Dulwich chaingang 22/4/09

[huw williams]

A collective sigh of relief went up in the fast group when George didn't show up.

A much tougher route this week as instead of turning left in West Wickham for the flat-landers thrash along the dual carriageways to Pole Hill, we went straight on and climbed through the lanes up to the top of Titsey. This was fast/steep enough to deter hangers-on and drop most of the group so by the time we got near the top there were only six left.

A 30mph descent down to Pilgrims Way and we leathered it along there at breakneck through and off speed. I was a bit worried about doing too much on the front but was having one of those rides where my legs could do anything. When one of the Dulwich stick-men attacked at the bottom of Poll Hill I had enough in the tank to go with it and we dragged another Dulwich rider with us. It was a big-ring climb at ridiculous tempo and I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth as we rounded the bend in sight of the pub at the top, but then I realised my heart rate was slowing as the guy on the front fatigued and that was enough, I could smell raw meat and attacked, coming round the pair of 'em before the top and shouting "this one's for George" as I took the KOM points.

We were laughing like drains when we regrouped at the roundabout. I said that just because George was missing, that didn't mean they were to be spared a pasting from the Addiscombe and just to rub it in, kicked their asses up the Farnborough climb too

Excellent ride with six extremely well-disciplined and safe riders, even at high speed. The T&O was like clockwork at times and you were no sooner on the front than the next rider was taking your place. Everyone was very willing to come through and work which made it manageable despite being quite hard. Well done to Adrian who looked a bit apprehensive about doing the fast group at the start but hung in well 'til the end and did loads of work.

That's it for me this season, I'm quitting while I'm ahead, your turn again next week George

[George]

Cheers Huw, sing when your winning, good legs sure feel great. I like that route, the climb up Layhams is relentless and a great warm up, Farnborough is where you can honk out all the remaining power from your legs

[Toks]

Nice Work Huw! Any chance of a BCF racing license finding its way into your wallet this year?

[huw williams]

[quote="Toks"]Nice Work Huw! Any chance of a BCF racing license finding its way into your wallet this year?

[adrian]

Great journey beyond the comfort zone again last night. Huw calls it right - what a joy it is to ride in such a well-organised, competent group. Fast but predictable.

On the drag up to Titsey I was wondering whether I'd be able to hang on, but I dug in and the even distribution of work among the group made it a pleasure. I wasn't able to react in a meaningful way to the attacks up Pole Hill and up to Farnborough - Huw was indeed in fine fettle - but stayed within pea-shooter range and overall was pleased to have held my own in this company.

Another glorious evening - the Pilgrims Way at sunset is a fine place to be on a bike.

[mlocke]

Adrian / Huw

Whats the speed like in the faster groups?

Previous weeks Shaun has had 19mph and was it 17 this week but what about the faster groups on the summer route - could then probably add a couple of mph ontop for when George turns up?
Locky

[huw williams]

Mine was a shade under 22 to the fork before Bromley - not bad cos there's some proper long drags going this way - the when the others peeled off Adrian and I maintained 20+ from there to WW

It would definitely be quicker if George was there - according to the riders out last night we were averaging a pretty regular thursday night speed, (some of them were hoping to go out again tonight) but sometimes its higher depending on whether some of Dulwich's top racers come out. Looks popular every week now and there'll prob be enough for two groups most of the time

[adrian]

[quote]Adrian and I maintained 20+ from there to WW

[Toks]

[quote="huw williams"]Already in there mate - it's whether or not it comes out is the question

[quote="Toks"][quote="huw williams"]Already in there mate - it's whether or not it comes out is the question

[Graham O]

How come the fast group were out on a Wednesday.

Have they changed the format, or was it just different this week due to palace ?

[huw williams]

I think it was a fast(er) group there's still the regular fast group going out on Thursday cos a few of then were saying they were going, don't know about tuesdays though

[Toks]

[quote="huw williams"]
This is the problem - with Invites to Italy (Nove Colli) the King of the Downs, the Dragon and a couple of other big ones to honour it's a bit difficult - you're more likely to see me at Hillingdon, Palace and handicaps TBH
First priority is to get over to Hillingdon with RobW and Chloe - that boy needs a 3rd cat license and C needs some racing with the boys, so I'll jump in with the 123s there for a pasting!

And of course I'm committed to team-car support if you and Sylv get it together for the Welsh stage race

[huw williams]

[quote="Toks"] I'm very up for THE RAS I hope we can get a team together...You'll be up for coach of the year at this rate