Are you allowed to ride as a bunch on the road, ie, drafting?
the first road section is like a full on crit..
the lead car in the neutralised section is doing 25mph plus !
so it's a very fast start and fighting to get a good place and a good wheel
from what I could make out last year Wheelbase basically occupied the front of the grid and lead em round like the pied piper...the whole race was strung out behind...it's crazy, but exciting
I was much suprised by this my first year.....
think of it as a big fell race with a stile in the first few hundred yards...![]()
I donb't think my cross bike knows how to go at 25 mphIt does about 20/21 on the flat... that is it
So what is your advice? Go with the manic speedsters at the front, or hang back and avoid the kerfuffle and risk of crashes? I am not envisaging to be very fast, had thought I'd only average 20mph on the road sections and about half that off road?
Mind you, I'd be faster if I can hang onto a good wheel... Hoping one doesn't frown upon me not taking turns at the front, LOL!
No worries about being accused of wheel sucking in that bun fight... if you find a good wheel just stick on it. Last year I made a real effort to hang on the coat-tails of the front(ish) group and it did make a real difference when we left the road. Hardly any queuing at the stile and the guys ahead of me once we got off the bikes were going at a decent clip. Trying to overtake once your off the bike on Inglesod is real pain and wastes loads of energy.