Lack of interest or what?

wav1 · 16-07-2013 01:10PM #1

Just trawling through recent threads and there appears to be a reduced interest among boardsies in upcoming events.Back a few short months ago you had guys loooking for every nitty gritty detail of races weeks in advance.There doesn't seem to be any great appetite or discussions here about races at all at present.Is it the fine weather that has driven everybody away or whats the story?Still plenty of races left in Leinster anyway with a full calender of races right up to,and in to September.

on_the_nickel · 16-07-2013 01:21PM

Don't know about anyone else but for me it's real-life getting in the way! I did 3 races early in the season, but work, kids, weekends away, visitors, travel with work etc have really restricted me.

I live in Cork, and the local races fell on weekends I just couldn't go. The start times of the races, although I obviously see the reason for them, don't help. I'd planned to go to Tralee last weekend, ok'd it with herself, but she injured herself running, so me leaving at 9:30am or so to register, and not being back until at least 4pm is not fair on her, or the kids.

Luckily, her sister is down next weekend so I plan to do the Munster RR as it's fairly local, but to be honest, until the kids get a bit older, midday races more than an hour away are looking pretty unlikely.

Squidgy Black · 16-07-2013 01:23PM

I'd assume it's a case of most people not having the spare time because kids are off school so they've to do their share of domestic duties. That and the weather is a bit on the hot side for racing, most people tend to go on slower paced spins when the sun's out. and of course the Tour de France means people stay in watching the stages.

colm_gti · 16-07-2013 01:30PM

Trying to write up a masters by the end of the month, while keeping up with the TdeF and keeping on top of training....in this weather

That and info supplied on each clubs facebook/websites have been pretty decent of late.

petethedrummer · 16-07-2013 01:33PM

I'm going to the race in Dunboyne on Sunday.

lennymc · 16-07-2013 01:35PM

im raring to go on Sunday! (and get my ass handed to me by them juniors!)

manwithaplan · 16-07-2013 01:37PM

colm_gti wrote: »

That and info supplied on each clubs facebook/websites have been pretty decent of late.

Except the Dunboyne race on Sunday isn't in the calendar on stickybottle. Vaguely toyed with the idea of going to Derry/Donegal until I copped it. Incidentally the pre-entry for that race bears out what wav1 is saying - there's loads of places left whereas they were snapped up in a couple of hours for races earlier in the season. My motivation is holding up and I hope to race for the next couple of weekends before the family holiday in August.

Diarmuid · 16-07-2013 01:39PM

I'd say the two reasons would be:
1. race-weary. The season started in February
2. summer holidays

For me it's been summer holidays. I'd also agree with the late starts being a negative to do a race, I'll favour races with earlier starts. 2pm starts on a Sunday mean the whole day is gone on racing.

Billycake · 16-07-2013 01:39PM

Not a lack of interest on my part just a combination of a few things keeping me away. I did 7 or 8 races in April / May but I've had injuries on and off in the last month or so. I was away with the bike and friends in France last week and I'm back in France for the next two weeks with the familiy and bike (of course). I had planned on racing this weekend but an injury has put paid to that idea.

maloner · 16-07-2013 01:47PM

This is my first year racing so I did a few races early on to get a feel for it, and since then have used our club league to get the hang of it and am now targeting more open races leading up to some a4 stage races, so I'd be keeping my eyes open for race info for sure. Everyone's situation is different I guess.

daragh_ · 16-07-2013 02:19PM

Mondello tonight, Club League next week, 2 weeks holidays, Wexford 2 Day the week after and then Charleville 2 day as my goal for September. Will probably do 1 or 2 Open Races in there somewhere, hopefully including a rescheduled Hammond Memorial.

Anything else and I'll get fired and/or divorced

GlennaMaddy · 16-07-2013 02:32PM

Two other possible reasons
1.fella's are getting their racing buzz at club leagues, saving the weekend for domestic duties
2.newbies are more experienced at finding out the info for themselves rather than posting on boards

With the Swords club league running at reduced capacity I've noticed a bigger appetite for open racing in the club.

ballyharpat · 16-07-2013 03:34PM

I'm tired of racing, been at it since february, and for 4 months did one at least every two weeks, many of them were overnight trips. Very exhausting. I enjoyed them though-mainly the MTB races. Now I'm not doing any serious training and just enjoying riding whatever, wherever and whenever I feel like it, having said that. If I'm off the weekend of the Munster rr, I'll do that. Anyone know the date for that?

buffalo · 16-07-2013 03:57PM

I have two weddings and associated stags, two 30th parties, and Suir Valley. That leaves me two other weekends for racing, and I'm not sure I'm ready to face the other A1s just yet.

joker77 · 16-07-2013 04:07PM

Discovered yesterday I broke my knuckle when I crashed in Newry two weeks ago. Raced the following weekend at the Noel Redmond, was mad keen for last Sunday, disappointed that was cancelled. Looking forward to this Sunday in Dunboyne.

I'm still very much interested, but on here and the club emails - there's definitely a drop off in interest. Same every year though from talking to people - everyone mad keen in March, but by the time the Tour de France starts - that signals the end of the season for most?

Have to see an consultant on Tuesday about the gimp hand, am down to race the Suir Valley, and Wexford 2 day after that - I'd planned on taking the season up until then end of August - lots of racing to be had before then. Will have to see what the doctor says.

feck sake lads · 16-07-2013 04:16PM

Wav what fooked up racing in this country was the birth of the dreaded sportive i reckon the worst thing in cycling imho.
why'well the sportive riders use this as there race
and then the leisure end of things guys get that bit faster and what happend the leisure groups breaks up because they go to slow.
how many times have the drogheda wheelers groups broke up because of this very thing
anyway as usual i'll get shot for this oponion but to me these sportive rider fook up every group there in.

Inquitus · 16-07-2013 05:02PM

On holidays me for a few weeks, no racing, but plenty of training miles in the French sunshine.

Hmmzis · 16-07-2013 07:11PM

For me it's mostly real life that's restricting the racing on weekends and the late starts don't help with that. I might be able to somehow negotiate a 10/11am start on a Sunday morning somewhere local but anything later and the Sunday is gone and that pisses the missus off (a lot).

Thankfully there is the club league that I'm allowed to do the odd time. For the next few weeks I'll be on holidays, maybe will get a chance to get some racing abroad done

, if I get lucky.

Ryder · 16-07-2013 07:39PM

feck sake lads wrote: »

Wav what fooked up racing in this country was the birth of the dreaded sportive i reckon the worst thing in cycling imho.
why'well the sportive riders use this as there race
and then the leisure end of things guys get that bit faster and what happend the leisure groups breaks up because they go to slow.
how many times have the drogheda wheelers groups broke up because of this very thing
anyway as usual i'll get shot for this oponion but to me these sportive rider fook up every group there in.

id race more open races if i wasnt scared of crashing. no work, no money. sportives are a middle ground or, relativly safely, getting out and challenging yourself. if there wasnt sportives, what makes you think that people would be happy to go slowly?

ps, cant afford a gun right now, so im not going to shoot you

lennymc · 16-07-2013 08:17PM

given that the schools are off, a lot of people could be out of the country on holidays. As has been said, family time and real life just get in the way of racing sometimes. I have no kids, a very understanding wife, a good job and I still struggle sometimes to make races due to other stuff. I can only imagine what some people with kids and that go through to get to races.

I dunno if sportives are the problem. I think that they introduced a lot of people who might not have otherwise raced to group riding and led to racing. I know thats what happened with me.

wav1 · 16-07-2013 09:51PM

Thanks for all the replys folks.Its just something that happens every yr around this time.Then on the other side of the coin you have posters coming on complaining that the season wraps up too early.As i posted in another thread there is going to be a Leinster 3 round league at the end of August taking us through to mid September.Just trying this for this yr to see how it pans out,but at the moment i have my doubts about it.
Its a bit crazy really,but when you think back to early March in Newbridge there were hundreds signed on to race the GP in what were sub zero temperatures,and now theres perfect racing conditions and you'd be lucky to get half that number at events.Quite understandable that promoters are reluctant to put on races at the latter end of the season.Can fully understand the family/kids commitment at this time of the yr though and i would imagine its a huge part of the trend.Funnily enough though i think they got the biggest field to date in Mondello tonight.I suppose basically theres no one fits all answer.

daragh_ · 16-07-2013 10:02PM

Just to say even though I've only been to one of them I really appreciate the work the Wav is putting in running races. Round of Applause!

Swordsdave · 16-07-2013 10:29PM

Something different has to be done.. some people dont like 50km flat handicaps like most of the races left..... and is the leinster 3 race league to be the same format??? Id rather do a sportive!!

wav1 · 16-07-2013 10:42PM

Swordsdave wrote: »

Something different has to be done.. some people dont like 50km flat handicaps like most of the races left..... and is the leinster 3 race league to be the same format??? Id rather do a sportive!!

I would think you would get a lot more riders in these type of races at this time of the yr than the longer ones that you possibly suggest.Wouldnt agree either that what is left are all those type of race.
Next Sun 140 km Dunboyne
28th 85km Donore
Aug 3/4/5 Suir Valley stages up to 130km
Aug 11th 85km Kilmessan
Aug 17/18 Wexford 2 day
Aug 25th Leinster R/R Champs 100km [tough]
So theres plenty of the hard stuff left in addition to the events you speak of?Leinster league WILL be a handicap event because the aim is to cater for ALL at this stage of the yr and extend their season if they so wish.

dedocdude · 16-07-2013 10:44PM

always happens - Irish season is March to May

killalanerr · 16-07-2013 10:45PM

I have been racing away 115 took the start tonight any promoter would be happy with that no ?

wav1 · 16-07-2013 10:52PM

killalanerr wrote: »

I have been racing away 115 took the start tonight any promoter would be happy with that no ?

I would think and agree that any promoter would be happy with that number.Actually tonight seemed to buck the trend.Just think you have to get the mix right in an event from now on to attract riders,whereas at the start of the season they'd ride anything [if you excuse the expression]

killalanerr · 16-07-2013 10:57PM

wav1 wrote: »

whereas at the start of the season they'd ride anything

Speak for yourself us swords lads have high standards

Beasty · 16-07-2013 11:23PM

Hardly done any racing myself so far this year for a variety of reasons, but my season will hopefully kick off next week on my return from holiday

There is a clear pattern though - February and March only accommodate Open races as there is insufficient light for evening club racing. It encourages everyone to pile into Open races which in many cases is inappropriate. In my view there should be limited scope for weekend club racing early in the season to allow novices (and triathletes!) "appropriate" racing opportunities

The busy period does tend to be April and May when both club leagues and open races are run then it all quietens down when the school holidays kick in. I realise promoters are looking for bigger fields and often prefer to put on races earlier in the season, but it would be better if the races could be spread out a bit more even if it does mean some smaller fields later on (which may mean higher entry fees and smaller prizes, but so what - most riders who currently pay €10 to race could afford €15). It would probably just make the fields a similar size to a few years ago

CramCycle · 17-07-2013 12:05AM

Work and time are the biggest killers for me, work ramped up in February, got to a few early races but now I am so bet with tiredness, I don't even get out for spins at the weekend anymore.

Heading out for the Wexford 2 day, and the STCC race in September, If the Orwell race finds a date that I can make, I will get out to it as well.

daragh_ · 17-07-2013 08:33AM

CramCycle wrote: »

Work and time are the biggest killers for me, work ramped up in February, got to a few early races but now I am so bet with tiredness, I don't even get out for spins at the weekend anymore.

Heading out for the Wexford 2 day, marshalling the STCC race in September, If the Orwell race finds a date that I can make, I will get out to it as well.

FYP

nilhg · 17-07-2013 08:47AM

feck sake lads wrote: »

Wav what fooked up racing in this country was the birth of the dreaded sportive i reckon the worst thing in cycling imho.
why'well the sportive riders use this as there race
and then the leisure end of things guys get that bit faster and what happend the leisure groups breaks up because they go to slow.
how many times have the drogheda wheelers groups broke up because of this very thing
anyway as usual i'll get shot for this oponion but to me these sportive rider fook up every group there in.

I'd reckon you have it wrong, it's Strava that's doing the harm, why go to all the trouble of going to a race when you can wait for a gale and take a good riders KOM?

I'm only half messing

Swordsdave · 17-07-2013 08:51AM

I know it has been mentioned before but I think after the ras and nationals for A1/2 a league based race series of one decent race per sunday in the country rather than two or three were 30-40 only turn up and it ends up only bein ran as 80-90 kms so marshals aren't standing around all day for 10 A1s to finnish.. and local races on a sunday could be ran on smaller courses for A3/4 only rather than big courses to try and keep races apart.. would this reduce cost or would it be the same? Would more turn up to cover costs?

QueensGael · 17-07-2013 08:57AM

I haven't raced since May, mostly because I've fallen far behind the other ladies in terms of fitness and race smarts - my own fault, can't quite achieve the requisite work-cycling-life balance

Open racing for me at this stage would be a solo TT after 20 mins or so, which is not really worth hauling out to a race for.

Ah well, always next year, I live in hope!

CramCycle · 17-07-2013 10:51AM

daragh_ wrote: »

FYP

I presume you will be joining me, to be honest with my legs the way they are I will probably offer Orwell a marshall if they want one and I can make it.

Hmmzis · 17-07-2013 07:08PM

CramCycle wrote: »

I presume you will be joining me, to be honest with my legs the way they are I will probably offer Orwell a marshall if they want one and I can make it.

I think Orwell will very happily take you for that. There actually was a bit of a concern that the race might not have enough marshals or at least you wouldn't have seen many Orwell riders racing it.

CramCycle · 17-07-2013 07:20PM

Hmmzis wrote: »

I think Orwell will very happily take you for that. There actually was a bit of a concern that the race might not have enough marshals or at least you wouldn't have seen many Orwell riders racing it.

If I am free on the date, they can count me in.

feck sake lads · 17-07-2013 07:55PM

Ryder wrote: »

id race more open races if i wasnt scared of crashing. no work, no money. sportives are a middle ground or, relativly safely, getting out and challenging yourself. if there wasnt sportives, what makes you think that people would be happy to go slowly?

ps, cant afford a gun right now, so im not going to shoot you

doing a race would be cheaper than a sportive as for crashing more chance of that happening in a sportive than with guys that race and train hard all year round.

Ryder · 17-07-2013 09:03PM

feck sake lads wrote: »

doing a race would be cheaper than a sportive as for crashing more chance of that happening in a sportive than with guys that race and train hard all year round.

agreed on the price. crashing, i dunno. did a lot of club league 'racing' and never felt in danger (never sprinted for the line, always happy to stay in the bunch). any opens i did, seemed disorganised with people crossing all over. the club league races had a lot of older guys calling orders.....which at least kept a bit of control on the racing.

still, sportives serve a useful purpose. definately were the entry point for me to start racing. they dont really seem to exist in the states to the same extent. theyre called tours over here and people definately go around at touring pace. the closes things are gran fondos but are horendously expensive.

feck sake lads · 17-07-2013 09:23PM

Ryder wrote: »

agreed on the price. crashing, i dunno. did a lot of club league 'racing' and never felt in danger (never sprinted for the line, always happy to stay in the bunch). any opens i did, seemed disorganised with people crossing all over. the club league races had a lot of older guys calling orders.....which at least kept a bit of control on the racing.

still, sportives serve a useful purpose. definately were the entry point for me to start racing. they dont really seem to exist in the states to the same extent. theyre called tours over here and people definately go around at touring pace. the closes things are gran fondos but are horendously expensive.

these days i ride solo my choice, i did do the group thing used to do the route for the local club, started off great big groups at a good pace that suited most people if someone got it hard there was always a rider or two to help out , but as per usual the stronger lads would always break up the group half way through the spin.eventually the sat and sunday group broke up mind you havent said that i see the local group are back together less the glory hunters:rolleyes:.

couerdelion · 17-07-2013 09:28PM

Tried a couple of open races early in the season and enjoyed them - realised I was rubbish too. Then triathlon season started and I've been riding in the club league mid-week. Might look to do a few later in the season otherwise I'm aiming for next year.

Lack of interest or what?

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