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Sunday 16th May - middle group 9am
I've got a suggestion for a middle group ride...
1,000m climbing, 71 miles, or able to cut short for 63 miles by turning for Ashwell after Throcking via Sandon.
A controversial inclusion: I've noticed what I think is the closest OS map marked steep gradient to Ashwell. It's a bit of a lost lane between Gosmore and Preston. I've driven it before and it's in a poor state. But I'm up for it - if others are. Could be a laugh.
Download a jpeg pic of the route here
1,000m climbing, 71 miles, or able to cut short for 63 miles by turning for Ashwell after Throcking via Sandon.
A controversial inclusion: I've noticed what I think is the closest OS map marked steep gradient to Ashwell. It's a bit of a lost lane between Gosmore and Preston. I've driven it before and it's in a poor state. But I'm up for it - if others are. Could be a laugh.
Download a jpeg pic of the route here
Comments
I took a mammoth combination of CLUB ride proper and my starter ride about 18 in all..thanks to Andrew, Josh and Stevie for assistance in helping to split and run two groups.....from Daisy at 10yrs to Jeff and me the age range was vast and difficult to manage...Greg and 2 mates joined and will be a great addition...hope Brad. (another new rider) enjoyed riding with James...we did 2 loops of 15 miles or so out and back to Ashwell which allowed the dropping off of Daisy and collection of Oliver....thanks to everyone for patience..hope it worked..comments welcome for next weeks ride.
I don't want to put anyone off thinking they could/should push things a little to join the fun of the middle group, and take the pressure off the bulging Club Run - especially in this good weather. It's simple really: stick with the ride leader and shout out if you start dropping off the back.
A really verdant ride today. Bobbed up Charlton Hill. The road has been patched up pretty well and it's a good little stinger. Loads of charidee riders floundering about like Brownian Motion, so it felt like a mini-Cheshire Cat Mow Cop. No gold medal today though. Get yerself down there next ride. The group boiled down to me, Iain [strong riding!], Phil K, Kevin and Mark W for most of the way.
Got all the big hills in before meeting the nasties and tailing back. In the end, 73 miles @ 17.3mph av.
Who's leading the next middle ride? If I'm about, I don't mind suggesting another route.
Absolutely right, i had a rubbish ride today, going like a bag of rusty spanners but it was a fast run and i dont expect anyone to wait for me, no appologies needed. If Alex, Phil and Robbie are in the group (and for that matter a whole bunch of other fast riders, Mark, Ian, Adam, Martin, Skelders, jim and others) then dont expect an easy chatty ride. i think generally most understand this. Whats the worst that can happen? you ride home alone. we are, more or less, grown ups.
So thats the fast group, the next one down is therefore the medium group. calling it the "aerobic, extended, threshold, club" is nonsense and confusing to newbies. Most in that group are very experienced and pretty quick riders who enjoy a good 50 mile ride with a big thrash at the end. you do yourselves something of a disservice by not aknowledging yourselves as the middle group.
That leaves, currently Geoffs club run, which is doing great stuff with younger and new riders. theres a big difference in ability there, which Geoff is managing brilliantly and if theres loads of them, or if Bob wants another run then there is probably room for 2 club runs.
Sorted, 3 runs, club, medium, fast.
My only gripe for yesterday was that the first split occurred at the A507 due to traffic not ability! Myself, Mark W & Phil K watched the ride disappear up Clothall hill while we waited for 'The Hertfordshire Harley Davidson Chapter' to parade past! I wasn't so fussed as I was nipping off back to Baldock anyway but not so fair on Phil & Mark.
I totally agree with the 'nasty' mentality and also would like to applaud Alex for his 'hand of god' up the hills on many occasion which actually helps keep the ride together (usually asisting me!!). All I would say is, keep half an eye on the unforeseen delays as opposed to, as I said, ability )
Look forward to next week.
Spoke to Carmelo today & we have had a couple of riders drop out, so all the reserves have shuffled up. We now have about 4 reserves on the list. SO if you want to put your name down for the race on Sunday let myself or Carmelo know & we'll put you on the reserve list. Normally 5-6 reserves get a rides (no guarantees though) as people drop out or are ill etc, so this could be your chance to have a go.
Cheers Trahern