2nd Winter Chaingang 8th October

[xrayspecs]

I'll turn up at 7.00, I assume that this is a regular feature.

[christie]

Resisting the fitting of mudguards for a week or two in the hope that we might just have a little more dry weather? If conditions dry up then I hope to be there?

[Shawn]

I will be there.

Mudguards looking like a pre requisite tonight 

[Andy H]

I'll be there but unfortunately 'sans' mudguards as winter bike not out of the attic yet!

Happy to sit on the back all night if necessary! 

[xrayspecs]

As I have full mudguards I think I'll take my chances with a face full of grot than sit on the front all night!
Looks like its drying up anyway

[Davey C]

I'll be there sans mudguards, still haven't got myself a pair, not euro. 

[Shawn]

That was just right for me tonight. Despite best intentions I only managed a handful of chaingangs in the regular season, so the idea of winter chaingangs appeals greatly. Not such a savage pace and a chance for some of the slower riders to get a good base in, over the winter, ready for the resumption of "summer" chaingangs next season.

[Davey C]

Big turn out tonight - good to see that the idea of a Winter Chaingang is proving popular.

A fast start (too fast in my opinion!) and some individuals who wanted to press on led to a split in the group around lap 4.

The second group organised itself into a very civilised chaingang that proceeded to clock a '52' without a great deal of difficulty.

If we have that many next week I think two groups will be necessary.

[Rob Jones]

Yes great turnout and it was maybe a few too many for a single group tonight. I had expected a smoother ride to be honest (and I am not just talking about the quality of the surface). I guess there will often be a few individuals that go too hard off the front (through inexperience, the need to let off steam, or simply to prove something...to themselves!). I would urge those behind to just let them go. That way the chaingang isn't disrupted. Just leave them out in the wind to work off their excess energy!

[xrayspecs]

Second that, first few laps were way too hard, and with such a big group meant sprinting out of corners. A "want to go fast" and a "want to go slower" group would be the way forward. And if someone can tell me how to make my Garmin light stay on I'll have some idea how fast / hard I am riding.

[Jason T]

Only my second visit to the chain gang but it was certainly more difficult to deal with last night than the week before.

A sudden injection of pace saw me in the front group for about half a lap until I decided to drop back to the larger group... and it's definitely harder keeping a steady pace, for the inexperienced like me, when you can't see the damn Garmin screen.

Last week Mark Knott was rather verbal which helped keep the smaller group together and steady, perhaps two smaller groups would be the best idea when the numbers are higher like last night with someone in control with the less experienced in the group?

[Andy H]

There's either too much variation in people's idea of 'steady' pace or some just can't do 'steady'. 

Tried to start us at a reasonable pace (garmin shows 21mph) but it soon become 24mph and sometimes more depending who went on the front. Agree that smaller group is more manageable, dare say that there may not be so many of us as the temperature drops and the weather is less friendly.

[Shawn]

Agree with all the comments raised above, per the intention of Winter Chaingang (i.e. Steves opening post, it was not intended to be a hammer fest but more winter fitness maintenance). As stated above if there is a need to split groups, then so be it, but I wouldn’t want to lose what the intent of the Winter chaingangs was all about.

[Davey C]

Yes, if there is a big group next week we'll split it. Anyone who was in the group 'up the road' will start with a 30-40 second handicap next week and anyone else looking for a hard ride can join them.

I know at this time of year everyone is still quite fit and keen and I'm sure numbers will die down but...

We have to be disciplined about this. My hope is that we can create a regular winter chaingang with a decent group of regulars so that you know, in deepest darkest December if you drag yourself there you'll find at least a few others who are interested in a 'steady' ride.

If this turns into a hammering, as people lose fitness over the winter they are far less likely to drag themselves down to get a kicking where as they might if it's a steady effort.

I've learnt bitter lessons over the years trying to set up winter training rides - make it too hard and you end up with 1 or 2 of you which is a bit depressing.

[Steven]

.... well said.  I will start joining you in November - I hope there are still riders left by then!