CLUB RUN 3/5/08 Feedback

[huw williams]

Seemed to be a lot of happy riders out today if chat at the cafe was anything to go by.
Nice easy ride down (apart from being pulled up by the local gendarmes, sirens, flashing lights the whole bit). They weren't looking for illegao substances in the peloton though.
"YOUR CAUSING A TAILBACK" shouted one flatfoot from the open window of his panda "RIDE ONE ABREAST PLEASE" he insisted. One abreast? What are they teaching 'em in law school theses days?

Super-smooth ride down but when you get classy riders like Dave Kennett and Adam in the group just bowling along to save their legs for tomorrows race, that's what happens.

Back via Box Hill was a bit more of a challenge as we seemed to be doing 28mph all the way behind Sylvain. Then after the stop at the top the usual mental chase through Kingswood and Chipstead resulted in a 30mph+ section, and The Shadow's final surge into the headwind back to Coulsden resulted in a splendid 61 miles @ a smidgeon under 20mph av.

Very enjoyable - good work everyone

[Steve B]

Well that was the best and most enjoyable club run since last summer .

For some reason I have been extra tired this week, so wasn't sure how today would go. But I didn't have to worry as the sun was out and the legs' n lungs finally worked together to put in a good effort, for a whole club run .

8 of us left CSS in a 19 group, soon to be 7 when Ant jumped across to the B training group. This left 7 very experienced club runners (myself, Ajay, Alan, Brian, Nigel, Richard, Paul). Everything was called out, everybody was smooth, everybody did their share and everyone seemed to enjoy the variations to the ride that were called along the way. Alan took us up, and back down, Colgate hill which was a nice change We then got a bit tangled up with the 18 group on the thru&off. This got a bit messy so we decided to ease up to give them time to get away. Unfortunately we lost Nigel and Paul in the melee.

So 5 left. Off the dual carriageway now and the gap ahead was big enough for us to push on again. I started to pick the pace up and at one point it looked as if the others were hanging me out to dry , but thankfully Brian came round to take over. Ajay, back to good form, made a break gaining a sizeable gap, but one we knew could be closed nearer the finish. Brian buried himself closing the gap by the right bend, where I could now feel Richard on my wheel. I started to sprint and could hear the whooshing of Richards tyres on the tarmac. I got to see his front wheel come alongside but thankfully no more than that. Good sprint

For the first time in a while I decided to go back via Box Hill. With a few big guns in the group the pace was pretty quick, but manageable, and for some strange reason I was actually looking forward to the climb On the climb and into a rhythm, I half enjoyed the pain and with only Sylv and Rob beating me to the top, I enjoyed the result too. Tea and lemon cake was great sitting out in the sunshine.

Didn't fancy turning off on to the A217 to home, so joined in the blast back to Coulsdon, where I sat on the front of a little group and absolutely totally buried myself along the Chipstead Valley Rd, until my legs fell off

Another coffee at Regalinos

A great day, bring on next week

[George]

Lead the 18's out on a nice extended club run via Leigh and a loop of the Henfold Hill road race circuit with the nice 17%er thrown in too.

Everyone really enjoyed themselfs and the group was kept together very neatly and smooth if I do say so myself. We turned right at Rusper for an extended through and off down the DC.

We all agreed that we would try another cafe and just after Faygate on the DC we turned off back under the road to Holybush farm where we were more than welcome and didn't have to pay the £5.75 entrance fee for the farm.

This is a seriously good alternative cafe to Charlwood, indoor seating for more than 100, no que's, 3 people just gagging to take our orders and a massive selection of cakes and Ice creams, It was such a lovely day we decided to all sit outside on the picnic tables but knew we wern't allowed to have a go in the sand pit with the other paying patrons

Then over to Charwood to hook up with the tail end Charlies back to Couldson, had a nice ride and chat with Keith Butler on the ride back, giving me all sorts of hints and tips for TT's etc.

Great ride great company top Club!!

[Amy]

We wondered what had happened to your lot, George!

Anyway, after helping Phil N escort the 16s down to the cafe, I 'led' a select small group down some byways I hadn't seen in a long time and up some hills that didn't seem as bad as I remembered . Group consisted of Monty, Phil N (once he'd confirmed with his girlfriend he could go), (Marky) Mark, Geoff (who'd missed the Box Hill group) and Ferri who also seemed to have joined in by default.

First delight was going down Prestwood in reverse to normal and then on to Weare Street, a delight at any time of the year. Over the A29 south of Ockley and onto Walliswood with a short stop for Ferri to buy some crisps and me to have a quick check (the only one of the entire ride) of the map before turning into another lovely little lane that runs parallel to the A29 towards Leith Hill and Ockley, we then rode up most of Leith Hill (which wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be) and round to Coldharbour before dropping down one of the sunken roads to Dorking.

After skirting round the town centre of Dorking we headed for Mickleham and then turned up Little Switzerland and on through Headley to regroup at the tea shack opposite the cricket pitch. The ride then finished about 2.30pm at Walton-on-the-Hill sitting outside the Cafe Chocolat while some people had a late lunch and others had an early tea

On the whole it was a very pleasant ride, not too fast though sometimes a couple of people did seem to want to rush off but they realised the wisdom of taking it relatively easy when we came up Headley. I'm thinking I may do these alternate weeks - depends how I feel and whether I've thought up another route or there's another ride I would like to do

I will add the routes to the Routes section of the forum, so people are welcome to use them for their own rides.

Sean, to quite honest, I'd rather have been out in the Surrey Hills than in that artificial tank you show in your picture - eeeeeuuuuwwww plastic 'grass'

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Excellent ride. First club run for Sam, Ritchie and me for a couple of months - really enjoyed it. Nice speech by Monty to get us in the mood/focused before we set off. Did the 16 mph with Phil and Amy and a nice bunch of first timers, new-ish members, and old lags. Nice steady pace, good chat, everyone doing their bit. Unfortunately I let the side down - got a bit excited/carried away and went for the sprint title two miles too early! Came in at an average of 15.9 mph.

After cafe tagged on with Amy's group and then set off on our own heading south through Faygate, Colegate, Lower Beeding, Partridge Green. Turned west at Horsebridge common (had intended to climb the Steyning Round Hill - but ran out of time - actually couldn't face it! ), headed north up through Ashington, Broomer's Corner, Dragons Green and decided to catch the train from Christs Hospital. Home about 5.00 pm.

Beautiful day, lovely countryside, English (as opposed to Spanish) bluebells everywhere, quiet roads, Sam attacking me on every bl**ding climb. Just over 70 miles. Glorious!

[Amy]

Jon, I think we'll have to co-ordinate rides if you don't mind me tagging along, cos that ride sounded lovely and I'd love to get further afield to improve my strength and stamina. I can easily arrange my rides around yours.

I was thinking that if the club run gets moving earlier there would be more time for a longer ride afterwards.

[Marky Mark]

Amy

You'll be getting nothing but praise from me for that ride through our beautiful England.
Thank you very much for sorting that one out, Cheque is in the post!

That was the longest ride (70miles) I have ever done and the most enjoyable, starting right back from the run from CSS to Charlwood in a 16's and your cunning plan of the Surrey tour. I was also very surprised at how we all ruled the hills with an iron fist at a pace that kept big smiles all round. Apart from the really steep bits (I did love them too) and poor Ferri with his never ending cramp, well done for riding through the pain barrier.

Amy (Mrs internal Satnav, the navigation queen)
Monty (the hill climbing mountain goat)
Phil N (The second in command pace maker) Good teacher
Marky Mark (over the moon at distance covered)
Geoff (Solid rider, dark horse!)
Ferri (Cramp'ing style, can ride while stretching one leg and on the phone at the same time)

Most enjoyable and agreeable company to ride alongside.

I highly recommend that route for so many reasons.
Most of the 'Surrey cycle way' I think it is called, is so lacking in cars, we didn't really come across any until we hit the major roads.
Pure beauty of views.
Stop thinking about it and just do it or I'll send the boys round!

My friend Rick who now has my Bianchi also enjoyed his ride with us DOWN to Charlwood, he didn't want to do Amy's run as this was his first club run he had ever done. He said he was fine riding back direct to Coulsdon with a 15 or 16 group and I should do the longer run.
I can't remember who he did set off with but he was dropped and got lost before Riegate
I now feel bad for leaving him as he got VERY lost and had to come back on most of the A23.

[mlocke]

Club Run reportage from the w’kend

Firtly just like to say - 'Great ride - thanks Paul'

For the first time in yonks I got to CSS in plenty of time and there was nothing wrong with my bike so I could actually say hello to one or two peeps.

A small training of just three or four went off first and then the B training group was called.

This included Paul and Sylv who were both taking it easy and leading the group today.

Good speech from Paul at the start which went something along the lines of “Go as fast as you want, shout if its too quick and come past if its too slow”.

So that’s what pretty much happened.

In truth I think a lot of the work on the front was being done by the two aforementioned and I was really pleased with that as my legs were feeling very lethargic today. My body wanted to go faster but the legs just didn’t have it in them. I was a bit disappointed by this as I though they would have been fresh and flighty as I had not commuted since Tuesday whereas normally I do most days.

Up over Reigate steps one of the group lost their computer so we waited just before the roundabout. This must have allowed the steady 19’s to latch onto the back and Ant decided to stay with us.

The rest of the ride was largely uneventful. People did turns when they felt like it and didn’t when they didn’t feel like it.

Got to the DC for the T&O and my legs were really beginning to feel the pace and I wasn’t sure how I’d manage.

Thankfully it was fine and we soon came to the sprint. I thought I would go for an early to tempt out those who wanted the sprint. I went for it but not too much then all of a sudden Jon came round closely followed by Ant. The pace was too quick for me to catch on and I settled for middle of the pack mediocrity.

At the café my avg was 21mph which again is my fastest run to the café.

After a lengthy café break (advantage of getting there early) decided box hill was for me. A couple of groups decided to go and I didn’t fancy hanging onto the back of Stu and co at 30mph and went with the second.

The pace was much more reasonable and for the first time in weeks I actually got to look around and speak to people on the mad dash for the hill.
Going up Box hill my legs were still feeling very cardboard like and I wasn’t expecting too many miracles. Pleasantly surprised later to find that I got up it the quickest ever (Or at least in the last month that I have been timing it) at 6m 36Secs (my previous best was something like 6m 45)

After a quick stop at the top decided this time to latch onto the back of Stu and Sylv for the humps and the ride home. This was very quick and I was struggling sitting behind them so can’t imaging what it must have been like at the front. Hopefully this sort of riding is going to help when trying to hang on at palace.

A couple of miles later after the hill after the estate I punctured but decided against changing it as thought I could blow it up and ride home before it went flat again – I was wrong. In total I had to stop three times and my avg for the whole ride plummeted from 20 mph to 19.4 when I got home.

This is still my quickest club run though so I am pleased.

Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be able to handle 20mph for the ride – that’s my target anyway.

Home to CSS – 14.1mph
CSS – Café – 21mph
Café to Home (Via BH) – 19mph
Overall – 19.4mph

And a new high heart rate of 201 – previously 192 so I must have worked hard)

Looking forward to palace tonight and next weekend already

[Amy]

[quote="Marky Mark"]Amy

You'll be getting nothing but praise from me for that ride through our beautiful England.
Thank you very much for sorting that one out, Cheque is in the post!

That was the longest ride (70miles) I have ever done and the most enjoyable.

[Marky Mark]

I could only manage a 5 mile walk around a golf course the next day, well done again Amy.

Me and the other half went back to Kingswood for some stonking food on Monday wich was nice.

Shame all Bank holiday weekends can't be like that one.

[Antloony]

[quote="mlocke"]Up over Reigate steps one of the group lost their computer so we waited just before the roundabout. This must have allowed the steady 19’s to latch onto the back and Ant decided to stay with us.

[Amy]

[quote="Marky Mark"]Amy (Mrs internal Satnav, the navigation queen)

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Amy"]Jon, I think we'll have to co-ordinate rides if you don't mind me tagging along, cos that ride sounded lovely and I'd love to get further afield to improve my strength and stamina. I can easily arrange my rides around yours.

I was thinking that if the club run gets moving earlier there would be more time for a longer ride afterwards.

[Amy]

Sounds good to me - that's why I'm doing a touring holiday at least once a year

I ride a bike not only because I enjoy it as a form of exercise but I enjoy seeing the places I ride through - so stopping for ice-cream, having a thrash, stopping to see the views etc sounds a nice change from all the seriousness. Normally whenever someone suggests a longer/different ride, only the faster ones sign up for it or it gets highjacked by faster riders and really I want to encourage the 'slower' ones to come out and enjoy these different rides, so keep trying.

As for the train - I'm sure some of us can ride all the way in some cases (I miss the old slam doors and their luggage vans) and I wouldn't just limit rides to ones from Charlwood - I've posted more than once the CTC list of cafes in our area.

I suggest keep doing your rides as usual and see what happens

[Andrew G]

[quote="Amy"]Sounds good to me - that's why I'm doing a touring holiday at least once a year

I ride a bike not only because I enjoy it as a form of exercise but I enjoy seeing the places I ride through