Graded Criterium - Tennis Centre Homebush Bay

[micklan]

This will be held by Waratah Veterans club next Sunday 27 Apr 2008 08:00 and 09:00am
1. can anyone shed light on graded criterium? = same as Heffron?
2. why the differing start times
3. Bill you interested in going in this - or anyone else planning?


Also note: Entries for the 'Eddy Salas Cycles Cup' close this Sunday, April 20. The event is a graded scratch race to be held at Eastern Creek Raceway. Prizes will be in excess of $3,000. Entries can be made on line via the Cycling NSW web site.

[mikesbytes]

I've done these in the past, they are on a flat smooth course that, off memory is a bit over 1k per lap. Average speed is therefor higher than Heffron park for the same effort.

In my opinion the grades do not exactly match one grade up ie;
HE = WD
HD = WC
HC = WB
HB = WA

I'd recommend C grade for you Michael, which will average (I think) between 34 and 36kph.

If I ride I'll be riding in B grade, which will average somewhere between 38 and 40kph.

[williamd]

Mick

I would like to go but unfortunately my son has soccer on at that time on Sunday.

[mcrkennedy]

Michael

I will be there too. Warath's run a traditional crit with set amount of time plus two or three laps. If you have not done it before the course is basically an oval with a sharpish sweeping bend at one end, close to a hairpin and a 90 degree right hander at the other end.

[micklan]

basically an oval with a sharpish sweeping bend at one end, close to a hairpin and a 90 degree right hander at the other end.

At Olympic Park, adjacent to Tennis Centre right?

[mikesbytes]

At Olympic Park, adjacent to Tennis Centre right?

It goes around the tennis centre

[fixedgear]

I've done these in the past, they are on a flat smooth course that, off memory is a bit over 1k per lap. Average speed is therefor higher than Heffron park for the same effort.

In my opinion the grades do not exactly match one grade up ie;
HE = WD
HD = WC
HC = WB
HB = WA

I'd recommend C grade for you Michael, which will average (I think) between 34 and 36kph.

If I ride I'll be riding in B grade, which will average somewhere between 38 and 40kph.

I'd put the RBCC (Heffron) and WVCC equivalents as follows:

RBCC A and B = WVCC A
RBCC C and faster D = WVCC B
RBCC slower D = WVCC C
RBCC E = WVCC D
RBCC F = WVCC E

D Grade at RBCC has a wide range of abilities as evidenced by the number of 'OTA' every week in this grade. The same riders if riding in RBCC E grade are however sometimes too strong for that grade. The 'gaps' ie speed differences, between WVCC grades are somewhat less than that of RBCC.

[williamd]

micklan
Hey Mick there is a race at Oatley on Saturday at 2.30pm.
8 laps @ 3klm per lap=24klml. $5.00 entry fee

Are you interested in going.

[micklan]

micklan
Hey Mick there is a race at Oatley on Saturday at 2.30pm.
8 laps @ 3klm per lap=24klml. $5.00 entry fee

Are you interested in going.

Thanks Bill, got you PM see you at 12.30 for the ride down there. Micklan

[micklan]

Waratah Veterans C Grade Race report
This was a fast and enjoyable race
C grade had about 20 riders. Approx 35 kms completed, av 38.5 kph
DH riders spotted, McKennedy, Nick & Fixed Gear
Michelle Ferris won C grade in a bunch of about 10 going for the line, at finish I was behind them perhaps 30 metres, Fixed Gear beat me
Olympic Park tennis centre circuit is tight in sections, on final turn to straight one must be well positioned to corner have gear selected and hit the gas thru and out of corner (B grade stacked there today), passing other grades can complicate things, last lap C grade this occured, slow rider was nearing the final corner and if your not in that top bunch thru there then no chance...
cheers

(BTW: I got a racer from an Earlwood garage sale yesterday for $40, Pursuit, Road master, (has a sticker 7005 Full aluminium?) near to parallel dropouts. I think I'm buildin a Fixie! . Unless the frame is terminal...) I will post pics at a new thread

[mikesbytes]

Good racing Michael. That's a really high speed for Vet C grade, the reports of the average speed going up for the grades must be true.

[williamd]

Hey Mick

How did you manage two races in two days.

and how did you average 38k/h at Homesush.

[micklan]

Hey Mick

How did you manage two races in two days.

and how did you average 38k/h at Homesush.

took x 3 weetbix with milk & brown sugar and the circuit, it's totally flat mate

[mikesbytes]

took x 3 weetbix with milk & brown sugar

So that's the secret to a 8kph improvement in one day

[micklan]

So that's the secret to a 8kph improvement in one day

Correlation correct; 3 instead of 2 weetbix... - also factor in the lack of hills when compared with the Oatley region - and I drove to Olympic park...

[mcrkennedy]

D grade was fast as well I think. I was dropped but still managed 34 kph off the back and I estimate they were doing 35-36 kph. The bunch was faster. It is a flat course but those two sharp turn are a killer if you don't have good power and technique.

At the same pace I would have won E grade at Hefforn Park two week before.

[micklan]

http://www.erniesmithphoto.com.au/588%2 ... /Photo.htm

Some photos of the day at link above

[mikesbytes]

Michael L, I didn't spot you in the pictures, what shirt were you wearing.

Heres some photos of Michael McK and Nick.

[micklan]

I forgot my helmet and luckily was able to borrow one...had a plain red jersey on after using the DHBC for Oatley the day before - see below:

[mcrkennedy]

I think a major area for improvement for me is around the middle

[williamd]

Hey

the photos are great

Mc Kennedy looks like he is riding effortlessly.

Nick looks like he is giving it everything

Mike Lan looks like he is smiling

[mikesbytes]

I see that Michelle Ferris won C grade. She was training with us on Thursday Night.