Club Run 03/11/07

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Andrew G"] I agree that the groups need to be a bit more controlled leaving CSS for numbers, maybe not a headcount but at least keep them more manageable. Like I said in my post when I looked back at the RAB I found about 40 riders on my wheel, way to big and should have been 3 groups for that size.

[Andrew G]

If you see from my report Jon I did average 18s to the cafe .

[MJ_1993]

[quote="huw williams"]

Where will it end? 150 next year sometime perhaps?

[Andrew G]

[quote="Mo Jaffer"]150 should be doable, especially if the VCs and C and president start a youth section.

[Robh]

Jon,

The data was taken from my Powertap computer and downloaded onto cycling peaks to review afterwards.

I was in the 18's that day as I was intending to do Huw's extended who had said he was going to be in the 18's.

Rob

[Toks]

[quote="Steve The Shadow"]I remembered he had done the same thing in the training group 2 weeks previous, and stayed away for the win, so I became a bit worried, I had to go now.

[Keith]

[quote="Steve B"]... he had done the same thing in the training group 2 weeks previous ....

[Ian A4size]

Jon C C, looking at the speeds and times on Robhs' power tap , i would say that the faster speeds were probably freewheeling, it takes me 15 mins to get to the CR up and over the merstham drag, 25 mins "speed" almost certainly going down passed the fire station.
There are quite a few gadgets that won't break the bank as much as a power tap, that will give you ride info a la robh- such as Garmin 305 a lot of the polar stuff- me i love a gadget!

[Ian A4size]

[quote]Uh-oh, better change tactics.

[quote="Ian MunneryA1size"][quote]Uh-oh, better change tactics.

[Michelle]

My husband does not have a scrawny @rse!

[Steve B]

There are lots of previous threads regarding group speeds and people complaining about certain groups going too fast. Saturday was perfect cycling weather and as so, the groups were naturally going to ride at a higher average speed than it says on the tin. If it was pi$$ing down with rain and a howling head wind was blowing the groups backwards, would anyone be complaining that the average speed was less than that advertised? I think not!
It has been said before, that the group's speed is just a guide of the speed and shouldn't be taken literally. If you usually ride in a certain speed group, and you are able to keep up without blowing a gasket, then if one week you get blown out the back, something is wrong and the VC in that group should take control of the speed.

Having said that, there is always another group behind, that a dropped rider can join, and the club broom wagon will make sure no one gets lost . Obviously it is not nice getting dropped by a group and you feel pretty miserable, but it happens to everyone at some point, which is not a bad thing because it makes you more determined next week to do better.

I think the faster than advertised group speeds has played a big part in the success of the club over the last couple of years, pushing people to ride a tad quicker than their comfort zone. Just look at the number of guys in the training group, the 20 group and the 19 group and so on. 2 or 3 years ago you might have got 4 or 5 in the training group and a dozen in the 19's, with most people in the 17 group. Crikey that seems such a long time ago . Also look at how many are racing now. It must be more than just a coincidence

Obviously we don't want to lose any new riders to the club by dumping them out the back of any of the groups, so it is important that all newbies get identified and introduced to the group so that everyone knows to look out for them, especially the VC's. And if you do get dropped or see someone else getting dropped, shout loudly and the group will probably slow down for you/them, well maybe

Steve

[Grahame]

I usually have a bit in my pre ride briefing/nagging about if you are struggling for the pace, shout out and either the group willl slow down (if we are above "target" speed) or somebody will drop off the back with you to make sure you are OK and talk you through waiting for the next group.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]Obviously it is not nice getting dropped by a group and you feel pretty miserable, but it happens to everyone at some point,

[Snoop Doug]

All hail His Majesty Steve B - and from previous threads, Lord Malarkey and Vice Admiral Huw W. I used to get really hung up about this average speed thingie. Now - I just don't care. I have a go and if I can keep up fine, if not, well sue me for having a go. Totally agree that new peeps need to be looked after - just as I was on my very first CR when I got dropped like a proverbial stone.

Yeehaw