CR 090509

[Snoop Doug]

The ole crash demons got to me today I went out on my road bike for the first time since the spawning of the rap vid . To say I was rattled would be an understatement. I didn't feel confident enough to go in a group in case I lost the plot. So, sadly (or luckily for you lot...), I turned off and did my own thing for a few miles. Felt a bit more relaxed by the time I got home, a bit.

Was then asked to go on a few errands and grabbed the mtb out of the garage. Steaming down hills, round corners as much as my little legs would give out.

Irrational dude.

[Keith]

With many of the Training Group regulars absent (Paul, Stu & Sylv in France, Marek racing tomorrow, George psyching himself up for an hour's sweating in close proximity to PVT , etc) I thought that I might be Billy-no-mates today. Instead I was pleasantly surprised when a dozen or so came out with the first group, many of these TG first-timers.

The lack of regulars and a bit of a headwind kept the speed sub-sonic heading south. The through-and-off, once it got going, was pretty rapid though (I had an average of 24.8 from lay-by to cafe.) In what's becoming an annoying habit, I found myself coming second to The Shadow at the Charlwood sprint.

Once again, well done to all of those who moved up a group today.

[quote="Keith"] The through-and-off, once it got going, was pretty rapid though (I had an average of 24.8 from lay-by to cafe.)

[Amy]

Snoop, you'll have to come with me or one of the others when we do an alternative ride and have a small group for you to get back in the swing of things.

As for me, today was pretty good. Not just starting to get back on form but rather GETTING back on form. Managed the 17s pretty comfortably and even had enough to push things on the way back (admittedly only from the stop at the church to the other side of Merstham) with some of the faster boys. Also a good sign was managing the hill up to Woodcote Green in double figures

Maybe 18s in a couple of weeks time.

[andrewf]

Lots of good stories here so thought I'd add my own. Having joined in late Oct having never had a bike since teenage years, I'm finally feeling like a club member - John C encouraged me to give cycling a go and having spent most of the winter with John C, John the old un, Graham, Steph, Mark, Tim and lots of others in the 15/16's Im progressing up the groups. Have now done 4 17's to the Cafe and starting to feel I can hold my own (so to speak) so happy days.

It was good to join Marco over Boxhill and I did remember my first J4F where he took me round with Bob(?)...lovely kit today Marco - particularly liked the sandal and sock arrangement

Hope Serena is ok - had a fight with an elastic branch just coming up to Boxhill - she crashed into the verge and fortunately just ahd a few grazes -jumped straight up and then beat me up Boxhill....tough cookie that one

This really is a friendly club - I was chuffed to finally buy my first addiscombe club kit which I'll be proudly sporting next week.

[Toks]

[quote="Amy"]
Maybe 18s in a couple of weeks time.

[EdO]

Sneaked into the training group for the first time this year
Cats away and all that but truthfully I'd had it in mind since Thursday regardless on who was there.

We were led out from Couldson by Keith. The pace seemed pretty fast despite a nasty head wind.
I think Keith, Rob Ant and Keiran were doing most of the work. Very admirable. I wanted to sit in and I know I wasn't the only one.
When I did eventually get to the front, we had reached the woods and I knew I couldn't be dropped. Safety first.

Regrouped for the T&O and the pace went up again.
I was feeling okay getting near to the sprint but I misjudged the sprint by being at the front coming round the bend.
Anyone that was in contention came past and I was annoyed with my positioning.

Stopped off at the cafe for tea and bacon sarnie and spoke to a guy from Dulwich runners who was giving me pointers on how to run a sub 3hr marathon. It all sounds so easy in theory.

Completed the intricate operation of retrieving my bike behind ten others and left the cafe with the masses going back through the usual run. The return leg I thought I might get a breather and maybe have a chinwag but the pace picked up again and it was head down eyeballs out pretty much all the way to the church

Sat at the back of the group going up the drag and when Steve and Ant attacked I was quick enough to respond and latch on to Ant's wheel. I went round Steve's wheel after the underpass and then Ant attacked and didn't have the legs to keep up.
I think things had got fragmented by then because of traffic and lights changing but I still had alot of fun out there

Back home I was straight in to the fridge reaching for a protein shake. Don't know about anybody else but I can tell the difference in my recovery doing this.

See ya

[quote="Toks"][quote="Amy"]
Maybe 18s in a couple of weeks time.

[Robh]

Met up with Marky Mark having just done 60miles and we both left dead on 9am for our own club run via Merstham, Bletchingly, Smallfields, Turners Hill, Worth, Horley then Charlwood.

Marky Mark seems to have improved since I last rode with him so strong than he broke his seat post as we just arrived @ the cafe.

Looking back at the powertap file we had a 7mile section averaging 24mph.

Total miles for me was 97.

Rob

ooooh been meaning to say thanks to Jonathan in the CycleSurgery kit for helping maintain the discipline in Grahame's 17 after Grahame stopped to assist Kate and co with a broken chain just before Newdigate.

[quote="Robh"]Met up with Marky Mark having just done 60miles and we both left dead on 9am for our own club run via Merstham, Bletchingly, Smallfields, Turners Hill, Worth, Horley then Charlwood.

[Graham O]

I wasn't feeling too hot on Saturday, so went with the 19s. In the end I had a good ride with an average of over 20 I think.

Anyhow, like Ed, I had expected a reasonably sensible ride back. I left the cafe, and had to chase for the first mile to get into a group, then had the legs blown off me by the usual syspects. Managed to stay with the group until the golf course..

I had planned to try to get out for an hour on Sunday, but was totally knackered so this was a no go.

Hopefullly, I will feel better next week..

Ed - You planning to have a go at palace ?

[Dombo]

Missed official CR as I had planned a late-start ToSH with a work colleague and chap from London Dynamo. Awaiting them at top of Box Hill I saw Adam whistle past so fast he almost got air as he crested the brow, waving as he went by.
My two turned up and after a cuppa and a cold descent we started our ride, passing Chloe leading a bunch up Zig Zag as we reached the bottom.
Did the usual Ranmore climb to Denbies, fast swoop to Dorking then drag up to Leith, and the fast stretch to the Holmbury turnoff at which point we split as colleague had a cold and was suffering on the climbs. Meandered back on singletrack road via Friday Street which thankfully dumped me at Wootton for the blast back to Dorking and BH. West of Wootton the A25 was a mess of gravel as Surrey "roadbuilders" had been at work, and best avoided. 50 miles at pathetic average 15mph, due to hills and lack of a towing bunch on the flats.

[Rob Q]

[quote]Note to event organisers, do not put Marky Mark and Rob together - it's just asking for trouble