Mersey Roads '09

[Andydauddwr]

Think I'm mostly sorted now.  I have a day bike and a night bike, have been test-riding the day config today (was a quick commute) and hope to wrap up the night config shortly.  The sight of a planet-x with a Brooks is a little odd but still...

The remaining conundrum is do I bother with my aero helmet?  I'd never wear one for safety, but do the panel think it's worth anything in terms of aerodynamics.  Hoping to hold a tuck for the first 8 and the last 8 hours, with something a little more comfortable for the nighte state.

AC

[mattc]

Think I'm mostly sorted now.  I have a day bike and a night bike, have been test-riding the day config today (was a quick commute) and hope to wrap up the night config shortly.  The sight of a planet-x with a Brooks is a little odd but still...

Nik thingy (gardiner?) rode the same genuine road-bike (with tribars) for all 24hours last year (and I suspect, on previous 500mile+ rides)

The remaining conundrum is do I bother with my aero helmet?  I'd never wear one for safety, but do the panel think it's worth anything in terms of aerodynamics.  Hoping to hold a tuck for the first 8 and the last 8 hours, with something a little more comfortable for the nighte state.

Don't think a tuck is relevant - it'll help as long as you're not looking at your downtube [remember LeMond?!?]

I think the 'panel' here said they are the best VFM gain after tri-bars.

[Greenbank]

Is the pointy hat balanced enough to help avoid getting Shermer's Neck? Have you worn it for prolonged periods before?

[Andydauddwr]

Is the pointy hat balanced enough to help avoid getting Shermer's Neck? Have you worn it for prolonged periods before?

That's a fair point, and I'd say never for more than a couple of hours before.  I guess I could always bin it part way, or is it the case that by the time you know of the problem it's too late?

Thanks,

AC

[Ian H]

Is the pointy hat balanced enough to help avoid getting Shermer's Neck? Have you worn it for prolonged periods before?

Put some plasticine in the tail to weight it. 

[gonzo]

The remaining conundrum is do I bother with my aero helmet?  I'd never wear one for safety, but do the panel think it's worth anything in terms of aerodynamics.  Hoping to hold a tuck for the first 8 and the last 8 hours, with something a little more comfortable for the nighte state.

How fast are you planning on going? Anything shy of 18mph and I wouldn't bother.

That's a fair point, and I'd say never for more than a couple of hours before.  I guess I could always bin it part way, or is it the case that by the time you know of the problem it's too late?

Probably, yes!

Don't think a tuck is relevant - it'll help as long as you're not looking at your downtube [remember LeMond?!?]

Although, strangely, some people claim to test better pointy bit up than looking ahead.

[Ian H]

I shall be wearing my special CTC Devon cotton cap. It's aero if I turn the peak to the back.

[Andydauddwr]

How fast are you planning on going? Anything shy of 18mph and I wouldn't bother.

I'm hoping 20mph ish.

That's a fair point, and I'd say never for more than a couple of hours before.  I guess I could always bin it part way, or is it the case that by the time you know of the problem it's too late?

Probably, yes!

OK, think discretion is the better part of valour in that case.  ACF cap it is...

Thanks,

AC

[eck]

I shall be wearing my special CTC Devon cotton cap. It's aero if I turn the peak to the back.

I've just had a haircut.
Don't suppose McNasty has, though. 

[blackburnrod]

480 ish?

[Ian H]

480 ish?

That sounds a bit like a tease.

[Really Ancien]

Think I'm mostly sorted now.  I have a day bike and a night bike, have been test-riding the day config today (was a quick commute) and hope to wrap up the night config shortly.  The sight of a planet-x with a Brooks is a little odd but still...

The remaining conundrum is do I bother with my aero helmet?  I'd never wear one for safety, but do the panel think it's worth anything in terms of aerodynamics.  Hoping to hold a tuck for the first 8 and the last 8 hours, with something a little more comfortable for the nighte state.

AC

You'll be familiar with this video <a href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1422942&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=01AAEA" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1422942&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=01AAEA</a> observe that leading riders who started with Aero helmets ditched them at various times. That's down to their helpers, the helpers should monitor average speed times and if it is falling in hot weather and the rider is drifting, take action to encourage hydration. A good support team knows why the rider is slowing down and takes action to counter it.

Damon.

[valkyrie]

I shall be wearing my special CTC Devon cotton cap. It's aero if I turn the peak to the back.

I've just had a haircut.
Don't suppose McNasty has, though. 

The haircut is clearly more important for the rider on the front, as there'll be a greater effect on wind resistance.

Good luck for the weekend Eck, but remember it is really important to keep on the coffee or whatever and stay wide-awake. I don't want you getting the dozies, getting off for a wee break in the middle of the night and forgetting that it's not Ali on the back. A quick kiss & cuddle with your stoker wouldn't do you any good 

[Ian H]

...A quick kiss & cuddle with your stoker wouldn't do you any good 

Now there's a nightmare - you're sprinting to outrun the demon...but he's unshakably on your tail, inches behind you.

I reckon the Scottish tandemists might do a good distance.

[rt]

never having been areo enough to worry about the shape of my helmet I dont know the ins and outs of aero helmets but I would have thought that if it is windy (as predicted for Sunday) then even at sub 18mph speeds if riding into the wind an aero helmet will give an advantage.

Good luck to all who are riding.

[mattc]

480 ish?

I'm hoping 20mph ish.

I found that my 'typical' speed was much higher than my average speed!

(riders who reduce their stationary time down to Gardiner-esque seconds will be different)

[eck]

...A quick kiss & cuddle with your stoker wouldn't do you any good 

Now there's a nightmare - you're sprinting to outrun the demon...but he's unshakably on your tail, inches behind you.

       

I reckon the Scottish tandemists might do a good distance.

Well, with the thought of McNasty wanting a quick kiss and cuddle, what more incentive would a chap need? 

[Graeme Wyllie]

...A quick kiss & cuddle with your stoker wouldn't do you any good 

Now there's a nightmare - you're sprinting to outrun the demon...but he's unshakably on your tail, inches behind you.

       

I reckon the Scottish tandemists might do a good distance.

Well, with the thought of McNasty wanting a quick kiss and cuddle, what more incentive would a chap need? 

I'll keep an eye out to make sure that doesnt happen (or if it does will try to get a photo). 

Its all getting a bit like the episode of Still Game when it was rumoured that Jack & Victor were in a loving relationship........

[disrail]

There's no mention of signing on times or a general rider briefing.

I'm off at 14.01, so was hoping to get there 10 mins before 1st rider is off. Does anyone know if this will be ok?

Cheers

[Andydauddwr]

480 ish?

No, I think that's over-optimistic.  The 20mph ref was to typical running speed on the daylight bit.  I'd be stoked to make anything over 400...

AC

[Graeme Wyllie]

There's no mention of signing on times or a general rider briefing.

I'm off at 14.01, so was hoping to get there 10 mins before 1st rider is off. Does anyone know if this will be ok?

Cheers

It was all pretty relaxed and informal last year at the start (my first), just a case of signing on, collecting your race numbers plus a goody bag with a few freebies in.  

I'm sure 1 hr + before your start time would be fine.  
  
See you tomorrow.

Graeme (# 24).  

[teethgrinder]

I usualy aim for at least an hour, but usualy arrive 2 hours before I'm off. But I have to remove panniers and get organised too.
You only have to sign the start sheet, collect your numbers and putthem on. An hour before is about right.

[valkyrie]

No updates from the 24 yet? Looked like fairly grim weather for it.

[Andydauddwr]

No updates from the 24 yet? Looked like fairly grim weather for it.

Didn't go as well as I'd hoped, but did manage to see it through for ~350 miles.

Ian H seemed to be going very well out there.

The Eck/McNasty duet seemed to get better as time went on.

I didn't really recognise any other yacfers, but that could well be my bad.

I thought the navy team looked very solid.  As it was, we didn't offer them any competition as one of our team was a no show...

AC

[blackburnrod]

80   John Warnock   Twickenham CC         497.122   261   04:15:07      36               90.7%
60   Sean Childs   RNRMCA         492.412   255   04:14:07      38               93.0%
53   Robin Haigh   Seamons CC         475.747   250   04:30:29      51   C   WIN         90.0%
35   Brian Walker   Team Swift         474.413   247   04:32:50      36               92.4%
63   Graham Jones   Edinburgh RC   V      466.200   240   04:39:50      44   A   WIN         94.1%
58   Garry Drew   RNRMCA         461.624   250   04:25:29      44   A            84.9%
10   Neil Barford   A45 Road Club         455.487   238   04:52:50      44   A            91.5%
50   Karl Austin   Congleton CC   V      443.057   238   04:31:46      45   B   WIN         86.5%
25   Stuart Edwards   RNRMCA         432.648   236   04:38:11      44   A            83.0%
55   Ken Roesner   Kings Lynn CC         431.743   238   04:39:33      49   B            81.3%
15   Richard Thoday   Matlock CC         427.661   229   04:59:58      42   A            86.5%
23   Marina Bloom   Rugby RCC   WV      424.762   219   05:10:58      42   A            93.6%
30   Stewart Wilson   Roy Pink Cycles RT         421.266   223   04:48:54      41   A            89.1%
46   Graeme Raeburn   Rapha Condor         416.491   227   04:49:37      29               83.7%
9   Peter Turner   Derby Mercury RC   V      414.315   224   05:05:45      51   C            85.2%
34   Ben Fielden   a3CRG   V      414.107   223   04:57:37      67   F   WIN         85.7%
29   Ian Hennessey   Exeter Wheelers CC         412.481   223   04:52:24      56   D   WIN         84.6%
76   Roger Squire   Fibrax Wrexham RC         409.509   209   04:55:20      40   A            96.4%
82   Colin Knapp & Ruth Crossley   Middridge CRT/VTTA North   Tand      403.517   231   04:39:11      0               74.9%
38   Edgar Reynolds   Congleton CC   V      402.724   206   05:26:58      61   E   WIN         95.9%
8   Bob Richards   RNRMCA         399.013   216   04:58:20      51   C            84.6%
18   Theresa Taylor   Teamwallis CHH   W      397.301   221   04:55:58      49   B            80.1%
67   Ashley Holmes   Deal Tri         391.164   218   04:39:42      25               79.6%
27   Edward Malarczyk   Cwmcarn Paragon CC         388.996   217   05:27:58      58   D            79.0%
41   Ray Retter   North Devon Wheelers   V      387.498   214   06:00:50      63   E            81.2%
31   Robert Meredith   Walsall RCC   V      386.683   211   05:11:20      61   E            83.3%
48   Stephen Dart   Mid Devon CC         385.647   212   05:08:16      38               82.2%
21   Andrew Cox   Cardiff Byways RCC         384.028   210   05:21:02      29               82.9%
51   John Connaghan   Edinburgh RC   V      374.108   196   05:20:02      48   B            90.5%
32   Jason Sawyer   RNRMCA         373.786   218   04:51:58      40   A            71.8%
72   Darren Berrisford   Lyme RC   V      373.446   193   05:40:41      40   A            93.8%
5   Malcolm Matcham   VC Venta   V      372.974   209   05:25:02      51   C            78.8%
81   George Berwick & Alex Pattison   Edinburgh RC/Angus Bike Chain   Tand      371.310   202   05:16:58      0               83.7%
1   Geraint Catherall   Anfield BC         369.938   195   05:32:24      35               90.0%
37   Robert Watson   North Hampshire RC   V      369.315   203   05:34:20      49   B            82.3%
73   David Lewis   Cardiff Byways RCC   V      365.713   196   05:03:33      53   C            86.7%
2   Jim Hopper   Derby Mercury RC   Tri      360.887   189   05:40:23      65   F            91.2%
42   Simon Yates   Lewes Wanderers CC         356.785   204   05:18:20      57   D            75.1%
62   Phil Holden   Seamons CC   V      352.372   199   05:17:06      62   E            77.5%
36   Clayton Knight   Shaftesbury CC   V      350.540   214   04:57:58      48   B            63.8%
24   Graeme Wyllie   Edinburgh RC   V      350.282   197   05:17:37      44   A            78.2%
74   John Hassall   South Pennine RC         349.537   180   05:52:28      64   E            94.2%
7   Jonathan Gateley   HQ Club         348.961   186   06:03:49      29               87.6%
22   Richard McTaggart   Gala CC   V      348.434   172   05:49:22      69   F            102.4%
52   Kevin Jeffs   Coventry CC         339.461   212   05:20:32      46   B            60.1%
49   Brian Kilgannon   RNRMCA   V      337.580   195   05:21:58      55   D            72.8%
56   Steve Rush   Tri-Anglia   V      335.611   181   05:49:09      45   B            85.3%
43   Simon Scott   Lyme RC         333.680   193   05:26:27      40   A            72.6%
44   Andrew Carpenter   CSSH         326.889   198   05:26:11      40   A            65.2%
17   Peter Harridge   Icknield RC   V      316.576   215   05:24:33      53   C            47.4%
54   Andrew Howett   Sleaford Wheelers         316.320   182   05:03:20      27               74.3%
16   Louise Clowes   Lyme RC   W      310.772   188   05:49:09      35               65.6%
11   Dave Stokes   Musselburgh RCC   Tri      302.019   160   07:18:45      65   F            88.9%
64   Ian Kellaway   Coventry CC   V      296.967   160   06:11:45      49   B            85.2%
4   Joe Applegarth   Houghton CC         294.737   170   05:53:24      69   F            73.2%
14   Hilary Bell   Ribble Valley CRC   W      277.422   148   07:30:43      46   B            87.8%
                                          
* NOTE: 12 hour distances and 100 mile times are approximate and determined by interpolation between time checks                                          
                                          
** The % shows the second 12hr distance as a % of the first.