CR - 8th August 09

[Keith]

We seem to have lost the habit of putting regular Club Run reports on the Forum, so I'll start the ball rolling this week.

We had a new guy out with us in the Training Group today. Not sure I caught his name correctly, but I think it was something like Toks. He seemed to be able to ride alright though. Hopfully he'll want to come back again soon.

[Michelle]

Well come on you lot, I am living my cycling life through the internet and TV at the moment. Since the Tour finished I have been relying on the Forum......lets have your reports

[Stephanie]

[quote="Keith"]We had a new guy out with us in the Training Group today. Not sure I caught his name correctly, but I think it was something like Toks. He seemed to be able to ride alright though. Hopefully he'll want to come back again soon.

[Roy Green]

If you're finding the pace a bit breath-catching, Stephanie, you should try the real Agreeables group, with the other Steph and abou a dozen others. We clocked about 15-12mph average to Charlwood, ably conducted by Grahame the Taxi. A nice even pace, very good bunch riding conduct, and we were able to hear the birds and smell the flowers.
At Charlwood, a couple of the ladies suggested a 'normals' ride home via Box Hill. So we cut out the cafe stop there and went straight on, with Steph, Lorraine, Jill, Chris and self. Enjoyable pace again, though we were well and truly 'bombed' by lots of ACCs charging past at speed as we crossed the A25. A really good club turnout at the Box Hill cafe, too. At the Coulsdon start, I think one of the VCs had counted 87 present, with some still arriving. Sun certainly brings 'em out.
Michelle, I'm sure you'll be making a comeback before long. Make sure it is with our happy leisurely group!

[Michelle]

Y'know Roy, I think my first foray back to the ACC will actually be in the J4Fun group! Looking forward to it

[Steve B]

Last club run for me for a while, off on hols tomorrow. Training group set off from Coulsdon as a big group of about 15 or so, but quickly became 10 or even less by the time we'd reached the Mway turnoff due to George riding at over 30mph on his TT bike with everyone else chewing bar tape, and more, behind. Now I'm not one to moan, usually, but I don't think this should have happened, its supposed to be a training group not a rip everyones legs off as quickly as possible group. How do we expect guys to try and move up in to the training group when they hear of things like this happening. Some from the TG might even move down a group for fear of it happening again. I'm not blaming George for doing what he did, there's no rules to say TT bikes aren't allowed, and I don't blame everyone for chasing him. As Keith said " there was a wheel to catch", and that's what happened, everyone tried to catch it, with the unfortunate sods at the back not managing to get on the train travelling at over 30 . Moan over.

After George turned back after the steps the pace obviously eased back a touch, but the effort to stay in the group was almost the same. The guys doing the work at the front were super strong and there was no way I could contribute for fear of exiting out the back door straight after. I did manage one pull on the front though, up through the trees dragging the group up to Wal, who had made a break for it. Stu shouted some encouragment which spurred me on to bury myself for the cause . I felt pretty cooked after that but stayed with the group, just. Thru&off was good, but my legs seemed tired. I had raced on tues and thurs and my old legs were starting to feel the strain, but I still won the sprint .

Great blast up and over the Merstham on the way home. My legs will be glad of the rest now,

See you anon

Steve

[Antloony]

Steve, your comments about crazy chicken legs George rolling up on his TT bike are bang on. I got held up in traffic by a slower rider, by the time I got round him there was now way I could get back on to the back of the group, a total useless exercise. Shame as I felt better than I've done for the last 3 weeks. Paul H told me George is now banned from using his TT bike on the club runs

Ended up in the 19's, nothing exciting happened really, usual stuff, Serge putting in an attack through the trees up to Rusper. Just sat on his wheel with Lockey till Dave K came past so grabbed his wheel till we reached the top. Not a lot more to report, thru and off wasn't the best, was quite a large group though and the traffic at the roundabouts caused the group to split a couple of times.

As for the sprint, what a joke. Such a difference from one week to the next. Last week was so good, I lead 2 of the clubs most experienced sprinters out, Steve B and Adam, so they could do battle to the line. Thought I'd take part in the sprint this week, what a mistake. Riders everywhere who know they have no chance yet still insist on trying to ride at the front and getting in the way. Yes I know its only a bit of fun at the end of the day but it should be safe fun. Yesterday was a shambles and its bordering on dangerous, there will be one almighty crash soon, can see it coming. If you havent the legs or the speed to stay up the front then please stay out of the way and stop being a danger to other people.

Steady ride back to BH, caught up with Mr senior half way up and had a nice chin wag, thanks. Quick blast home as usual as the legs were feeling good today. Really need to spend more time on the bilke though, once a week just ain't enough.

[George]

All you guys had to do was hold on to the wheel till Reigate, it was a good bit of speedwork for the group I'd say
Don't worry I won't be out on my TT bike in the training group next week!
I'll be out on the tandem instead

[Sylv]

[quote="Michelle"]Well come on you lot, I am living my cycling life through the internet and TV at the moment. Since the Tour finished I have been relying on the Forum......lets have your reports

[Ivor]

[quote="Antloony"]Paul H told me George is now banned from using his TT bike on the club runs

[Toks]

[quote="Sylv"][ oops after that me, Paul and the guy with the bumbag (I don't even know his name! super strong!!) had dropped the rest of the group. We carried on very fast till the red lights at the roundabout where the rest of the group caught up.

[Sylv]

[quote="Toks"]By the way, why don't the training group keep things together at the start of the A23 drag until we pass that last set of lights near the petrol station then at least nobody will get caught out by the lights.

[Toks]

[quote="Sylv"]
At least when I get to red lights in a group I don't weave through the traffic I just wait behind the cars to give a chance to everyone to regroup eh

[Sylv]

Ha I had rephrased it in the meantime

I know it's a hard habit to break when you do it on a daily basis!

[Michelle]

Thanks guys. Great write-ups, that's a bit more like it!