Club run 15/03

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Club run 15/03

Postby Antloony » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:49 pm

Well wasn't sure wether to go as has had a few days feeling really rough, 1st with a cold then managed to pick up a stomach bug off Mrs L (she swears it wasn't her cooking that did for me) but woke in the morning feeling ok'ish.

Chickened out of going for a fast ride when they were called and opted for a steady pootle out with the 18's which turned out to be quite a well paced ride after taking a longer route on to the dual carriage way for some through and off shananigans. Only a small group but it worked well once eveyone settled down, Del was slightly enthusastic to get to the front but soon settled down as this was his first go.

On towards the cafe, was getting myself ready for the sprint as Alan took an early one and went for it from way back down the road. I quickly caught him and turned around expecting to find someone sat on my wheel but I was all alone.....was it something I said.

Cafe was crammed as we seemed to be the last group to arrive so had to shovel my tea and cake down me before getting up again after what seemed like a minutes rest.

Took the route back to Box Hill, a small group heading off first (5 of us I think) and had a good run there till Matt?? had a huge blow out just before Box. We stopped and sorted him out as the other group of about 20 or so caught and past us. This set a good challenge down to catch them and we slowly picked them off. Matt flew up the road before BANG...antother blow out, seemed he had a big split in his rear..ooeerr.

I eventually over hauled all except one who's wheel I (sorry, dont know name) sat on for a bit till I sprinted the last section.

Quick re-group at the top, Matt had sourced a lift home so didn't need to worry about him being stuck so then it was off and away on the run home. Good run back for me, pace started picking up nicely and was a good charge in the end, did my usual solo blast back to Sutton trying to keep around 25-30mph.

Great day, weather stayed fine and the sun came out to visit and also 2 free bottles...though I did notice people trying to throw them away on the climb up Box Hill. :lol:

Im enjoying my cycling more and more each week and a big part of that has to be attributed to belonging to a excelent cycling club that has made me feel welcome from day one. Long may that enjoyment continue.

PS and I promise to try and remember more names of the people I ride with.
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Re: Club run 15/03

Postby Del » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:44 am

I have to agree with Ant.

I'm enjoying my cycling for pretty much the same reasons. Having decided to join ACC last December, I've found a warm welcome and encouragement. This Saturday was the same.

Stepped up to the 18s last Saturday and did ok, but struggled a little approaching Rusper and got dropped through Ifield Wood even though I thought I was giving it everything. This week I got the pace much better and felt things were going well, when we lurched off at Rusper and headed down to the dual carriageway for my first through and off. Really enjoyed it, although as Ant said, I had to be told to ease back when hitting the front, but got the hang of it and got a real kick out of it.........even with the miserable old git in Ifield who decided to lean out of the front passenger window of a people carrier and shout at us to ride in single file as apparently "the highway code says so". A number of us politely advised him that he was, er.....wrong. After we had held him up for what must have been 50 metres, the car pulled past us, his chubby face scowling at us from the window, before the car turned right to Gatwick about 30 metres ahead of us. I fear we may have delayed him by as much as 45 seconds.

My innocent glee at my new through and off skills was then punctured by the sight of a sudden, ungentlemanly attack from miles out. I say! Is this sort of behaviour allowed? :D It must have been Alan from Ant's report, but as Ant said, he overcame his Brighton injuries from 2 weeks ago to blast to victory in the sprint, while the rest of us had a private battle some 20 to 30 metres back.

A thoroughly agreeable ride, although after the cafe I headed home to Horley where I excitedly tried to explain my new skills to my wife and share with her the excitement of my first 20 mph average. She smiled at me, assured me she understood and said I should go for a shower! :?
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Re: Club run 15/03

Postby Andrew G » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:50 am

Good to hear we haven't put you both off :lol: . No reports from the old stagers?
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Re: Club run 15/03

Postby Grahame » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:01 pm

Saturday morning, and for once it appears that Monty forgot to put in the order for sunny weather. It was raining as I got ready in Bromley. So out with the converted mountainbike "Frankenbike" as it has mudguards, and I'm old and don't like having a gritty bum after a ride (easy Ian, Andrew and others in the Finbarr club). This bike is definitely heavier, and probably a bit slower than my "good" roadbike, so leaving home at 8:30 meant no coffee before the VCs meeting at 9:10 :(

I went out again with the 18s, forgetting that my knee had been sore and stiff for a day or so after last weeks ride.

We set off at a pace "just above" the 18mph average target, and I would have felt bad if I'd allowed this to drop as I came alongside Ian at the front for the drag out through the suburbs. I was then on the front for the good bit - the swoop down the Mestham Drag. Off the front in time for the three humps. Fortunately, no Elliot in the group this week :wink: as I barely had the strength to hold on, never mind to assist somebody else with the climb. This was feeling like hard work.

As we wound through the Surrey lanes, my knee started to tighten up again, so I was glad for an excuse to turn left for Charlwood rather than right with the group to Newdigate and on the the through and off. This meant I got to the cafe early and had time for a very agreeable chat with Elle Presidente and Keith before the place started to fill up.

Leaving early allowed a small group to go the short route back, I (foolishly) sat on the front all the way to Doversgreen, when I found myself in reverse gear for the church climb and nursing an increasingly sore right knee. Slow and steady back home to collapse on the sofa and watch the afternoon's rugby. At tea time, I got up to find my knee was becoming very uncooperative.

Sunday found me limping, and there's still a bit of stiffness (easy, Ian, Andrew, etc.) so I think this week will be taken easy, and I'll reassess the situation before next Saturday's clubrun.

It was still fun, though.
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Re: Club run 15/03

Postby Toks » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:37 pm

[quote="Antloony"]

Chickened out of going for a fast ride when they were called and opted for a steady pootle out with the 18's...
Sandbagger :D [quote]
On towards the cafe, was getting myself ready for the sprint as Alan took an early one and went for it from way back down the road. I quickly caught him and turned around expecting to find someone sat on my wheel but I was all alone.....was it something I said.
Sandbagger, Sandbagger :D :D
Glad to hear you're really Enjoying riding with Da Agreeables :mrgreen:
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Re: Club run 15/03

Postby Alan M » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:16 pm

[quote]My innocent glee at my new through and off skills was then punctured by the sight of a sudden, ungentlemanly attack from miles out. I say! Is this sort of behaviour allowed? :D It must have been Alan from Ant's report, but as Ant said, he overcame his Brighton injuries from 2 weeks ago to blast to victory in the sprint, while the rest of us had a private battle some 20 to 30 metres back.


8) Hey - by mutual consent men of a certain age, testers on fixed wheels and ladies are allowed to dictate the pace in the final mile or two and getting a break on all but one of the group, sandbagger Anthony is very much part of the game and for me something of a result! :roll:
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Re: Club run 15/03

Postby Del » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:14 pm

Well you looked damned impressive to me as you launched off the front, Alan!

Firstly, I thought that it was a truly impressive through and off. As you disappeared up the road, I started to suspect a different manouevre, confirmed when Ant went whizzing past me after you.

Basking in my new skills was more than enough success for me. :D
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