Sat 10 Club Run Review

[Marek]

A lot of new people at CSS this weekend. Obviously the C+ article had a knock on effect. Nice to see Iron Legs Clive out again after some bad luck. Broken lever (Dura Ace took three months to repair), stolen commuter and a small accident. By the way I seem to remember Steve C having the same problem, Shimano sound a bit crap for this type of thing, happy I have Campag on my racing bike).

I went out at the back of the main group to make sure that I could pick up any strays. I had the plan of keeping my heart rate down this weekend after my cold earlier in the week and thought this would be a good motivator to keep me going slow.

Glen a newbee who has not been out for a while lost the group going up the hill towards the dual carriageway after getting a bit of packaging caught in his back wheel. We attempted to chase down the group and managed to get back on just before Reigate.

I personally feel that the group was a little bit large and we should probably have split up a bit more at CSS. I noticed this more being at the back as car drivers had zero chance of getting round such a large group.

Anyway reasonably steady pace but a few people fell off the back in the lanes and we took it really easy to Charlwood. At Charlwood found that around 10 or so of the group had gone to the dual carriageway for a through and off session which apparently went quite smoothly.

After a cuppa at the cafe and much talk of last weeks Crash we headed back to CSS. I sat on the front of a reasonably large group with one of our Triathletes and chatted all the way. Took it real easy and got some compliments for the pace at Redhill. Well not one for getting compliments for going slowly too often decided to lead the attack on Merstham hill. Didn't have too much in my legs so could not get onto Darrens wheel as he went flying past me at the top of the climb. Had a good hammering down the dual carriageway and then home.

Felt pretty good after and easy going session. Need to put in some miles this week after my cold so may be going a bit quicker next weekend all things being good.

Cheers

Marek....

[Daren L]

Have to echo Marek's sentiments about the dual carriage way. We stopped for a minute or two before heading off. The focus was form and technique rather then speed. The pace picked up a bit, but the technique remained good.
On heading back to Butler's, for a new rear wheel, I headed on for anothere 3 hours. Went longer than planned as the weather was good.
Only complaint was that the stop at Charlwood was too short - makes a change I guess.

[Alex P]

Considering it being a drizzley mid January morning at CSS we had about 40-50 people out with a large splattering of newbees.

Ibbo was also there with the innovative crank things he has been trialling (as seen in last weeks CW) and we were keen to see him lead off a training group of four at full pelt with his legs doing strange things....

The newbees were a mixture of those who had seen the C+ article and others were from word of mouth from friends, which is a great way to get new members and were spread between the 17mph and 15mph groups.

I stuck with the 15mph group which suited me nicely after the extra weight I was carrying after Xmas and turned out to be a good ride despite the weather to start with. We got to the cafe as most of the 17mph'ers were leaving so we got seats and a chance to catch up with the new potentials handing out app forms and swoping email addresses.

Roll on next week!!

[Steeles on Wheels]

I'd just like to say how enjoyable it was riding with the group. Having never do so before, I was a touch apprehensive.

I normally suffer in silence on the roads around SW London, so the banter and the shelter was vey much appreciated. In fact, for the first five miles, I don't think I turned the cranks once - I was pulled along by everyone else.

I was hoodwinked into riding with the faster guys when everyone split at a junction (recommended by Rory) and the increased pace gave me more of a workout. We hit a long dual carriageway and chained down it. The pace was steady (although I did get shouted at on my first through for pushing too hard - naughty boy!) and I soon got the hang of it. I think we averaged around 24 mph on that stretch.

Before we reached the cafe we reached a sign post for somewhere-or-other. Apparantly this is the signal to have a bit of a sprint. I got out of the saddle and tried to regain my dignity by sprinting down the road after the rapidly disappearing silhouettes of four or five other riders, but they were gone (like I'd have dropped them anyway?).

We reached the cafe and someone commented that I looked like I'd just done a stage of the Paris-Roubaix. I had the perfect goggle lines where my Rudy's had been - I looked like a lesser-spotted Racoon.

I let the faster guys go (lucky for them!) and decided to cruise back with Alex - top bloke. We had a young 15 year old lad out who kept up all the way on his first time out too. I don't even think he broke in to a sweat - scary!

Towards the end we caught up with some guys who'd been out pretty much since dawn. Alex told me to see if I could keep on their wheel, so I tried. I still felt quite fresh (didn't look it though) so I closed the gap on them. By the time I reached the rear wheel of the three guys on the dual carriageway, I started to feel it.

These three guys started to wind things up a little (they'd probably done three times the distance I had that day) and all I could do was sit on their wheel to recover from the catch up. But then we hit the traffic. We had to slow down, before anyone really opened up before the station.

I peeled off, said my goodbye's and waited at the station for the others.

Alex arrived shortly after and I was able to thank him for such an agreeable day in the saddle. Oh and in case you were wondering, my membership form is in the post.

Yours Agreeablely

Rob Steeles

[Rory]

Nice one, Rob. Glad you enjoyed.

[Judy]

Just another ‘newbie’ saying how much I enjoyed Saturday’s Club run. I was the 15 group – everyone was really welcoming and bared with me when I couldn’t keep up – my legs appeared to lose all power on the hills on the way back! Thanks especially to those who stayed with me at the end when I totally lost the main group!
I’ve now got some new thinner tyres for my Hybrid – we’ll see if that makes a difference before I go and spend lots of money on a new bike….I thought it made a huge difference on the way to work this morning, but then I realised it was probably just the strong westerly wind helping me along!
On the bike front – does anyone know where I might be able to hire a road bike for a try out?
Thanks
Judy

[Rob]

action bike are suppose to give trial rides...whether they sell road bikes though is another thing...your best bet is just to ask a club member for a go on theres...find someone your own height, get to know them and it shouldnt be a problem, just avoid anyone with a flash bike, because the likely answer is no!

[siwickm]

Just go and buy one, they are great take it from me you will love it.

[JayneToyne]

judy, are you on the ladies email group? do you get emails with subject header [accbella] come through from time to time?

its worth asking the girls on there if you can have a go on one of their bikes. mines a small bike, women specific geometry, currently in for a service/fettling but you are welcome to come and try it for fit at least, so you have an idea of what size bike fits and perhaps you might need a womens specific geometry.. or not... some women dont fit on a womens bike!

you can email me directly: miss.moneypenny@ukgateway.net

[Judy]

Thanks Jane, I don?t think I?m on the email group ? but as I only got my first ACC one last week it?s difficult to tell?.
I went to look at bikes yesterday, and I think I probably would need a women?s specific one ? partly cause I am only 5 foot, (& current Hybrid on only a 17.5 inch frame) but one of the main things is that my hands were too small ? I couldn?t reach the brakes on the guy?s models!
I?ll sign up to the newsgroup and maybe if I could borrow one just for a half hour trip that would give me an idea of what to look for.