An Post Ras 2015 *warning, spoilers inside, no spoiler tags

michael196

no time eliminations

RobFowl

michael196 wrote: »

no time eliminations

Generally 20% of winners time is the cut off in the Ras

niceonetom

Inquitus wrote: »

If you are comfortable in / towards the front of A3 you'd want to be putting out north of 4W/kg imo.

But you wouldn't being doing many races that'd even come close to Rás-like 160km distances, yet alone doing them back to back. Even the step up from the 110-130km A1/A2 races to 150km+ Rás stages is enough to really wear down a lot of the county riders, even more so when the first hour or two are done close to their limit.

Jim Stynes

I always thought the Ras was the best of best in Ireland and a few elite invites. Would I be right in saying that many of the top club riders in Ireland (not the riders who have a chance of winning) may not get the chance to do it because of the cost of entering?

Chips Lovell

It could happen, but I haven't come across it yet. A lot of clubs would put money towards their Rás team. Our own club had a fundraiser as well.

michael196

Jim Stynes wrote: »

I always thought the Ras was the best of best in Ireland and a few elite invites. Would I be right in saying that many of the top club riders in Ireland (not the riders who have a chance of winning) may not get the chance to do it because of the cost of entering?

160 riders, approx. 80 irish , 80 international. 50:50 split

wav1

Well.Head melted,wrecked,head burned off me,sore ankle and I wasn't even riding it.
Always a special event to be a part of [even when they told me I would have to shag off and mark the route at 6.30am on the Tuesday because of an earlier start].Wouldn't miss being a small part of this for the world.
Very special and emotional time for the whole family yesterday,when the organisation in agreement with the riders,allowed mini wav to move forward and lead the race by his home,and into his home village at the start of the final stage,Huge community support for him yesterday morning,and as van the man once said.My mama told me there'd be days like this.

wav1

BTW low point of the week was a phone call from michael196 on Friday to tell me he had the mini wav in front of the broom after 15k.Serious worry time.Turned out to be a kind of false alarm as he had puncture and was making his way back on.Only found that out about a hundred km later though.

yop

Loved that touch as well yesterday. In fairness to the group they allowed Jason prendergast out the front through louisburgh and patjoe lead into westport and Keith headed the group at one stage. Level of sportsmanship warms the heart. Even marshals and ras cars and vans gave us a wave on Tuesday Wednesday and yesterday.

michael196

wav1 wrote: »

BTW low point of the week was a phone call from michael196 on Friday to tell me he had the mini wav in front of the broom after 15k.Serious worry time.Turned out to be a kind of false alarm as he had puncture and was making his way back on.Only found that out about a hundred km later though.

did not mean to worry you, but thought it best that u knew. he rode away grand afterwards, and disappeared up the cavalcade. hope I did not worry you too much.

Lusk_Doyle

michael196 wrote: »

did not mean to worry you, but thought it best that u knew. he rode away grand afterwards, and disappeared up the cavalcade. hope I did not worry you too much.

You did. He hurt his ankle from worrying so much.

wav1

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

You did. He hurt his ankle from worrying so much.

No not really..Just a slight balance problem when a cable tie snapped.

Lusk_Doyle

wav1 wrote: »

No not really..Just a slight balance problem when a cable tie snapped.

You were being held up by a cable tie?

CramCycle

I remember seeing a tweet that mini wav had crashed but then could not get any other sources and obviously didn't want to wreck your head wav, then he was fine and finished in time and no one mentioned it again so I just took it that it wasn't that bad.

What happened in the crash?

The Flying Vet

Was on Blackhills yesterday. Thought Damien Shaws effort to reel in the two leaders was astounding....best showing from county rider for a while. Thought the less hilly route was going to detract from the race but it was actually more exciting with crosswinds/breaks etc. Kudos to all involved

wav1

CramCycle wrote: »

I remember seeing a tweet that mini wav had crashed but then could not get any other sources and obviously didn't want to wreck your head wav, then he was fine and finished in time and no one mentioned it again so I just took it that it wasn't that bad.

What happened in the crash?

Just a normal touch of wheels job.Hit the auld road hard enough though and smashed frame,but nothing too bad.

CramCycle

wav1 wrote: »

Just a normal touch of wheels job.Hit the auld road hard enough though and smashed frame,but nothing too bad.

I heard about the frame smash, fair play to him for jumping back up, that alone would be a justifiable spooking for any rider, made of tough stuff from that part of the country.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

yop wrote: »

If I was doing "good" driving then yes, if I wasn't then "no"

Thanks for the offer of a draft

yop

Nala Tall Public wrote: »

Thanks for the offer of a draft

Wow, v small world this! Your welcome, I had asked our lad if he needed it so when he didn't I thought u were out the back. Been there myself so know what a minute drafting can do for the legs.

bryangiggsy

285 Average power for entire 8 days...ouch
4.07 watts per kg

http://www.stickybottle.com/coaching/ras-in-numbers-vital-stats-of-one-of-the-best-county-riders-in-the-race-2/

buffalo

I'm still bloody tired. When's this Rás bump kick in?

Zzippy

Friend collected about a dozen bidons discarded by the bunch in the Inagh Valley in Connemara - I got one from the Tirol cycling team - colours match my bike perfectly

Hmmzis

buffalo wrote: »

I'm still bloody tired. When's this Rás bump kick in?

Might have kicked in already

wav1

Zzippy wrote: »

Friend collected about a dozen bidons discarded by the bunch in the Inagh Valley in Connemara - I got one from the Tirol cycling team - colours match my bike perfectly

The ras riders don't discard bidons.They just ''drop''them and don't have time to stop and pick them up.

michael196

dropped on crashs, or dropped off ramps on the roads, or bumpy surface

Lusk_Doyle

Also, they are called bottles.

RobFowl

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Also, they are called bottles.

Rule 52 suggests bidons is the correct term ...

Lusk_Doyle

RobFowl wrote: »

Rule 52 suggests bidons is the correct term ...

They're more guidelines than rules!

RJM85

Inquitus wrote: »

If you are comfortable in / towards the front of A3 you'd want to be putting out north of 4W/kg imo.

I've an FTP of 4w/kg no way I could hang with those guys. I imagine your 1 - 5 minute power numbers, along with great endurance are nearly more important.

buffalo

Piece on Ian Richarsdson in the Indo: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/conquering-a-personal-climb-31266703.html