Radios in the lower bunches

[Grondpad]

I saw something strange (well, to me it was strange) recently in a local road race. I started in a fairly lower bunch (EL) and there were many riders from one particular club. The pace was very high (I ended with an avg speed of just below 34km/h) and this was largely to the great work done by this club. Great work! But I did notice that during the race they were on radio chatting too what I presume were others from the club. I heard things like ‘Pace is high and strong headwind. If they are off they won’t get back on’ and also ‘I had to work hard to bring them back and almost did not get on myself'. So to me it sounded like team talk.

 

Now I am not dissing them, I think they did great work. My questions is just why? Why use team radios in there low groups? Do they get money if they win the batch? Some of the riders were guys with VA, AL and VB numbers. The super strong guy from VA was one that brought some stragglers back. I think it can be a great tool to get youngsters to understand team dynamic and how it works. And the guys that race in VA etc can be great coaches in a race. Is that maybe the reason?

[Shebeen]

I saw something strange (well, to me it was strange) recently in a local road race. I started in a fairly lower bunch (EL) and there were many riders from one particular club. The pace was very high (I ended with an avg speed of just below 34km/h) and this was largely to the great work done by this club. Great work! But I did notice that during the race they were on radio chatting too what I presume were others from the club. I heard things like ‘Pace is high and strong headwind. If they are off they won’t get back on’ and also ‘I had to work hard to bring them back and almost did not get on myself'. So to me it sounded like team talk.

 

Now I am not dissing them, I think they did great work. My questions is just why? Why use team radios in there low groups? Do they get money if they win the batch? Some of the riders were guys with VA, AL and VB numbers. The super strong guy from VA was one that brought some stragglers back. I think it can be a great tool to get youngsters to understand team dynamic and how it works. And the guys that race in VA etc can be great coaches in a race. Is that maybe the reason?

some guys like to win, mo matter what? If you think marginal gains work in the pro peleton, you see them in the amateur leagues!

 

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/nddcn.jpg

[Barend de Arend]

Firstly, race radios are illegal now, I think.

 

Secondly, no.  You can't "win" from EL, and there's no prize money in EL.

 

I've done charity rides at the Shova and the 94.7, though.  At those rides we don't start with the real racers, because we don't want to disrupt the race, but we do want to keep the group together, and the pace high.  Race radios could help there.

 

Once you've got a group of 20 going at a good tilt, and you're passing stragglers, the stragglers will want to hook on.  If they're on the back, it's ok.  If they move into the middle, it can be hard to control the charity group.

 

This is when you start the Shova in EL and do a 2h45.

 

The fact that the VA guy was bringing stragglers back makes me believe they were trying to do a group ride, and not riding for the win.

 

This can also be a way to get better seeding.  The VA, VB and AL guys won't care, but maybe some of the group wanted better seeding.  Constantly high speed (no surging) is the easiest way to do that, and that means starting further back.  That way you've got the horsepower to control the group.

 

Since they were working for -- not against -- you, why don't you just ask them?

[GaryvdM]

I have no issue with this. I actually think it is quite cool.

 

1. These riders should not have been in EL, but that is no fault of their own. The seeding was a cock-up.

 

2. Working in a team is a part of the sport, and a cool thing. If you are trying to work as a team, communication is key. If you want a team to work with at races, then join a club.

 

3. And a set of radios will cost you a fraction of what most peoples bikes cost. This is not something that is out of reach for the average rider.

[Long Wheel Base]

Edit. Mistake corrected.

[GaryvdM]

R4V. D2D is in 2 weeks. But don't worry with both races in one thread it's confusing.

Yes. Thanks. Corrected.

[NotSoBigBen]

I would say as long as it is within the rules (never heard it mentioned that it is not) then if used responsibly (if it is the Wheelers I am sure they were) I would say go ahead!

[Rick Sanchez]

This sounds pretty fun though

[rouxtjie]

I would say as long as it is within the rules (never heard it mentioned that it is not) then if used responsibly (if it is the Wheelers I am sure they were) I would say go ahead!

Bossie kom in....bossie.

 

Go for Bossie....

 

BOSSSSSIEEEEE!

[Pure Savage]

The amount of smut that would be talked over team radios would be amazing, it would hinder us if anything.

 

Would do it just for a laugh

 

over.

[Racer]

Big Ben has it right. We have done this at 2 races this year. Licensed riders are in the bunch to teach the stronger non licenced riders racing skills in bunch riding . Radios were used solely to keep all in the bunch and let them see what it is like riding at the front of a bunch as well as controlling the pace. We took a number of non club members to their first sub 3 on both occasions. when you see us again jump on and enjoy.

[Spinnekop]

The amount of smut that would be talked over team radios would be amazing, it would hinder us if anything.

 

Would do it just for a laugh

 

over.

We did it for a year while riding elites.

Funny as hell!  Especially if you are not pro and just doing it as part of the fun

[Pure Savage]

We did it for a year while riding elites.

Funny as hell!  Especially if you are not pro and just doing it as part of the fun

 

The funniest would be the conversation when you drop one of your team members,

 

Cobra - "This is Cobra, has Goat been dropped?"

Goat - "Yes, but I am still in radio contact and almost back on."

Cobra - "Up the tempo"

Goat - "Almost back on.."

Cobra - " Hammer"

Goat - " wai....... tzzzzzzz" *Radio silence*

Scorpion - "lol"

 

Over.

 

(Use of code names a prerequisite if going to be using radios.)

[NotSoBigBen]

For us old timers we'd still be going 'twee drie twee drie, kom in twee drie' ....

[JGR]

DC Training? You have to start in the group with the lowest seeded rider 

[Frosty]

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/images/phocagallery/2015/emperors/IMG_0008.JPG

 

I saw something strange (well, to me it was strange) recently in a local road race.

That was the Emperor's race in April.

The fact that you're bringing it up now and can remember some of the conversations - thanks for the reminder.

 

Now I am not dissing them, I think they did great work. My questions is just why? Why use team radios in there low groups? Do they get money if they win the batch? Some of the riders were guys with VA, AL and VB numbers. The super strong guy from VA was one that brought some stragglers back. I think it can be a great tool to get youngsters to understand team dynamic and how it works. And the guys that race in VA etc can be great coaches in a race. Is that maybe the reason?

Already been explained by one member of the club a few posts above, but I'll elaborate.
 

We did it because we could - we've had the radios since the mid-late 2000's when they were still legal. Main objective was to introduce newer club members (wanting to race) what it is supposed to be like at the front of the bunch - where the workload is shared/controlled by a select few. It would have been impossible to attempt this in the racing bunchs (licensed and A or B).

 

We tried it again yesterday, without the radios this time, and we failed. The pace from EL was so high (quoted by my fellow club members) that we split everyone up inside the first 20Km.

 

edit: it's much easier having 5 radios split throughout the bunch (2 in the front, 2 in the middle and 1 at the back). Each person is responsible for another 2 without radios. Makes communicating with everyone easier and I'm guessing safer for the others in the group.

 

Firstly, race radios are illegal now, I think.

They are illegal in all licensed categories.

 

2. Working in a team is a part of the sport, and a cool thing. If you are trying to work as a team, communication is key. If you want a team to work with at races, then join a club.

Riding as a team was the whole point of us dropping down to this group. Sure, some people benefited from a quicker seeding but 99% of the guys were seeded ahead of this group.

 

I would say as long as it is within the rules (never heard it mentioned that it is not) then if used responsibly (if it is the Wheelers I am sure they were) I would say go ahead!

Good guess, or do you have inside info?

 

This sounds pretty fun though

Was fun, except having to dodge our way through all the 50Km riders heading back to Emperors.

 

We've taken another step forward and proposed a new route for the Emperor's race, in the hope that the fast and slow groups aren't creating problems for each other - watch this space.