The I-Team

[ScottCM]

Lets hope the temp drops because yesterdays ride was insanely hot!!

 

I would prefer to have yesterdays heat over yesterdays wind. We got blown away at the 5150

Edited November 2, 2015 by ScottC-M

[Fat Boab]

Lets hope the temp drops because yesterdays ride was insanely hot!!

 

It's all your fault........

 

 

[tombeej]

Thanks for these Tombeej. Have to admit, I've only done this stuff in small groups, for short periods, and the thought of +/-20 people of varying ability and experience and it seems daunting. Throw in 'outsiders' jumping in the line unannounced perhaps and it seems to get super-daunting!

 

A couple of questions, if I may:

 

1. How are we going to set the pace on the road, and how will this be modified/updated?

 

2. Setting pace up hills? Seems like there is scope to drop people here, if we don't have a plan and aren't disciplined in sticking to it, or modifying on the fly?

 

3. How many old-hands do we have in the group and can they be identified on the day to keep us in order? It might avoid a lot of well-meaning, but misguided advice being distributed, by A-types and others?

 

Or am I over-complicating it all!?  

 

I wouldn't stress to much - especially if you keep reminding yourself that we're going to be there to help each other.

 

So in the first 70km we wait for each other at the top of hills if people fall off, then when everyone is together we start motoring again. There won't be any mad accelerations - we'll increase the pace steadily on the flats to allow everyone the chance to settle in to a nice draft. We look out for each other and the stronger riders will just take up more of the workload. If there are just 5 strong riders rolling turns on the front while everyone else sits in a line behind, that's fine too.

 

Setting the pace on the road is determined by what the group as a whole finds comfortable. We'll soon settle into a pace that everyone finds ok. You just go with it and don't overthink things too much and everything starts to work, and people settle into a rhythm that suites them.

 

Re. outsiders: my own suggestion is that if 'outsiders' want to tag along, they must ASK if they can join us. Then they can either contribute on the front or sit right at the back and not get in our way. If someone is getting in the way and messing things up then I would just get StevieL to ask them politely to 'step off'.

 

But really, this shouldn't be intimidating. We are not pros and no-one is pretending to be. There's no exam anyone has to pass - just a fun day out .

[Fat Boab]

I wouldn't stress to much - especially if you keep reminding yourself that we're going to be there to help each other.

 

So in the first 70km we wait for each other at the top of hills if people fall off, then when everyone is together we start motoring again. There won't be any mad accelerations - we'll increase the pace steadily on the flats to allow everyone the chance to settle in to a nice draft. We look out for each other and the stronger riders will just take up more of the workload. If there are just 5 strong riders rolling turns on the front while everyone else sits in a line behind, that's fine too.

 

Setting the pace on the road is determined by what the group as a whole finds comfortable. We'll soon settle into a pace that everyone finds ok. You just go with it and don't overthink things too much and everything starts to work, and people settle into a rhythm that suites them.

 

Re. outsiders: my own suggestion is that if 'outsiders' want to tag along, they must ASK if they can join us. Then they can either contribute on the front or sit right at the back and not get in our way. If someone is getting in the way and messing things up then I would just get StevieL to ask them politely to 'step off'.

 

But really, this shouldn't be intimidating. We are not pros and no-one is pretending to be. There's no exam anyone has to pass - just a fun day out .

 

I wouldn't stress to much - especially if you keep reminding yourself that we're going to be there to help each other.

 

So in the first 70km we wait for each other at the top of hills if people fall off, then when everyone is together we start motoring again. There won't be any mad accelerations - we'll increase the pace steadily on the flats to allow everyone the chance to settle in to a nice draft. We look out for each other and the stronger riders will just take up more of the workload. If there are just 5 strong riders rolling turns on the front while everyone else sits in a line behind, that's fine too.

 

Setting the pace on the road is determined by what the group as a whole finds comfortable. We'll soon settle into a pace that everyone finds ok. You just go with it and don't overthink things too much and everything starts to work, and people settle into a rhythm that suites them.

 

Re. outsiders: my own suggestion is that if 'outsiders' want to tag along, they must ASK if they can join us. Then they can either contribute on the front or sit right at the back and not get in our way. If someone is getting in the way and messing things up then I would just get StevieL to ask them politely to 'step off'.

 

But really, this shouldn't be intimidating. We are not pros and no-one is pretending to be. There's no exam anyone has to pass - just a fun day out .

 

 

It's sounding better and better......!

[tombeej]

We mustn't be shy to communicate with each other. There should be lots of that. 

If people fall off in the early part of the race, folks must shout to the front to slow down. As soon as everyone is back together then another shout to the front 'Go!'. And so on.

[ahmedbadat]

at this rate i reckon wel win this race outright, hey whose our designated sprinter?

[Prince]

It's all your fault........

 

 

1 15 nov 2015.png

 Oops!

[Fat Boab]

at this rate i reckon wel win this race outright, hey whose our designated sprinter?

 

Well I'll have been dry for 46 days on the 15th, so I'll certainly be sprinting the first couple of post-race beers......

[Lurch the stalker]

at this rate i reckon wel win this race outright, hey whose our designated sprinter?

I'm a big guy, so, I can't be the sprinter, but I can be the muscle to block anybody else's sprinter

[StevieL]

It's worth noting that only 11 people managed to crack 3 in last years event (in I group that is), so we will have our work cut out.

We may even have a group winner in our midst.

[Frosty]

From my experience, the strongest rider should be at the back, and be capable of riding from the back to the front with as little effort as possible.

 

He calls the shots with regards to speeding up or slowing down. The next 3-4 strongest are at the front with everyone else sucking wheel or rolling through for a turn on the front (occasionally).

 

The strongest can also push the guys to close any gaps that might form while he is rolling forward. I've been pushed (while helping to close a gap, at about 50km/h) while chasing down a break, and you'll be surprised how much it helps maintain the group's pace without too much effort.

 

But as Tombeej has said, communication is most important, more verbal (and loud) as you don't want to be looking behind when mixed in traffic (other groups/riders).

 

As for the non-group members joining in, a polite request to "contribute at a steady pace" or "move to the back" is enough. If they do cause problems, then a dead wheel works quite well - again, something for the stronger guys to use (normally on a steeper gradient).

[Fat Boab]

From my experience, the strongest rider should be at the back, and be capable of riding from the back to the front with as little effort as possible.

 

He calls the shots with regards to speeding up or slowing down. The next 3-4 strongest are at the front with everyone else sucking wheel or rolling through for a turn on the front (occasionally).

 

The strongest can also push the guys to close any gaps that might form while he is rolling forward. I've been pushed (while helping to close a gap, at about 50km/h) while chasing down a break, and you'll be surprised how much it helps maintain the group's pace without too much effort.

 

But as Tombeej has said, communication is most important, more verbal (and loud) as you don't want to be looking behind when mixed in traffic (other groups/riders).

 

As for the non-group members joining in, a polite request to "contribute at a steady pace" or "move to the back" is enough. If they do cause problems, then a dead wheel works quite well - again, something for the stronger guys to use (normally on a steeper gradient).

 

Well one thing is for sure; 15 Nov will be a school-day for me. Bring on the school bell!!

[HappyMartin]

Communication is key I agree with that. What screws things up the most is people pushing too hard on the front when they have a turn and that shells people out the back.

 

It will be cool until we leave then M1 then it gets complicated. Some people are faster up the hills and a group comes apart on hills pretty quickly. Not much slip streaming advantage on climbs. We may need to slow it down and regroup at the top of climbs.

 

We will figure it out I'm sure

[BouncingBrain]

Are you seeded in bunch/start group I? ......and it is your 1st 94.7?You must have done a few good seeding races.

Yip I've been seeded in I.

 

Lol. Yes I've done a good few races this year to bump the seeding up. .

[ScottCM]

I'm a big guy, so, I can't be the sprinter, but I can be the muscle to block anybody else's sprinter

 

The Gorilla is a HUGE guy so you should be good for the sprint

 

Communication is key I agree with that. What screws things up the most is people pushing too hard on the front when they have a turn and that shells people out the back.

 

It will be cool until we leave then M1 then it gets complicated. Some people are faster up the hills and a group comes apart on hills pretty quickly. Not much slip streaming advantage on climbs. We may need to slow it down and regroup at the top of climbs.

 

We will figure it out I'm sure

 

I think our 1st real test will be the Wilds. I really hope they move that water table to the M1 this year as it caused massive blockage last year (From charity starting batch, not sure how it affected earlier one) luckily after the wild we have the decline towards the M2 then Gandi square , M2, Mandela Bridge to regroup.

[ScottCM]

I think our 1st real test will be the Wilds. I really hope they move that water table to the M1 this year as it caused massive blockage last year (From charity starting batch, not sure how it affected earlier one) luckily after the wild we have the decline towards the M2 then Gandi square , M2, Mandela Bridge to regroup.

 

That being said, the quicker we regroup the quicker we can gain the advantage of group riding and gain those precious couple of minutes on the road.

 

 

Well that is my thought process at least, but I'll leave it up to the experienced men to dictate the proceedings.