Richmond Park Ride

_Brun_

Like the sound of this Richmond Park thing, but I'd need an early start to get down there from N7. Having said that, the alarm will be set for some silly time for the Japanese GP so there's a reasonable chance I'll be up and about.

biondino

Jen - CJ can do three laps in just over 54 minutes. That's 20.5 miles. In 54 minutes. You really want to try it

(I take about 10 minutes longer btw)

biondino

Brun, take it easy getting down here, you'll be fine for the laps. Also, don't you dare tell us what happens in the GP!

Jen J

biondino wrote:

Jen - CJ can do three laps in just over 54 minutes. That's 20.5 miles. In 54 minutes. You really want to try it

(I take about 10 minutes longer btw)

I'll time myself over three laps tomorrow. My guess is somewhere around 1.20...

(I thought it was just over 6 miles/lap?)

biondino

I think it's about 6.8 miles if I remember rightly. I've only ever done one lap under 20 minutes - it's hard work! But for someone as fit as you I reckon 80 minutes is a big overestimate.

Shall we have a roll call, just so we know who to expect and how long to wait before heading out? I guess we'd probably start rolling about 9.15 - is that realistic? Also might be an opportunity to say our real names so we know how to address each other

1. Biondino (Mark)

Jen J

1. Biondino (Mark)
2. Jen J (er, Jen)

I think last time I was there I averaged under 15mph for 45 miles, and although that includes a bit of traffic there and back, I wouldn't have been much quicker in the park.

How much faster might I be clipless compared to trainers & flat pedals?

biondino

Probably not that much quicker unless you found trainers and flats slippy or uncomfortable and as a result cycled more gingerly. You should though find it quicker going uphill as you'll probably even without thinking start pulling up on the backstroke. On the flat, it's much of a muchness really. What it does do means is that you don't have to think about your pedalling at all once you're clipped in.

One thing you may find is that the cleat position you've started with isn't ideal, so you'll have to make small adjustments, maybe a few of them, to get things right. The biggest issue is the angle your feet are at - sit on something that allows your legs to dangle naturally without touching the floor and see which way your feet point. They should point the same way when you're attached to the pedals.

If your cleats aren't set up right, you may get pain in your knees after several miles. It's most usual to get pain in one or the other side of the knee, and the location of the pain is a good indicator of what you have to do to adjust the cleats.

We can talk about it further on Sunday

Wrath Rob

1. Biondino (Mark)
2. Jen J (er, Jen)
3. Wrath Rob (Rob)

cjcp

Jen J wrote:

How much faster might I be clipless compared to trainers & flat pedals?

Jen - following on from Biondino's point about cleats, have you also altered your seat height? Cleats + different pedals can alter how much the leg is extended when compared to trainers and flats.

Sunday will be a leisurely jaunt: it's a rest day for Monday morning's commute :twisted:

P.S. Name's Chris

biondino

Chris - can you let me know when's good tomorrow to bring the bike carrier over? Easier than Sunday for me if that works for you.

cjcp

The boss is out shopping and I'm probably in tiling, so just drop me a text whenever you get up and i'll have a better idea of my plans.

greg66_tri_v2.0

1. Biondino (Mark)
2. Jen J (er, Jen)
3. Wrath Rob (Rob)
4. Greg66 (Mr. 66 to you lot)

However, I have been told this evening that we may have guests staying over on Sat evening, so my ability to sneak out on Sun am may be fooked. :roll:

The Chingford Skinhead

From East Larndun its about 2hrs to ride to the park (plus 2hrs home) plus the ride around the park itself...Pity, I quite liked the idea. I'm assuming half the tube is shut as well as TfL can't find me a sensibe bike on public transport route either.

Have fun folks and let us all know how you got on (in every sense of the phrase)

cjcp

BUT...

Sunday is meant to be a nice day and probably one of the last good weather days of the year before everything turns to rat do-do, in which case you shoudl spend as much time as possible on your bike. Ergo, you should join us at RP.


Am thinking a car is not an option?

The Chingford Skinhead

cjcp wrote:

BUT...

Sunday is meant to be a nice day and probably one of the last good weather days of the year before everything turns to rat do-do, in which case you shoudl spend as much time as possible on your bike. Ergo, you should join us at RP.


Am thinking a car is not an option?

I like your thinking - but as I'm out on bike related activity on Saturday Mrs TCS - who thinks I'm mad commuting to work as it is - will be even more P off with me than usual if I'm out all day Sunday too (plus I've had to bring a tonne of work home too so need to find some time for that as well)

Car isn't an option as I don't drive. I'll make it some time in the future though - perhaps when the tubes are working...

cjcp

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

cjcp wrote:

BUT...

Sunday is meant to be a nice day and probably one of the last good weather days of the year before everything turns to rat do-do, in which case you shoudl spend as much time as possible on your bike. Ergo, you should join us at RP.


Am thinking a car is not an option?

I like your thinking - but as I'm out on bike related activity on Saturday Mrs TCS - who thinks I'm mad commuting to work as it is - will be even more P off with me than usual if I'm out all day Sunday too (plus I've had to bring a tonne of work home too so need to find some time for that as well)

Car isn't an option as I don't drive. I'll make it some time in the future though - perhaps when the tubes are working...

Do what I'm doing and do your work now.

Yep, know what you mean. This will be my first weekend ride with other people in, um, well, I don't know.

_Brun_

biondino wrote:

Brun, take it easy getting down here, you'll be fine for the laps. Also, don't you dare tell us what happens in the GP!

I set the alarm in similar fashion last year, despite being at a wedding in Birmingham. Pretty certain I saw the formation lap, and then the next thing I remember was the end of the race, with Lewis having apparently bonked. Or something.

Anyway, Google maps reckons the most direct route from my gaff is 10.6 miles, which shouldn't cause us too much stress. Won't confirm my appearance just yet, but I'd put it somewhere around 'quite likely'.

Jen J

Just got back from this morning's ride. Park was beautiful with all the mist/fog, but visibility was poor - could only see 20-30 yards ahead in some places.

I did 2 laps in 54 minutes, which would put me at about 81 for the three. I may be able to run for a long time, but it doesn't mean I'm any good on a bike! Long and slow is what I do

I may just go off on my own tomorrow, as I know it's more of a social thing than flat out willy-waving, but if I'm going to be lagging behind the whole time and slowing you all down, I probably won't enjoy it much. We'll see.

prj45

Jen J wrote:

as I know it's more of a social thing than flat out willy-waving

From what I can tell from your user name willy waving would be something you'd find difficult to participate in.

Jen J

Yes. But I like a challenge

Jen J

So, so definitely will be there by 9 tomorrow. Probably.

As the majority of female-specific bike gear comes in girly pink or girly pink, I will be weraing a girly pink top underneath a girly pink jacket.

And if anyone is expecting me to look like a long distance runner, picture that, add on 4 stone of flab, and that's pretty much me

always_tyred

Can we have photos of the races on Monday? :P

itboffin

_Brun_ wrote:

Like the sound of this Richmond Park thing, but I'd need an early start to get down there from N7. Having said that, the alarm will be set for some silly time for the Japanese GP so there's a reasonable chance I'll be up and about.

Chapeau

Like Mrs66 it seems I too have commitments this weekend, dinner early on Sunday so it will be nip and tuck if I can make it.

Totalnewbie

Just got back from RP. Far too many feckin cars.

I am still trying to figure out a way to the park from mine that involves as little of the b*stard South Circular as possible...

moonio

I'd love to come to this but I live miles away and 9am is wayyyyyyyyyy too early for me on a Sunday.

If anyone fancies a Greenwich/Blackheath/River ride I'd be up for that, Ive been meaning to do the north side of the river (wapping/limehouse etc) for ages!

itboffin

tut tut moonio where's your team commitment, I'm coming in from deepest Wiltshire, will have to get up at 5am - so pretty much like a normal days commute - that's if the alarm wakes me

In case you missed it amongst the mass of MASSIVE ring and grooming postings we were/are planning a SCR track day at some point, I understand there's a new one just opened at Redbridge, so you could kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

Plus there's always the semi regular Morpeth Arms gatherings.

_Brun_

1. Biondino (Mark)
2. Jen J (er, Jen)
3. Wrath Rob (Rob)
4. Greg66 (Mr. 66 to you lot)
5. Brun (Ian)

Just adding meself to the roll-call in the hope it'll make me more likely to drag meself outta bed at some ungodly hour tomorrow. If someone could PM us with a phone number it might make meeting up easier. Otherwise, if you see this man looking a bit lost and confused, shout either of the above names in his direction.

biondino

Always Tyred wrote:

Can we have photos of the races on Monday? :P

It's not a race.

sc999cs

Another vote for photos so us yokels can see what you all look like

linsen

yes please to photos. If you can get any in focus during your oh-so-slow "notarace"