Club run 29/05

[Amy]

Hmm, not the best ride I've had in a while - too windy and legs felt dead. Right now I'm still defrosting my feet

Hung on to a steady 18 led by Alan M - too steady for me up the hills, sorry, I tried to slip quietly to the side of the road out of the way. Decided not to worry about hanging on or catching up on the way to Rusper and turned off with John CC down Partridge for a quick run to the cafe - a very wise move as it really started to rain not long before we got there - everyone else coming in after looked a little damp

It was nice to be first in the queue and have full choice of the cakes on offer - I love butter icing

Btw did anyone pick up my water bottle? I think I left it just inside the entrance to the Pine Cafe. It's yellow with Rapha on the side. Hopefully I'll pick it up next week.

Meanwhile back home, the closure of the road at Hackbridge station was causing a lot of fun I knew I was OK having already walked over the bridge in the morning but as I approached the last bit before the bridge itself, guy in a jag tried to overtake me, found he couldn't because of a sign in the middle of the road - it was all a bit hairy - and then blamed me because I was on his inside... Errmm, isn't that where I'm supposed to be??

[Alan M]

Joined the 18s group because I bottled out of a 19s/training group combination. It was generally steady but broke up a bit up to Rusper. The faster section of the later 18 group caught us and it all came together for the sprint. I wasn't near enough to the front for it to matter. About a 19.5 average back to CSS and this kept us warm but a lot of traffic on the A23 frustrated the final mad dash. Given the weather not such a bad ride and all pretty orderly and safe. Can't recall a single incident which is unusual.

[Jojo]

[quote="Alan M"] but a lot of traffic on the A23 frustrated the final mad dash.

[quote="Jojo"][quote="Alan M"] but a lot of traffic on the A23 frustrated the final mad dash.

[Marcus]

Surprised at the turn out today, expected alot more as we are approaching the summer months. Many must have beleived the weather forecast, they were right. I didn't beleive it and therefore dressed for a dry hot day

Training group and 19's combined due to only 1 volunteer for the training group.
This meant there was a large number for the 18's which were split into 2 groups.

There seemed to be a lack of VC's present. Amy taking one of the 18's, Nigel And Al (not sure if he is Nigel is a VC) taking the 17's, JC MCing and taking the 15's and Rob Q the alternatives.

I once again went with the 17's which were unusually small in numbers. We were lead out at a steady pace by Nigel and Chris, they had 95 miles to do tomorrow so left us at Reigate. The pace picked up here with Lucy leading the charge. Still kept tight and together and rotating frequently due to the strong winds.

Just after a right hand turn we rotated with Martin taking the front. Not sure what happened here but the pack seemed to slow suddenly (could have been gravel but no calling), wheels touched and Sam and another became tangled in the road. Sam's rear wheel was slightly buckled, but besides a few bruises all was well.

The pace after this seemed a little cautios and I found myself on the front again through Rusper, having taken he group over the steps.

We kept a good pace to the Cafe, arriving soaked and cold.

The Cams, Bridgette, Al and myself had a good paced ride back with the Cams disapearing at the golf course, Sam showing his dad how to climb and sprint. The rest of us carried on at the church and I turned off shortly to tackle Hiltop.

Glad I ventured out even if the rain and wind made it testing at times.

[Amy]

[quote="Marcus"]Glad I ventured out even if the rain and wind made it testing at times.

[quote="Amy"][quote="Marcus"]Glad I ventured out even if the rain and wind made it testing at times.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Rode with Amy's 18s today and just didn't have the legs to keep with a strong group of riders. After a comfortable ride up to that point I just couldn't hold the wheel and dropped off the back on the climb to Rusper. The group soon disappeared out of sight and I gave up the chase. As Amy said, she joined me and the two of us took the shorter and slightly dryer route back but still rode at quite a pace - 35/36 kms - for most of it. I even missed the right turn to Charlwood I was so much 'in the zone'.

On leaving the cafe I was pleased I'd put my 3/4 leggings and long sleeve shirt on. It was wet and a lot colder than earlier on. We all had a good laugh at Marcus's overly optimistic summer gear . I hadn't really got a clue who was in the group apart from bridget and Sam- read Marcus's account to fill in the gaps - as I rode on the front all the way home at roughly 30 kph with a nice tail wind pushing us along.

Contrary to Marcus's disparaging report I battled it out with Sam for a lot of the climb until his younger legs and lungs did for me. He got to the traffic lights 40 secs before me - he normally gains over a minute so i count that as a moral victory!!

Home with an average 28 kph on the clock. A bit wet but loved every minute.

[Rob Q]

Only 6 of us on the alternative cr today (Phil, Robyn, John, Dallas & Conor) but its quality not quantity that counts . A little climb over Farthing downs - Chaldon - Caterham over the A22 - Woldingham School with a sharp climb up Gangers hill to the Ridge then half way down Titsy then some lovely lanes across the Pilgrims lane down to Brasted for some quality Coffee/Tea and cake (why do we put up with that sub standard tea/coffee and cake they dish out at the Pine Wood Cafe? ) By this time the rain started falling, so we decided on a short loop back would be the order of the day. Some good climbing up New road then across to Toys hill to finish that short climb. Back to Westerham via Hosey Common road and then the drag up to Botley finished off with some lanes (names escape me) heading towards Warlingham and a blast home via Purley.

By this time it was raining cats and dogs and I made the school boy error of leaving my rain coat at home so was completely saturated . However this didn't spoil our fun and a great route with lots of lumps to test the legs.