Sat 17 Club Run review

[Alex P]

On a bright and fresh (well blooming freezing really) Saturday morning, 66 people gathered at Coulsdon South station for the Addiscombe CC club ride. Of those there were about 10 first timers which is great for a cold mid January Saturday, but at least the sun was shining.

I had been given a tip off from an earlier group that the lanes past Reigate were iced up and several of them had slid off, thankfully there were no injuries. As a result we took the decision not to use the lanes and stick to the main roads for the ride out.

Four groups were formed, two 17mph groups going to seperate cafes with a training group tagging on. Unfortunately the 15mph group was delayed at CSS due to a late puncture but it didn't dampen our spirits and we had a great ride to the cafe where we had a surprise visit from our President, Joyce and our club Captain, Monty.

However we stayed at the cafe for some time but we nobody else turned up so if anybody knows how the other 17mph groups got on, please let us know.


Alex

[Matt_Ives]

Well, about 15 people came off on an icy bit of road in the lanes just past Reigate. I was at the back and suddenly there were about 15 people ice skating on their bums in front of me.After about 15 mins of checking limbs and bent bike parts (no one was seriously hurt, thankfully) we headed back to the main road where the groups split up. I ended up with a group of about 10 riders who did a big loop on main roads via Dorking-Guildford-Leatherhead-Dorking-Box Hill. I have a feeling that this may have been the remnants of the training group since going fast uphill and not stopping for tea were the order of the day.

[Alan B]

yes, in hindsight, not taking Dave P's advice to avoid the lanes was a mistake. I think a few people (myself included) are nursing sore hips, elbows etc - my helmet is a write off - a good advert for actually having it on i think....

the group i ended up in did a big loop over newlands corner, back up box hill and back to Fanny's for cake - well deserved by then.... so 100km done which was a lot more than i though i would get in as i slid across the tarmac near Leigh.........

Phil N - as a result of the above i didn't make it to the cafe. I will send you the stuff filled in - can you sign cheques and get Joyce to do the same as i will not be out until 31 Jan

[David Lombari]

I hope I don't upset anyone, but it was almost comical....I think I may have been the first to hit the floor, though I didn't skid because I applied my brakes, the back end was going all over the place anyway. I went into the crash position (arms over head!) waiting for 30+ bikes to hammer into me but, after a few seconds I realised it wasn't happening and looked round to find everyone else laying on the road too! Once it was apparent that everyone was ok, we could kind of see the funny side to the situation. I went home and nursed my grazes and stiff elbow and pondered the fact that the last clubrun I was on was the sunday of Paul and Monty's crash......

[siwickm]

Last year I came off on Box Hill, thankfully going up it when I hit some ice. There is pretty much nothing you can do about it, once it starts to slide I think you would have to be pretty lucky to stay up.

Thing I don't understand is why did you all go that way, I thought we were all going to go down the main road as we had been warned about the ice at CSS.

Don't mean to rub it in.

Was everyone alright, there were rumours on Sunday that someone had done their collar bone in.

Cheers

Marek....

[David Lombari]

I honestly didn't hear those comments, though I did wonder why so many people wanted to go left at Reigate. The first inkling I got of any problems were when we were past by a blonde haired girl (Hannah Reynolds?) who advised us to take it steady.

[Phil N]

Alex and I tried to warn as many as possible at CSS, thet we had received a call form Dave Palmer warning of the ice in the lanes after Reigate (5 had already gone down). We advised those leading the groups to avoid the lanes and stick to the main roads until things had warmed up.

I am glad everyone was ok!

We took a group of about 15 direct to Charlwood turning left at Reigate along the A217, returning after the cafe stop via the usual route, there was still some ice remaining in the lanes even then (after 11:30)!

Once again glad all are ok.

Phil N.

[Steeles on Wheels]

I came a cropper too. I was towards the back of the group, saw some guys at the front slide off, and I decided to go down in sympathy too (well, as soon as I touched the brakes).

So what's the damage?

heavily bruised knee
thigh that resembles corned beef
pair of torn Assos Bib tights
shredded Assos gilet
broken campag ergo shifter
set of bent ITM bars

I have to say a big thanks to the guys who helped me back to Coulsden. With it being my second time out with Addiscombe, I would have been lost without their help.

But every sad story has a happy ending. I now have an excuse to get those carbon bars I've been trying to buy without the missus going mad at me

I won't be out next Saturday as the bike's in the shop being kitted out with the new bits. So it'll be the following weekend.

Thanks again for a painful, but enjoyable ride.

Rob

[LUDWIG]

To be honest, It was very icy about 2 weeks ago out on the clubrun and I thought that it was a miracle that no one went down and got injured. I didn't hear any mention of icy roads whilst at CSS or hear of any warnings.
However, after turning off at Reigate, the roads looked dry.It was only down by the river where people all came off and the ice was 'black' ice.You just couldn't see it and with the road being off camber there, it was a disaster waiting to happen.In fact even cars going through there slowly were skidding all over the place.

I was lucky in that I was at the back and suddenly saw half the group on the road. I somehow came to a halt without keeling over. There were several injuries.One guy (without a helmet) hit his head on the deck and had a nasty head cut.Could have been a hell of a lot worse.He was lucky, I think. Is there a case for making helmets compulsory on clubruns?

Anyway, I went back to the main road with the group where some turned left. A group of about 15 of us went along the main roads towards Guildford and back up Box Hil at a fast pace. A couple got dropped on the hills but we waited for them.Some one told me that there was a pro in the group and a triathlon world champion. Pity they didn't tell me that at Reigate else I would have gone the other way.
One poor guy towards the end was going along at practically walking pace.I think he was totally stuffed.

[Dan B]

Okay, so I'm not in the best of shape yet. But I made it all the way thanks to an Ibbo-donated Asda chewy bar (I think I ate the wrapper too) and a grateful pull through Chipstead Valley and up the climb to Fanny's from Ibbo and Steve B, aka Roberto & Joseba on La Mongie. Venga, venga, venga!

I shall endeavour to speed my lard ass up by removing the lead from my belly. Time to ride all week, and no more weekday cakes!

As for the cyclo-curling episode, muchas gracias to all who helped clear folks and equipment off the (busy!) road.

Yours ever,

L. Rouge

[simonfrench]

Joined the Beare Green group and quickly realised 3 months off and Christmas lard intake put lead in my boots.

Thanks to whoever waited and pulled me and one other chap up that last drag to CSS. Most grateful - legs were falling off.

[davep]

I was in the 17mph that headed for Beare Green cafe, sticking to
the main roads. Although the cafe came up quite quickly
it seems it was a good decision to stop early, unless we
were just lucky with the roads later on in the ride (?).
Many thanks again to Doug and others for another enjoyable morning.