CLUB RUN SAT 2nd APRIL - WEEKLY RUN LIST

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Hi All Agreeables and friends

Well, no kettling for me as it turned out. Had enough of marching by 2.00 so bailed out at Trafalgar Square and went for a pint and some revolutionary steak and chips. very nice. workers of the world unite!!

Anyway...

The proposed rides for[size=150] SATURDAY 2nd[/size] are...

Regular Club Run to Charlwood

J4F

Return Routes:
Regular (Horley/Lonesome Lane/Earlswood/Redhill)

Boxhill: ??
Reverse clubrun: ??
Regular then via Rocky Lane, Fanny's Farm, Chipstead, Nonnas: JonC

[size=150]Alternative routes/destinations: [/size]

SteveB and Ant - Extended Ride suit 19mph/TG [url]http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=12455[/url]

PeteS - Little Switzerland - social ride all speeds - waiting to regroup

Andrew - from selsdon 8.30 traffic lights - 70 miles - 19mph pace





[size=150]SUNDAY 3rd[/size]

There will be a Sunday CR - 9.30 from Coulsdon South - Del - taking a group to Turners Hill and back 16/17 standard.

Also an MTB ride with Aodan [url]http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=12459[/url]

[size=150]WEDNESDAY 6th[/size]

Marco - steady ride around the lanes - meet 10.00 @ East Croydon Stn

[PeteS]

Just in case there's any confusion: the alternative clubrun is' going to a nice cafe in either Shere or Abinger 'via' Little Switzerland, then we're heading back over Leith Hill and home up Box. It's a lovely route for all levels and we have a good mix of abilities rather than any particular speed group. The emphasis is on fun with an element of pain on some great hills!

[djembi]

Tomorrow is the alternative rides spring sunglasses competition, first prize is a cash sum of £3.58
Judging will be at the cafe stop

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="djembi"]Tomorrow is the alternative rides spring sunglasses competition, first prize is a cash sum of £3.58
Judging will be at the cafe stop

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Another excellent turn out at CSS. The TG is huge. PeteS must have had about 18 riders on his alternative. 18s and 19s were smaller but perfectly formed. Look like quite a few for the JF4 and the 16s. I'm guessing at least 80 - probably more!

I thought I was going to ride the 18s but at the last minute realised that there was no VC to take the 17 mphers - they were all in the TG, 19s and 18s - fantastic ACC organisation!! I blame the captain!

It's a case of long shore drift as my geography teacher would say - the VCs start with the 16s/17s and gradually get stronger and fitter, and naturally want to drift up a group. A couple of years ago there was a shortage of VCs to take the fast groups - now there's a positive peloton of the them!! I've now got my eye out trying to spot slower riders with the potential to be VCs - the problem once spotted is how do I keep them slow ! tie weights to their legs?

anyway, a group of a dozen headed out from CSS, a bit of a headwind made it tough going down the A23 until we reached the lanes. With a few first timers with us Brian and I took what felt like a very,very long turn on the front trying to keep things tidy until everyone settled in to the group riding thing. We got the hang of rotation and everyone did their bit but a times it started to feel like a CTC leisure ride and I had to whip it up a bit as we were in danger of suffering that ulimate of humiliations - getting caught by the J4F!!!

After a charge up the hill to Rusper we regrouped and picked things up. After the Lambs Greens turn off we hammered along 34,35,36 kph. Nigel rather graciously led Wheel Sucker Sam out for easy sprint glory - I came in a distant second place just pipping Nigel on the line (I blame a slight twinge in my thigh )

We averaged a very respectable, given the headwind, 27.8 kph/17.3 mph by my clock.

Ripped it up on the way back - Brian did a super-fast long pull on the front, I took a brief turn only for Sam to come through and turn it up a notch - he was on fire, so strong today - I could just about hang on. We caught Marcus and co on the climb across the golf course - Sam took the KoM with Brian a close second.

Had to bail out at Redhill as the little twinge was turning into a big twinge. Pity as I fancied a Nonna's Americano and 65kms just ain't long enough on a bike on a glorious day like today. Anyway, great fun and thanks everyone! Superb!

[Dombo]

My first foray with the 19s for a while. I thought the wind would be a bit lively as I clocked 34mph coming up the A23 to CSS, and sure enough we had a bit of a breeze heading out. Alan wisely suggested we do only 30 second pulls on the front which suited me - skinny little blokes are never much use as windbreaks anyway - and I was pleased to stay with the group until the left turn after the downhill from Rusper. New tyres rode well and seemed quite fast as I was second man down on that downhill. Then there was some sort of sprint which i missed and so rode the last couple of miles to the cafe on my own. Average 18.8 for me but I'm sure the others broke 19.
Nice cuppa and carrot cake then set off on my own only to be caught just before the council estate then settled into the bunch only to lose them again by the golf course. Usual church regroup then I enjoyed the tailwind back up the A23, soft pedalling at 20mph at the top of the Merstham Drag and back towards Coulsdon.
Excellent ride in glorious weather with great company but a while yet before I'm ready for the B's

[Andrew G]

I had a lovely ride out early this morning, good miles, good hills, good scenery (particularly the lovely bit through Bough Beech Reservoir, well the road through it anyway I haven't mastered cycling on water yet).

Bit of a nagging headwind early on but a great sunny day, short sleeves today! Loads of cyclist out, saw three Dulwich Paragon groups just after Brasted as I was nearing home.

[Serge]

great ride today, Big turn out for the B training group. Sore knee today so backed out of the A group and sat in the B's most of the way. The whole group worked really well during a TnO from Newdigate all the way to the top of Rusper. we held good speed considering the wind. well done guys. The group broke up a bit as the wind took its toll on the effort required to keep any kind of fast speed. Once together another good Tno down the carriage way with the A group. I think the wind makes us help each other out more .

Once at the cafe Rob W and I headed straight off, to newdigate, Capel, Ockley and u the south side of Lieth hill, down to Westcott and into Dorking. We bottled Ranmore .
Timed it just right as we met the other groups heading to Box and had a great climb up there pipped to the top by Dan who is flying after his Hone camp. refuelled and a hard blast down to coulsdon and Nonna's. what a great day in the saddle 3.45 door to door with a short stop at Nonna's for a caffiene kick to keep me awake this afternoon .

For the power users. 238 watts average 258 normalized for 3.45 hours. 60 mins at 280 watts early on in the ride 299 watts normalized.

No to lose that extra puppy fat from winter .

Thanks for the great ride.

[PeteS]

A great ride out today with 21 in the group. I struggled on the hills and can't wait to feel that I'm getting back to a reasonable level. Some new faces again which was nice a real mix of abilities but don't think anyone felt short changed. Talking of short change; I won the sunglasses competition by a democratic show of hands, Ian took it very badly but he's not a good loser. I'm not sure what to do with my winnings though, should I spend or invest?

[Amy]

I can sympathise, Pete - after two or more years of 'bad days' on the bike, I'm starting to think it might be safe to say I'm starting to get my legs back

As already mentioned by Pete, it was another good ride with the alternatives to Abinger. Although I wasn't up there with the fast boys and girls, I wasn't last nor was I being left behind I do love riding in the Surrey Hills so it was nice to have some strength to actually enjoy it for the first time in ages - though I was glad we didn't come back up White Down Admittedly I even enjoyed my inadvertant extra loop dropping down Leith Hill and then climbing up Broomehall Road with Lucy and Brian who'd come down to collect us. Good training

And I can definitely recommend the apple and maple syrup cake, Neil, at the Abinger tea rooms

Lovely social ride yet still quite fast with some good hills (up and down) - nice getting reacquainted with my old hunting grounds now that I feel I can keep up and not feel like keeling over and dying on the hills - welcome back, legs*!

[size=50]*Hopefully, that won't put the kibosh on it....[/size]

[djembi]

I was robbed, I'm sure if Mike had not turned back to go home early I could have won as he was quite keen on my shades
Thanks for nothing Mike
ps I hope Whitedown hurt

[Amy]

[quote="djembi"]I was robbed, I'm sure if Mike had not turned back to go home early I could have won as he was quite keen on my shades
Thanks for nothing Mike
ps I hope Whitedown hurt

[EdO]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on the clubrun today.
It's great being back on the bike and seeing so many familiar faces.

If I'm honest I've had a crap couple of weeks losing my dad suddenly and then the funeral service yesterday.
Had a few drinks with relatives and friends but left the wake early while the sun was out.
Didn't fancy a run today so skipped the marathon training and opted for a long overdue clubrun.

My preparations the night before a clubrun are normally pretty good.
Early night, good meal, plenty of water, and check the bike over and get the kit out.

Last night however the whole thing was sabotaged with my sister inviting everyone from the local pub back to the house
for a full on party which didn't really die down until 4.45am. 2am I would have been ok with but past 4 was too much.
I was absolutely fuming this morning as I'd hardly slept a wink and the place looked trashed.

Cycled over to Croydon with Peter St Amour then onto CSS and trying to forget last night.

Didn't think I'd be able to hack to TG A so went for the B side instead.
After a slow start we began upping the pace with Serge "Mr Motivator" getting us fired up. Rather than taking turns on the front, half way round he called a T&O.
The pace was good despite the wind so much so riders were starting to drop out the back of the group. In the end we made it to the dual carrage way with five of us (I think).
A short while later we were joined by Matt followed closely by the rest of the TG A group.
Seemed pretty even and maybe on a different day we would have got caught.
The T&O dual carriageway was pretty uneventful for me and despite the pace being cranked up all the way to the cafe I managed to stay
with the group which I was happy with. Don't know anything about the sprint other than with all the potholes things can get a bit sketchy.

I think the Training group B followed by Training group A format works really well. What was the time gap btw ? I forgot to ask.
My Garmin data from CSS to the cafe is here. I couldn't find my HRM but that was the least of my worries
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76667049

Steady ride on the return leg with three of us including Andy W taking turns all the way back to the church then the usual blast up the Merstham drag accept I couldn't close a gap before the top so missed out on some of the fun.

Sorry for going a bit off topic but today for those few hours on the bike I was able to forget about everything that's happened and just ride a bike.
Thanks guys superb.

[Phil H]

Sounds like you've had a bit of a time of it Ed.

Went J4F today with Tom. A lot of people and some youngsters on MTBs meant we split the group from the off. Was a little concerned whether Tom could hold the pace all the way to Charlwood but he managed. A quick pitstop there and then back by the normal club run route. I hate the A23 - especially when supervising Tom but it is fast after the Merstham drag. Quick espresso in Nonna's then up the hill home with 46 miles on the clock.

Nice easy pace with a bit of a chat. Excellent weather. Now let's see what the legs can do tomorrow - not having done a TT since September.

(Note to self: it is not a mothers' day treat to be woken up by banging around and swearing in the garage at 5:30 am. Get stuff ready tonight)

[Tim Coales]

Just For Fun (J4F) Report

There was a good turnout for the April J4F this morning, so much so that we had J4F A and B groups, emulating the TG!
In the A group: Peter & Toby Motteram, Phil & Tom Hawkes, Wayne, Gina, Trevor, Jean Paul, Meynard (?), and possible others whose names escape me...
In the B group: Myself, John Cz, Fred, George, Michaela and Sabbah (?).

Shortly after the start, it was apparent that there was a problem with the gears not working on Sabbah's borrowed bike. Someone had clamped nylon pump pegs around the frame and the gear cables Good job I decided to ride my tourer and bring a few extra tools "just in case" After correcting this, testing the gears, tightening front and rear brake cables so that the brakes worked and pumping up both tyres and we were off again. Still before 9.30! By now Brendon had joined us and we made our way down towards Hooley.

The J4F rides usuallly take a little while to settle down as riders of quite varying ability and experience adjust to each other and the road/traffic conditions. By Merstham things were flowing nicely. The 3 steps are usually the next hurdle as some riders have never attempted riding up what seems like long, steep hills. At this point we were passed by Terry Hill chasing Steve Hehir who made the roads look down-hill by comparison

Pressing on through Reigate, John forbad a J4F cafe stop at the Reigate Kitchen (my favourite stop when I know we're not going to make The Pine Cafe at Charlwood) Here we were joined by Martin Osman, who had lost touch with Pete Smith's Alternative Ride.

With the extra time from not having a stop, we turned right over the River Mole and did a little loop around to Leigh, where we stopped for a couple of photos on the village green outside The Plough. Turning right onto Flanchford Road with the sun shining and time on our side, the sign for "Real Dairy Ice Cream made and sold here" cycled past on a weekly basis, was the catalyst for an alternative to a Cafe stop. We all piled into the farm for a £1 tub of ice cream. Rum & Raison for yours truly , Stem Ginger and Honey for John and Martin, Mint Choc Chip for the Michaela & Sabbah, Choc for George & Brendon, while Fred saved his pennies for an ACC Jersey.

Ice cream consummed, it was back on the bikes and the return leg through Woodhatch to rejoin the return clubrun route up past Earlswood. Stopping to re-group by the church just North of Redhill, we were joined by the "A" J4F group, whom we sent on ahead. Surprisingly, we weren't past by anyone else until Steve Hehir and Terry Hill went by at the top of the Merstham drag. I guess most people must have come back over Boxhill.

We stopped at CSS to drop off the girls, then I had to head straight back for an afternoon's work in Croydon. Quickly popping into GB's to show Fred where to get an ACC top, in walks Mr and out pops Alex F.

Thanks for the company everyone. A worthwhile morning's ride