GRIMPEURS CHALLENGE - Sat 7th June + Report

[Dombo]

Any idea what time you expect to return, either CSS or GBs? And likely mileage - I need to calculate the number of Mars bars to bring along.

[Andrew G]

Milage is as per advertised, about 100km so say approx 60-65 miles (CSS -GBs). Timewise I'm not really sure as I've never done this full loop before, it will be later than a normal CR though. Wild stab in the dark between 2 and 3 at GBs depending how long the stop at the cafe is (based on a 15mph average and a cafe stop at about 50 miles and 9 hills in). Bit vague I know but it will depend on how people are going after the 6th/7th/8th hill as to what speed they can keep up. You are never that far from Croydon, so if anyone is suffering or needs to get back let me know and I'll be able to point you at a more direct route back. As I've said it is intended as a bit of a Dragon warm up so it'll be steady between hills rather than charging along (steady = same sort of pace in the last few miles as at the start for all those who like to charge off at the start and then die on a hill after 40 miles ), and a regroup at the top of each hill, I don't intend on leaving people stuck half way up a hill and buggering off if it can be avoided.

Oh and apologies to Sylv and "big Phil" Belvir for my apaulling pronunciation .

[Scott]

Just went and bought an ACC Shirt (my first). I think I may have to work extra hard tomorrow in order to drop a size or two! oooh Suit you sir!!!

[Sylv]

[quote="Andrew G"]Oh and apologies to Sylv and "big Phil" Belvir for my apaulling pronunciation .

[Andrew G]

Beer typing.

[carl f]

Andrew,i will be out earlier at 7.am as i need to be back for 12,so hoping to hook up with you around 10-10.30 at the foot of a nasty little hill,i'll try your mobile(if your taking it and you can hear it over lots of grunting)
I'm thinking you'll be around chalk pit at that time?
cheers
Carl

[Andrew G]

Probably about there, or Slines Oak depending whether it's nearer 10 or 10:30.

[Andrew G]

An excellent ride and thanks to those who joined me and made for good company. Great weather too as I'd not been sure if were going to get the odd shower from what the forecast had been.

After a few who couldn't make it and some subs we left as Robh, Locky, Nick W, Dombo, Scott, Brian, Marek, Hal, and myself.

Won't bore you with a ton of route detail as the hills and map are further up the post. I've never met Scott before but he showed on the first hill that he was a strong fella quite happy having his front wheel higher than the back one. Marek was looking good on the hills too and seemed to cruising up them. Nick struggled a bit on some but then he's twice my size, and was also having a bit of gear trouble - still winched himself up everything though.

We bumped in to Carl after Chalkpit and although he had to head for home joined us for the little loop and trip up White Lane. Locky had to cut off early so I pointed him towards Westerham just after Limpsfield Chart, and Hal and Marek cut off after Toys.

The rest of us enjoyed the run through to the cafe, I was particularly enjoying myself and feeling stronger all the time. Bacon sarnie, 2 slices of toast and a huge mug of tea for me, and all for three quid, champion.

After the cafe we decided to drop Bug Hill off the agenda as it was a bit of an out of the way extension for a number of people and they'd then be able to cut home much quicker. At the end of the road though they realised where they were again and all headed off from there leaving me to do Hessiers on me tod , even though I told them I could point them at a cut through back on to the main road home from it - cowards.

Good little hilly number today though to get my legs used to some hills again after the TT-ing before The Dragon.

Thanks again folks, see some of you in Wales.

[Marek]

Cheers for leading the ride Andrew, needed a few hills in my legs and that is what I got. I was feeling a bit tired today after riding Thursday and Friday, but felt reasonable on the hills, hopefully the hillier rides I have been doing are starting to pay off in time for the Marmotte.

Hal and Rob were looking strong on those hills, it is getting tempting to go and buy a compact chainset as you guys just twiddle off into the distance and I am left grinding up. Scott looks pretty strong, and with his racing ambitions should be an interesting one to watch.

Not sure I am going to be able to make the Dragon Ride, so I may do an extended hilly run next weekend as well.

Cheers

Marek....

[Robh]

Hi Marek,

I was riding a 53/39 x 12-27 whereas Hal had a 50/34 11-26. I only recently changed from a 12-23 after making my mind up after spending 2 days in the hills of Mallorca riding a rental bike which had a triple. Makes it easier for me when I'm riding on my own up hills trying to keep religiously to LBP-20 (145bpm) but that went out the window today, a day off from all the scientific training.

Personally I prefer to spin hit a top cadence of 166rpm today at some point must have been down Titsey.

Thanks for the ride Andrew well done for organising it and thanks to everyone else for coming out. Good to have some company!

Rob

[carl f]

Sorry i couldn't make the full route andrew
Started out at 7.am and made my way to penshurst then back via hubbards for a couple of reps,then over to white lane for two reps when i bumped into the agreeable's at the top. So went with them for my third rep.....
Had to get back by 12, so went my own way (via chalk pit)
Hopefully next time i can do the full grimpeurs challenge
Cheers
Carl

[Nick W]

Thanks Andrew for a great route. I have memorised every inch to make sure I never accidentally stumble on any of those hills.

That was hard work for yours truly but "no pain no gain" so hopefully there must be a benefit in there somewhere. Some very strong riders in the group. Thanks for waiting!

Yes my front cage is not pushing the chain far enough over to the left when dropping on to the inner ring (it was only my second outing on the bike) so I need to dig out the old bike maintenance manual to see which screw to turn!

Thanks again.

Nick

[Dombo]

Great route Andrew, thanks for organising the ride. Nice to do some different hills from the gravelled-over slopes around Dorking and Leith. After leaving you to do Hessiers, Scott, Nick, RobH and I headed back towards Woldingham, Rob peeling off to the A22 leaving only the ascent of Bug to do. I left the others to that one and creaked and rattled up Burntwood to get home. After much greasing of various bits I took the steed to GBs where they discovered the problem - creaking cassette due to too little grease when fitted (by me). Should be all sorted for the Dragon next Sunday. Hope to see you then, if only briefly as you disappear up those hills.

[Brian Nolan]

well that was a very agreeble day in the Kent hills, well led by Mr Green ! nice one Andrew , that is a good route indeed.. Great to say hello to a few new ( for me ), faces as well . nice riding with you all,
cheers,

[Andrew G]

[quote="Marek"] it is getting tempting to go and buy a compact chainset as you guys just twiddle off into the distance and I am left grinding up.