B standard chaingang ?

[Marcus]

Have had a soar throat and other nasties that go with a cold for the past 3 days. Thought it would clear by now but hasn't so I'll have to miss tonight.

[Serge]

As long as the weather holds out, I will be there tonight. 730pm CSS.

[Paul H]

Sounds like you have enough riders for 2 groups.

Not sure a standard chaingang is suitable for the A23 or for a group of riders with a wide range of abilities.

[Andy E]

Not gonna get out of work on time, so will have to give it a miss tonight.

[LeeS]

A lorry has shed its load around Gatwick area and M23 is clogged. Its probably affected the A23 but might have cleared by early evening. Somebody might need to know an alternative route.

[Serge]

Good shout for picking up the incident . Highways agency are saying it should be clear by 730pm, so bang on time. However we could pick up the A25 in Reigate and head out to dorking. The road is a little flatter but I have no idea about potholes down that route. Anyone know if we heading down a blackhole ?

Just an idea, as it should be about the same distance as Manor Royal and back. Either way I will be there.

[LeeS]

Hope everybody got back safe last night. The weather makes it a bit more interesting if nothing else. I don't know if the front group was heading for East Grinstead but the idea of going through Gatwick may need clarifying as to which turn off we should take.The one Paul and me took last week just goes straight through the drop off point and back onto the A23. Last night we ended up in the maintenance department for the 747's. Also if anybody witnessed my pratt fall at the traffic lights then I apologise for besmirching the professional integrity of ACC. I haven't quite got used to the clipless pedals yet.

[Dan_K]

Sounds like you had some fun Lee. What sort of pace/distance did you manage?
Would be good to get an idea if I could hack it or not!

[LeeS]

I'm not sure about last night because I didn't keep an eye my watch but the previous week I did the round trip to Gatwick in about one and half hours. I teamed up with Paul on the way back which kept the pace up. I think the distance is about 30 ish miles in all. One of the more experienced people should know the mileage.

[Amy]

That was a bit better last night! I felt better, felt I rode better and managed to hang on till just before the last roundabout before Gatwick. I did continue on through Gatwick having failed to turn at the roundabout as intended so turned at the traffic lights just after Gatwick. Thanks to Serge for getting me back on after I dropped off the pace up one of the hills - I forget where...

Didn't like that bit back to the roundabout as you had to cross an exit road with vehicles turning in and an entry road out of which cars and coaches seemed to come at quite a lick. The rain was making it fun too - I could hardly see through my glasses and at one time on the way back I nearly found myself in the back of a parked car because it was white and blended in with the greyness of the road.

Anyway I was back home by 9.30pm and though tired I still felt like I had some muscles to get up the hill to Wallington and the humpback bridge at Hackbridge; though the legs did die fairly dramatically on the rise past the church where we stop and regroup on the club run. It felt like someone had turned them into lead weights (funny though I went up the rest of the hills, including the Merstham drag OK).

As for Ant - I knew he was sandbagging again - didn't seem to have any problems at all…

Lee, word of advice - I'd put your saddle up. It should help with control of the bike. As a rough guide, stand next to your bike in your cycle shoes and raise the saddle to the level of your hip bone.

[Antloony]

I got dropped on the way back again. Lost so much strength and no idea why, frustrating as hell. Might give the bike a rest for a couple of weeks.

Got a few figures from last nights ride, I'll put a link up later.

[Toks]

Well done Amy I'm really impressed to hear you're giving these speedy sessions a go. You'll be flying come Easter/early summer and breezing up those hills

[quote="Antloony"]I got dropped on the way back again. Lost so much strength and no idea why, frustrating as hell. Might give the bike a rest for a couple of weeks.

[Amy]

[quote="Paul H"]Not sure a standard chaingang is suitable for the A23 or for a group of riders with a wide range of abilities.

[Amy]

Oh it's definitely a work in progress but at least this year I can see my stomach muscles - they went all flabby and fat - and I'm starting to feel the muscles in my legs getting harder again.

So I shall keep having a go on these chaingangs - I think they're helping, even if they do make my legs achey and tired for Saturday's rides