Christopher
Über Member
Yesterday I decided to go along on an easy no-drop ride organised by the local clubs, so I noted the time & place and turned up on my best bike (for the look of the thing). Was slightly worried when everyone else there was a racing whippet on some serious machines... they were really nice though and I recognised one or two from CX racing...
Anyway we set off and I soon realised that I'd turned out with the local chaingang! Plan was a run out to the local 9 mile loop, 3 laps of that and home. Well, I was advised to stay at the back and see how it went. First loop went okay, we were doing 27mph at times with the tailwind (on the flat) and 18-20 mph into it. Then it got faster. I was dropped about 2/3 of the way through the second loop and didn't realise that if that happens you take a shortcut through the lanes and join the group again when it comes past, so I went home and carefully read the local forum which clearly stated the Sat ride was the chaingang and the easy ride the Sunday. Duh!
Great fun though, I just have to get fitter (oh and leave the cable lock at home). They taught me a new call which is "Your wheel". You say that when you want to wheelsuck in a paceline i.e just benfit from the draft and not take a turn at the front. They also learnt me that there is local training on the Preston Arena cycle track on the Tuesday, it is not just for the youth...
Anyway we set off and I soon realised that I'd turned out with the local chaingang! Plan was a run out to the local 9 mile loop, 3 laps of that and home. Well, I was advised to stay at the back and see how it went. First loop went okay, we were doing 27mph at times with the tailwind (on the flat) and 18-20 mph into it. Then it got faster. I was dropped about 2/3 of the way through the second loop and didn't realise that if that happens you take a shortcut through the lanes and join the group again when it comes past, so I went home and carefully read the local forum which clearly stated the Sat ride was the chaingang and the easy ride the Sunday. Duh!
Great fun though, I just have to get fitter (oh and leave the cable lock at home). They taught me a new call which is "Your wheel". You say that when you want to wheelsuck in a paceline i.e just benfit from the draft and not take a turn at the front. They also learnt me that there is local training on the Preston Arena cycle track on the Tuesday, it is not just for the youth...
