CR report 25th September

[Phil H]

Well, we seem to have managed to get the only bit of sunshine of the weekend. Started out with the 18s, which was really a bit big so when Adam punctured, we split at Mr Green's suggestion. I made a tactical error when we set off again and ended up on the front for a while. Then someone suggested quick rotations and that worked until Adam and Mr Green got on the front and most people were quite happy to leave things just as they were. Second on the sprint by a narrow margin but I reckon the winner wasn't really trying. 18.6mph to the cafe.

Set off with a fast-ish (for me) group on the way back.Exhibition wheel-sucking meant I was able to hang on until near the top of the Merstham drag. Thought I might catch them at the lights but no - even by drafting a van then a coach. 20.3mph back to Coulsdon.

Went straight home from there for the next mission of the day which was getting the boy kitted out with clippy pedals (there's a sale on at Bike+ on shoes BTW). After a little practise on the turbo, we took them out onto the road and practised a bit of stopping/starting and just riding around. No falls, no problems.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

I've just realised I put my report in the wrong place on something that said Club Run 25th September!! Confusing or what!?

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

That's better!!!...

Well, it was fresh. Cold even. But a glorious day nonetheless. A good turn out. A couple of new riders - Jo and George. Enough VCs for all the groups - and most there by 9.00 or there abouts. A VC huddle . Organised and efficient - the riders started heading out at 9.15.

I rode with the 18 mphers - a dozen of us including a certain pro rider from Belgium no less!!! I asked for a steady ride out along the A23. Nice and neat for about 10 minutes then it all fell apart approaching the M23 turn off . A needless call for singling out, a sudden injection of pace at the front and we were one long ragged strung out line. Reorganised and kept it together until Reigate when somehow the group now numbered SIXTEEN - too big - where did they all come from??!. The pro rider (Adam of course) with super, duper light-weight super slick tub tyres punctured (should have had conti 4 seasons, mate, you know they can't be beat) and Andrew G used the opportunity to split the group (he'd make a very good VC). I took a group of 10 - Jeff, Sam, Noel, Steve, Paul, Derek, Tom, Robby, and ...erm, err, sorry...I can't remember your name.

Jeff suggested we try 'one minute rotation' - which I have to say worked really well. I'd do it again. Only problem was you'd keep getting half way through a conversation and then you'd have to move up the line - then you'd have to start again and remember what you'd said and to whom. We kept it nice and tight and upped the pace all the way to the cafe. Bit of a race up the hill to Rusper - not sure who won the KoM prize, and a very, very long sprint-cum-breakaway-cum sprint - not sure who won that either - I was way off the pace!!! Dropped Sam somewhere on the ride but didn't notice - what a terrible father I've turned out to be!! I'm expecting a knock on the door from social services!

Anyway, averaged a comfortable tail wind assisted 18.8 mph. Good fun, thanks everyone! very agreeable. see you all next week.

PS Sounded out a few potential VCs - we've been asked to put some names forward at the next committee meeting - those with the most 'votes' will get the nod or something like that.

[Rob Q]

Out on the alternative ride with the usual bunch of losers and reprobate's. I haven't got a clue where we went, but it was pleasant and quite and a lovely cuppa and chocolate cake at the Newdigate farm shop. Back via little Switzerland and Walton on the Hill and a good blast back into Coulsdon. Average speed was 25 mph and a total of 125 miles.....easy this bike riding. Thanks for the bike Pete, I still cant believe you've given it to me as a going away present.

[Andrew G]

Now the season's finished a chance for me to start getting out with the club regularly, albeit a bit stop start for a few weeks until after the Bec Hill Climb, and catch up with folk again, which is nice. I'd intended riding out to the Ripley bike jumble with Mike today but due to an unfortunately he couldn't make it so when the morning broke nippy I decided to wimp off to the club run instead .

Brooks Vs Buttocks
I fitted a lovely brown leather B17 Narrow to my winter/commuting bike a couple of months ago and so far the buttocks have been winning the saddle breaking in battle. Only been tested on commutes until now so no rides longer than an hour so today's club run gave me a good chance to up the game in the BvB Battle. 3 hours of riding today and I'm pleased to report no problems and still comfy. I don't know if the tales of breaking in woe are over-blown but since day one I've not have a problem and it's been comfy. Perhaps it's because I'm not very heavy, or too light, or perhaps it just appreciates my retro ways and doesn't want to upset me .

Aaaaanyway, I decided for a nice gentle 18s but let the group go as it looked big and I thought it was going to split and go off in two waves. Nope just the one and then Alex called a 17s group so I hoofed off down the road and caught the 18s between Monty's Cafe and Hooley lights. Sat at the back a bit until it went a bit Pete Tong before the turn-off as Jon mentioned. Some indiscipline in the group and the size wasn't helping, I wouldn't wish a puncture on anyone but was glad when Adam did as it gave the opportunity for a stop and split. Keith had said Adam was back from beer and chip country for the weekend but I hadn't realised he was in our group, still didn't recognise him until I was standing next to him asking if he wanted to make use of my long one (pump). I blame the shades and buff on his head acting as a disguise .

Once back under way as a smaller number it was a good group, neat riding and a few rotations to give everyone a taste of the front. When Adam and I were upfront it was great to catch up on his year in Belgium and plans for next year. Fingers crossed .

Was that a lesser spotted Munnery we passed? You may have banished the bike to a dark corner for a while but you've clearly been using it of late judging by the racing snake figure heading towards us . Look forward to a more prolonged bumping in to on the road soon.

On the ride back I eased up when it started winding up to have a gentler run home and spun along with Alan and Richard and a couple of others.

Glad I gave the jumble a miss and did the club run, I expect my wallet is too.

[djembi]

A good hard ride today with just Robyn being a little weak on the hills. Geoff punctured himself and we met the addiscombe tt boys at the cafe on a run.

Turns out we were both correct, thelma a ginger and the other one strawberry blond.

[Paul H]

Quite a large TG today left CSS. Not many working at the front including myself who is having a “recovery” month which made it a bit disorganised but everybody seemed to enjoy themselves and not get too bored. Saw Redhill CC on the road going through Rusper as usual having a laugh at our expense no doubt. Keith was going well as usual along with Andy who seems to have come into peak form ready for the winter.

After a cup of nescafe and carrot cake with the rest of the commoners, we had a nice return ride home with the other groups.

[Keith]

[quote="Paul H"]Saw Redhill CC on the road going through Rusper as usual having a laugh at our expense no doubt.

[Paul H]

[quote="Keith"]
Ever considered that we usually see Redhill on the same bit of road at the same time of the week.....

[Antloony]

First foray into the TG for me for many a month, just took it easy and sat at the back and got towed around the whole way. Did my turns in the through and off ok and ramped up the speed by trying to give a lead out for the sprint so Keith and Andy could commence battle again. Poor ride back for me, got stuck a couple of times behind slower riders then after leaving the usual regroup at the church I got stuck behind some knob in a car and lost touch with the group, was always going to be a struggle to get back on into a headwind.

Still, enjoyed myself, usual giggles at the cafe, nice to be riding again with the TG army....and we even passed the M23 junction without incident....again

[Amy]

Well done to everybody getting the club run organised and out - winter's coming and I'm sure I won't be the only one wanting to keep hanging around to a minimum

Have to say it was flippin' cold riding down the A3 at 7 in the morning but by 9.15am the jumble was in full swing and the radiators were on My friend had a wife-friendly table with every item two quid or under OK so nothing spectacular but there was useful stuff and for that price a few people bought things they might not have otherwise

Found a new cafe for a possible ride, just outside Cobham at Downside, in an old Victorian walled garden that's being restored. Can probably find it online, it's called the Medicine Garden. A very pleasant spot even with that north/east wind blowing

Should be out next Sat - and don't forget the chaingang on Tuesday 7.30 at CSS

[Jojo]

I reckon someone should just copy and paste the same posts for the CR every week . Same old route same old write up..yaawwwn.

[Antloony]

[quote="Jojo"]I reckon someone should just copy and paste the same posts for the CR every week . Same old route same old write up..yaawwwn.

[quote="Antloony"][quote="Jojo"]I reckon someone should just copy and paste the same posts for the CR every week . Same old route same old write up..yaawwwn.

[Sylv]

I miss doing the clubrun, but I'm enjoying reading the posts

Slightly worried by Paul's newfound use of smilies though!