Saturday 26 February 2011

Shortest Chaingang ever

Myself, Ivan, Paul K and new friday chaingang rider Dave H-H met at the fairlight lodge at the unusually early time of 6:00 pm. Despite the early start it was pitch black and the fog was too thick to see more than a few meters. We gingerly set off down battery hill, lights shining out like searchlights through the thick fog. Once we reached the bottom, the fog cleared and the wind was behind us. We were moving at some pace on the long straight between pett level and Winchelsea. The road conditions were awful with pot holes and rough surfaces everwhere. I could feel the bike bouncing around and rememeber thinking 'I am surprised these cheap wheels can take this punishment', just about then I had a big blow out of the rear inner tube. What should have been a 10 minute puncture repair turned into a 25 minute one, the little round nut on the valve thread had corroded on and even Ivan's fingers were not strong enough to get it off. I suggested we rip off the rubber tube and pull the valve throught the tube, unfortunately the end of the valve is wider than the end poking through the rim and would not fit through the hole. In the end we managed to get the little bu**ger out by snapping it off with a spanner. By the time we had fitted a new tube it was obvious we were going to be late getting to the social, so we turned round and headed back up battery hill into the fog.
thanks to ivan for helping me get back on the road, and the others for their patience. Roll on British Summer Times and light evenings.
Steve

Thursday 24 February 2011

Fogbound Spinheads. Chaingang Report Feb 23rd

Five of us left fogbound Hastings for clearer Western skies. Weather looked terrible but turned out OK, forecast was right this time. Welcome back to Pete Tadros returning after his wife had a baby recently. Pete set off at 22-23mph. We zipped past Paul our sixth man riding the other direction outside Bexhill. I held on grimly to Pete's wheel as far as the Star Inn, where I found I'd used up my whole box of mental tricks to fool my body into continuing beyond its reasonable limit. We slowed down to pass a car on the bridge. When Pete sped up again, my legs wouldn't so I dropped off, glad of a chance to recover for the return bout.
At the halfway stop Pete revealed he's been speed training - 30 miles a day, every day this week in order to get race fit and beat his turbo training rivals. The return with a bit of a tailie was led off around 25mph, I was delayed wiping oily hands from flipping my wheel for the big gear and chased hard but couldn't catch Pete. Finally caught him at Bulverhythe and pointlessly sent my heart spinning into orbit pipping him to the lights at Harley Shute, I think he might have already started his warm-down. Five minutes later the burning in my chest had subsided and I was able to talk again.

I've got an idea for a racing series, first rule is: you can only train one and a half hours per week. It's a league for old chancers, young slackers and proper amateurs in the traditional sense of hopelessly ill prepared yet keen as mustard. Now who's up for it - Contenders ready, Defribillators ready, Go!

Chris Watson

PS I heard a couple of riders did last Friday's chain gang as well, dig in lads!

Simon's 200km Kent Audax Weds 23 Feb

200km in a day is a bit of an undertaking any time of year, but when it involves getting up at 5.30am to drive to the start line at Meopham in the dark, cold, pouring February rain, I think it's quite reasonable to question your sanity. In fact, so dismal was the murky weather on the drive over that I had pretty much decided to tell the organisers I was pulling out. However, on arrival I saw a multitude of tough old guys with study audax bicycles and waterproofs of various vintages, and thought that my decision might've been a little hasty - so I signed on. The trouble with negativity and procrastination though it that it wastes time, and I was the second last person to set off - about 20 minutes after the first few big bunches. I also appeared to be the only person without a bar-mounted waterproof route card holder. I think a piece of A4 in a document wallet (gripped between hand and bar) is probably fine on a sunny Sunday, but in the persistent rain (which was to last all day) it was quite a job preventing it from turning to mush.

My plan then was to ride fairly hard, and try to pick up one of the earlier groups, which would allow me to sit in without having to worry too much about the nav. This course of action wasn't quite as simple as it sounds, as the route was not especially straightforward
- the logistics of planning 200km on quiet country roads necessitating a fair number of complex direction changes. Also, the route card system is excellent (and far better than a map) when you're confident you're on the right tack, but a bloody nightmare if you get lost. I ended up stopping at most junctions, and spent rather too much time ruminating on the improbability of ever catching anyone up at all, especially the seasoned Audaxers, some of whom rode this route every year.

But after a while I started to reel the field in. By the time I reached the outskirts of Tonbridge I'd caught a biggish bunch, mostly made up of a bunch of lunatics in shorts (there was another madman riding the event in jeans!) - using the Audax as training for a French tour. I rode with them to Laddingford, but the pace was slow and I was getting cold, so I continued the chase alone.

Unfortunately I made a navigational error a few miles on which took me halfway to Horsmonden before I realised - not very clever. Again the hammer went down, and I caught the shorts brigade around Marden, from where we cruised to the first cafe stop at Staplehurst. Rather than hang around for a bacon sandwich, I procured the sticker for my brevet card, and then jumped on the back of a departing group. We followed a great back route to Tenterden, and around a mile before we arrived I jumped off the front, keen to get ahead enough to allow me to stop at my parents house (where I had dumped a couple of bottles of energy drink) and get back on the group. Alas, by the time I was on the road they were long gone, so once again I put my foot down, averaging about 20mph. I was quite concerned that these hard efforts would come back to haunt me later in the day, but decided getting to the front was more important. I caught some guys around Bilsington, and followed them into Hythe.

The cafe stop at Hythe was too good an opportunity to miss, and egg and chips and a mug of tea were very welcome. Not only that, all the leaders were there too. I joined a group that got away towards the front - two seasoned Audaxers including the event organiser Tim Jackson. Both were very well prepared, and with mudguards looked like they'd been out for a five minute blast. I on the other hand looked like a filthy drowned rat. The rain picked up again, and the ride over to Wye was pretty grim. The bunch grew as we picked up a couple of the leaders who had slowed, and pressed on to Marden for another checkpoint. From there the route winded north, and the terrain got quite hilly. I was expecting my somewhat excessive speed towards the start to cause problems, but I had kept fairly well- fuelled all day, and I still felt quite fresh. Alas, it got darker and darker towards the finish, and my front light was still plugged into the recharging cord where I had forgotten about it that morning. I followed the others in the dark, and 2 miles from the finish got a puncture. I considered walking, but in the end relented and changed the tube. I couldn't find the culprit in the tyre though, and was not relishing the prospect of the final distance with only a rear light. Thankfully, one of the bunch popped back with a spare. We were within 200m of the finish when the wheel went again, and that time I did decide to limp over the line. Even so, the majority of the 43 starters were behind us, and I justifiably awarded myself a pat on the back.

The next local 200km Audax is the Man of Kent on Sunday 27 March.
Hopefully it'll be a little drier...

Simon Tyler

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Sunday Run 20 Feb and Runs 26 & 27 Feb

Five of us rode out via Telham and Powdermill and on to the East Sussex CA Hard Riders course at the Ashburnham turn. Up Agony Hill (it is not that bad!) to Woods Corner then along the main road to Three Cups to turn to Rushlake Green and then to the finish/HQ/start area at Bodle Street Green. Two cut off early to get home so I took the opportunity to try some "in-fill lanes" that I have never ridden before (in my 27 years in the area) - those little side lanes that we always go past. We ended back at Cowbeech then Herstmonceux and on to Wartling when we cut off down Horse Walk (amazingly Steve C had never used it) to Hooe then Sidley. Tony was going out for lunch, Steve and I had a leisurely bite in St Leonards.

Saturday 26 February: No planned bacon butty or early bird rides. Sort something out between yourselves!

Sunday 27 February: Neither Steve Curtis nor Chris Parker (in a team of 5 H&StL CC riding the SCA Hard Riders, which includes a former TdeF Yellow Jersey in the field) are available to lead a ride but why not meet 9.00am at the Harrow and pal up with someone for a ride to depart by 9.10am, or ride solo if no one else suitable turns up.

Chris Parker

Thursday 17 February 2011

Chaingang Report Feb 16th

A peaceful chaingang tonight with a good turn out of 11. A good temperature well above freezing and a mild headwind on the way back. Good to see Mike and jay back in the chain after some time away. Mike did particularly well considering the last chaingang he did was nearly a year ago. Also good to see dave from Eastbourne out with us again after his first chaingang last week, it looks like Dave will become a new regular. Pace seemed to me to be a bit slower than normal, it must have been, as I managed to stay with the peloton past spooky hill and I cant remember the last time that happened!!
S.C.
Pace seemed pretty hard to me but then I've missed the last three weeks, so everyone else must be getting stronger and I've slid back some. A hundred yards from Pevensey roundabout, a certain fixed rider pulled his foot out of the binding and careened around on one leg at 100rpm for a bit before a spectacular header into (what luck!) a handy muddy ditch. No harm done, wayward SPD pedal now set to max clampage. Very enjoyable night had by all I think.
C.W.

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Sunday Run 13 Feb and Runs on 19 & 20

The forecast was right. Saturday was the day for a long ride. Tony K and I did most of the East Sussex Hard Riders course but we had punctures (me on a different bike that had punctures Saturday) so we were quite happy to cut the ride short in the intermittent wet since Tony had no spare tubes with him and we had no spares left.

Simon T was at the meet but being a lot stronger than Tony and me I suggested he went off with the 6 or so Bayeux tops. There was talk of Crowborough and Ashdown Forest but Simon was glad when they settled for the bikers cafe at Horam and a quick return back. I introduced him to Peter Fox who is a hard man when it comes to Audax but he was not free to join Simon in the 200km on Wednesday week, based at Ashford.

Saturday 19 February: No planned bacon butty or early bird rides. Sort something out between yourselves!

Sunday 20 February: Meet 9.00am at the Harrow to depart by 9.10am and ride round most of the Hard Riders course to familiarise everyone with the gradients.

Monday 14 February 2011

Wiggle sportive series

Unfortunately i have just found out that the Evans king sportive that we did last year clashes with the Eastbourne sportive that some of us have entered so we will end up missing it.

Also the Evans Brighton sportive has been put into October this year rather than sept, which is a pity as by then the weather will probably be c**p so i won’t be entering it.

On the plus side, wiggle seems to be copying Evans cycles and doing their own series of sportives, anyone up for this one?
http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/%e2%80%98the-long-one%e2%80%99-super-sportive/
I would like to do the 66 mile version

Event Name: The Long One Super Sportive
Date: 25th June 2011
Location: Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, PO18 0EU
Registration Opens: 7.15am
Start Time: 7.30 – 9.30am
Course Options: Epic (129 miles) Standard (66 miles)*distances are approximate
Entry on Day: Yes, if the event has not sold out. (£3 surcharge, no Wiggle Discount)

These are popular events so i will probably enter in advance and hope for the best. I will not go if it’s raining. If you want to join me, let me know, as long as someone else goes, I will go as well.
S.C

Saturday 12 February 2011

Early bird report & bacon butty run

A great early bird ride today (sat 12 feb). The weather was wetter than the forecast predicted but it did slowly clear up. We took a steady pace (five riders), not too fast and still felt good after completing the 50 mile 'high and over' route. Good to see duncan out on his first early bird ride and good to see how well he is riding especially on his new specialized.
SC

After a bit of a lie in and a trip to the Post Office to pick up my parcel from Ribble I met Pete C a little later than usual and we set out for Pevensey. I had two punctures on the way out, good job the parcel contained two sets of tyres. The small breakfast in Pevensey Bakery is soooooo good at £3.60 with coffee. We rode straight back and happened to meet up with the early birds as they rolled out of the Cafe on the Beach at Glynde Gap. I rode back with them then locked my bike up by the library in good time for the Man Utd v Man City game where Pete and Dave D joined me for a fantastic winner from Wayne Rooney. Must do a few more miles one of these Saturdays ....
Chris Parker

Wednesday 9 February 2011

weds chaingang 9 feb - runs on 12 & 13

A perfect chaingang tonight. No wind at all and a pleasant temperature.A good turn out of 12 riders including Dave from Eastbourne Rovers who met us on the way out. Good to see how much Duncan has improved over the last few weeks; I couldnt keep up with him on the first part of the route. Simon G lost his rear light at the start of the ride at bulverhythe road and had to work hard to catch up. At the end of the ride Matt lost his rear light after hitting a bump on the way up galley hill, looks light the clips on this modern rear LEDS are not as good as they should be!
S.C

Saturday 12 Feb:
Ride 1 - Early Bird meet 8.00am for 50 miles. Contact Steve Curtis for details
Ride 2 - Chris Parker is on for a 10.00am bacon butty run with a twist - ending up at Yates for the 12.30 Man Utd v Man City game with the bikes locked up outside. Text for meet details.

Sunday 13 Feb: Harrow at 9.00am to leave at 9.10am

Social Friday 25 February 2011

I have booked the Cafe at 12 Claremont, Hastings (TN34 1HA) next to the Library for a gathering on Friday 25 February, 7.30pm for 8.00pm. It is £12 a head with a buffet meal so we can mingle and chat. They did us a really good spread two years ago with a good selection of savouries and a desert. Drinks are bought at the counter, the coffee is good and there is bottled beer etc.

At 9.00pm we will do the Trophies, which should not take too long, then we mingle further and finish before 10.00pm when some may go on elsewhere.

Many thanks for the replies to my e-mail of 26 January. I think we should be able to make it to at least 20 people to make it viable but I need all of you to jolly up your cycling pals and also get other halves along.

I need names and numbers confirmed, please drop me a line as soon as possible and ideally before Monday 14 February. If we only get to 16 or so we may well just have an Indian as we did last year since there is a minimum charge for use of the Cafe.

Chris Parker

Sunday Run 6 February - Runs on 12 & 13

Four of us set out to Battle turned off at Telham to Catsfield and took Skinners Lane (?) to Ninfield. We lost a fair bit of time on a puncture. When cleaning your bike it is always worth checking for any flints that might be lurking and going to cause a problem later on and if the rubber is past its best order more tyres. At Hertsmonceux we cut off to Cowbeeech, Vines Cross, Horam, Gunn Hill, Michelham Priory and then did the usual run back through Hankham and Normans Bay. After 43 miles I was keen to show people one of the great cafes in St Leonards, at Love Market on the junction of London Road and Norman Road. We had a leisurely brunch with Steve C and Paul K being rather impressed with the place - ask for reviews and try it out. I usually just have a light meal there but I must go there for a Sunday roast soon.

Chris Parker

Saturday 12 Feb:
Ride 1 - Early Bird meet 8.00am for 50 miles. Contact Steve Curtis for details
Ride 2 - Chris Parker is on for a 10.00am bacon butty run with a twist - ending up at Yates for the 12.30 Man Utd v Man City game with the bikes locked up outside. Text for meet details.

Sunday 13 Feb: Harrow at 9.00am to leave at 9.10am

Friday 4 February 2011

Friday & Wednesday chaingangs

Friday 4 February: A very windy but mild chaingang tonight. Five riders braved the wind. It was a fast run as we had the wind behind us on the way out and some shelter from it on the way back.
S.C

Wednesday 2 February: Seven of us set out in to a strong south westerly. Paul HH from Eastbourne joined in at the De La Warr and helped Ivan drive the leading group in to the wind. After just a few weeks Duncan F has already got stronger and shared the work with Chris P at the back on the way out. The rain pretty much held off on the pacy run back but those that popped in to the Dolphin to rehydrate got wet going home.
Chris Parker

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Grimpeurs du Sud - South Downs National Park 100 Audax Jan 30th

Simon T and myself got a last minute entry in for this Audax event on Sunday. Weather was glorious sunshine but icy cold. There were only about 40 riders, half the time we had wheels to follow the rest we were riding on our own using the route sheet to navigate and so I mistakenly led us up the steeper side of High and Over, where we found a bunch of riders we'd passed earlier on a frost covered descent had come the shorter easier way and reached the checkpoint ahead of us! We did 122k / 76 miles in the end and climbed 2007 m / 6585 ft, criss-crossing the Downs; Butt's Brow twice, Birling Gap, Beachy Head, Exceat Hill, East Dean, Wannock, High and Over twice, Bo Peep with gradients of 19% and Firle Beacon. These last two still had frost on the road which made our wheels slip if we stood up! Most of the proper Audax riders had super low gears to spin but somehow we managed to sit down, grind up and ride back down again without sliding too much on the frost. Some of the others were walking down Firle and apparently one chap did fall off. Atmosphere was very friendly with two excellent feedstops run by Brian "El Supremo" Hudson. Legs were hurting halfway round and for a day or so after but a great time. Saw some beautiful new bits of the downs I wouldnt normally bother to ride like Butt's Brow at 16% and Bo Peep - just stupidly steep climbs that end in a carpark, where we stamped our route card or had our feed then rode back down again. At Bo Peep we saw half a dozen blokes with very long skateboards getting ready to street-luge (tombstone?) down the steep twisty frosty bits! Reassuring to know there's someone crazier than us . . .
Cw

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Sunday Run 30 Jan, Audax and Run on 6 Feb

It was a glorious but slightly cold morning with a good frost on cars and the likelihood of a bit of ice on the lanes. With some north and east in the wind we decided to set up a return run with the wind on our backs. Four of us were joined by two Bayeux tops on the way up Brede Hill then through Udimore to Rye. It is one of my favorite rides along that ridge with great views inland and out to sea. Peter Fox had over 1000 miles in his legs from a three week Jim Gowan training camp in Fuerteventura but was a bit off colour (despite the tan!) so he turned back home. Rather than the steep climb out of Rye on the main road we went through Houghton Green to just short of Wittersham where we turned off to Ebony, Reading Street and almost in to Appledore before doing one lap of the Kennardington road race circuit. There was a bit of side in the wind on the fast run back to Rye, Winchelsea Beach and then a direct attack (or grovel in my case) up Battery Hill to the Fairlight cafe and make friends with Alvin the puppy again who only started yapping once Malcolm D did his bank robber impression on the way out with his balaclava.

Whilst we were on the Run Chris Watson and Simon Tyler were planning to ride an Audax but I have not heard how it went. Audax have been running for many years, predating Sportives and a lot cheaper, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Paris-Brest-Paris which I believe both Peter Baker and Peter Fox have done in the past i.e. only something for the hard men!

Saturday 5 February: It looks as though I will be playing hockey so I am unlikely to do a bacon butty run but that does not stop others palling up.

Sunday 6 February: Harrow at 9.00am to depart by 9.10am.

Chris Parker