The best ever clubrun

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Postby adrian » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:42 am

Not much to add to what's already been said but certainly wanted to echo the sentiments - it was indeed an epic day.

Beers and curry on Thursday and Friday nights were perhaps not the ideal preparation, but I must be getting good sh*t as there were none of the feared after-effects. In fact I felt pretty good in the saddle all day and was able to enjoy it to the full, and without spoiling the fun of those coming up behind.

Plumped for Huw's group, and not just because it offered a later start. Despite about two people posting their confirmation, 30+ turned up ready to go, and only about three went off for the regular clubrun.

The day's riding was always going to be defined by the trip back, but the way down wasn't without its highlights, mainly provided by the weather: was there ever a day of better clarity and visibility?

The size of the group made some splintering inevitable, but a good-sized peloton picked its way through the heavy traffic after the fast descent off Ditchling Beacon to incorporate with the yellow mass at the pier.

After inhaling a spag bol at the restaurant (excellent choice - they mobilised admirably and despatched us very efficiently) - only Yohan got his down quicker, as far as I could see - and posing for the photo on the green, I set off in a sizeable group upwards and homewards. As we approached the Dyke, I found the fast boys had opened quite a gap, which took me and chap in Basque Country top whose name I don't know about 20 minutes' hard work to bridge. Luckily this hard work also coincided with the group's slackening off briefly.

It was well worth the effort, as I managed to hang on and stick with them for the duration after that. The result was a speeded-up rollercoaster ride through dappled lanes that eventually led to the clubrun in reverse, which we gobbled up in no time. I expected to get spewed out up the drag to Gatton Park (aka Reigate Steps) but this group was no longer for splittin' - not until the belt down into Coulsdon, at any rate.

Eventually got home with 112 miles on the clock and an average of just shy of 19mph for the day. One of the best day's riding I've ever had, and all in all a glorious day out in great company. I blew out my works summer do to be there - turned out not to be paintballing but a speedboat trip up the Thames followed by rounders :? - and am mighty glad that I did. Thanks to everyone who made it a day to remember.
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Postby sid_day » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:47 am

Adrian, that was me in the Basque jersey.

The pursuit though alot of fun completely finished me off!
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Postby adrian » Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:12 am

[quote] Adrian, that was me in the Basque jersey.

Ah - nice to put a face to the name at last - and vice versa. Happened with a few others as well on Saturday.

[quote]The pursuit though alot of fun completely finished me off

I'm surprised to hear that - you seemed to be quite happy and going well.
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Postby Dombo » Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:19 am

Another great thing about Saturday's ride is colleague appreciation on Monday morning in the office.
Tell them you rode Stage 1 of the TdF, no response;

that you dragged yourself weeping up several Alps in 40 deg heat for the etape, no response;

SDW in a day merits a shrug, at best.

Announce that you rode to Brighton and spend the rest of the day receiving praise, pats on the back and the status of an athletic supergod.

Fantasy footer anyone?
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Postby carl f » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:03 pm

Imagine the response i sometimes receive rocking up on a building site wearing lycra,let alone trying to explain cycling 100 miles on the weekend :D
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Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:45 pm

[quote]"28mph,uphill, into the wind- i wondered what was going on"

That'll be george then!


Spot on.

Had a great ride down to Brighton with Andrew and George (surprised there were not a few more takers :? ). Although I had hoped it would be good preparation for my "12" next week a steady ride wasn't on the cards.

Started off along A23, over Redhill, then into the lanes to Smallfield, across to Felbridge, past deers Leap Park towards Sharpthorne, around Weirwood Reservoir and up over the Ashdown Forest to Wych Cross, picked up the A22 for a quick blast around Uckfield, Halland, Lower Dicker :shock: to Polegate. Meant to turn left via the town centre, but Andrew was ahead and went bowling straight on so added a few extra miles.

At the bottom of the climb out of Eastbourne to Beachy head, it was quarter past 11 :shock: Only an hour to get to the pier and 21 miles to go over the Seven Sisters, out of Seaford and over the Telscombe cliffs - a tough call. I mentioned this to George who confidently predicted "we'll make it" and put the hammer down. Between us, we were keeping up phenomenal speeds, George and Andrew on the climbs and me on the descents and flatter bits, such that we made it at 12:16.

Average from home 20.1mph for 80.2 miles.

Then the great photos on the pier - even tourists were taking pics of us, a great lunch and the blast home, although I didn't like Huw's idea of going up via the Hammerponds and Rusper having covered 120 miles, but plodded on. Refreshments at Rusper and recovery was near complete for a fast blast back along the A23. 8)

Total average for 138.7 miles 19.5mph - a riding time of just on 7 hours so I guess not so bad training for a 12 after all - just have to go a bit faster :shock:

Thanks to everyone for making this a great day out, leaders Monty, Huw, marco, Ian etc (and especially George and Andrew (Polish)).
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Postby huw williams » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:48 pm

Paul - I saw you riding to work this morning and you looked half dead - get some rest man, you've got a 12 at the weekend :-)
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Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:50 pm

That is a new method of recovery riding :wink:
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Postby huw williams » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:55 pm

Speaking of recovery - how's everybody doing? I didn't sleep at all saturday night after the ride, too hyper - felt crap all day yesterday as a result.
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Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:01 pm

My average speed to work was 14.8 today, but in my defense, there was a strong headwind.

Felt like cr4p, but this is quite normal for me 2 days after a ride like that. Just some steady spinning miles to get back to speed.
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Postby huw williams » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:07 pm

Same here - 3 days of 45 mins at base before I can even think about going fast again. Getting old y'see

Of ourse we could adopt George's approach - go up the Palace tomorrow and ride like Jehu for an hour. That normally brings you round
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Postby sid_day » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:37 pm

I went and did some drop offs and jumps on my mountain bike yesterday.

I did my first drop off a wooden ladder. 8)

I didn't feel to clever going uphill on a 30lb MTB tho.

A bit stiff last night. Was too cross eyed on Saturday to get any stretching done.
I lost 2kg over the day prob mostly water.
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Postby adrian » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:41 pm

Felt great on Saturday night - was out the house in 45 minutes and was sparkling and engaging company until about 2am.

Was then up again at 6.30am to go to work and felt about 90 all day. Had to ride to Acton and could barely turn the pedals - Notting Hill on the way back felt like Alpe bleedin' d'Huez!

Seem to feel OK again today, though - or was that a tailwind on the way in? :)
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Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:42 pm

[quote] felt like Alpe bleedin' d'Huez!


so did Chipstead Valley this morning :shock:
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Postby Mike I » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:54 pm

[quote]Perfect Day by Lou Reed


I've always preferred the version by Croydon's very own Kirsty MacColl :cry: myself.
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