Tuesday night training ride - Elmers End!!!!

[Tim H (liquigas)]

Oh my word is all I can say about the ride last night - by far the best mid week training ride I have come across. I thought that all road racers took it easy this time of year, but how wrong I was.

I turned up and saw a lot of riders who are regulars at Palace in the summer. It was basically the who's who of South London Elite and 1st cat riders mixed with a good bunch of 3rd and 4th cat standard riders.

The pace was fairly easy to start with - but as soon as we hit the first rise the pace went up.. And up… and up… I did my turns on the front and was surprised that I managed to hang on at times…

People have always told me that you should take it easy this time of year and I agree. The only thing is that last night was supposedly easy compared to September/October. My view is that these people train fairly hard all year round because they need to make sure that they keep close to form and can build up to a higher level the next season.

For me this is an essential ride for people who want to feature in races next year. I know road racing doesn't appeal to everyone - but this ride was brilliant. Beats the turbo trainer!

[sid_day]

How did you organise your eating?
Did you have a big lunch or have an additional snack just before leaving work?

[George]

Sounds good Tim.

Bring it on

[Tim H (liquigas)]

had lunch at 12:30 then a chocolate bar in the afternoon.. that was it before the ride which started at 7:30.. then got back at 9:20 and had a massive plate of pasta with Ham.. went to bed at 11:15..

no recovery drink - feeling good today and ready to go riding again tonight

[Toks]

[quote]People have always told me that you should take it easy this time of year and I agree. The only thing is that last night was supposedly easy compared to September/October. My view is that these people train fairly hard all year round because they need to make sure that they keep close to form and can build up to a higher level the next season.

For me this is an essential ride for people who want to feature in races next year. I know road racing doesn't appeal to everyone - but this ride was brilliant. Beats the turbo trainer!

[kieran]

So Tim, did you have your computer recording? would be interested to know if averaged 25mph on open roads in the dark. Curious to know if/how one speed can provide same training to an elite and to a 4th cat racer, or is the elite doing an 'easy' ride whilst the 4th cat is maxing out and/or sheltering in the group?

Do they mind if you miss a turn or don't do any?

[Stu Merckx Man]

how long would it take to ride there from coulsdon?

or how long to drive there also from coulsdon?

cheers,
stu

PS
paul are you still up for thursday?

[Stu Merckx Man]

cheers marco

anyone know the best rout to take?

cheers,
stu

[Andrew G]

Go down Lower Addiscombe Road, and just keep going straigh over the lights. When you go over a little hump backed bridge with Tesco's on the left just follow the road round the corner and Elmers End station is on your left.

[Kasper]

What a blast let us know how it goes Stu? COuld be tempted myself if ididn't think i would be dropped. Make sure you know the route is the answer i suppose.

[Paul H]

Stu - cant do tonight unfortunately.

I'll definately do next tuesday and can meet up in Coulsdon somewhere if you like.

Paul

[Stu Merckx Man]

thats allright paul i can't make it either, ive got a ''key Assessment '' tomoro which i need to revise for.

i should be able to do tuesday

cheers,
stu

[Dr Frigo]

I'm doing my own private chaingang ride now Treating my commute like a TT.

Thanks to the tailwind managed a new PB 33"28 this morning, riding back was much harder 40"54.

The aim will be to improve on this combined time ...

[Stu Merckx Man]

how far do you commute sylvain (in miles i can't handle km!)?

stu..

[Dr Frigo]

morning's about 11.4, evening 11.2.