The I-Team

[Fat Boab]

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

 

 

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.

 

If the Wilds is the hill off the M1 up past St Johns, then I don't remember any blockage from last year - I think I started around 0700. Infact I don't remember a watering point at all! Shows how alert I was......

[ScottCM]

If the Wilds is the hill off the M1 up past St Johns, then I don't remember any blockage from last year - I think I started around 0700. Infact I don't remember a watering point at all! Shows how alert I was......

 

That's because you were to COOL to ride with the rest of us "Cancer Clowns" in the FF batch

 

But yes that is the hill I was referring to. By the time we came past both lanes were taken up by cyclist and i literally had to pick my bike up and walk over the pavement to get past. Good to know that the earlier batches "Shouldn't" incur this problem this year.

[Fat Boab]

That's because you were too COOL to ride with the rest of us "Cancer Clowns" in the FF batch

 

But yes that is the hill I was referring to. By the time we came past both lanes were taken up by cyclist and i literally had to pick my bike up and walk over the pavement to get past. Good to know that the earlier batches "Shouldn't" incur this problem this year.

 

Yessir, I was indeed cool....about 10 degs C cooler

[tombeej]

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.

 

Precisely. We must wait for each other at the top of the climbs, especially the Wilds, Republic Rd, etc. The group will always be faster than the individual so it helps no-one to go racing off on their own because they think the group is too slow for them.

 

Anyway, that's not what the ethos of the I-Team is all about. We joined this team to work for each other. The moment we lose our cohesion we're finished as a project. 

 

If there are riders who believe they're too strong for the group, the simple solution is for them to do longer sessions on the front. Tell people in the line that you're going to the front to do a long pull, give people a chance to settle into a pace line, and then go to the front and do some work. Once you've blown off some steam and you're feeling a bit shattered from the effort, you can then be thankful you've got teammates around you to get your much deserved rest.

[Fat Boab]

Precisely. We must wait for each other at the top of the climbs, especially the Wilds, Republic Rd, etc. The group will always be faster than the individual so it helps no-one to go racing off on their own because they think the group is too slow for them.

 

Anyway, that's not what the ethos of the I-Team is all about. We joined this team to work for each other. The moment we lose our cohesion we're finished as a project. 

 

If there are riders who believe they're too strong for the group, the simple solution is for them to do longer sessions on the front. Tell people in the line that you're going to the front to do a long pull, give people a chance to settle into a pace line, and then go to the front and do some work. Once you've blown off some steam and you're feeling a bit shattered from the effort, you can then be thankful you've got teammates around you to get your much deserved rest.

 

Sounds like wisdom-in-a-can to me....!

[Imploder]

It's such a pity Kyalami isn't available, it would offer the perfect practice ground for the I-Team pace line. Hopefully next year....

 

What are your guys strategy for water tables? Play it by ear or target specific ones?

[tombeej]

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

 

Agreed, my pet hate in bunch riding is the rider who thinks they need to show everyone how 'pro' they are when it's their turn on the front by pushing too hard and forcing the bunch to try and chase.

 

Their stupidity causes surges in the bunch, first stretching everyone out and forcing people to chase hard to close the gaps. Then as everyone frantically tries to close those gaps (now all going at different speeds as they react at different times), they are forced to brake as the gaps close again.

 

This concertina effect of stretching and contracting breaks up the cohesion of the bunch.

 

It tires everyone out, messes up the pace of the bunch, causes dangerous riding conditions from the constant accelerations and braking, and the group inevitably splits.

 

It's fine in a race when people are actively attacking the bunch to try and force splits, but for the bunch that's trying to stay together it's fatal.

 

The worst of the worst is the outsider who gets into a private training/racing group who are working together and then starts doing this. I will absolutely strip my bolt if this happens at the 94.7 and the sorry chop will know all about it.

 

If we have individuals pulling too hard on the front then please tell them to "stop surging". If you get this warning it means you're pulling too hard during your turn. The best way to avoid this if you're not familiar with pace-setting, is to watch your speed just before it becomes your turn, then try and keep to that pace when you find yourself on the front.

[Fat Boab]

It's such a pity Kyalami isn't available, it would offer the perfect practice ground for the I-Team pace line. Hopefully next year....

 

What are your guys strategy for water tables? Play it by ear or target specific ones?

 

We'll be that quick, you won't need more than 2x700 ml bottles........

[tombeej]

It's such a pity Kyalami isn't available, it would offer the perfect practice ground for the I-Team pace line. Hopefully next year....

 

What are your guys strategy for water tables? Play it by ear or target specific ones?

 

There can be no stopping at all if we want a sub-3.

 

What you've got on you at the start is what you take with you to the finish line.

[ScottCM]

It's such a pity Kyalami isn't available, it would offer the perfect practice ground for the I-Team pace line. Hopefully next year....

 

What are your guys strategy for water tables? Play it by ear or target specific ones?

 

Taking three bottles and hopefully not need to stop

[ScottCM]

Agreed, my pet hate in bunch riding is the rider who thinks they need to show everyone how 'pro' they are when it's their turn on the front by pushing too hard and forcing the bunch to try and chase.

 

Their stupidity causes surges in the bunch, first stretching everyone out and forcing people to chase hard to close the gaps. Then as everyone frantically tries to close those gaps (now all going at different speeds as they react at different times), they are forced to brake as the gaps close again.

 

This concertina effect of stretching and contracting breaks up the cohesion of the bunch.

 

It tires everyone out, messes up the pace of the bunch, causes dangerous riding conditions from the constant accelerations and braking, and the group inevitably splits.

 

 

Good point this. It makes me think of our phone call before the D2D (Slowing down using the wind, and others not trying to get the space) Maybe you should explain it here again for others.

[tombeej]

What I said earlier about surging: I think I need to clarify something in case there's any misconception.

 

My pet hate with regards to riders who pull too hard on the front is aimed only at those people who think they need to accelerate when they get to to the front. That's where the problem comes in.

 

For the naturally strong riders who are holding a steady pace for the group, but some find they are just not able to hang on behind - these guys have done nothing wrong. So don't get upset with a strong guy who's just going too fast at his/her steady pace. Just ask them to please slow down for you a bit (they probably don't realise what they're doing and will be only too happy to drop their speed slightly for you).

 

But you're welcome to rain all manner of hellfire down on the chop who thinks they need to accelerate when they get to the front to show how good they are, go on a mad tear-away for 200m, stuff up the bunch, and then sit up because now they're blown and want to come in a sit in the group again.

Edited November 3, 2015 by tombeej

[ahmedbadat]

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.

ja thats true about only 11 people going sub 3 but i doubt all 11 were working together, so we stand a very good chance then of doing sub 3 since we planning from the start to all work together

[Firozfx]

I must apologise in advance. I have a tendency to fall off the group on steep hills. So I try to get near the front or surge past group before the climb, so that I filter back over the climb. And hope I'm at the tail end at the top. I am not a good climber at all.

[Tubehunter]

ja thats true about only 11 people going sub 3 but i doubt all 11 were working together, so we stand a very good chance then of doing sub 3 since we planning from the start to all work together

 

You make up so much more time by riding a constant effort across the full distance of the course, than having to recover from constant efforts of surging and slowing down to match a disorganised group. IF you guys are able to get this rolling turns paceline working through the full distance of the event, you're likely to ride at least 10% better than you planned for across the whole race distance! 

 

For those of us not going up to the big smoke for the 94.7 this year, this has been a very interesting thread to follow! Hopefully a whole crew of bunch riding skills are acquired in this I-team sub 3 bus you guys are pulling together! It will take a core of at least 4 chaps who know how to ride well together already to get everyone else organised too! 

 

The easiest way to ensure the chap coming through does not feel like he needs to accelerate is if the chap at the front pulling over at the end of his turn soft peddles when he pulls over. Stronger riders often pull over, but don't ease off and keep their effort constant, forcing the paceline to accelerate to get by, which causes the breaks and surging in effort further back! 

 

Good luck to you all! EXPECT a PROPER race report in this thread after too!!!!

Edited November 3, 2015 by Tubehunter

[ahmedbadat]

You make up so much more time by riding a constant effort across the full distance of the course, than having to recover from constant efforts of surging and slowing down to match a disorganised group. IF you guys are able to get this rolling turns paceline working through the full distance of the event, you're likely to ride at least 10% better than you planned for across the whole race distance! 

 

For those of us not going up to the big smoke for the 94.7 this year, this has been a very interesting thread to follow! Hopefully a whole crew of bunch riding skills are acquired in this I-team sub 3 bus you guys are pulling together! It will take a core of at least 4 chaps who know how to ride well together already to get everyone else organised too! 

 

The easiest way to ensure the chap coming through does not feel like he needs to accelerate is if the chap at the front pulling over at the end of his turn soft peddles when he pulls over. Stronger riders often pull over, but don't ease off and keep their effort constant, forcing the paceline to accelerate to get by, which causes the breaks and surging in effort further back! 

 

Good luck to you all! EXPECT a PROPER race report in this thread after too!!!!

the biggest challenge for me is the pacing of the race in general by that i mean over the entire distance, what pace do we start with do you factor in fatigue at the end and make up time in the start, what pace to ride the various hills, are there sections where we will recover, the experienced guys will have alot of controlling and talking to do in the race to keep us in check