Current affairs and training

[TheSniper]

In recent years, there's been alot of talk about lower grades getting increasingly higher speeds.
I can imagine this is due to a current change developing in the racing mentaility in town- regardless of what club you're in and what cafe you go to. I am supposing that this development may bring about new trends in racing formats and maybe even handicapping and/or grading. Local racing has been nurturing this fetish for some time.
Being able to view things from the outside and listening to what you guys are saying, I'd suggest you're very keen for it, even though you might not often voice this desire.
Lower grade riders should be encouraged more and praised for their participation. Sponsors and organisation- your best mates are often in lower grades.
Higher grade riders may want to rethink their current form.
Many a hard foe has faded from grace, maybe more are to follow.

[spandexcstacy]

Dear Sniper (sorry..."The Sniper),

That is a great comment.

I will shout the next beer for that one!


Spandexcstacy

[TheSniper]

Thankyou Spandextacy. I'll get the chaser!

[Metro Commuter]

Sniper,

Well said indeed.  As someone unfortunate enough to slide back a grade, the new lower grade seems to be a lot faster than it was when I passed through it on my way up.  The gaps between some grades seems narrower, except perhaps between B and A grade which might have grown a little.  In some ways the difference between two grades has more to do with race craft than physical prowess.

I agree that lower grade riders should be encouraged, and that some in higher grades should be a little more respectful of lower grades.

However, the lower grades do have a voice on the committees of at least KOCC and HVVCC, and certainly in the case of KOCC it is the higher grades that are not at as well catered for. I am not sure, however, whether the real wishes of all of those in those lower grades are conveyed to the committees.

The way I see it, and it may be a little "bolshie" of me, the clubs ultimately provides a race organising service to riders - the club that provides the service the riders want (which may be different to what the clubs think the riders want) will be the club that suceeds.

MC

[giantcfr1]

I have noticed a huge change as well in my 10 year absence from cycling. I was 14 when i rode my first A grade race and I left cycling as a state champion, but when i had my first race earlier this year I couldn't believe the speeds that C grade were doing - just as fast as the A graders when i was racing. I think it has been good for cycling and i have noticed that competitive cyclists now are alot more friendly and encouraging than 10 years ago. The social aspect is much more prevalent and i am feeling encouraged about returning to the sport.

[TheSniper]

That's a great point and well pointed out that racing race indeed changed. When I startd i knew nothing except i wanted to ride. I didn't understand that to be member of one club, you weren't supposed to race elsewhere if races were on the same day-luckily they let me ride. If it was disheartening for me- what about others?
Im grateful things have changed and continue to. More social approaches will indeed open the doors to others who are new to cycling-just what we want. I value my sport increasingly daily- and I think we should look to view it as a priveledge that we can do it. maybe not as often as we like for now-but with more more numbers comes people, come families and so on. Maybe it can become more normal to cycle sooner to the general public-less deaths, less injuries and more progress sooner for us all. It's touchy feely but- it works well for me-why not others?
Thanks for your valued inputs!

[hilljockey]

I couldn't believe the speeds that C grade were doing - just as fast as the A graders when i was racing

That's interesting.

Not been in the sport for long and am under the impression that local racing is a bit lightweight.

In the Kermesse last weekend only a couple of local A graders were state A grade.  The rest were B (don't know if any were C).

Local C graders were state E to F.

Of course if it's just a speed based assessment, it's really not too hard to maintain a decent speed around KI.  The racing seems to be more a case of just wind it up and keep it there.  Suits the sprinters and non-trainers who can just sit in.  So, while it's fast, it's not necessarily hard.  The hardest races (in my limited experience) have had a relatively sedate average speed but strong attacks and hard chases thrown in at regular intervals.

[Boostland]

I couldn't believe the speeds that C grade were doing - just as fast as the A graders when i was racing.

Are you sure it's not just that age has taken it's toll

I really don't think that there is a massive difference in A grade compared to years ago when I raced it, there are a lot more riders however in the various A grades around the area, the speeds of the lower grades did seem higher when I first came back to racing after a ~15 year break, getting put in C grade for my first race back and getting dropped on the first lap let me know I needed to be in D and train a lot more.

With a few months of solid training I went from being just able to hang on the back of D to being able to sit on the front for most of the race and place in the sprint, I could have gone up a grade faster by sitting on and winning the sprint but I wanted to get to the next grade and be able to ride near the front and swap turns.

So hang in there find some bunch rides or some buddies to ride with and turn up and race as many races as you can doing as much work as you can and I am sure you will find yourself back up the grades in no time flat, knowing how to race and train from being in A grade before is a massive advantage to someone that is just starting out and has to learn race craft as well.

Note that years ago if you were too fast and female it appears you could be banned from racing.

http://www.bicyclehistory.com.au/cyclists.htm

MOST EMBARRASSING WINNERS:

NSW women cyclists Barbara Whitcher (Newcastle) and Margaret McLachlan
(Dulwich Hill) were barred from racing against male cyclists in their clubs after winning
several events.

[giantcfr1]

Im sure age has something to do with it - but i kept training diaries which outlined all the information about my training and racing - and the average speeds were only just above the first C grade ride i had earlier this year.

[drv31t]

For me, the social aspect of the local scene is great. Most guys say hi, & are only too helpful when asked for advice. As for the racing, the vets have a great system to start the novice in F grade, where they have the opportunity to get their skills up to speed, & learn from some of the senior riders in the club. I like this system, to many people jump in the deep end, then can't swim, so they get swamped, & this can be demorilising.

Yes training can make you fitter & faster, but that is no good if you are not wiser.

[Boostland]

Im sure age has something to do with it - but i kept training diaries which outlined all the information about my training and racing - and the average speeds were only just above the first C grade ride i had earlier this year.

I have noticed that C grade seems to do similar average speeds to B, but B is harder as C tends to have less attacks and can keep a higher average as a result, B also can do similar average speeds to A but the attacks in B tend to be slower and shorter.
Lots of the time A can be going not that much over 30 km/h with riders all looking at each other then bam a big long attack at 50 + km/h followed by a counter attack, then another look at one another before another attack is launched.

In a handicap or time trial it all changes when you see the scratch riders doing 11 min laps around Kooragang.

Tomorrows time trial will show the differences in speed

[Metro Commuter]

Im sure age has something to do with it - but i kept training diaries which outlined all the information about my training and racing - and the average speeds were only just above the first C grade ride i had earlier this year.

I have noticed that C grade seems to do similar average speeds to B, but B is harder as C tends to have less attacks and can keep a higher average as a result, B also can do similar average speeds to A but the attacks in B tend to be slower and shorter.
Lots of the time A can be going not that much over 30 km/h with riders all looking at each other then bam a big long attack at 50 + km/h followed by a counter attack, then another look at one another before another attack is launched.

As always, 100% correct.  You could be The Ferret, but with manners.

[TheSniper]

"I have noticed that C grade seems to do similar average speeds to B, but B is harder as C tends to have less attacks and can keep a higher average as a result, B also can do similar average speeds to A but the attacks in B tend to be slower and shorter.
Lots of the time A can be going not that much over 30 km/h with riders all looking at each other then bam a big long attack at 50 + km/h followed by a counter attack, then another look at one another before another attack is launched."

On target with that little burst there Metro. A does operate at repeated hits quite often. B is like an Irish pub brawl on St Patrick's Day, c grade is a brawl at McDonalds just before breakfast finishes-no offence. I can't help feeling like playing it to training slower and doing cafe crawling and hitting the races harder less often-sprinter style. If you can repeat the intensity it seems you'll be in with a decent chance in A grade. I love my age- you don't get involved in the worm-ridden details of the fast paced life.