, mail them to me and I'll post them for you.

Thanks. I'll try and load them to my Flickr a/c tomorrow and send you on the link.

nak

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

In fairness to the guys they've made a lot of effort to encourage women to get involved. Someone can confirm when there were enough ladies for a group of their own, but when I started three years ago we were all together and I could count the ladies on two hands. In fact, the ladies specific course I mentioned to you before is being run by the same people who made the decision tonight.

Nice to see Melanie Spath there tonight too.

When I first started at the track we had women's races , then more people turned up and they mixed us in with the men. One of the reasons I wasn't keen on racing in the league for a while.

Harrybelafonte

nak wrote: »

When I first started at the track we had women's races , then more people turned up and they mixed us in with the men. One of the reasons I wasn't keen on racing in the league for a while.

Ah, ok, didn't realise that at all. There weren't many ladies racing when I started so I thought we were mixed cos of numbers.

Harrybelafonte

From Adamstown Cycling FB:

Beasty

gadetra wrote: »

Actually one thing annoyed me. Two guys were put in with the ladies because they hadn't won any points before. They had both raced before, just not won any points. I think that's really sexist and unfair, I mean where do the women go if they haven't won any points, the juniors? It's the exact same thing. I really didn't like that, and I say that as someone with no chance of winning anything! If a woman starts on track she goes in the lady C's. She does not get a nice easier, slower group to ride in. A guy gets to go into our group. No fair. And saying it was about numbers is bull. There were only 14 men C's. There are more B's!

I wasn't an "organiser" last night, but did take the opportunity to give my arm a bit of physio by ringing the bell...

To be clear on this point - basically we were pressed for time with fading light and drizzle meaning there was every chance that we would not complete the racing (meaning those that would have lost races would initially have been the juniors, then C Ladies, then C Men etc based on the order of races)

Racing is taking a bit longer thsi year precisely because we have an extra group (the C Ladies group). The 2 who were doing the organising last night were basically racers themselves - one like me injured, but both volunteering their time allowing Hugh to race for the first time this season and Terry to participate in a Track Commission meeting

Basically therefore there was in incredible pressure time-wise with "encouragement" (for want of a better term!) at every opportunity from Hugh to press on. When it came to the C races we asked Hugh about the numbers and he "advised" us to even them up. The best way to do it in such a short time (given none of us really had much idea of everyone's ability so early in the season) was to do it based on results so far.

Sorry if anyone took offence - none was meant and all we were trying to do was give everyone the chance to race as much as possible

nak

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Ah, ok, didn't realise that at all. There weren't many ladies racing when I started so I thought we were mixed cos of numbers.

There were probably more women racing when I started than now (if you exclude the juniors). CI had a development team of adults and were pushing for a track team to race internationally. Jen O'Reilly was the only one who went on to compete at elite level from what I can remember.

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yeah, Kraftwerk guy was killing it. He was there before so I was wondering where he was hiding it.

We done are accreditation together, for a guy who had never ridden a fixed gear before 6 weeks ago, he is doing incredibly well. Plus the fact that he seems to be able to keep up a high pace, almost sprint for over a lap was fantastic (if not disheartening when behind him) to watch. The Hare and Hound was great, I thought we were not going to catch anyone. When we finally did the two ladies in green worked like a tightly knit team to hold all but Kraftwerk guy off.

Beasty wrote: »

It was noted that CramCycle eased off towards the end of the evening in a vain attempt to evade promotion to Group B - the backhander may have worked last week, but the "facilitators" this week could not be bought (not once I had paid them off anyway!):pac:

Eased off is not the way I would phrase it. Not having it inme would be more accurate but I was still happy, need more work on my tactics.

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Cram in Bs?

No one told me but it would be nice to be upgraded for doing something rather than road racing where I just got to pick it.

SERCPRO

Some pics from last night's racing . https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanronan/sets/72157644669929171/

Harrybelafonte

SERCPRO wrote: »

Some pics from last night's racing . https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanronan/sets/72157644669929171/

Great shots. Favourites:

SERCPRO

I do have another one that I chose not to include of a junior with his hand off the bar giving the thumbs up !!! tut tut !

Harrybelafonte

One hand is ok though, no?

SERCPRO

Of course ...:)

eeeee

SERCPRO wrote: »

Some pics from last night's racing . https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanronan/sets/72157644669929171/

Class!

CramCycle

I felt sorry for the kid on the yellow who got led out in the Derny race, the A1 rider was too slow for him, I could see him going for an overtake on 2 occasions on the back straight. That and he was pipped on the line for third in every single race, tough break.

Harrybelafonte

CramCycle wrote: »

I felt sorry for the kid on the yellow who got led out in the Derny race, the A1 rider was too slow for him, I could see him going for an overtake on 2 occasions on the back straight. That and he was pipped on the line for third in every single race, tough break.

It's a bit of a pain being the chariot in those races, the kids have to remain in constant contact with you about speed, otherwise you're too slow or fast for them. He was great though, it was a pity about the one were he was caught on the line, but he sped up when he realised they were coming. Lesson learned. Even at that age. He's got a great future ahead of him.

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

It's a bit of a pain being the chariot in those races, the kids have to remain in constant contact with you about speed, otherwise you're too slow or fast for them. He was great though, it was a pity about the one were he was caught on the line, but he sped up when he realised they were coming. Lesson learned. Even at that age. He's got a great future ahead of him.

I think it was a mixture of confusion, the kid was just matching pace, rather than asking to speed up as I think he thought that's what he was meant to do. He knew how to hammer it when he got a shout from the sideline. Once he is big enough for the bike he will be a force to be reckoned with.

kumate_champ07

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Great shots. Favourites:

excellent! always wondered what my face looked like in a sprint,(an angry blurry mess!) was worried I had come out of the sprinters lane too, that guy is doing the junior cert this year?!

I was at 140rpm cadence there

C-Shore

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

that guy is doing the junior cert this year?!

I could tie my own shoe laces by that time, so you know, swings and roundabouts.

CramCycle

SERCPRO wrote: »

Some pics from last night's racing . https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanronan/sets/72157644669929171/

Just wanted to say thanks for these, have been asking the family to come out for the evening and since seeing these and the kids/families in a few pics, she said she will to have a view.


Time to step up the game.

Harrybelafonte

I'm not starting another thread for this as most trackies are in here anyway, but Duane Delaney entries are open online at: http://www.trackcycling.ie/?tribe_events=duane-delaney-tgp

NOTE!!!! It is online entries only.

Harrybelafonte

I should add, ANYONE who has raced in the league is well able for this. It's basically an extension of the Wednesday nights with a chance to try a few races we don't have time for in the league. Bring food, water and sunscreen, and something to sit on. Talk to people coming up to it and get help with the line to take on the Flying 200m, your standing starts etc.

eeeee

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I should add, ANYONE who has raced in the league is well able for this. It's basically an extension of the Wednesday nights with a chance to try a few races we don't have time for in the league. Bring food, water and sunscreen, and something to sit on. Talk to people coming up to it and get help with the line to take on the Flying 200m, your standing starts etc.

Done :cool:


Oh shyte what have I done :eek:

CramCycle

gadetra wrote: »

Done :cool:


Oh shyte what have I done :eek:

Ditto, entered yesterday,

Harrybelafonte

Hope everyone enjoyed tonight. A very long and sunny night of racing.

I don't know how many people read this and don't reply but are actually racing the league. BUT, if you've been racing for the last few weeks on a rental and are considering continuing to race I'd urge you to think about getting your own bike ASAP. There's a good few of you spinning out during races and I think you'd fare better if you had more options for gears. You'll all be encouraged to take part in all the larger weekend events and the bikes will let you down. There's plenty of strong riders in the Cs who would be in Bs bar gearing.

With that said, I have a 56cm Dolan...

Nah, if you're thinking of getting your own bike ask around on the Saturdays or Wednesdays, guarantee someone will know of one.

eeeee

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Hope everyone enjoyed tonight. A very long and sunny night of racing.

I don't know how many people read this and don't reply but are actually racing the league. BUT, if you've been racing for the last few weeks on a rental and are considering continuing to race I'd urge you to think about getting your own bike ASAP. There's a good few of you spinning out during races and I think you'd fare better if you had more options for gears. You'll all be encouraged to take part in all the larger weekend events and the bikes will let you down. There's plenty of strong riders in the Cs who would be in Bs bar gearing.

With that said, I have a 56cm Dolan...

Nah, if you're thinking of getting your own bike ask around on the Saturdays or Wednesdays, guarantee someone will know of one.

As soon as funds allow I will be getting me a Geoffrey replacement. I am not spinning out though I think, so I can comfortably fail another while yet!!

Harrybelafonte

Some better shots on Adamstown FB as usual: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.547988471979095.1073741891.188473764597236&type=3

fixie fox

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Hope everyone enjoyed tonight. A very long and sunny night of racing.

I don't know how many people read this and don't reply but are actually racing the league. BUT, if you've been racing for the last few weeks on a rental and are considering continuing to race I'd urge you to think about getting your own bike ASAP. There's a good few of you spinning out during races and I think you'd fare better if you had more options for gears. You'll all be encouraged to take part in all the larger weekend events and the bikes will let you down. There's plenty of strong riders in the Cs who would be in Bs bar gearing.

With that said, I have a 56cm Dolan...

Nah, if you're thinking of getting your own bike ask around on the Saturdays or Wednesdays, guarantee someone will know of one.

With that said, again ... http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057184263/1/#post89817959

SERCPRO

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Hope everyone enjoyed tonight. A very long and sunny night of racing.

I don't know how many people read this and don't reply but are actually racing the league. BUT, if you've been racing for the last few weeks on a rental and are considering continuing to race I'd urge you to think about getting your own bike ASAP. There's a good few of you spinning out during races and I think you'd fare better if you had more options for gears. You'll all be encouraged to take part in all the larger weekend events and the bikes will let you down. There's plenty of strong riders in the Cs who would be in Bs bar gearing.

With that said, I have a 56cm Dolan...

Nah, if you're thinking of getting your own bike ask around on the Saturdays or Wednesdays, guarantee someone will know of one.

If anyone is looking for a track bike talk to me at the league on Wednesday as I have just changed my bike and have a 54" Specialized looking for a good home.

SERCPRO

Great riding by one and all last night ...here are a few snapshots from week 4.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanronan/sets/72157644790189145/

SERCPRO

Thanks again to all the organisers and volunteers for their time and effort. Without you, the league races wouldn't fall into place so seemlessly.

CramCycle

Great night out again, weather was stupendous as was the company.

First race went very badly for me, mainly my own fault. There was a bit of slowing up sharply in the bunch and I lost focus on what was going on around me. Lost my line a few times, couldn't seem to control the bike. I eventually just pulled out as I was worried I would take someone down. Not sure what it was but I felt terrible.

Second race went alot better, got both sprints coming round the last corner. I fear my gearing is slightly too high at the minute as I am only getting speed up on the last corner but it was a great competitive sprint, in fact all the sprints seemed to be very competitive last night with several finishing with only an inch or two between the wheels.

The hare and hound went oddly. We made plans to work together as a group and catch up the group quickly but it fell apart after the first lap. SERCPRO led us out full belt for a full lap, then one of the Sundrive guys. I could see we weren't catching them so I made an effort to pick up the pace but unfortunately I flew off to fast and ended up in no mans land between the two groups. The C group caught me on the last lap but the ladies were already crossing the line. Great workout but I failed on the teamwork side of things.

Gadetra had a great night, pretty much pulling round her group for a couple of laps in the scratch race, performances like that, I expect high placings next week.

Harrybelafonte

Yeah, a disparity of strengths in Cs tends to cause that. The ladies team worked very well and the men only made up a little bit of that half lap handicap, which says a lot.

Gearing really is a tough one. I used 49x15 last week for my foray into the As, even though I'd used 50x15 in the Bs. I did ok on it, but watching last night a 50x15 would have been better for some of the races, but with all the sprint races... 49x15 might have been better. Pretty confusing.

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yeah, a disparity of strengths in Cs tends to cause that. The ladies team worked very well and the men only made up a little bit of that half lap handicap, which says a lot.

Gearing really is a tough one. I used 49x15 last week for my foray into the As, even though I'd used 50x15 in the Bs. I did ok on it, but watching last night a 50x15 would have been better for some of the races, but with all the sprint races... 49x15 might have been better. Pretty confusing.

I had 49x15 on my bike for getting there but after the warm up I thought I could get away with 49x14. Alas I was wrong, will probably go with either 15 or 16 on the back next week.

Harrybelafonte

CramCycle wrote: »

I had 49x15 on my bike for getting there but after the warm up I thought I could get away with 49x14. Alas I was wrong, will probably go with either 15 or 16 on the back next week.

I'd say you'd be good with the 49x15 tbh, 16 might be pushing it. You and SERCPRO should be up in Bs for Autumn leage so you'll have gearing all sorted before then.

dave_o_brien

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yeah, a disparity of strengths in Cs tends to cause that. The ladies team worked very well and the men only made up a little bit of that half lap handicap, which says a lot.

Gearing really is a tough one. I used 49x15 last week for my foray into the As, even though I'd used 50x15 in the Bs. I did ok on it, but watching last night a 50x15 would have been better for some of the races, but with all the sprint races... 49x15 might have been better. Pretty confusing.

Based on last night, 50x14 or 51x15 next week.

Harrybelafonte

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Based on last night, 50x14 or 51x15 next week.

I'm kinda lazy and only wanna change one, so I'll be trying the 50x15 again, I really think it'd take me a half lap at least to get a 50x14 up to speed.

Beasty

It was a great night of racing , and we were very fortunate with the weather allowing us to complete the programme - it was getting on for 10 when the last Junior TT was off. Pretty sure there were 70+ racers there last night and we had to split some of the cats as we have maximum numbers for the shorter races. That meant we had a few more races than usual and the fact we had an "A" group Devil with over 20 riders helped prolong the evening

Anyway, well done to Vlad last night - his first track racing for a couple of years but you would never have known and he put in some very strong performances. There were quite a few Boardsies there last night (and indeed a couple of jerseys, although only one was competing...)

Beasty

SERCPRO wrote: »

Great riding by one and all last night ...here are a few snapshots from week 4.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanronan/sets/72157644790189145/

Prefer the Adamstown version - they show a lot less baldness:D

C-Shore

CramCycle wrote: »

The hare and hound went oddly. We made plans to work together as a group and catch up the group quickly but it fell apart after the first lap. SERCPRO led us out full belt for a full lap, then one of the Sundrive guys. I could see we weren't catching them so I made an effort to pick up the pace but unfortunately I flew off to fast and ended up in no mans land between the two groups. The C group caught me on the last lap but the ladies were already crossing the line. Great workout but I failed on the teamwork side of things.

Yeah the ladies worked amazingly in the hare group. It was impressive work.

With 2 laps to go I saw that we were no closer on the gap so I sat up to save myself for the Keirin (1 mile in the end) knowing that all was lost and I was struggling to hold the wheel after the 4 ups.

I got boxed in in the 1 mile, and couldn't get out at all so finished 5th or 6th. I felt good enough but tactics caught me out.

On a somewhat unrelated note, can you enter the Duane Delaney with a Limited Competition license?

Harrybelafonte

C-Shore wrote: »

Yeah the ladies worked amazingly in the hare group. It was impressive work.

With 2 laps to go I saw that we were no closer on the gap so I sat up to save myself for the Keirin (1 mile in the end) knowing that all was lost and I was struggling to hold the wheel after the 4 ups.

I got boxed in in the 1 mile, and couldn't get out at all so finished 5th or 6th. I felt good enough but tactics caught me out.

On a somewhat unrelated note, can you enter the Duane Delaney with a Limited Competition license?

If there's ever a keirin listed always check the list on the table at the track or during sign on. That should be sorted later in the summer though.

Yes on the licence, but mail Hugh to confirm if you'd like. Actually I'm almost 100% sure of that, cos I did it for two years.

Ole Rodrigo

How fast are you guys going on that gearing ? The most I've used is 48 X 16, and struggled to get above 50kph. On 46 X16 the limit would be about 45 for what feels like the same effort.