Kent Reliability Trials - January/February 2007

[Nick]

Like the fool I am I have decided to GIVE IT A GO!!!!... on the 28th as this is a local ride for me No need to cycle 16-18 mile before I start.

What time are you guys meeting and where.

Also who is riding what distance, I feel due to lack of riding of late I will opt for the shorter of the 2 rides but the main deciding factor is the weather of course.

Nick

[Andrew G]

Well done Nick, another masochist joins the fray (you may be glad your bike has a compact for this ).

The start is from Knockholt Village Hall so if you just turn up there you should see people gathering about putting bikes together. I guess we'll just meet by the hall as and when we turn up, unless anybody knows of a better plan.
Start at 9 so I'll aim to be there for 8.30 - should give plenty of time to sign-on etc.
I'm doing the long route as I need the lumpy miles.
See you there,
Andrew.

[siwickm]

I am doing the long one, I quite fancy doing this in a quickish time, Huw, what time is your quick group intending to depart the HQ, I would like to go with a group that knows the way, albeit I will probably get dropped on the first hill if my form from last weekends ride is anything to go by.

Cheers

Marek.....

[huw williams]

Easy for someone as quick as you - either go with the first group to leave (usually a mixture of slow and fast riders) and wait til the fast guys come past and jump on to them. Or wait around a bit as there's usually a few fast guuys who leave it about 15 minutes then try and catch everyone.

The way I see it you may as well start riding as early as possible to keep warm.

You can never be sure who's going to be out. Depends on the weather. Last year saw a handful of elites 1sts and 2nds as well as dozens of 'ordinary' riders. I stayed with it 'til Groombridge then got slaughterd by Chas Hollosi and Reg Smith

Course you could just sit in a nice steady group which is probably what you should be doing at this time of year

Usually leave promptly at 9.00

[Andrew G]

You can download a route sheet in advance from Catford CC from [url=http://www.halftoldtales.co.uk/]here[/url] to get an idea of where you're going.
Plan a more steady assault myself, are many going for a less flying pace then Huw and Marek and want to form an ACC group?

[siwickm]

Huw, only about 7 weeks to go until first race, I think it is high time the pace quickened up, although I am having difficulty in remembering it slowing down.

Cheers

Marek.....

[huw williams]

A route map? - they're making it too easy this year!

That route is burned into my soul

[Andy S]

Hi All
I'm aiming to do the short route as it's my first serious ride for about a year!! I doubt i'll be breaking any speed records so you probably won't want to tag along with me, but i'll say hello at the start (probably the last time i'll see any of you).

[Paul on the Pearson]

I'll be there. The trusty steed is at Pearsons at the moment being retuned for the assault on man and machine that awaits. I'll be happy to go with an ACC group especially if someone knows the route as I usually seem to find myself on my jack jones in a no mans land between fast and slow groups on these sort of rides and end up getting lost, even when the route's signed with bright yellow arrows which this one isn't.

[huw williams]

We'll be needing the snow to clear or nobody's going anywhere. quite a few sections in the lanes on this ride and if its anything like this morning they'll be impassable.

[Andrew G]

If you fast boys can drag a shovel behind you it should be nice and clear for the rest of us.

[huw williams]

If its icy nobody'll be going that fast - 3 years ago it was icy - 12 riders crashed on the first bend outside the village hall at the start - after that everybody was well behaved and tapped around steadily - safety in numbers - then thrashed it out up star hill at the end

[Graham O]

If I can get a pass. I will come along. I will be there at 8.30 or so. Hopefully it will be fun.

Ta,

Graham.

[Hal]

I am aiming to get there early for the longer route so hope to join the first group out. This is assuming most of the snow has melted, but I will probably turn up anyhow as I have had to trade the CR for shopping to get the day pass.

[Graham O]

I have a pass for tomorrow and the weather look pretty good.

Is anyone riding up there ??

I will probably be leaving West Wickham at 7.45 or so..

Ta...