Wasp 2018 - 15th July, Cowbridge (RED FLAG MARSHALS PLEASE) Now with Start Sheet

[Rob P]

Info will be posted in the RR section as and when I come up with it. For now, if you're planning things that could be on 15th July or any other day, please choose the other day:
http://www.ogmorevalleywheelers.net/index.php?topic=2453.0

Start sheet is attached. 77 riders and a good weather forecast so we'll have a full field rolling out from the Scout hall at 11.00 on Sunday 

[Rob P]

Jobs list now added.

[Rob P]

Drivers for the race convoy is my biggest headache at the moment. Thanks to Andy for doing neutral service again, but otherwise everyone that’s done it in the past is unavailable so it’s a risk to getting the race safely away as things stand. Help needed! Four people.

It’s also the best job, the best way to see the race and loads of fun. You’re in radio contact with the race referees who tell you what to do, but essentially it’s just following the motorbike escort team around for a couple of hours with occasional ‘stepping on the gas’ when they tell you to. Expenses for petrol are budgeted and we can sort you out if you don’t already have British cycling membership.

Pre-race club night is next Friday (6th July) and I can talk you through the details if you want more reassurance that it’s fun and easy :-)

[Rob P]

Bumped to the top because CAR DRIVERS badly needed!

[Andy H]

I can confirm it's good fun and a great way to see all the racing action!

[Rob P]

Also really easy and guaranteed rain-free. Here's what the convoy needs to look like (we also have at least six motorbike outriders closing all the junctions down as we whizz through). At the moment we have Andy doing neutral service and we have the St Johns Ambulance right at the back. I've done Lead 1 in the past, but would need someone to take notes and scream down a mobile phone from the passenger seat for me. Comm1 and Comm2 are nice sedate driving with the race referees on board; Lead 2 can be more exciting if a break gets a big gap.   



There is now a British Cycling guidebook if you want to know more about the job than anyone that's ever done it before, but it really comes down to 'pick up a radio, do what the commissaire says, then drive along following the motorbikes for a bit.'
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/officials/20180531-REGIONAL_ROAD_CONVOY_DRIVING.PDF

[RichardB]

I was due to be away on the weekend of the race but can change my arrangements. I'll speak to you Friday to see how I can best help. But clearly you are going to need others to step forward too.

[Steven]

Can you all check your availability for this date. Rob has organised this and needs our support on the day.  Along with the Carl Roach, this is a day where we are expected to help out and as a result there will be no club rides. Can you contact Rob directly, come to clubnight tomorrow or post on this thread please.

[Rob P]

Bump because club night to discuss Wasp race is TONIGHT 6th July.

[Rob P]

Thanks everyone who came along Friday and/or offered services online or various other methods. We have pretty much a full team assigned now - the last remaining thing is some RED FLAG MARSHALS to help out the official traffic-stopping CSAS guys. We only need four people (1. B4270/A4222 in Cowbridge; 2. turn onto A48 slip road in Cowbridge; 3. Ewenny garden centre; and, to be fully-compliant, 4. at the cattle grid in St Brides.)

These are not traffic-stopping roles and don't require any expertise or experience. The role is to provide extra visibility for the race by standing around in a hi-viz jacket waving a big red flag which alerts both the race riders and non-race traffic that it's a danger spot. It's also a big help for the CSAS marshals who may need to be in positions where there haven't got a good view of the approaching riders. They are very experienced and will instruct you.

Race HQ open from about 09.30 for race start at 11.00. Come down there to collect flag and hi-viz please. If you'd rather go straight to Ewenny or St Brides please arrange in advance (07510 303739, or here, or on the facebook page) and I'll hand you out your kit when we go past in the lead car. Ewenny is at 9.2km so earliest projected arrival is at 11.12am. St Brides grid at 11.6km, earliest projected arrival at 11.16am. Latest projected finish for both those is about 13.40. The Cowbridge ones of course are right at the start and finish of the race so 11.00 until 14.10 on the slowest race projected speed.

[Rob P]

Also entries closed on Saturday evening with a total of 77 riders, which is only three short of the maximum and great news for the race. Given the weather forecast I think we can be sure of a full field with entries on the line.

Among the riders to look out for are Rob Jones and Tim Cummings (both OVW old-boys), Dave Bees (Cafe Velo & OVW mid-week tt regular), Welsh cycling legends Gareth Pugh (Cwmcarn Paragon) and Matt Becket (Cardiff JIF), and not-just-Luke's-brother Matt Rowe (Veloflow CC). Good turnouts from the Ajax (9 riders), Pontypool RCC, Bikestrong-KTM and Veloflow (6 each), and Cwmcarn Paragon, Bynea CC and Jeremy Rees Cycles (5 riders each).   

HQ open from ~09.30 on Sunday, CF71 7AP, Cowbridge Scout hall just behind the cattle market. Red flag marshals please!

[Rob P]

bump - start sheet now attached to first message.