ACC chaingangs

[Dombo]

[quote="Dan_K"]What are the roads in Kenley Aerodrome like?

[Andrew G]

[quote="Iliya"]As we're going out of town, do we need any stronger front lights. What is recommended as a minimum?

[Phil H]

Seoncd the point about flashing rear lights.

Amazon are now doing the [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Led-Lenser-8407-P7-Torch/dp/B0018O7UAA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1284551545&sr=8-1]P7 Torches[/url] which you can get bike mounts for. People use those for trail riding. I've seen Dan's and it's pretty bright.

[Dan_K]

[quote="Phil Hawkes"] I've seen Dan's and it's pretty bright.

[Andrew G]

For torch type front lights the Fenix Lockblocks ([url=http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/lockblock.html]here[/url]) are good for fitting most securely to your bars, any size bars too. I've got a couple that I've used and never had a problem, simple velcro fitting so easy to whip on and off too .

Re the chaingangs, for what it's worth I would suggest:
- have a couple of routes to try out and see what suits the type of training ride you want to do best, if not a full on CG then you could use different roads which may not be suitable to a CG. Simple out and back or left, left, left routes of a circuit then anyone can pick up where they are if dropped or chase on if a late arrival.
- fix a date for the first one, turn up and do it. If it's 2 people doesn't matter but it fixes a date/day of the week in minds. May take a month or two to pick up but if at least 2 can do it each time then it starts to set it in stone and folk can just turn up if they're free without having to do a big check-up first.
- specify the type of group it'll be so if you are a 18s CR standard doing a training ride then if someone from the 19s or TG wants to do it fair enough but not to disrupt the "tin" of the training ride. An 18s rider won't get much training benefit from someone destroying their legs in 5 minutes so faster riders could do longer turns rather than much faster turns.

[KozloPete]

I'm certainly up for this.
So lets provisionally set a date (tuesday 21 has been suggested) , see who turns up and take it from there.
Andrews route turning off at redhill onto the a25 sounds good, Once we're out we can experiment a bit untill we find a suitable route. Alternatively instead of going on the normal saturday club run we could try out different routes for a chaingang and see what works for us.

Cheers Pete

[Iliya]

Thanks for the advice and useful links. I'll invest in a rechargeable light although I'm not sure I can get one by 21st. I think I'll just have set of two Cateye lights and if I can't see then I'll shorten the ride.

I have a decent rear light so I think I'm fine there.

[Peachey]

Me and Andy Watmore often train every Tuesday night - it is quite quick and we generally make it is tough as possible.

We head from CSS through Redhill, past East Surrey Hospital, Salfords, Chalwood, back of Gatwick, loop round on two dual carriage-ways and back again to CSS. We often tack on another loop up to South Croydon, Riddlesdown, Warlingham Green and then back up Burntwood Lane and back into Caterham. We use this route all winter and have never had any problems - the route is mostly well lit - and generally quite wide.

We will aim to come down on the 21st and happy for anyone who fancies joining us?

Darren

The faster you ride, the more front lights you need.

Wear bright clothing. Full black Rapha kit is asking for trouble, especially when you've been dropped and your rear light batteries are starting to die.

Speaking of rear lights,
[quote="Andrew G"]
If riding in a group then put rear lights on static not on flash. Following a bike close that has a flashing LED is not good for your eyes, it'll also give you a headache.

[quote="Keith"]
[quote="KozloPete"]Andrews route turning off at redhill onto the a25 sounds good

[Antloony]

Great to see some positive feedback about this. Hope the momentum continues and more and more join in each week until it becomes a regular fixture on the ACC calender Although a few days off yet the forecast is looking good for it so I'll be there if it stays that way.

[DavidKennett]

[quote="Keith"]Wear bright clothing, especially when you've been dropped and your rear light batteries are starting to die.

[Antloony]

Roll up roll up for tonight's ACC chain gang in what will hopefully be the first of many. Weather looking great for later, dry, calm and still quite mild so no excuses for not being there.

7.30 at CSS

[Iliya]

I'll be there although this will be my first CG so not sure what to expect. What is the anticipated difficulty level comparing to CR groups?

[Antloony]

[quote="Iliya"]I'll be there although this will be my first CG so not sure what to expect. What is the anticipated difficulty level comparing to CR groups?