The club run: Mudguards, the 3 tube rule and heroes

[huw williams]

Mudguards:
Saturday's ride offered conclusive proof (were it needed) that they don't make a blind bit of difference to other riders. We did proper rotation all the way to Charlwood in a group which had more riders using mudguards than those without. I decided to pay particular attention to what was going on.

Result? Filthy. Whether I was behind a guarded rider or not I was getting a good soaking. Very noticeable that the rider's themselves were missing the tell tale line of black grime on their lower backs though.

Conclusion: Mudguards work for yourself - you're not doing anyone else a favour, so the Dulwich Paragon bloke who adopted the moral high ground with Sean at the weekend got it wrong.

The three tube rule:
Common sense and I'm sure most riders already do it but at the weekend I was surprised by how many people said they didn't.
Occasionally in life you get a double puncture. It happend to me on saturday for the second time in my life. The group was ambling along in the lanes just after leaving Charlwood, riders swerved to avoid a hole and shouted too late for me to avoid it, BANG - hit it so hard that both tyres, despite being relatively new, went flat about 50 yards down the road. No problem, changed them, did a mighty solo threshold effort to catch everyone before they went down the new dual carriageway at CSS.

Carry only two tubes, have a double puncture and you're suddenly riding without a spare, so always carry three if you ride for any distance. You just never know.

Heroes:
Having been forced to stop and watch all the various groups go through, I had an opportunity to see what happens at the nether regions of the club run that I don't normally get to see.

A big respectful shout out then to all riders who regularly sacrifice themselves for the good of the newbies, beginners and J4Fers. This week it was John Czernoby who was doing a sterling effort in restraining himself to stay with Michelle.

I did my bit by pushing her up over the top of the climb past Redhill golf course where, despite the pains of her effort on the climb she was grinning massively and rightfully proud of her lovely new bike. John always rides with a smile on his face anyway and looked as happy as any stage winner of the major tours. Good work that man.

[adrian]

Well said, that man - wholeheartedly agree. Especially points one and three.

[siwickm]

Sean, I disagree, if you get proper mudguards they should make a difference to both those behind you and yourself. The problem with the race blades is that they are too short I think.

But the important bit, I really do like riding without a soaking wet arse, it makes the ride that much more pleasurable, you should try it, especially in this type of weather.

Cheers

Marek...

[kieran]

I agree, and keeps the bike a lot cleaner too (proper full length mudguards) also in my experience I note a big difference in drafting a bike with and without mudguards. Also good winter training (added weight and reduced aerodynamics)

[adrian]

I still think that the main point is that the DP guy was bang out of order for giving Sean (or anyone else) gyp for not having mudguards.

[Jon H]

Mudguards only really work well for the rider behind you if you extend them with a mudflap to about 6 inches from the ground.

So in true Blue Peter style, take one empty washing up liquid bottle or plastic milk bottle and cut out a long strip (getting an adult to help you with the scissors of course). Then make a couple of holes in the mudguard and either pop rivet or zip-tie the new mudflap to the bottom of the mudguard. Sorted.

On downside to this, depending on what brand of washing up liquid you use, is that it might now say "fairy" on the back of your bike.

[sid_day]

I did notice I was still getting it in the face from those with full 'guards but there seemed to be a combination of optimum distance and speed where I didn't. Whereas with no 'guards it was a thorough splattering from any distance.

The only solution is the addition of an big ugly piece of old innertube to the bottom of the rear 'guard similar to an HGV anti spray thing:

http://phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html

[Stu Merckx Man]

i tried that the week before last, but i used insulating tape to stick it to my mudgaurd, it just blew off though

[Andrew G]

'guards or not I still get a dirty face following in the conditions of this weekend. Jon's fairy/Sid's tube trick works and you still see this on most bikes ridden by, shall we say more mature riders.

I'll keep my blades on as riding with a dry bum is far more preferable, and the main reason I use them.

It would be interesting to see if the same verdict on guards applies when the roads are just damp/wet and mucky rather than all the standing water of this weekend. I think even race blades would work to a reasonable degree then, with the rain we had Friday and Saturday night I think a grubby face was guaranteed on Saturday and Sunday.

Rider height must play some role, I assume this is part of the reason I get wet and dirty. How do the taller riders fare?

[siwickm]

Clean as a whistle, its just the low cloud cover that causes me issues as I cannot see where I am going.


Cheers

Marek...

[sid_day]

My last post was half in jest.

On a serious note I have noticed that full guards will help preserve a front mech on the sort of high mileage bikes which are only cleaned when something stops working.

Obviously this isn't an option on race orientated bikes.