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Race jcrc gunma csc spring race report

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jcrc gunma csc race report

the spring jcrc race on sunday

60km
10 laps
of the hilly circuit

rain clears for dry but windy conditions

last year I escaped with 8 laps to go

watching the spring classics

Terpstra and then Sagan

gets me excited to do the same again...

but it's a stronger field this year...

I talk with Bandai san at the start
"let's escape!" says he
"we need to be patient" says I

my training is largely TT work

10 km or 15 minutes of fast all out effort

I'm thinking two laps to go
is the time for me to go...

3,2,1 Go!

so I'm surprised to find myself chasing the lead motorbike

can't beat the adrenaline buzz!

once the flag is dropped

I drop the hammer!

driving the pace
determined to break it up

I've been riding this course for years

but I've never felt so fast on the descents

that's TT training for you

the climb is a different matter though

damage limitation
as lighter riders accelerate out of the saddle

for 5 laps I attack repeatedly

sometimes I get a decent gap
I think I can hold it

but team Shido are strong and breach

with Kenta san and Bandai san too

I keep at it though
hoping one move will stick

with three laps to go I realize it's time to put it all into the last two laps

I neck a gel
take off the arm warmers

I plan to go on the descent after the home straight

but at the top of the home straight
Okinawa champ Nakao san makes his move

I try to follow

chasing him on the descent in the 53x11

nobody behind me

I get close
but he's flying

I sense someone on my wheel

his team Shido teammate
and then another

these guys are on good form

of course they won't work
sitting on

we hit the climb

one guy goes

and then the other

1 lap to go

3 up the road

destined for a mapei 123 finish

I'm caught by a group of 8

we somehow catch the 2nd and 3rd Shido riders

I know I won't be able to go with them

as they put it all out on the climb

8 guys up the road for the sprint for 2nd place

I almost catch them
but would have nothing to give anyway

2nd or 10th doesn't really matter

Nakao san was a worthy winner
putting 30s into everyone by the finish

his two teammates did an excellent ride too

happy with my ride

I wanted to try and make the race

and I think I did that

I have good form for my target TTs

and had a great time today

next up moniwa TT in 2 weeks

bring it on!

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time
 
Why does JCRC make everyone wear those ridiculous helmet covers?

I for one don't mind the covers as it is less hassle than pinning on numbers.

And you don't get the associated waste.

Also, they are a good idea when you have different categories racing together as it easy to understand what's going on with different coloured helmets.

The timing chips they use are also user friendly with a velcro strap, no need for plastic ties.

Eco racing!

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time
 
Great racing Andy and great report as usual. Sounds like a buzz. How many people were racing yesterday? How'd the kids get on?
 
I for one don't mind the covers as it is less hassle than pinning on numbers.

And you don't get the associated waste.

Also, they are a good idea when you have different categories racing together as it easy to understand what's going on with different coloured helmets.

The timing chips they use are also user friendly with a velcro strap, no need for plastic ties.

Eco racing!

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time

They aren't as hot as they look? Seems like they'd turn a $200 helmet into a $30 helmet.

I can totally agree with using velcro chip straps. I've used those from time to time. They do tend to slip more, though.

Pinning numbers is definitely a pain. Those little magnets are nice, though.
 
Nice work and great report as usual.

Watching a few youtube vids of that course it looks like the surface is an absolute state.

Is that down to rattling camera work or is it really all ripped up and cracked everywhere?
 
Great racing Andy and great report as usual. Sounds like a buzz. How many people were racing yesterday? How'd the kids get on?

Not so many unfortunately. The JCRC races seem to be losing popularity. Which is a shame. But on the other hand, with several small races, you get to ride in a safer group with riders of similar ability.

Kids were 3rd in their respective categories. The winners of these races are full on serious with a bit too much pressure from mum and dad for my liking!

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time
 
They aren't as hot as they look? Seems like they'd turn a $200 helmet into a $30 helmet.

I can totally agree with using velcro chip straps. I've used those from time to time. They do tend to slip more, though.

Pinning numbers is definitely a pain. Those little magnets are nice, though.

Unless they are strict, like the old gits in baseball caps that is the JBCF (!), I often don't bother pinning numbers anymore. Ruined far too many jerseys that way.

The helmet covers are quite toasty! I was laughing on the line as I was wearing a road aero helmet. Like you say, all that cash down the pan!

Velcro straps are nice and secure, so far no issues...

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time
 
Looks like a great set of races with some beginner races; unfortunately it's a 2+ hours away for me :-(
 
Nice work and great report as usual.

Watching a few youtube vids of that course it looks like the surface is an absolute state.

Is that down to rattling camera work or is it really all ripped up and cracked everywhere?

Cheers! I only write these reports to keep @theBlob entertained!

Road surface is not too bad, But the Gunma Cycle Sports Centre is a typical Japanese 1970s theme park in need of some care and attention.

A nice layer of smooth tarmac would make what is already a fast and thrilling course even faster.

Being 1000m up on the top of a hill, snow melt and debris is more of an issue at this time of year. So you have to be a bit conservative with tyre choice.

2 of my mates punctured in their races. Although Bandai the monster fought back on to win his morning race!

So yes, a bit rough, but not too bad, perhaps not as smooth as the other CSC at Shuzenji, and if you want velvet smooth, get your bike onto one of the car racing circuits such as Motegi or Fuji Speedway. Amazing the difference the road surface makes on those courses!

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time
 
Cheers! I only write these reports to keep @theBlob entertained!

FWIW, you're keeping this newbie lurker entertained, too. I don't know much about riding and certainly am nowhere near your class, but getting a glimpse into what's going on in your races is real Boy's Own sort of stuff. I love it! Thank you.
 
I love 'em too, keep the race reports coming.

Andy, how hard / sketchy are the beginner cats at these races?

It looks like there's a race in Saitama that is less than 30 minutes from my house, with a 'beginner' category.
But I was looking at some beginner races on Youtube, and it looked pretty tough for 'beginners'.
Also, the course for the youtube vidoes I was looking it looked -really- narrow, which looks like a recipe for carnage...

 
Great read as usual! :tup Seems the boys have your number now. Time to try a different tactic? Not that I have a clue what that might be!:flip:
 
I love 'em too, keep the race reports coming.

Andy, how hard / sketchy are the beginner cats at these races?

It looks like there's a race in Saitama that is less than 30 minutes from my house, with a 'beginner' category.
But I was looking at some beginner races on Youtube, and it looked pretty tough for 'beginners'.
Also, the course for the youtube vidoes I was looking it looked -really- narrow, which looks like a recipe for carnage...



How hard a race is is largely dependent on the course.

The course you are looking at there is Shimosa in Narita. It's a gently rolling, non technical easy course.

I and my two boys have done TTs on that course. They'll be the first to tell you that you "don't need brakes!".

How sketchy it is is largely dependent on the number of riders on the course.

Shimosa is not very wide and might be a bit stressful in a packed RR like you say.

My advice would be give it a try and see how you like it.

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/

www.jyonnobitime.com/time
 
Last edited:
You were right about them having my number.


NakaoSan's Blog said:
いつも通り、アンディ選手が逃げに出る。

Time to flip the script?

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Reading his blog it seems he was determined to get revenge after I and two team mates worked him over 2 years ago!

I was trying to help my friend Adachi san to win at that time. Adachi cracked in the end. So I went with one lap to go, almost catching a solo escapee metres from the line...

Nakao san's report from that race is here:

http://shun-shido.hatenablog.com/entry/2016/04/18/000616

His face as 4th man on the podium is a picture!

This time it was roles reversed. He had 3 men and I was alone.

In hindsight I should have talked it through with Bandai san and put a proper plan down.

Will do next time for sure!

Andy

https://www.facebook.com/biketrainingandracinginjapan/
 
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