CR Thread

[Phil H]

Started off with a large 17s group. Heard no complaints about the pace but when I looked over my shoulder at Merstham, we were down to about 5. Decided to split into a fast 17s with 7 of us and Cap'n Jon taking the others. Freshly serviced bike and a tailwind gave me that EPO feeling. Rolled into Charlwood with a 18.3mph average. Tom punctured on the way back and some kind person tried to clean their van on our sleeves.

Anyone know what happened to Cap'n Jon?

[Marcus]

Thanks from myself and Jamie for everyone in the 15's waiting for Jamie to get to CSS (his train being delayed at South Croydon).
Also great to catch up with some peoples whom not seen for a while due to me being absent from CR's.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Phil the Pie"]Started off with a large 17s group. Heard no complaints about the pace but when I looked over my shoulder at Merstham, we were down to about 5. Decided to split into a fast 17s with 7 of us and Cap'n Jon taking the others. Freshly serviced bike and a tailwind gave me that EPO feeling. Rolled into Charlwood with a 18.3mph average. Tom punctured on the way back and some kind person tried to clean their van on our sleeves.

Anyone know what happened to Cap'n Jon?

[JulianG]

A group of 17 headed from CSS badged as an 18mph group, only because the 20s seemed to be the TG, the 19s the fast 20s etc etc.

Anyway thanks to all the regulars who helped keep a really tight group all the way to the cafe,far too many names but you know who you are. Monty and I chatted and agreed it was refreshing to say the least to get all 17 at the cafe together, especially with the head wind a 17.9 mph average was a good pace.

one thing for us all to remember, the sprint we are representing the club, I will not harp on but lets be sensible and safe, the road is a public highway, we cannot ride/sprint 4/5 abreast... enough said...

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Good point, Julian. 17 is too big a group and something we must get right. As a rule of thumb a max of 12 is what we're aiming for. there's more control, better communication, it's safer for riders, also cars can see past us and overtake more safely. No point in alienating car drivers unnecessarily. We have to share the road. Too many in the group means there's too many in the sprint. Ride captains try to break up the group and whittle down the sprint by putting the hammer down well before the line but it's not easy to shake off 17 riders on your own. Glad everyone got back safely but we have to be careful out there. There is no place for dangerous riding on our club run.

[Amy]

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"]Ride captains try to break up the group and whittle down the sprint by putting the hammer down well before the line but it's not easy to shake off 17 riders on your own.

[quote="Amy"][quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"]Ride captains try to break up the group and whittle down the sprint by putting the hammer down well before the line but it's not easy to shake off 17 riders on your own.

[Antloony]

I always do a long lead out for the sprinters in the group, just start winding it up a long way out and drop most of the group well before the sprint starts. One last dig then let the 3 or 4 left battle it out, job done in a nice safe way.

[Dombo]

Is there an earlier sprint just before Monty's Cafe on the A23? That's where I got dropped

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Antloony"]I always do a long lead out for the sprinters in the group, just start winding it up a long way out and drop most of the group well before the sprint starts. One last dig then let the 3 or 4 left battle it out, job done in a nice safe way.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Another great ride. Went with the 18s - started with 13 and ended with 15 as a new slimmed-down-super-fit version of Marcus and the same old version of Lindsey managed to catch us up. A biggish group but we managed to keep it together most of the time. Got a bit ragged up Rusper, but hey, these things happen. Lots of horse riders out and as we slowed for the last group, three blackguards (who shall remain nameless) sprinted away from the rest of us as we said are hellos. The race referee relegated them for unsporting conduct which meant I won the sprint - again. Got to the cafe at just under 18 mph.

Back via Box. Lots of cars on diversion up and down the zig zag, two of which couldn't pass each other so held us all up - mucking up our strava segments - car drivers holding up cyclists - curses!! I put on loads of sun block this morning but needn't have bothered - it actually spotted with rain! A few strava PRs today which was nice - getting my legs back gradually - a few more weeks and I'll be back with the 19s! Next week Brighton!

[Amy]

So glad it was cooler today - absolutely died last week. Not a bad group of 17s - I think we even managed to average a decent 17 down to Charlwood (really must get some new cycle computers). One guy had a mechanical - not really sure what happened, something about the cups coming out of the bottom bracket so the pedals wouldn't go round. Felt a bit bad at having to leave him but he told us to go as no one knew how to sort it/or had right size allen key. He reappeared at the café and the bottom bracket seemed to have been sorted thanks to another rider on the road?

Missed the Box Hill groups so headed straight back with Belinda, Andrea and Chris. Quite uneventful, only saw Bridget on the way... until past Redhill heading past Gatton Park into Merstham. Chris called mechanical but then seemed to carry on ok. Next thing I know, he unclips just in front of me, I shout 'stopping', few squeaks and squeals behind me, followed by the sound of a bike and rider hitting the ground. Turn round and find Belinda's on the road, having clipped Andrea's wheel. Fortunately she was up and out of the road, bruised and scraped and with a puncture. Chris apologised abjectly and offered to change the tubes on Belinda's bike while she decided to call her husband to pick her up. A group effort sorted out the puncture by which time Belinda's husband arrived. Got to the café and was surprised to find it was earlier than I thought, despite all the delays on the road.

Felt fairly strong most of the ride - you never know, I might be able to give the 18s ago sometime this year

[Amy]

Oooops, meant to say, I hope you're not feeling too bad, Belinda, just be stiff and achey.

[belinda]

Thanks Amy, felt a whimp getting a lift home..what else are husbands for? I am ok, will do a ride with some none club mates tomorrow . Won't be around next week for the club run but I do want to have a go with your tyre gadget some time, will make up for my girlie fingers

[quote="belinda"]Thanks Amy, felt a whimp getting a lift home..what else are husbands for? I am ok, will do a ride with some none club mates