Sat 25 March- A Chain Reaction

As I set off to meet the others at the Lodge I noticed that the chain on my SCR was jumping a bit. I put this down to me having made some adjustments to the dérailleur a few days before but when I mentioned this to Josef he immediately spotted a broken link. This meant having to ride back down the hill to where I live in the old town to pick up my Raleigh instead, everyone was getting cold so we all decided to ride down and back up together. We tried to ring Paul B who was meant to be waiting for us at the bottom of battery hill but he had switched his phone off. A couple of friendly riders came past us and they offered to give Paul the message to meet us at my house. We set off, picked up my bike and rode back up (half us us up Barley lane and Half of us up the main road in case Paul b was coming down the hill). Finally myself, Paul K, Josef, Doug were able to set off on the route. Also with us was Andy on his first early bird ride (Paul B was not to be found!) We were following one of Chris Parker's short routes which was a new one for the early birds but with my trusty garmin we only took two wrong turns which was easily corrected. On the way up the hill towards Doleham, Paul K had a puncture. He fixed the puncture only for the new tube to go down as well.The valve of the next spare tube was too short but luckily I had a spare one with a long tube so we fixed the puncture and set off back up the hill. On reaching the top we looked round only to see that there was no sign of Paul!!. On riding back down the hill we saw him walking up clutching a broken chain! fortunately I had a chainbreaker with me and Malcolm had a 'missing link' so Malcolm was able to fix the chain within 5 mins. At last we set off for Stonestile lane, I noticed that my chain was making a rubbing sound every now and again but put this down to grit in the front derailleur, however after 20 yards of Stonestile there was a 'crack' and I was left with freely spinning legs, my chain had snapped. We couldn't believe it as one chain breaking on a ride is very rare but three in one 30 mile ride is unheard of!!! Following a walk (much easier than cycling) up Stonestile, Malcolm again put his mechanist's skills into operation, the chain was fixed using our last 'missing link' and we finally completed the route with a great (if expensive) breakfast in the old town. Phew- what a relief to get back home!

S.C

Fri Chaingang 24 Feb - Diesel Spill

Good to see Joe and Malcolm back on the Friday chaingang after the big freeze plus their respective holidays. Also Steve Denny was there after his holidays. This made 8 riders in all. Malcolm and Nick took a spill on the road on the bend where the rye harbour road joins the main rye road, this was caused by some diesel on the road, luckily they both escaped unhurt although it may have damaged some of their cycle clothes.On the ride up to Broadoak Steve surprised me by beating me to the top (secret training?). Joe's knees were playing up after all the skiing he has done recently so he had to keep to the mainroad and avoid Stonestile. Paul Baxter is getting his fitness back and soundly beat me and some of the others up Stonestile lane. Being back on my Raleigh after a week on the Giant SCR made me realise just how much better handling downhill the Giant is, at one point I had to get off and check there wasn't a puncture on the back as there was so much lateral movement , from now on i am using the SCR for the friday chaingang.

S.C AV speed 15.9 mph

Light Steady Chaingang 22nd Feb

"Scotch mist" is a light steady drizzle Wikipedia

Wednesday night's weather forecast from XCweather.com promised plenty mist, 9°c and another strong South Westerly. No rain - Ideal! Observed a fine precipitation on leaving the house, but rolled out anyway, optimistic that it would  stop any minute. Wasn't expecting a big bunch but there were fourteen of us turned out for another Wednesday night spin to Pevensey.  

Welcome new face Andy Coulter, and  thanks for snapping Charlie Carder with his new project - a very clean looking fixed gear Dawes Kingpin - something completely different.

Simon Newell led us up to Galley Hill, Jon Moulton said he wasn't going near the front then helped drive the bunch with a generous share of strong work - his regime to break the hour off to a good start. Charlie took a spell along Cooden Beach, and even I pulled my share as that South Westerly tried to grind us down.

Some of us chatted at the halfway stop about bike fit and stuff - I used this book by Bernard Hinault - the next highest scoring rider to Merckx who I guess didn't really have the sport science available to him that Hinault and team La Vie Claire pioneered. In an ideal world  I'd get a proper bike fit - on a power meter - with a wind tunnel. Meantime I'm using this old book my Dad gave me!

Simon Newell started hot on the way back,  shame we didnt have a speedo on that tailwind. Simon Grogan " When I spit it usually  goes back - but it went forward instead !" Nathan and I were catching up with traffic approaching Bexhill, he caught me sat in and jumped for the prime - nice work - gears definitely an advantage tho' (cough!) 

Don't forget the ESCA hardriders 15 mile hilly timetrial is on March 18th, starting at Bodle Street Green at 10am. Entries to Peter Moon by 2nd March. 

18 Feb- Dave C Joins The Early Birds

Welcome to Dave C who joined us for the first time on an early bird ride, unfortunately Dave had a phone call and had to head off back home after just ten minutes but hopefully he will join us in the future for another early bird.This left just myself, Paul k and Duncan. Duncan and I had stiff legs from doing the Friday chaingang just 12 hours before but Paul was just cruising with fresh legs. All through the ride the weather was threatening to rain but it wasn't until we got to Winchelsea that it started and with the strong head wind in our faces we had to grovel our way past Icklesham and up Guestling hill before a well deserved full breakfast in the old town.

Distance 30 miles Av speed 14.2 mph

Fri Chain 17 Feb- Double first

Great turnout at the Friday chaingang with 8 riders. This was my first run out with my secondhand Giant SCR that I managed to get from eBay (after several years searching) and it was also Nick's first Friday chain. Also good to see Paul Baxter back on the Friday chain again. Ivan arrived knackered on his fixed wheel having already done many miles that day but determined to do the route so as to get back to full fitness after the 'big freeze'. No problems with potholes down Battery Hill as the council had fixed it within a week of my reporting it. We stayed together until Rye when the long drag up to Broadoak started. Anthony was going well but suddenly pulled up with cramp in his leg, but soon recovered and more or less caught us up by the top. Ivan was lucky not to come off when he hit a pothole on the way down from Broadoak, the shock through his forks caused his bars and one of his hoods to move out of position. Anthony and Simon floated gracefully up Stonestile lane but Ivan was completely done it and had to get off and walk, some of the other riders emulated this and they got off and walked as well, LOL

S.C

MPs debate cycling safety

Tim Miles writes:

"In the current Cycling Weekly (page 12) they are urging all readers to ask their MPs to attend the cycling safety debate on Feb 23rd and sign the Early Day Motion (EDM) 2689 to support cyclists. So far only 33 MPs have signed and these are mostly Labour members. It could be something worth mentioning on the blog perhaps.

If people are intested our local MPs email address is: amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk. 

I will certainly be emailing her. Our previous MP was supportive towards cyclists and any MP who has seen the footage today of a guy in Bristol being run off the road by a bus should be supporting safer cycling or otherwise explaining why they feel they are unable to."

Thaw in the Thaddle - Chaingang Feb 15

About fifteen of us gathered after nearly a fortnight of ice. Simon N. dropped a light early on and stopped to retrieve it , so we eased up a bit  - but not enough for Simon to catch up  as we found out later. Ivan Johnson and John Tagliatelle had lots of good reasons to be off form but were clearly the strongest and drove it along at the front, with Swavek and I sitting in. I had to stop to mend a flat tyre after Spooky Hill, in a particularly dark corner, and was very grateful for Ivan coming back to help with  a light and a decent pump - mine cracked and failed. I almost snapped my fingers off undoing the rear fixed track nuts with a short spanner - but the clock was ticking - could we reach the rendezvous before the others set off for home again? Chris Parker stopped by next, having missed the start with his own mechanical delay. We trundled off together, expecting to see a line of headlamps speeding towards us. And then we did, so we stopped, ready to U-turn and latch on, but it was just a couple of cars, and then we saw the real line of lamps snaking along in the distance like a chinese dragon at xmas. U Turn and soft pedal in the other direction -  it seemed to be taking a while for them to catch us, then suddenly a trio zipped past us and off we went.  Apologies to Simons N and G who were hanging back and going to stop and help us mend the puncture - we had a triathlete in full tuck to catch - it crossed my mind that I should mention using tri-bars in a bunch is strictly not OK - not least because in a close bunch like ours on a dark road with potholes, pebbles, rabbits, people puncturing or touching wheels and crashing right in front of you, blind corners and dozens of other unforeseen hazards - its better for hands to be an inch rather than a foot from the brakes - but in the heat of the chase I totally forgot.  Basically if Max were here he'd instantly shout some much more blunt advice. Anyhow - comments are open to all now, so feel free to post.

Four Gnarly Ice-meisters - Chaingang 8th Feb 2012

Simon Grogan writes:

"I nearly turned back home, no blog-meister and Charlie had gloves on, yes it was that cold. Just the 4 of us fancied it last night, Charlie, a new chain-ganger Nathan from Nottingham and a brace of gnarly old Simons.We thought stick together and observe sub-zero riding conditions, if your fingers are turning black you don't have to do a turn on the front and kept  it steady on the main roads to Pevensey rdbt. a good pace with all doin turns, roads dry(with icy edges)and a good ride. Simon N and I were given some inside info on Charlie's impressive improvement "I ride once a week and I've got a lot of stairs in my house"  Sports science eat your heart out ! Hope to see you next week, Simon."

Stuff Cyclists Say

The Handsling: Sh*t Cyclists Say: This has been doing the rounds on Twitter and various websites. How many of these things have you said or heard others say everyday? Americans maybe more talkative than our typical Brit roadie but still plenty commonground here . . .

Ten below zero. Chaingang 1st Feb

The water in my dogs dish was a solid block of ice outside the back door at seven o' clock tonight, but the roads looked nice and dry so on with the winter gear and down the hill to see if the gang were out. Cursed and prayed safely across a slushy bit of water run off from a leaky drain coming down the steep bit of Castle Hill Road.  Other than that roads were dry, if a little crunchy - with salt. I find starting off from a warm house and pedalling briskly keeps one warm enough - of course wearing suitable gear, winter socks, hats, overshoes, gloves and three layers on top.

Ten riders out tonight - Charlie Bell's caused a stir turning up in his usual shorts, no gloves or overshoes - but  that's a rugby player for you, all weather tough. Good to see Paul Baxter out once more also. Anthony discovered he'd  broken a cleat from a crash last week but rode anyway. Eastbourne  John was first man to the roundabout, with a strong ride, soloing from the railway crossing. I could bluff you that my fixed iron was undergeared for a tailwind and after spinning at 120rpm for a couple of miles it was a sweet & merciful  relief to let him go when he got out of the saddle and attacked over the railway crossing, but John explained it was in fact his wife's pasta that made him so swift.  So please can we all have some of your pasta next week Mrs John, molto grazie!

Next home was Charlie, then Simon N,  then Simon G, and soon everyone was there except Paul B,  lagging somewhat but he'll soon be on pace if we know him of old.  Turning for home we felt the savage bite of the North Easterly wind, howling across the North Sea from deep in the Russian Steppes or something. Temp at nine o clock was minus one ! Will we get out on our bikes next week? Will it be turbos - or  jogging thru' the slush?