Sat's Nov 12th:Boxhill

[Toks]

Just wanna say that I really enjoyed the alternative club run on saturday. A group of close to thirty of us headed out to Box Hill and it was nice to chat to newbies and regulars I haven't spoken to in a while. The run was expertly pilotted by Chris and Dave and when we arrived at Box hill the Ball Busting event was already in full swing.

There were people running and cycling everywhere and we 'agreeables' shouted encouragement to the suckers sorry I mean the struggling Ball Bustees...After a short stay we headed back to the Charlwood cafe. However, as we approached Holmwood the winter base mile pace was quickly abandoned. Yes, the attraction of smooth fast roads and a quicker pace, driven by Jim at the front, were too tempting for some. We hit 25mph on the flat sections as things were further spiced up with jumps from James, Mark, Alan, Steve, Yohan and myself. Eventually the Charlwood sign loomed Robbie unable to contain himself jumped prematurely and inevitably died before the descent. Yohan's attacks looked much more promising but was eventually neutralised by myself (sorry mate!). All that was required was for the winner to receive a 30mph tow to the sign and I duly obliged. Yes the sprint king steve racked up another win and nicked it by 1/3 of a wheel. Great stuff!!

[Yohan]

..great ride yesterday, and I'm glad to get a mention, but the applause has to go to Toks and Steve, it was an awesome sprinting contest, and amazing to watch! Always glad to get some tips off the 'pros' , as I always seem to get a bit excited and blast off way to early...haha

Felt strange to ride down Box hill the 'wrong' way..but kinda pleasing in a way to see the struggles on the faces of those competing fighting it up the opposite direction!

[Jim B]

Yes a really chilled ride yesterday (literally after starting off down Box Hill again). Thanks to Chris for the route. Seemed strange just having a dozen or so of us at the cafe.
The wife was away this weekend so I tackled the list of jobs she left me by going on another run today led by Ian. Leith Hill makes Box Hill look like a gentle rise. Stopped off at a great cafe/farm shop that served proper coffee and top cakes. Got a cut in the side of my Michelin Pro Race which saw the innertube hernia out, but a park patch on the inside managed to get me home.
Anyone got any recommendations for good winter tyres?
Must get off this forum and do some jobs before Jen gets home.

[sylv]

At the top of Box Hill, Simon Tim and I decided to go for a little tour of the Surrey Hills. We did Coldharbour, Pitch, St Mary's and a few others, ending climbing up Box Hill, where - would you believe it - there were still a few runners ending their race. Bumped into the ex CEO of my work who'd raced in 3h40 despite a calf injury. A great ride and a bit of a change from the usual.

Liked the new bike so much (it just seems to fly uphill) I decided to go for another ride on the extended clubrun today, only left it a bit late and got caught by the night - lost half an hour having missed a turn on the dual carriageway, and finished the ride as it was getting really dark, limbs stiffened by the cold nothernly wind and close to bonking.

[Ian A4size]

Conti GP 3000 or the 4000 as it is now, great tyres for winter/all year and they are available in yellow to match your bike

[Marek]

Or if you want something a bit cheaper and something that runs a bit slower, sounds strange but better to have harder to ride on tyres in the winter so that you go slower and train harder, then go for the Conti Gator Skins. They seem to be pretty hardy, but don't race on them except on the club run of course.

Cheers

Marek...