"Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:fun. I usually have a go at some point through the race, simply
because
Quoted message said:I've never thought of myself as a very good sprinter. Of course, it
never
Quoted message said:works, but it's fun all the same, and I'm sure it takes some of the
speed
Quoted message said:out of the sprinters legs.
Don't say "never". One of these days something will happen - you get a
burst of power, weaker field, planets aligned, etc and your break away
will be ignored. Then you will time trial home for a win. It happened to
me once and I still don't know how/why it happened.
I will usually have multiple attempts at messing with the field, even
though I'm primarily a sprinter. I often spend too much time out the
front, whether it be trying to prompt a break or chasing down
someone else's break.
In some perverse way, I like the thought of putting the other riders
under stress. I don't want to roll around a track for half an hour and
have the race decided in a sprint on the final lap (although this is the
norm). I want to split the field apart early, catch out people who are
not warmed up (usually me!), have a bit of fun with people, rather
than just do a bunch ride until the 3 lap sign comes out...
Seriously, mess with the field, not only is it fun, but one day you
will be ignored and solo away for a win :-)
Quoted message said:Saturday was the first time I didn't try to go off the front (when I
was
Quoted message said:feeling good). Not that I didn't do any work - I did my turns up
front to
Quoted message said:keep the pace high. This sprinting lark is a lot of fun, I must say.
If you want to have a shot at the sprint here's what I've been told and
I've tried a couple of times to varying success. Watch the front of the
field and note any strong riders in top spots - not necessarily the
front.
Also, anyone else who looks like a sprinter or looks like they are doing
it easy. Mark them! When 3 lap sign comes out or final lap or whatever
make sure you are on their wheel and make sure you are in 2nd, 3rd or
4th position. So, when the sprint starts and the strong person you are
hanging off the back of go's.. you follow, hopefully having saved a
little
bit more energy than them, giving you the speed you need to come around
them on the line.
I've tried this and it does work, but you have to pick a good wheel.
This
is the hardest part for me, that as well as not reacting quick enough to
the bunch attacking on the last lap/s. Both causing me to be swamped
on the line.
Quoted message said:Hehehe. Not so much a team as a bunch of likeable reprobates who turn
up
Quoted message said:week after week, and occasionally look out for one another, except of
course
Quoted message said:when they're trying to tear your legs off. Gotta do everything
possible to
Quoted message said:keep those nasty Waratah guys out of the placings.
Ahh, most of the races I do have a few Blackburn people in them and I'll
help them if I can unless it's an all Blackburn race in which case I'm
going for the win! :-)
I know a couple of other races better than most so I pay special
attention
to them in a race and will help if I can and receive offers of help from
them depending on the nature of the race and how they are feeling.
hippy