RP Training Group Weekend Ride - Sat 15th / Sun 16th?

Rich-Ti

To keep up the momentum for this small band of brothers and any others who feel like they fancy a mid-paced spin starting from Richmond Park this weekend, here's the next thread in the series!

So, rides to date have all been Surrey Hills-bound and it looks like there's some good routes developed from the initial starter. Also sounds like the area is quite well known by a couple of those who have joined the group so that's always going to be a useful (and favoured) option. A Windsor-based route has been discussed before though, and I'm happy to map something out along those lines having scrutinised the map yesterday.

Also Saturday seems to be the favoured day, and 8am the favoured time, although I'm not adverse to going on a Sunday - whatever the general concensus suits me fine. I've added a poll but didn't want to swamp the thread with options so have focused on day and route. We can decide a time amongst ourselves as the week develops.

Small disclaimer from me for this weekend: Much as I'd love to join the ride (having missed the last two) it is dependant on a couple of factors - namely whether or not I sell my Bill Bailey tickets for Saturday night. If I do I'm planning to ride down to Sussex on Sat and then ride back on Sun. If they don't sell then I'm in :roll: 8)

felgen

I am so frustrated that I can't come on this ride. After this wekeend's acticities, I have ordered rain booties especially and was looking forward to a good dousing with rain like the hardcore cyclists we are! I will be sitting this one out and I will be looking forward to the last one in November.

Anyone thinking about doing the Hillingdon winter series off the back of our increased abilities. Al woudl do well I am sure....

Rich-Ti

Might be light on numbers this weekend then - The Emu said he wouldn't be along too if I recall? Let's not rule it out though, I know there's still a few more who have been keeping an eye on these threads so we'll see what happens...

Regardless, I'm good for 22nd/23rd and 29th/30th so still 2 more weekends after this coming weekend before Hillingdon starts!

I'm definitely doing Hillingdon - already registered! :P

felgen

Rich-Ti wrote:

I'm definitely doing Hillingdon - already registered! :P

Keen as mustard! :shock:
I am still in negociations about doing any of the races as I suspect I will get a little Magnus Magnussen about it (I've started so I'll finish). Plus I would need a licence and decent tyres, and thats 100 quid straight away....

Rich-Ti

felgen wrote:

Keen as mustard! :shock:
I am still in negociations about doing any of the races as I suspect I will get a little Magnus Magnussen about it (I've started so I'll finish). Plus I would need a licence and decent tyres, and thats 100 quid straight away....

Yup, can't wait!

I plan to do day licences for the December races, will then get a Silver or Gold BC licence for the '09 races.

Rode a lap of Hillingdon yesterday actually - can imagine it'd be good fun racing in a pack there 8)

felgen

Rich-Ti wrote:

I plan to do day licences for the December races, will then get a Silver or Gold BC licence for the '09 races.

I was thinking about that but I was concerned about stacking the bike and being financially stuffed -then again maybe I would worry less now that I have christened it by falling off on Saturday in front of a watching crowd. In fact are there any insurance policies which actually cover the bike for damage incurred during racing?

As for the pack racing thing, well see my point about stacking - lots of blogs mention crashes - I suspect with a bunch of newbies riding in a Cat 4 race it could get a little hairy and unpredictable...

Rich-Ti

felgen wrote:

In fact are there any insurance policies which actually cover the bike for damage incurred during racing?

I have competition insurance for my bikes, I think that covers competition use but not checked.

felgen wrote:

As for the pack racing thing, well see my point about stacking - lots of blogs mention crashes - I suspect with a bunch of newbies riding in a Cat 4 race it could get a little hairy and unpredictable...

Good incentive to stay out the front then! :twisted: 8)

felgen

Rich-Ti wrote:

Good incentive to stay out the front then! :twisted: 8)

However in the race environment there is a whole field trying to do just that! However if you can manage that then good effort! The inexperience of the field would mean that no one would have a clue about organising a break or indeed working together in a break to keep it away. I read that most breaks are swallowed up and that everyone thinks they are a sprinter so it is a bunch sprint fest with the resultant close quarters 'mishaps'....

Whoops, holy thread deviation, Batman!

Rich-Ti

felgen wrote:

The inexperience of the field would mean that no one would have a clue about organising a break or indeed working together in a break to keep it away. I read that most breaks are swallowed up and that everyone thinks they are a sprinter so it is a bunch sprint fest with the resultant close quarters 'mishaps'....

Hmmm, interesting - does that also mean they don't know when a break is most likely to attack I wonder?... :? :twisted:

I'm certainly no sprinter, but then I don't fancy my chances at a victory either! :oops:

felgen

Rich-Ti wrote:

Hmmm, interesting - does that also mean they don't know when a break is most likely to attack I wonder?... :? :twisted:

I'm certainly no sprinter, but then I don't fancy my chances at a victory either! :oops:

Well if there were a few people in the race who you knew (i.e. team-mates) then you would assume that you could count on them to work together to make all your lives easier and everyone elses harder (not that I am master of racecraft BTW). If you get some lazy git who joins a break of you and your team mates and does some work, but if not, then those who do need to give abuse and/or drop them.

Hopefully that will all become clear after a few races...

the_jackalcp

I'm a no show for this weekend. Was planning on riding but now have a funeral to attend in Manchester.

The emu

I'm happy to be your domestique felgen - with legs like steel springs you'll be cat 1 2 years from now (as long as you can stay on your trusty steed .

Of course, in saying that, I'd be useless.

Out of curiousity what sort of speeds do these cat 4 riders do?

Just getting things back on track, saturday is definitely a write off for me, and probably half of sunday.

May give me an opportunity though to give the RP 3 lap challenge a go to see if and how I've improved.

felgen

The emu wrote:

I'm happy to be your domestique felgen

Well then you just failed your first test. You didnt give me your bike when you saw mine was damaged as you came up Box Hill :twisted:

The failed domestique wrote:

- with legs like steel springs you'll be cat 1 2 years from now (as long as you can stay on your trusty steed

My legs aren't like steel springs, but I did manage to break a leg power dynamometer when I was younger . As for staying on, well I will just need to get better tyres and be less of a monkey.

the emu wrote:

Of course, in saying that, I'd be useless.

Yes you proved that already - see point one above

the emu wrote:

Out of curiousity what sort of speeds do these cat 4 riders do?

23-26mph average, but the pace is very changeable in an attempt to try and break things up. You could manage that easily in a crowd - we were all cruising 22-24mph down to cobham - but then again I am sure you noticed I was pushing things a litttle down to Cobham when I was on the front.

the emu wrote:

Just getting things back on track, saturday is definitely a write off for me, and probably half of sunday.

Shame - bang goes your 100% record as you were the most regular fixture of the rides so far - and I never saw you wear the same thing twice!. The whole idea was to have enough people that the ride could still go ahead even if a few poeple could not make it , plus to be a little more social, which it definitely is, and to push ourselves - well look at me I tried so hard I flew off the bike!

the emu wrote:

May give me an opportunity though to give the RP 3 lap challenge a go to see if and how I've improved.

Oh yeah, you are way better now than your last RP time attests to. I reckon you are about the 60 minute mark. In fact we would all be way better now, so we should all have a go in the near future. The problem is finding a fresh day for me as I commute every day and can resist hammering it each way - I have noticed that I am much faster on the work commute as a result of these rides.

Berns12

I might be out of town one of the days this weekend not sure which one yet. Here's hoping I will be alright for Saturday as I am almost recovered from my cold and should be raring to go. Put me down for Saturday

Art Vandelay

Not sure how my weekend is fixed yet. Might be travelling back from Cornwall on Saturday or I might not...
May have time to do an early 3 laper at RP on Sunday if Saturday is out - though I'm not expecting to improve on my PB until Spring has sprung.

Rich-Ti

Looks like this weekend is out for all then - I've sold my Bill Bailey tickets and the weather for the weekend is looking ok so I'm probably going to do the ride home to Sussex on Sat and ride back on Sun (after watching my mate do a 'cross race).

Maybe I'll start a thread early for next weekend to make sure we maintain momentum!

mididoctors

everyone is out.....

already

Rich-Ti

Maybe for this weekend - we'll be back next weekend, trust me

mididoctors

great weather this weekend

Berns12

I found out I am not going away this weekend afterall as mate of mine managed to secure last minute tickets for the Wallabies game. I will be there trying not to cause a riot when I celebrate our win over England. Although it looks like everyone has pulled out, I will be heading out to RP anyway if anyone else changes their mind and wants to ride laps.


Al, if you are up for laps around RP Saturday morning let me know.

Rich-Ti

mididoctors wrote:

great weather this weekend

I know - that's why I'm riding down to the south coast on Sat then riding back on Sun 8)

mididoctors

Rich-Ti wrote:

mididoctors wrote:

great weather this weekend

I know - that's why I'm riding down to the south coast on Sat then riding back on Sun 8)

take in plenty of climbs and rolling unclassified roads.. don't just roll down some easy A road

you can get 2 days of mileage catch up....

just nipped out for a extended 2 and a half hour lunch ride

flexitime I love it

Rich-Ti

mididoctors wrote:

take in plenty of climbs and rolling unclassified roads.. don't just roll down some easy A road

you can get 2 days of mileage catch up....

My entire plan to a tee

Should be 2 cracking days of riding, even if it will be solo 8)

Rich-Ti

Next weekend's thread and poll is up and running 8)

Art Vandelay

Berns12 wrote:

Although it looks like everyone has pulled out, I will be heading out to RP anyway if anyone else changes their mind and wants to ride laps.

Al, if you are up for laps around RP Saturday morning let me know.

Saturday is still uncertain for me. Bernard - how are you fixed for an 8.30am Sunday RP ride? Surely we can maintain the reputation of the RPCC!!

Rich-Ti

Art Vandelay wrote:

Surely we can maintain the reputation of the RPCC!!

Loving that attitude! 8)

The emu

Berns12 wrote:

I I will be there trying not to cause a riot when I celebrate our win over England..

What's this I business....I'll be there as well so it's we - go you good thing !

Going to Barmy Arms early Saturday morning for some pre-match hydtration but I might be able to sneak in a quickfire RP 3 lap TT early - will need to literally leave in the dark though.

So if theres no ride this weekend then my 100% record stays in tact. 8)

Just realised I have to go on a work team building event next weekend aswell -