Saturday Club run 25/10/2008

[Dombo]

Mine was a little different.

Went to Cardiff to visit in-laws and of course took the steed, having checked for local rides via bikeradar.com. Cardiff Jif are a local club that does Saturday CRs. Set off in a small bunch of a dozen or so through town and out towards Newport and some little villages. Rotating at the front was interesting as the two lead riders move apart to let the whole group through before they then tag on the back. By some judicious jostling at junctions, roundabouts etc I avoided point position for most of the ride until their version of T&R where the point men pull for 100 yards or so, thus upsetting the smooth Team Time Trial-type effect that we enjoy. No cafe stop, which was a shame. Instead we pulled up at some godawful petrol station to munch our bananas, Snickers etc before heading back along the River Usk, enjoying the pretty countryside and the many pretty sheep dotted about.
Road surfaces were fantastic, unlike the cr@p we have in Surrey, the toll to enter the country obviously being put to good use, and after a brisk 50 or so miles we rolled back into Cardiff, at an average 18mph. Today their CR was heading up to Rhigos and back for 75 miles, one of the lumps we did in the Dragon ride in the summer, in the kind of weather that has me settled down with the Sunday Times and the telly remote. One of the reasons I'll never "win" the Dragon.

Always a good crowd and a good ride.

Strongly recommend checking bikeradar with a quick question under Sportives/Local rides as to any CRs whenever you're in a different town for the weekend.

[Marek]

We saw a few of the Jif and Ajax riders when we did the Dragon ride this year, I seem to remember they were going pretty damn quick. Your right about tagging onto other club runs, it is always interesting to see how others do it and great for getting to know a route in an area you don't know. I do it in Poland every time I go, I am now a regular in the holiday season, have even done a few races with them in the summer months.

Also did it in France this year and that was a good crack. I seem to remember reading something about club runs in Wales but cannot remember where but believe there are a few clubs in the Cardiff area that go out towards the hills.

Cheers

Marek....

[Lisa]

I had great fun in the LBP group on Saturday. Great company, in fact I think it was the banter that kept my HR higher. I haven't had the test yet but I used the ride as a recovery ride from a week of training so kept a low HR. It was interesting to see how everyone's body responds and I hope the guys (and gal) keep it up because its very brave to put your testosterone in a box and go out in a slow group sometimes. But it will pay off. You dont have to be quick in October if you want to race in April!! Well done everyone and thanks to John for accomodating us

[Antloony]

[quote="Alan M"] Adam seemed a tad preoccupied by this and made a decision to burn some off the back - this was partially successful but the group was still somewhat large and by the right turn just before the pub we took stock and divided.

[John Czernobay]

What a fantastic morning and one great Agreeable Club . It really is a box of chocolates in the Super 15's ELITE ,it's full of 2nd Cat riders now .......I've arrived . Thanks for your company, it's was lovely and Sean don't give up on the programme we're all there for you Matey, you've got your plan just keep thinking of AW (don't ask it's personal) .

Best wishes to you all and have a great week.
JohnCz..
PS. Toks, many thanks for your assistance with Steph and Andrew.
PPS. Andrew G, great advice for both newbees to cycling and the CR, nice one.

[Marky Mark]

I didn't know she had donated a lung

[John the old'un]

[quote="John Czernobay"] just keep thinking of AW (don't ask it's personal)

[quote]I had great fun in the LBP group on Saturday

[kieran]

[quote="Sylv"]Had good fun at Herne Hill, rode there after bodging a front brake on my fixed this morning (riding it to the pub last night without brakes was scary enough), which involved carrying a front wheel and stem/handlebar/brake combo on my back.

I didn't have my HRM, but I think Kieran hit 185 , No speedo either, but left at 9.50 and back at 2.30 - totally knackered.

It was super windy, and now that HH is closed for the winter, looking forward to any upcoming trips to Calshot or Newport.