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Chaingangs - which is right for you?
To avoid any confusion, here are some guidelines to help you decide which chaingang is right for you, and give you some guidance
Firstly the idea of a chaingang is a fast but disciplined and controlled training ride - it is not a race. Safety is always your first priority. Unlike a club run, the chaingang doesnt stop for anyone, if you cant keep up you drop off the back and either ride on your own, or using extreme caution, turn round and re-join the chain-gang on its next lap. You can do as many laps as you like and join the chaingang at any time - as long as you let people know what you are doing and exercise caution at all times when joining or leaving the group.
there are 2 chaingangs like this planned for 2013 - a fast and a medium. in addition Andrew MacSkeen, David and Emma are planning an introductory chaingang in May- see chaingangs 2013 post.
To join either the fast or medium chaingang you need to be an experienced rider, capable of riding in close formation at speed, and rotating the lead cleanly and smoothly. if you are in any doubt as to your ability to do this, then better wait for the introductory chaingang to start up.
the fast chaingang is currently averaging about 25 mph on the first lap, slightly higher 2nd lap, and probably 3rd when it is light enough. i am sure it will creep up to 26 mph+ before the end of the season.
the medium chaingang will probably start at about 21-22 mph and will probably quickly creep up to 23 mph i would guess.
by rotating the lead constantly the chaingang can go faster than the individual riders would. usually there are 2 lines of riders with the outside line travelling slightly faster than the inside. then when the front outside rider is safely clear of the front inside rider he/she can carefully move over to lead the inside line and crucially ease off so that their speed drops back smoothly to the speed of the inside line. you are not trying to speed up the group - you have done your bit in pulling the outside line ahead of the inside and you can now ease back - you should not create a gap between you and the lead inside rider, and the rider behind you on the outside shouldnt have to speed up to keep up with you. a chaingang will be faster and far more enjoyable if all the changes are smooth and there are no gaps.
when you get to the back of the inside line, carefully check that it is safe to pull out - although you may think you are the last rider, there could be someone rejoining the group so take care. then once you are back in the outside line follow the rider in front of you upto the front again.
all riders should know the exact route so they know when to expect turns and stops. at the give way where the road from bassingbourn joins the guilden/shingay road the chaingang has to stop and give way as you cant see what is coming from the right. when you are coming upto a hazard like this one, or the turn in bassingbourn, or the litlington one way system it is ok for the rotation to pause for a bit while everyone gets round safely. also of course always call out if you are turning or any obstructions or if you have a mechanical or puncture - the more notice you can give other riders the better. never stop or brake suddenly.
the route and a video clip of the chaingang are on the website: chain gang near the bottom of the page.
finally remember at this time of year you must have lights. also always respect other roadusers and the villages we pass through. no shouting or swearing in the villages. and no dropping of any litter anywhere ever.
hope that helps. if anyone else has any advise or comments feel free to stick them up.
Firstly the idea of a chaingang is a fast but disciplined and controlled training ride - it is not a race. Safety is always your first priority. Unlike a club run, the chaingang doesnt stop for anyone, if you cant keep up you drop off the back and either ride on your own, or using extreme caution, turn round and re-join the chain-gang on its next lap. You can do as many laps as you like and join the chaingang at any time - as long as you let people know what you are doing and exercise caution at all times when joining or leaving the group.
there are 2 chaingangs like this planned for 2013 - a fast and a medium. in addition Andrew MacSkeen, David and Emma are planning an introductory chaingang in May- see chaingangs 2013 post.
To join either the fast or medium chaingang you need to be an experienced rider, capable of riding in close formation at speed, and rotating the lead cleanly and smoothly. if you are in any doubt as to your ability to do this, then better wait for the introductory chaingang to start up.
the fast chaingang is currently averaging about 25 mph on the first lap, slightly higher 2nd lap, and probably 3rd when it is light enough. i am sure it will creep up to 26 mph+ before the end of the season.
the medium chaingang will probably start at about 21-22 mph and will probably quickly creep up to 23 mph i would guess.
by rotating the lead constantly the chaingang can go faster than the individual riders would. usually there are 2 lines of riders with the outside line travelling slightly faster than the inside. then when the front outside rider is safely clear of the front inside rider he/she can carefully move over to lead the inside line and crucially ease off so that their speed drops back smoothly to the speed of the inside line. you are not trying to speed up the group - you have done your bit in pulling the outside line ahead of the inside and you can now ease back - you should not create a gap between you and the lead inside rider, and the rider behind you on the outside shouldnt have to speed up to keep up with you. a chaingang will be faster and far more enjoyable if all the changes are smooth and there are no gaps.
when you get to the back of the inside line, carefully check that it is safe to pull out - although you may think you are the last rider, there could be someone rejoining the group so take care. then once you are back in the outside line follow the rider in front of you upto the front again.
all riders should know the exact route so they know when to expect turns and stops. at the give way where the road from bassingbourn joins the guilden/shingay road the chaingang has to stop and give way as you cant see what is coming from the right. when you are coming upto a hazard like this one, or the turn in bassingbourn, or the litlington one way system it is ok for the rotation to pause for a bit while everyone gets round safely. also of course always call out if you are turning or any obstructions or if you have a mechanical or puncture - the more notice you can give other riders the better. never stop or brake suddenly.
the route and a video clip of the chaingang are on the website: chain gang near the bottom of the page.
finally remember at this time of year you must have lights. also always respect other roadusers and the villages we pass through. no shouting or swearing in the villages. and no dropping of any litter anywhere ever.
hope that helps. if anyone else has any advise or comments feel free to stick them up.
Comments
Ultimately it's about speed, but initially and especially for the starter groups it is about smooth changing, even pace and awareness. It helps if everyone learning is riding the same cadence without changing gear, except for the uphill and downhill sections. This ensures a matching of rhythm and helps to prevent people in bigger gears pushing on too fast. A slower speed of 16-18mph is also good when starting as it is a better discipline to hold the speed down whilst learning the techniques.
Have fun everyone and stay safe...Go CCA
I'm keen to try the intro chain gang if possible...
For our chain gangs on a small circuit its often safer to just keep it with the driving line on the outside, there is more room for the driving line this way which makes it easier to deal with traffic etc.