CR 3 April

[Sylv]

Yes there was one.

Like many I guess I saw the weather and resigned myself to getting on the turbo, but just after 9 the clouds cleared and the sun appeared, looking like it was going to last. So I was happy to get out, even if it meant riding on my own – good training for my first race in six months next week and also the 25 TT after that – went past an empty CSS at past 9.40. Crazy headwind, so I ignored the speedo and focused on power. Good thing was that the roads dried pretty quick.

Went past some groups, smaller than usual. Was hoping to catch a 19ish group at the regroup before the DC but no-one there, so soldiered on. By then the PT was saying 260w (or about 15 more than usual!) and I was determined to keep it at that to the café, which wasn’t easy with a now tailwind. None of the usual lull before the sprint, my solo dash for the sign must have looked pitiful, and I think I was a bit in a state going into the café – Coke almost made me sick.

About 20 brave riders there, Marek told me about Paul’s aborted ride due to his knee. Decided to ride back via Box with Rogan, Andy and another rider, sorry no name. We kept a brisk pace with now the wind (mostly) behind us. Came across the Shadow on the way up Box, who turned back and joined us for the rest of the ride. I was starting to feel real tired and the final fast miles into Coulsdon I was mostly hanging on Shadow’s wheel.

So glad I made it out. And managed to record highest 120” power to date.

[jon avery]

I left my house in pouring rain got to the cafe in Coulsdon and thought i was going to be going on a solo ride, but alas Steve W turned up closly followed by Phil N, On getting to Coulsdon South , we were approached by Andy who asked if we still fancied a alternative ride as Pete had a bad back but he had a route in mind, So Myself, Andy, Steve W, and Brian set off, Brian and Andy will have to tell you the route we took, i just followed the wheel in front we did 50 miles with a few hills stuck in, the weather turned nice, we kept a good pace with a good group and good company, The weather looks better tomorrow so the Surrey lanes beckon again

[Marek]

I rode up from East Grinstead this morning with one of my mates who is an Iron Man. He is training for Lanzarote and likes to set a good steady pace, he hates surges in speed as needs to ride steady in the IM. We set a pretty nice pace up to CSS getting a good dousing in an early shower, but thankfully was not too bad. Came over Tilburstow hill and then up through Merstham where we saw a couple of the Norwood guys getting ready for their club run.

At CSS not many out, Paul H turned up and indicated he was going to be taking it relatively easy, so instead of a training group ride we had a 'fast' ride instead. Got barracked out of the station by the ever loud commissaire clown type guy. There were about 8 of us in the group, the forever green Mr Malarkey was on his Colnago, brave choice for the weather conditions, but actually probably turned out to be a good choice as it dried up nicely. Interesting ride, a number of riders in the group that I have not ridden with before. Paul H after leading us up out of Coulsdon decided that his dodgy knee was in fact more dodgy than he thought and he turned back.

A good pace up the steps and then into the lanes. Was one of those rides where someone would sit on the front and set a good pace and then someone else would come through real fast and create a gap and required a bit of chasing and they would then slow a bit. This was fine for training for a road race, my IM mate was not enjoying it, which was fine by me as I wanted the shine to be taken off his legs as I had to ride back to East Grinstead with him.

Up through the Rusper trees and we had eyed the SWRC training group ride. I buried myself a bit to get on the back of their group before the climb up after Partridge Lane. Think this split our group a bit but was good fun. The SWRC guys sprinted for the Rusper sign but I didn't have anything in me at that point to contest.

We waited at the turning point towards Ifield for the rest of our group and then we missed out the dual carriageway and took the slightly shorter route through the lanes. A guy with white jacket whose name I did not catch led us out for the sprint, could see Alan hovering waiting to make a move, I held back until just after the final corner and then buried myself to get the sprint by a fair distance. The guy in the black with the Col emblem came in behind complaining about not knowing where the sign was, that was good because he looked quite spritely earlier on.

At the cafe saw that they have now set up a little bike mechanics in the garage which is a good idea. Not sure what they offer, looked like they had a few mtb type tyres and things but I think they do services etc. Might be good if you have an issue on the club run.

Went back with Chris my IM mate. Decided to add in another loop so we cycled back to the dual carriageway via Rusper and went up the long hill towards Colgate. Then Pease Pottage, Handcross and then took him around the Staplefield loop to soften up his legs a bit more as pretty hilly. Riding up to Turners Hill I realised that my route had had the required effect as Chris started to fall off my wheel, I took the opportunity to up the pace a bit more just to make sure he was not coming back.

Got home with 85 miles on the clock and a nice warm glow knowing that I had finished off my mates cycling legs. What I did not reckon on was that he then went out and did a 40 minute run. Darn, when I found that out I was not pleased, need to lay into him a bit earlier next time.

Cheers

Marek....

[Alan M]

Yes at 8.55 the rain cleared up and we scrambled. Joining the 'fast' group I had some misgivings but initially the pace was OK. Briefly lost contact on the steps as someone surged but got back on easily enough. Thereafter it was tough butI did several turns on the back and hid from the wind and only got shelled out at Partridge, but carried on to rejoin on the turn towards Lambs Green where the wind was behind us so did a late turn on the front. Well positioned for the sprint I left it too late and Marek swept through and a couple of others got past me. Didn't know names except Marek but most seemed pretty strong keeping a good pace against a fierce head wind.

Found a steady small group for the return. Noel was strong and after I punctured (thanks Guys) we reformed and were joined by Monty et al at the church. Noel and myself got a gap on the Merstham drag and shared the work back into Coulsdon where I went for 2 more coffees with a nice group of about 10.

Here are the numbers. Anyone know how the Garmin counts calories as we had a bit of a discussion about numbers that seem somewhat overstated.


Overall
Time: 02:45:18
Distance: 48.35 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,501 ft
Calories: 3,384 C

Timing
Time: 02:45:18
Moving Time: 02:46:19
Elapsed Time: 04:50:01
Avg Speed: 17.5 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 17.4 mph
Max Speed: 32.6 mph
SpeedPace

Elevation
Elevation Gain: 1,501 ft
Elevation Loss: 1,496 ft
Min Elevation: 157 ft
Max Elevation: 503 ft

Heart Rate
Avg HR: 141 bpm
Max HR: 169 bpm

Cadence
Avg Bike Cadence: 69 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 167 rpm

Laps
1 00:17:19 4.68 16.2
2 01:14:19 23.68 19.1
3 00:51:40 15.66 18.2
4 00:21:40 4.29 11.9

02:45:18 48.35 17.5

[Marek]

For the whole morning your calorie count needs to be slightly amended for the large piece of cake and 5 cappucinos you put away. On that basis of what you consumed I would estimate that your total calorie burn for the day based on your weight and height would have been a total of negative 4. I reckon you can afford yourself half a smartie today. Happy easter.

The Garmin will be guestimating based on your programmed in height and weight and the heart rate that you are riding at I would imagine. I doubt it will be particularly accurate due to the vagaries of weight and height and muscle mass etc.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Alan M]

[quote="Marek"]For the whole morning your calorie count needs to be slightly amended for the large piece of cake and 5 cappucinos you put away. On that basis of what you consumed I would estimate that your total calorie burn for the day based on your weight and height would have been a total of negative 4. I reckon you can afford yourself half a smartie today. Happy easter.

The Garmin will be guestimating based on your programmed in height and weight and the heart rate that you are riding at I would imagine. I doubt it will be particularly accurate due to the vagaries of weight and height and muscle mass etc.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Marek]

Apricot is a lovely name for a tart, surely she would have helped you work off a few calories.

Cheers

Marek...

[Ian A4size]

Alan, using a powertap as a fairly accurate guide to calorie burning- I would reckon on about 600/800 per hour.
That means I will have to cycle non-stop for about 6 months to get down to 14 stone!

[Marcus]

Didn't make the club run as it's my tenth anniversary and we were heading back to were we got married, Scotland. Planned to do some walking in Scotland and Wales. Didnt make it as far as Scotland due to the weather, made it as far as the peak district and whilst he club run was on I was climbing mountains, ok hills.

Still got a good workout and have a few more to climb including Snowdonia, which will hopefully mean I'm ready for the club run on Saturday. See you there.

[kieran]

Well, I had planned to join in the fun but the rain put me off an early start, managed to get out later around 2pm for a good ride to box hill (x3) and back for a total ride of 3h40min. Nothing today though, so maybe another long ride tomorrow. So apart from the many wet commutes i have managed to miss the rain for the last few weekends.

[Paul H]

Dont think any calorie counters are accurate as all our engines run at different efficiencies.

I burnt 1485 calories in 60 mins on a cross trainer last week apparently (21040m 173hr).

[Alan M]

[quote="kieran"]Well, I had planned to join in the fun but the rain put me off an early start, managed to get out later around 2pm for a good ride to box hill (x3) and back for a total ride of 3h40min. Nothing today though, so maybe another long ride tomorrow. So apart from the many wet commutes i have managed to miss the rain for the last few weekends.