Club Run 15th August

[Andrew G]

A shame the sun didn't come out properly this morning so it was a bit muggy, but an enjoyable club run for me.

Went in the 19s and had a good ride out, Ant riding well in to the wind doing more than his fair share. People seemed to be happy with the speed and the way we were going, so there wasn't much in the way of true rotations all the time and more a case of people slipping in to gaps and riding at the front as and when they wanted to and felt strong. We collected Rob R-E on the way who tagged on and then turned off with Dom for the cafe at Partridge. The pace was good all the way and picked up a bit on the run in towards Rusper so we averaged about 20mph by the cafe. I can rarely be bothered with the through and off, riding up dual carriageways enough when I'm racing, so turned off at Lamb's Green and had a good fast run in to the cafe with Lockey and AN Other (sorry don't know your name).

Nice chat with Jim and others in the cafe to the accompaniment of a cuppa and a bacon sarnie.

Back via Box Hill and had a nice fast run there with Rob, Marek, Marek's mate (very strong), Ben and a number of others. Great fun barreling along at speed until Box Hill where I slipped it in reverse as usual. It's not very steep and not that long but Box Hill's always a bit of a nuisance for me . I just find it a bit draggy and almost always struggle to find a decent rhythm on it, I always go up it better in the winter on fixed.

Quick breather at the top and then off, said ta ta to Marek and his friend at the roundabout so they could cut back to Walton on the hill for a pint and a bite to eat. Then the usual blast back through Chipstead Valley to Coulsdon and the spin to Croydon.

A very enjoyable ride today.

[Gavin]

First time in the Training Group since 2006.

It all started quite well George setting a slow tempo and getting caught in traffic about 10-12 in the group.

Then the hoards were unleashed and the rocket fuel was lit and we were off as full throttle to the three humps.

Seemed to me a little sedate going over the 3 humps but as soon as the thought entered my mind the attacks began and I was gasping for breath as we cusped the top.

We had an altercation with a non signalling car which took one of our riders over the top of his bike. A few cuts and bruises I think but rider was more annoyed than injured. Car driver apologised lets hope he learns to signal.

Slightly longer route to newdigate and we ended coming up the steep hill you usually go down on the way to box hill. This caught one of the chaps by surprise he seemed to stop dead as everyone went passed him. Fairly sedate up to the golf course as George went on the front. No one was going to put the hammer down because of the hill at rusper. This split the group up a lot only about 6 made it over the top together.

We passed another addiscombe group on the descent from rusper and picked up a young chap (I think his name is Paul). Well he was fresh anyway.

Stopped before the DC and the group behind was there too. I think there was some swapping going on but I decided to stick with the front group. Couldn't come past on the through and off as I was just managing to hold on. I got held up at a roundabout but Marek and the bloke who come off waiting for me and we were on the chase of the 3 in front.

Got to the cafe in one piece and just behind a slightly subdued sprint as there was lots of traffic.

Happy to not get dropped which makes a changed from 2006.

Thanks for the ride TG

G

[Antloony]

[quote="Andrew G"]A shame the sun didn't come out properly this morning so it was a bit muggy, but an enjoyable club run for me.

Went in the 19s and had a good ride out, Ant riding well in to the wind doing more than his fair share.

[Marek]

My Wales ride didn't pan out so decided to go on the club run and bring Matt along. Matt is the rider who always beats me on the Tour of Kent, he also now works literally across from the desk from me, so others around us get to listen to cycle babble all day long.

Not the best start today, got to CSS and realised that I had managed to put my new chain on incorrectly, a quick change, much to the amusement of Paul Ingram.

The pace out of CSS was manageable today as there was a fair bit of traffic and quite a nasty headwind which actually kept the speed down for most of the ride. Paul H and George were a bit more subdued than usual which was good as I was not feeling too chipper today. The Reigate steps started off reasonably paced then Rob W started to wind it up and then I put in an attack to get over the top. Through Reigate and at the left turn by the green Matt nearly got taken out by a car that decided to make a rather strange move that caught him out, he went over his bars due to heavy braking. No damage done thankfully, although Matt was a bit annoyed, I thought he was going to lamp the driver at one point.

We then got going again and George led us onto a slightly different route, some good strong riders in the group, but when Matt went on the front it was noticeable how quick he was, darn I will need to do some training to keep up with him in the Tour of Kent this year. On the dual carriageway and the pace was pretty tough going, Gavin was not going through, but have to admit I missed a couple of turns as I was really starting to feel the earlier efforts. Rob W won the sprint uncontested as there were a load of cars bearing down on us and it was not worth going for it. But a win is a win, so well done Rob.

After a cuppa and some cake and a chat about Northern Steves new bike, you will not believe the cost of the thing, we headed out to Box Hill. Was a good ride out, Andrew Green putting in some good turns on the front along with Rob and Matt. On Box Hill and Matt, Rob and another young guy I don't know took off. Andrew G literally went backwards, I tried to keep up with the fast guys but they had a bit of a gap on me and I could not close it down. Good run back down to Walton on the Hill where Matt and I turned off and ended up in the Spaghetti Restaurant. Was very good, nice bottle of Peroni, Sardines, Pizza, bottle of water and Cappucino for £20 each. Not bad.

Cheers

Marek....

[Paulos Fandangos]

A very enjoyable run out to Charlwood this week, my first club run for nearly a month and with 2 weeks off the bike I was pleased be back with the agreeables and don my shiny new Addiscombe kit, which turned a few heads: Jealousy is such an ugly emotion
I was umming and erring about joining the TG again this week, but I bottled it and settled for the 19's.

A good pace was set by Ant and Mr , with the odd rider taking their turn. At this point I was sitting in comfortably and glad I wasn't in the training group as I probably would have been out the back, feeling sluggish. As we rolled through Reigate and into the lanes I felt more lively and came to the front. Warm-up over I lent a hand at the front and waited to see who would move on the Rusper steps. Sure enough a rise in the pace came and the group strung out. Ant, Locky and Mr were going strong at the front and I latched on behind. Then Ant decided he would stretch his legs, and Locky and myself followed in hot pursuit. We crested the top with Locky just behind, the following pack no where to be seen.

We coasted through Rusper towards Lambs green still waiting to be caught. All of a sudden a speeding train of 6 riders came past, and thinking this was the 19's with a new lease of life I jump on! I soon realised this was the training group and decided to roll with it. Up the drag towards Faygate and the pace was good, but Marek wanted to go faster and jumped out of his saddle and up the hill. The group split and I followed Marek and his mate over the hill to re-group before the T&O.

Not wanting to crash the party, I rejoined the 19's for a good T&O. Very smooth on the way out, and a lovely tail wind pushing us along up the carriageway. We held the group together right up until the sprint. Ant clearly had his eye on this one and a good lead out saw him on his way. I was about to make a move when he came round! I think the rider in front of me went to chase but then decided not to, leaving me to squeeze between two riders to give chase. I had good legs and when Ant slowed up I thought he had blown. Nope. He looked round to see me steaming along and gave one last push to take the win. haha teasing me all the way!!

As for the ride back, I gave BH a miss, and had a jolly ride back with Marky Mark, Chloe and the hangover group. Mark was cheery and clearly eager to get (back) to the pub! and set about entertaining the group while we cruised home. All good fun. Also good to see Michelle at the Cafe as well.

[John Czernobay]

What a beautiful Saturday. With only five of us in the Super Elite 15's I feel my work here is almost done . It's great to see so many Newbees stepping up to the other groups, well done too you all and like so many things in life it's not so difficult after all especially when you are with the Agreeables. .

On the way the down to Charlewood with Lucy, Tony, Ian and Graham (great to see you matey and don't leave it to long) had a great ride out taking in some extra "loops" along the way so as to arrive at Charlewood just in time to walk straight in for tea and cake.........marvellous. Helped out a cyclist who have fallen off at a junction and nearly ended up under a Mercedes Benz, a few cuts and damaged pride he seemed okay but he didn't want any help or join us so that was that.

Started back with the Pace Car (nice one Michelle) and Team Tequila Gold (the hangover group) for a lovely run back. Nice one RobH good man, thanks for waiting for us it was great run back after two weeks off the bike. .

Agreeable wishes.
JohnCz..

[Robh]

[quote="John Czernobay"] Nice one RobH good man, thanks for waiting for us it was great run back after two weeks off the bike. .

Agreeable wishes.
JohnCz..

[quote="Robh"][quote="John Czernobay"] Nice one RobH good man, thanks for waiting for us it was great run back after two weeks off the bike. .

Agreeable wishes.
JohnCz..

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="John Czernobay"]What a beautiful Saturday. With only five of us in the Super Elite 15's I feel my work here is almost done . It's great to see so many Newbees stepping up to the other groups, well done too you all and like so many things in life it's not so difficult after all especially when you are with the Agreeables. .

Agreeable wishes.
JohnCz..

[quote="Rob Quinn"][quote="Robh"][quote="John Czernobay"] Nice one RobH good man, thanks for waiting for us it was great run back after two weeks off the bike. .

Agreeable wishes.
JohnCz..