The i team revisited / new roadie hubbers

[ScottCM]

There was never a plan to ride the 947 as the "new" I Team.

It's all about starting in 2017 at smaller races and possibly training rides.

 

Ah, thanks for the info Gerlad. When i saw this thread pop up initially and the 1st post was about the 947 i didn't follow it any further as i took a year sabbatical from riding and will only be back at the fast one in Jan. 

[Frosty]

Ah, thanks for the info Gerlad. When i saw this thread pop up initially and the 1st post was about the 947 i didn't follow it any further as i took a year sabbatical from riding and will only be back at the fast one in Jan. 

The I Team discussion sort of resurfaced after the winds caused havoc at the CCMNC. Patch was surprised to see a few guys kill themselves at the front while others suck wheel and expect to get a free ride and good time. If everyone worked together, they could possibly get an even quicker time.

 

From there it turned to "How does one share the workload? How long do I spend on the front? and other questions".

 

And finally it was agreed that some of us would help show, while others in need of help would get together to be shown - on training rides and at smaller races where the groups aren't as big, or influenced by riders not interested in this.

 

3-Dec is the first "training/introductory" ride, and I'm sure there will be a race or two where the guys can "practice".

[ScottCM]

Where and at what time on the 3rd?

What is the expected duration as its my sons birthday party and guest start arriving at 9am.

 

EDIT: How presumptuous of me, is it still open for another tag along?

[Pikey]

Still in & trailer park still in as far I know .

[Frosty]

Where and at what time on the 3rd?

What is the expected duration as its my sons birthday party and guest start arriving at 9am.

 

EDIT: How presumptuous of me, is it still open for another tag along?

6:45 at the Circus, to be ready to ride at 07:00.

 

Duration? Don't think we got that far yet. I'm guessing 2-3 hours at a pace suitable for the slowest person to keep up.

 

Perhaps the inter-club/provincials champs route is best as it is 22km long and passes the entrance to the Circus every time. If you're pressed for time and can only ride for a lap or two, then it gives you the opportunity to bail when passing the entrance.

[ScottCM]

That's an awesome plan, I'm in for a first lap. 

[Patchelicious]

Yay, only 5 more sleeps!

[Monark]

This is a great initiative gents. With regular group riding people will soon starting sharing the work up front. To those doing the mentoring start the day with a discussion about what you want to achieve and anything people need to avoid doing.

 

Team Batsalani here in Durban does this with new riders and it works. An informed rider is a safe one.

[Gen]

Bout the only time I will ever say that I wished I lived in the city, atm I would benefit so much from this.. great job guys so many people will get the help and advice they need.

[Ryinc]

Guys a couple of suggestions from my side:

• Shall we honour BDF (fallen hubber last weekend on the roads) in some way on Saturday morning? Perhaps a minute's silence or something similar. Perhaps we can post a picture of the ride on the relevant BDF thread.
• If there are more than 12 or 15 people, i think we should perhaps split into two groups to keep it manageable.
• Can i suggest we put one/two  people "in charge" (i nominate Gerald, if he is willing) who briefs everybody with instructions and ground rules at 7:00 (everybody there 6.45am), if there are too many (or no clear) chiefs calling the shots, etc it has the potential to turn into chaos. The job of the remaining "strong" riders is then to help implement the key ideas Gerald (or whoever is the hoofseun) is trying to get across in practice, not to try overload everybody with their own 100 pearls of wisdom - there is time for that down the line.
• The 22km lap idea is good, mentally it might also help with pacing a "slow lap", then slightly faster as everybody gets the hang of it. Perhaps on the last lap we can have a bit of fun, and group into teams of 4 and do a "team time trial" with the rule that no person is allowed to sit on the front for longer than 10-15 seconds, and everybody in the team needs to rotate before you sit on the front again (obviously this will be self-regulated) - team "time" is for the last member of the team, so you have to work as a team and you can't drop anybody. Just an idea, might make it fun but also realise perhaps not suitable for the first ride.

 

See you guys Saturday.

[RyanAW]

Guys a couple of suggestions from my side:

• Shall we honour BDF (fallen hubber last weekend on the roads) in some way on Saturday morning? Perhaps a minute's silence or something similar. Perhaps we can post a picture of the ride on the relevant BDF thread.
• If there are more than 12 or 15 people, i think we should perhaps split into two groups to keep it manageable.
• Can i suggest we put one/two  people "in charge" (i nominate Gerald, if he is willing) who briefs everybody with instructions and ground rules at 7:00 (everybody there 6.45am), if there are too many (or no clear) chiefs calling the shots, etc it has the potential to turn into chaos. The job of the remaining "strong" riders is then to help implement the key ideas Gerald (or whoever is the hoofseun) is trying to get across in practice, not to try overload everybody with their own 100 pearls of wisdom - there is time for that down the line.
• The 22km lap idea is good, mentally it might also help with pacing a "slow lap", then slightly faster as everybody gets the hang of it. Perhaps on the last lap we can have a bit of fun, and group into teams of 4 and do a "team time trial" with the rule that no person is allowed to sit on the front for longer than 10-15 seconds, and everybody in the team needs to rotate before you sit on the front again (obviously this will be self-regulated) - team "time" is for the last member of the team, so you have to work as a team and you can't drop anybody. Just an idea, might make it fun but also realise perhaps not suitable for the first ride.

 

See you guys Saturday.

I like those ideas. I think a 10-15 minute planning/briefing session is essential to get everyone on the same boat

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Watching this from far .

Was in the same boat almost 30 years ago and fortunately had a few guys who took me on rides and taught me a lot .

Most important for bunch riding for a common goal : do not increase the speed when you go to the front .

Good luck with this effort . With people doing a lot of spinning I see riders who's strength is above their bunch skill levels .

[Frosty]

We all assume (to make an a$$ out of u and me) that everyone knows where the circus coffee shop is? The same start venue for the Race for Victory - GPS co-ords on Google Maps (https://goo.gl/maps/sPkBUjwc9d42) are  -26.4882925,28.0601591

 

Be ready to ride at 07:00

 

Let's approach it the same I would most races:

Here is the route map for the inter club circuit (22Km, 114m of elevation gain per lap):

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17887205

 

Then, if it's in an area I don't usually train in, I look for the prevailing wind direction. Here in the souf, it blows from the northerly directions (NW, NNW, N, NNE). The beastly easterly normally indicates a tough ride in the wind. For this coming weekend, it currently forecast to be a howler - which would actually suit the training perfectly (cross winds) - even though it could change quite a bit before the weekend.

 

Lastly, each person needs to be brutally honest w.r.t. their abilities (or lack of). The first 4Km is flat and usually into the wind, the left turn is then followed by two drags (the first one shorter than the second). Another left turn has some rolling flats followed by a short 400m hill before the final 5Km downhill to the last few turns. The roads are narrow (no shoulder), but traffic is not that busy for it to be of concern.

 

Below is an example of riding in a paceline (rotating left or right depending on the wind direction). Ideally we need experienced riders equally spaced in the paceline, to help guide the others.

 

Attached is some additional information about pacelines and echelons. Unfortunately we can't ride in an echelon without full road closure - but I'm sure some of you may have seen this used in the road World Champs with great success. edit: forgot to attach the paceline file.

Pacelines.pdf

[Francois Du Rand]

I can't wait for this!!!! :w00t:

[Cycotic]

We all assume (to make an a$$ out of u and me) that everyone knows where the circus coffee shop is? The same start venue for the Race for Victory - GPS co-ords on Google Maps (https://goo.gl/maps/sPkBUjwc9d42) are  -26.4882925,28.0601591

 

Be ready to ride at 07:00

 

Let's approach it the same I would most races:

 

Here is the route map for the inter club circuit (22Km, 114m of elevation gain per lap):

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17887205

Interclub route.PNG

 

Then, if it's in an area I don't usually train in, I look for the prevailing wind direction. Here in the souf, it blows from the northerly directions (NW, NNW, N, NNE). The beastly easterly normally indicates a tough ride in the wind. For this coming weekend, it currently forecast to be a howler - which would actually suit the training perfectly (cross winds) - even though it could change quite a bit before the weekend.

wind.PNG

 

Lastly, each person needs to be brutally honest w.r.t. their abilities (or lack of). The first 4Km is flat and usually into the wind, the left turn is then followed by two drags (the first one shorter than the second). Another left turn has some rolling flats followed by a short 400m hill before the final 5Km downhill to the last few turns. The roads are narrow (no shoulder), but traffic is not that busy for it to be of concern.

 

Below is an example of riding in a paceline (rotating left or right depending on the wind direction). Ideally we need experienced riders equally spaced in the paceline, to help guide the others.

rotating paceline.png

 

Attached is some additional information about pacelines and echelons. Unfortunately we can't ride in an echelon without full road closure - but I'm sure some of you may have seen this used in the road World Champs with great success. edit: forgot to attach the paceline file.

Pacelines.pdf

 

Great summary and info Gerald. Do you have any suggestions on what the basis is for defining our ability? I know its difficult, but we need to be able to compare ourselves to something so that we can be as brutally honest as you suggest. As they say, everything is relative.

[Frosty]

Great summary and info Gerald. Do you have any suggestions on what the basis is for defining our ability? I know its difficult, but we need to be able to compare ourselves to something so that we can be as brutally honest as you suggest. As they say, everything is relative.

I would say riding at a specific pace, and holding it there for 60km.

 

Even though we'll probably start off slow and build from there, the person that is unable to ride at an agreed pace will struggle.

 

It's hard to use a race as an example, as the guys sitting in a bunch will find it easier to hold a high pace compared to riding on their own.

 

Anyone else - feel free to add to this.