The i team revisited / new roadie hubbers

[V12man]

Thats another thing I had in the back of my mind age. The younger hubbers will benifit more than those of us on the right side of 40 . I get frustrated with myself but need to remember it's harder the older you get.

fixed it for you...

[NotSoBigBen]

Thats another thing I had in the back of my mind age. The younger hubbers will benifit more than those of us on the wrong side of 40 . I get frustrated with myself but need to remember it's harder the older you get.

 

I never use my age as an 'excuse', they won't be better than me JUST because they younger, they will by training harder though

[TheBikeRoom]

I am definitely keen for this.  Would love to have a few guys work at as a team and to learn a few tips.  I am seeded in G for 947 this year.

[Job]

I would also be interested in this.  I am new to road bike racing - have only done 6 races.  

An added issue for me is that I start slow, which means I can never stay with the batch I am starting with - and I have to latch onto passing groups.  If I can improve some techniques, learn from more experienced riders, etc it will be a awesome.  I am more than willing to do my fair share at the front as well, just normally don't get the chance

 

Starting slow has never been a problem in mountain bike races as I tend to pass a lot of people towards the end of the race and finish in the top third of the field, but in road races I am a lot more "exposed" and normally end in the bottom third of the field.

I stayed with my starting batch this past weekend at Carnival, but burnt too many matches at the start and got spat out the back of my bunch around the 35km mark - and then had to solo home, latching onto people here and there

Get rollers and warmup before race.

[Pikey]

I never use my age as an 'excuse', they won't be better than me JUST because they younger, they will by training harder though

sir you are the exception not the norm . If I am as fit and strong as you when I am your age ,man I'll be chuffed ????

[Job]

Can one of the geniuses assist us by making a spreadsheet where we can add our names and start groups. We will then work together and take turns in the front during 94.7. Later we can discuss which group will be our start group.

[Pikey]

Can one of the geniuses assist us by making a spreadsheet where we can add our names and start groups. We will then work together and take turns in the front during 94.7. Later we can discuss which group will be our start group.

there is already a spread sheet in the 94.7 start times thread. But I have no,idea how to import it to this thread...

[Fat Boab]

i am also not a fast starter,and went with the front group for the first 50km but realized when I was getting dropped that if I continued I would bonk. So backed off and road solo for a very short while fortunately .

 

My biggest issue with races like this wkd is fast and flat . I don't have that raw power ,but if I can find a rhythm I'm ok. But find it hard to get into any rhythm in a race.

Those explosive bursts can blow me off the back if I try go with them ,so now I don't .

But like you said then you ride solo. And that's worse. I rode solo for 50k. Odd at the shova...wasn't easy

 

 

A couple of thoughts (and I'm no racer, but they work for me...):

 

1. as others have said, warm-up beforehand. I took my trainer with at last year's 947 and warmed up on it in the car-park. Much comedy value for those around me, but Pook's Hill felt quite comfortable. 

 

2. as for the need/ability for explosive bursts, sometimes it's the inability to anticipate situations where a surge will 'naturally' go through a group that leaves one having to kick it up eg start of a rolling hill, a turn, narrowing of the road etc. If you anticipate those situations, sometimes you can respond more controllably? It's one of those race-awareness things that the experienced okes can pass on in the moment. The other thing is to train to be able to pick it up to close a gap. We often train to our programs eg my interval starts in a known distance or time, rather than having to respond to an external factor. I know that I get quite flustered when my training partner calls a tempo without consulting me! Presumably groups/clubs throw random sprints, surges in to a ride to train this?

[Veebee]

I am keen to join also - I am starting in "I" group at 947. 

 

Whats the possibility of getting those interested to meet up this weekend for a chilled ride, get to know each other and find out what our strengths and weaknesses are so come race day, we have an idea of what to expect.

[JanJan]

I respect the effort that a few of the Hubbers are doing for the I-Team, but I don't think getting together in the pens for the first time and gauge the experience/speed of the team will work at all to get good results.

 

I'm commiting to race 94.7 next year and that gives me a year to train for it. How about a few training rides doing the Cradle-, Lido- and Tyger Valley loops where we can simulate racing conditions? I can setup a few dates during next year where we can organize group rides with the sole purpose of gaining racing-skillz such as aero-tucks, echelon riding, surge-stopping and spacing.

 

The impromptu nature of the I-Team maybe it's unique identity, but with a bit of plannning can be much more effective.

 

Best of luck to everyone riding for the I-team, this post wasn't intended to be negative.

[Pikey]

I respect the effort that a few of the Hubbers are doing for the I-Team, but I don't think getting together in the pens for the first time and gauge the experience/speed of the team will work at all to get good results.

 

I'm commiting to race 94.7 next year and that gives me a year to train for it. How about a few training rides doing the Cradle-, Lido- and Tyger Valley loops where we can simulate racing conditions? I can setup a few dates during next year where we can organize group rides with the sole purpose of gaining racing-skillz such as aero-tucks, echelon riding, surge-stopping and spacing.

 

The impromptu nature of the I-Team maybe it's unique identity, but with a bit of plannning can be much more effective.

 

Best of luck to everyone riding for the I-team, this post wasn't intended to be negative.

100% agree with you. Nothing beats being prepared in anything in life and next year hopefully we will have a decent plan of action and common goal for most with the reality of making it. Any and all advise is welcome as this is a thread for ideas and knowledgable people sharing there experience .

[sdaghers]

I'm definitely keen on this... Got a few races under my belt so I'm always ready to learn more

[Pikey]

I am keen to join also - I am starting in "I" group at 947.

 

Whats the possibility of getting those interested to meet up this weekend for a chilled ride, get to know each other and find out what our strengths and weaknesses are so come race day, we have an idea of what to expect.

i am happy to meet up with anyone this wkd. Even if we decide that it's to short a notice and not going to work. At least we will have platform to start from .

 

And an idea of how many are in .

[NordicElf]

there is already a spread sheet in the 94.7 start times thread. But I have no,idea how to import it to this thread...

the 947 spreadsheet is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SGJldM3M-jA2oMGFZte4eCXmT_IsIOrwGXAlonzYdcA/edit#gid=0

[Veebee]

Get a list going. Just copy, paste and add your name.

 

1. Pikey

2. Veez

3. sdaghers

4. Paulmack

5. Frost

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

[Fat Boab]

i am happy to meet up with anyone this wkd. Even if we decide that it's to short a notice and not going to work. At least we will have platform to start from .

 

And an idea of how many are in .

 

FWIW, let me declare I'm not riding 947 this year, so I won't be taking an active part before or during. Maybe I'll kick my arse in gear afterwards and would be keen for a play round the cradle? I'll keep my eyes peeled. 

 

Just one thought - if there was an impromptu Cradle ride planned for this weekend - don't forget half of JHB will be riding round there. You might want a bit more peace & quiet to suss one another out?