Randyberlin
Guru
- Location
- Sitka, Alaska
Any Al update?
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
Amazing effort by Al.
Can’t imagine how painful and difficult it must have been. Like Tommy suggests there must have been a time for some deep contemplation and dark places.
Well done Al 👏👏👏👏👏🏔
Can’t imagine how painful and difficult it must have been. Like Tommy suggests there must have been a time for some deep contemplation and dark places.
Well done Al 👏👏👏👏👏🏔
Just checking up on people's thoughts about this Wednesday's TTT.
We've got a few people out with race commitments, injuries, possible work issues......... and one guy has even broken his bike! (-1 out of 10 for that BTW). And Al may still be sitting in a bucket of ice by Wednesday!
Should we postpone to the following Wednesday?
We've got a few people out with race commitments, injuries, possible work issues......... and one guy has even broken his bike! (-1 out of 10 for that BTW). And Al may still be sitting in a bucket of ice by Wednesday!
Should we postpone to the following Wednesday?
I'm 100% not able to do it either this week - sorry.
I did a recce of the Harrogate UCI course earlier ... it's gonna be a lumpy, technical race!
Out the traps we have about 0.5 km to get into a good position in the blob before we hit the long drag - about 1.5km at an ave of 4%. Nothing too steep, but get stuck behind someone who can't hold the pace and it could be easy to get caught in a sticky draft and dropped.
At about 2km it starts rolling - some big downs and short, sharp ups. Really watch for the little ups as not getting on the power fast enough could see you getting dropped.
Coming into the KoM there is a sharp decent, then a tight left hander where the KoM starts - should get a nice slingshot into the KoM if you're a few wheels back getting a nice draft (try not to be at the front with everyone else drafting you!)
The KoM is probably 3-4 minutes for most of us. My PB is 3:02 but today I did it in 3:40 at an average power of 246 (3.4 w/kg). Try not to go off too fast too soon as it kicks up after the traffic roundabout about 1/2 way up - this is where I got dropped by the Danes in the previous league
Once over the top is a good descent back into town then sharp left and a drag up to the only sprint. Not a climb as such but a drag. The sprint itself is quite long and is a slight uphill. Thing is though, the rider to take the KoM points will most likely take the sprint too.
It's then down hill, left into the run in to the start line - again, a drag up to the start banner. For me, the tactic here is to just try and grab any wheel I can as getting dropped here means you'll be starting the second lap, and that long nasty drag, on your own. If there are a couple of riders chasing you here, it might even be sensible to save some energy and let them chase on so that you ca ride together to the KoM.
Given the nature of the course I can't see many groups staying together - any groups that are 4 riders or more with have a distinct advantage over solo riders.
Last time we did a Harrogate course on a Danish league (not this one, but similar terrain) Del and I ended up on our own after the first KoM. It was really useful having that extra wheel to help. We picked up other riders as we went. Might be the same tactic tomorrow!
Out the traps we have about 0.5 km to get into a good position in the blob before we hit the long drag - about 1.5km at an ave of 4%. Nothing too steep, but get stuck behind someone who can't hold the pace and it could be easy to get caught in a sticky draft and dropped.
At about 2km it starts rolling - some big downs and short, sharp ups. Really watch for the little ups as not getting on the power fast enough could see you getting dropped.
Coming into the KoM there is a sharp decent, then a tight left hander where the KoM starts - should get a nice slingshot into the KoM if you're a few wheels back getting a nice draft (try not to be at the front with everyone else drafting you!)
The KoM is probably 3-4 minutes for most of us. My PB is 3:02 but today I did it in 3:40 at an average power of 246 (3.4 w/kg). Try not to go off too fast too soon as it kicks up after the traffic roundabout about 1/2 way up - this is where I got dropped by the Danes in the previous league
Once over the top is a good descent back into town then sharp left and a drag up to the only sprint. Not a climb as such but a drag. The sprint itself is quite long and is a slight uphill. Thing is though, the rider to take the KoM points will most likely take the sprint too.
It's then down hill, left into the run in to the start line - again, a drag up to the start banner. For me, the tactic here is to just try and grab any wheel I can as getting dropped here means you'll be starting the second lap, and that long nasty drag, on your own. If there are a couple of riders chasing you here, it might even be sensible to save some energy and let them chase on so that you ca ride together to the KoM.
Given the nature of the course I can't see many groups staying together - any groups that are 4 riders or more with have a distinct advantage over solo riders.
Last time we did a Harrogate course on a Danish league (not this one, but similar terrain) Del and I ended up on our own after the first KoM. It was really useful having that extra wheel to help. We picked up other riders as we went. Might be the same tactic tomorrow!
Last edited:
Yes that was my farewell to C.
Memorable ride. We worked really well together.
You pipped the other guy in our group in the sprint after we'd reeled him back in when he'd attacked us!
Yes, really enjoyed that ride. I think we both had moments where we were struggling, but just having that friendly wheel to follow really helped. I got him on the line, only to find out he wasn't even registered on ZP
It was indeed your farewell ride. You've progressed since then and I'm still stagnant
I'm kinda hoping Brendan, Michael, Chris, Andy, Adam all fancy a little group ride tomorrow .... we could put our little TTT training to good practice
Thanks again guys truly humbled by all the support today.
I defiantly went out too fast - first 5 ascents averaging under the hour. 6 got though but Ascent 7 Was horrible I was ready to cry - a friend joined me and gave me a video call and after 15 mins I had to hang up as I couldn’t talk was feeling physically sick - the thought of another sugary drink was making the tummy turn.
I had a longer rest with some savoury food and a first gel and that seemed to give me the boost I needed. Ascent 8 felt much better and I was joined again by some guys from my local club. A quick turnaround on the descent and I went straight into the final half lap. Felt so good to finish and I put in a bit extra to be sure to be sure
Thanks everyone for dropping in during the day. The messages really helped and sorry if I didn’t reply at the time. I think it was @berty bassett who was chatting to me in my darkest hour with some light hearted remarks which I couldn’t reply to. And @Whorty I seen your message pop up but then I think I turned or something and couldn’t reply.
I was telling the wife what a great bunch you all are - but the caffeine and sugar are wearing off so I must tell her the truth.
I defiantly went out too fast - first 5 ascents averaging under the hour. 6 got though but Ascent 7 Was horrible I was ready to cry - a friend joined me and gave me a video call and after 15 mins I had to hang up as I couldn’t talk was feeling physically sick - the thought of another sugary drink was making the tummy turn.
I had a longer rest with some savoury food and a first gel and that seemed to give me the boost I needed. Ascent 8 felt much better and I was joined again by some guys from my local club. A quick turnaround on the descent and I went straight into the final half lap. Felt so good to finish and I put in a bit extra to be sure to be sure
Thanks everyone for dropping in during the day. The messages really helped and sorry if I didn’t reply at the time. I think it was @berty bassett who was chatting to me in my darkest hour with some light hearted remarks which I couldn’t reply to. And @Whorty I seen your message pop up but then I think I turned or something and couldn’t reply.
I was telling the wife what a great bunch you all are - but the caffeine and sugar are wearing off so I must tell her the truth.
Brendan Parker
Veteran
- Location
- essex, england
Not racing today mate sorry. I have the 3R league tomorrow. As I started this one from the start I’m concentrating on that one and will prob go outside today for an easy as it’s nice.Yes, really enjoyed that ride. I think we both had moments where we were struggling, but just having that friendly wheel to follow really helped. I got him on the line, only to find out he wasn't even registered on ZP
It was indeed your farewell ride. You've progressed since then and I'm still stagnant
I'm kinda hoping Brendan, Michael, Chris, Andy, Adam all fancy a little group ride tomorrow .... we could put our little TTT training to good practice
will tune in and watch though so good luck all
berty bassett
Legendary Member
- Location
- I'boro
@IrishAl - are we racing today ?
Think for the first time I might have the edge 😁
It wasn’t me who you were talking to , I was firmly in the camp of ‘leave him alone with his demons ‘ as I think that’s how I would like to be treated
Of course I am honoured you think of me while you are hallucinating
Bloody well done sir
Think for the first time I might have the edge 😁
It wasn’t me who you were talking to , I was firmly in the camp of ‘leave him alone with his demons ‘ as I think that’s how I would like to be treated
Of course I am honoured you think of me while you are hallucinating
Bloody well done sir
