Gunpowder Park Sep 21

PhilBrown · Post by **PhilBrown** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 3:52 pm

Ok John. I'll meet you at Highbury Corner at 7.35 - 7.40.

LeeHearnden · Post by **LeeHearnden** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:56 pm

John/Phil - swinging by Finsbury park? I'm coming from crouch end

LeeHearnden · Post by **LeeHearnden** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:57 pm

I'm happy for sign on/timing

John Jardine · Post by **John Jardine** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:24 pm

John/Phil - swinging by Finsbury park? I'm coming from crouch end

Phil, see you at Highbury corner outside the tube station.
We can come up Blackstock Road, is outside the arsenal shop @ 7:45ish Ok?

andrewnewman · Post by **andrewnewman** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:26 pm

OK, so a few quick things.

1) Paul W has secured sandwiches, so the food issue may not be as dire as once reported.
2) We should be OK with the number of volunteers we have, if today's session at Hog Hill is any indication.
3) Any problems on the day, and you don't have a walkie talkie, I'm at 07890 217 215.

LeeHearnden · Post by **LeeHearnden** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:52 pm

Cheers John. 7:45 outside arsenal shop is grand. Any probs give me a shout 07759938019

Chris Clague · Post by **Chris Clague** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:52 pm

Am driving from Crouch End if anyone needs a lift

Astrid Wingler · Post by **Astrid Wingler** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:23 pm

I'll be cycling there. I do quite enjoy going along the canal early in the morning.
Does anyone know if the whole of the park will be locked until 8:30, or will I be able to get in from the south as in the past?

andrewnewman · Post by **andrewnewman** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:34 am

Astrid, you should be able to get in from the canal side, but failing that, I'll be unlocking the main gate around 8:00 AM.

andrewnewman · Post by **andrewnewman** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:06 pm

A massive thank you to everyone who came out to lend a hand. Perhaps the smoothest event we've run at GP so far. You did a great job of making my life less stressful, and for that I am hugely grateful.

--Andrew

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:30 pm

Agreed. It went really smoothly. Much credit to your slick and unflustered organisation.

There was some great racing out there, especially the womens race I thought, with the top 3 places swapping constantly.

Some observations from a marshal/course designer whilst they are fresh in my mind:

1. Some riders criticised the course for being a "grass crit". In some ways we were hampered by the weather (not that I am complaining) but I think I know what they mean. In my view its essential to build in some more technical features if its dry/fast and we should plan the course onsite at least a week beforehand. The growth of foliage is against us and the available area gets smaller each year. Lets aim to cut the overgrown paths beforehand next year as the topography there does make technical features possible.
2. We continue to create challenging U12/U14 courses. The idea of sending them up that bank and around a long lap was genius. Apologies to Bruce for doubting his pushing of the envelope. However, we need to iron this out beforehand as it was somewhat daunting being confronted 10 mins before the race by parents asking where the start/finish was and where the course went and having no idea.
3. Is this too early in the season? There were constant dog walkers and families and at one point a stray dog came from nowhere straight into the path of 4 or 5 riders. it was very nearly a TdF dog moment. I had to run onto the course to grab the offending mutt. When the weather is this nice the park will inevitably be full of people enjoying possibly the last warm day of summer. Would October be better? Some dampness would slow down the course a little too.
4. Walkie Talkies are essential when manning such a large area. Can we make sure they are compatible? The new ones don't seem to work with Motorola - or is it just the frequency?
5. I think we should have pre-assigned marshal points so we know before hand all the pressure points will be covered. It worked out OK today but there was some initial confusion.
6. Did Lee Valley publicise the event beforehand? At least one walker complained that they didn't know we would be there.
7. Lap scoring? Enough said....

These are minor points. It was an excellent event and everyone I saw enjoyed themselves.

Stuart

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:33 pm

Some photos here

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y3tmesbqplr0 ... P-_Ta?dl=0

danielwolman · Post by **danielwolman** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:09 pm

That hurts Stuart. Bruce, Chris and I did a sterling job writing down all the numbers of the riders...

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:22 pm

Talking about Bill...

Astrid Wingler · Post by **Astrid Wingler** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:34 pm

Thanks for organising, Andrew!

I think the description of the course as grass track isn't entirely fair. Some of those who do a lot of London League races seem to forget that cyclocross isn't supposed to include single track and that Herne Hill isn't really an adequate venue for cyclocross.

The conditions make a huge difference. A few years ago the rain had turned the course into a quagmire, and there were quite a few broken rear mechs. I don't think there is a particular time of year that is suited to the course; wherever you are, it gets muddier throughout the season, but it may be possible to do some adjustments dependend on the conditions.
Today, we could possibly have made the lap a bit longer and more technical, e.g. by including some slalom on the start/finish field or similar (spirals are soooo 2012!).

London Phoenix

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