Club Run Sat 25th.

[John the old'un]

Just popped in for a coffee to find that Regalinos will be shut tomorrow.

[Alex P]

Does anybody know whether the cafe at Charlwood will be open as Renate sometimes closes on bank holiday weekends.....

There is a Cafe Nero further down Coulsdon High Street but no outside seating and may not open at 9:00 but good for coffee afterwards

[Alan M]

As panic spreads among the coffee club ...............

[-Adam-]

[quote="Alan M"]As panic spreads among the coffee club ...............

[Rob C]

Had a great ride today. Got home and average speed including ride to CS from Selsdon and back was 20.7mph. Cheers to the owners of all the wheels I sat on today.

[Andrew G]

Hadn't touched the bike last week due to Germans and the weather. This week I've been feeling great on the commute so was looking forward to today.

Went with the training group, was called as a 20 but looking around that wasn't likely . I was introduced to Simon "Hulk Legs" today by virtue of him towing us to the Gatton triple at an insane pace - belting down the road at a steady 30mph for quite a while .

Managed to get to the front as we turned off on to Gatton so managed to control the pace down to mine for the first half of the first "step", also gave me some slip room. The legs were behaving though and I managed to stay roughly in touch with another "quickest I've gone up that" effort.

Was thoroughly enjoying myself and riding strongly until a puncture about 2/3rds - 3/4s of the way round. This is my second in a row on a CR after about 2 years without one so I suppose they're all coming at once.

Simon (Glider) stopped to wait while I fixed it. Ian and the next group came past as I was trying to pump it up so thought we could put in a dig and join them. A dodgy valve put paid to that so had to start again .

Eventually fixed before anyone else came past so Simon and I set off. Apart from a couple of easier bits we basically rode a 2-up so didn't drop our average by much by the time we hit the cafe. Thanks Simon for good company and a great end to the ride.

Steady twiddle to the church (Redhill return) and then off for the Merstham show down. As we hit the drag the Shadow went for it, Mark M went with him as did Kevin and I grabbed their wheels. Steve kept the hammer down and he and Mark pulled clear.

I kept going and chased off the top, with some help from Phil and a couple of others.

We caught Steve and Mark in Coulsdon for the run to Croydon, where Steve and I started a very enjoyable game of mini sprints against each other as we kept jumping from car to car to grab tows.

In to GBs for a new titfer and then Pearson's this afternoon to pick up my new fixie. All in glorious sunshine, what more could you want?

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Steve B]

With holiday meaning 2 missed club runs, I wasn't sure whether the rest will have done me good, or, if was more likely, I would end up dying a thousand deaths somewhere along the club run route

As It happened, it was both

No one wanted to make up a training group today - George, Sylv, Paul, Stu etc absent - so it was the 20 group that attracted approx 16 riders.
The ride to Coulsdon was slow and I wasn't sure how the legs were, but as I led the group out of the station, it became apparent. I tried to ride at 20mph but couldn't. I managed to lead to the first set of lights, but it was obvious I wasn't riding quick enough. Simon came past and I slid back to the rear. I then started to worry about the Reigate steps and if I would actually make it to the top. On the second step I tried to keep momentum going and went past a couple of guys, but then - bang - my legs fell off I almost ground to a halt. This was going to be a tough day.

Once into the lanes the pace picked up and then seemed to get faster through the whole ride. Simon, Mike and 'Blue jersey' - sorry don't know name - shared the work, and did a fantastic job too. I was hanging in there, but was feeling extreemly rough and quite sick. The pace was getting to a few of the others too. Every time I looked back, we'd lost someone else. By the time we got to the rise through the trees, I was almost chucking up, but oddly I was keeping up with the group - strange

As we went through Rusper and down the long hill I started to feel slightly better. With 2 weeks of doing not much, it must have been a shock to my body to then ask it to ride at that sustained pace . Now that I had had a couple minutes to recover, the worst was over. And by the time we had another few minutes stop before the dual carriageway, I felt quite good

Thru&off started ok and went pretty smoothly, but after the traffic lights it all went pair shaped . For some reason it never got back to two lines. I called for two lines, but it didn't happen, so just went along with the flow. A few of us did work at the front but by the time we got near the first right bend, 'Blue jersey' was at the front and tapping out a nice pace. Everyone tucked in until Simon took over and upped the pace for the finish. I jumped on his wheel, knocked it into top gear and burried myself into full power sprint mode. I looked behind and saw that I had a good 15metres - well happy

A very much needed rest in the cafe, receiving a few wolf whistles for my new bling Rapha kit and new shoes - amazing what you can get when you turn 40. Bloody hell, thats the first time I've written that I'm 40 I think I might have a mid-life crises - starting now

Back the regular way this week. The pace was nice and steady, had a good chat with Conner as we sat mid bunch getting a nice tow.
Up through the golf course, I pushed on a bit and made it up the hill 2nd behind 'Blue jersey' - sorry I must get your name next week, can someone help me out here? Mark was on my wheel. Up Merstham I decided to see what I had in the legs. I went to the front at the bottom and gradually increased the pace all the way up. Near the top I looked behind and found Mark stuck to my rear wheel. We proceeded to take turns on the front all the way down to Coulsdon - very good work out

Was joined by Andrew on the way down to Butlers. When he decided to jump in behind a car for sprint training, I thought this was a good idea and joined in. 3 or 4 sprints in all - great fun

After a bad start to the day, it turned out to be pretty good. And the weather - about time too

Steve

[Rob C]

Steve,

Blue Jersey = Jason Simpson

I was wearing the barloworld jersey.

Rob

[Alan M]

Yes, I enjoyed Saturday as well. Went out with the 19 group which ended up with 20.9. We mostly kept together with a very good group and with Mark and Chris doing much of the work. by dint of pressing engagements elsewhere we were left with only 4 at the end end enjoyed very organised and long through and off. Mark was very comfortable all the way and seems on good form and although I pressed him for the sprint I don't think I was in danger of winning it.

On the way back I took Box hill and set off with a leading group including Wal (from NZ) - who is awesome on the front and a few others. I kept up until the hill but felt a bit of cramp coming on so this was my excuse to spin up to the top. We were soon joined by about half of the rest of the group including Robbie who looked a little spent! The rest of the group didn't materialise so eventually some of us set off for a swift return. My legs are really feeling it this morning but I hope to make the hilly 50.

On the way up to London I met a New yorker with a Cervello on the train and he needed little persuasion to join so we may see him next week - his name is Shayne

[Steve B]

Thanks for that Rob, now I know who RobC is too!

What's happened to the good number of club run reports that used to be written. Lately there has only been a few each week. I like reading different peoples experiences of the club run, highs & lows. Come on guy's, get those fingers working

Steve

[John Czernobay]

It was a great morning but unfortunatelty in the third group to Box Hill Ian (King of the Mountains helment on the red Specialized) and Mo (the young lad in the CSC shirt who comes out with his Dad Nash) both came off after what seem like hitting a very badly set manhole cover in the road.

It was on the short descend after that short rise after you go right at the Youngs Pub, just before the busy A road where you go right then left. Nobody was go crazy or doing anything stupid, it was a nice paced group. It really didn't make any sense at all.

Mo had a lot friction burns and was in shock. Ian had a lot of damage to his face and teeth, friction burns to arm and shoulder and went into trauma.

Both were taken to Easy SurreyHospital at Redhill. Mo was kept in overnight has he was suffering with abdomen pains but has now been discharged this evening. I spoke to Ian's wife yesterday late pm and the hospital weren't sure whether to discharge him. As of yesterday he mayneed to have some plastic surgery.

I have spoken to Mo and he is in good spirits. All he can remember is hitting something and trying to stay up right and then hearing Ian go down.

We inpsected the road and you can see the manhole cover plus an uneven water valve cover. Also you cycle up in sun light but on the descend it goes to total shade and it is difficult to see the hazards.

I will try to speak to Ian's wife tomorrow.

Best wishes and look out for each other.
JohnCz..

[-Adam-]

Bloody hell, can everybody stop falling off please. Its just not healthy!

[djembi]

Hi john back home now after spending night in hospital. Just dont know what happened. No recollection of hitting anything and the bike does not appear to have hardly any damage at all. What speed do you think we were doing?

My helmet took the full force and I must have gone over the handle bars head first and if ever there is a reason for wearing a helmet, this is it.

Just thinking about bikes makes me feel sick at the moment. If I came on the first september club run, I don't think I would provide the right publicity!! You are going to have to make the 100 without me.

Thanks for all your help and looking after the bike

Yours Ian

[Paul on the Pearson]

Hello Ian. How are you? Or more specifically hows the chin? It seemed to take the full brunt of your fall. I reckon you must have been doing about 22mph.
Hope you make a quick recovery and we're see you back on the bike soon.
paul

[djembi]

Thanks Paul

Cant remember at all what happened, but the stitches should come out on friday. Still feeling a bit wobbly. Thanks for looking after me.

Ian