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29/01/2010 09:35:11
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Crazy Pete
Posts 258
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I'm starting this thread off as a place for those in the know to post links to course routes.
As we discussed on Thursday 28th, it would be good for the less experienced racers to have a go on the actual race routes, but the problem with that at the moment is getting the course details. The notes from the CTT are a bit vague and road race routes appear only to be shared on a word of mouth basis.
There is some help, the club 10 route is available from the main site and there are some listings on forums like this one - http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18586
But only a small number of NorthWest courses are plotted. What I had in mind was something a bit more local, and comprehensive.
The number of riders in the club with GPS gizmos means we should be able to get this list up pretty quickly. I would ask that you share your info with your clubmates for the benefit of all. A link to the relevant Garmin page, or, if you want to keep your heartrate & speed info confidential, a screenshot of the map section would do.
Those without GPS could use Bikley or similar to plot routes. Here's one I made earlier...
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Time-Trial-Course-J2-1-10miles
Thanks, P.
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29/01/2010 10:14:08
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NickW
Posts 1386
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I agree riding and knowing a specific TT course will help your pacing strategy (although the good Tters can comment on this in more detail) and riding a RR course may help you think about postioning at various points in the race. However, imho the benefits you get from knowing a TT course are bigger than a RR. This is because pacing a TT you are in control, in a RR it's stay with the bunch, go on a break (when you are in control) or get dropped - so the pace is dicated by the bunch, not by you (unless you're driving it on the front). The other thing is that most RRs are typically 5 or 6 laps of a course. So even if you don't know it the first time round, you will by the 5th and 6th..
As for TLIs - the Lower Withington course is exactly the same as the club 10 except the finish line is about 1/2 mile further down Salters Lane than the start on the club 10s. Last year we did some chain gang and jump/bridging training on this circuit.
The CDNW road race series has links to a map of the race circuits once the start sheets go up (so they are not all yet available) so you can see the cmap before you go. So if you follow this link and then click on the "Start Sheets" tab, and then select a race you will see a link to the circuit maps for the first few races.
However, with the exception of a couple of circuits used for TLIs and Budworth for a couple of BC races, most BC RRs are 1 -2 hours drive away so, unless you are really keen, riding the circuit in advance isn't worth the travel. You'd be better using the travelling time training or racing. Looking at a map (and I tried this last year) of the circuit, even when you look at it on an OS map with contours, isnt going to tell you too much beyond it's flat, or j****s its hilly. The other thing is that riding a circuit on your own or in a small bunch is different to riding it with 60 other people. Corners that look easy on your own at 17-18 mph require a bit more concentration in a bunch at 22 mph. The race will also be different depending on how windy it is, what direction its coming from, whether its wet or dry and how fast the bunch is going.
My personal recommendation is that if anyone is considering riding certain road races, they post up and ask about people's views on the circuit. People who've ridden will be able to tell you much more about how to ride the circuit than the map will. I'd also say that imho as a newbie racer myself last season, learning to ride in a bunch, improving cornering, climbing, hanging on to the wheel in front even though your legs are on fire (and hoping the pace will ease a bit so you can recover) and responding to accelerations will give you much better preparation for riding a road race than practice riding the actual circuit will. In fact, just make sure you ride the chain gangs and hold on!
All this said, I did save some of the maps for the CDNWs last year (when i was trying to work out what a race would be like), including the Wheelers Budworth course. If anyone has a CDNW race in mind post up or pm and I'll see if I have it (I didnt do them all). If anyone wants to try a CDNW I also recommend the first 3 races, as except for the "Col d'Motorway" at Treales  they are all pretty flat so the bunch is more likely to stay together.
edited by NickW on 29/01/2010
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29/01/2010 10:57:56
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Crazy Pete
Posts 258
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Top stuff, Nick. That's welcome advice, thanks.
Keep it coming..
P.
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29/01/2010 11:16:54
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NickW
Posts 1386
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That's all I know 
EDIT - Plus this has a few pointers for RRing beginners http://www.manchesterwheelers.co.uk/cycling/road-races.htm
edited by NickW on 29/01/2010
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29/01/2010 14:21:39
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Si
Posts 1352
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Crazy Pete wrote:
Those are the main Cheshire courses though, or certainly those that are used in the Cheshire Points Series
10 Mile - J2/1
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/knutsford/329253936
10 Mile - J2/3
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/-holmes-chapel/899763161401
25 Mile - J2/9
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/knutsford/38456592
50 Mile - J4/16
Same course as J2/9
Others...
25 Mile - J5/8 ( Stoke )
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/stoke/299407448842
50 - J5/12
Extended version of above ( J5/8 )
If anyone is planning a TT and wants to know the course details then just post on the forum, you can guarantee that someone will have ridden it and can offer advice.
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30/01/2010 09:38:31
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viv
Posts 2546
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Theres some great info here. Im going to get it all together and create a new page on the wheelers website for local courses. Just post up or left richard weltman know if you find more info and want to add it to the page while im away. Thanks for the idea Pete, will get it sorted.
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01/02/2010 20:46:29
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Ben
Posts 726
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yep, for road racing, Nick is right, there aren't many course within riding distance, and they're not necessarily good roads anyhow.
In terms of 'practising' a road race course, most races are at least 6 laps of a circuit, and the winning break never goes on the first lap, so just pay attention during the first lap and note any danger points.
It's probably more important to gain confidence in the bunch, and make sure you're near the front as much as possible. That's something you can only practise by racing...
At least with TTs you can have a decent go on the course and time yourself, or get some power measurements to compare with during the real thing.
You can even practise hiding a carrier bag of food under a hedge to prepare for long distance TTs !
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