Should I attempt my first chaingang? Too slow?
dannyjames1
Posts: 44
I feel like this is a bit of a daft question maybe, but I'm going to ask. For a while I've wanted to get involved on a chaingang. I've got some experience with group riding and know the technique but I just don't want to turn up only to drop off the back! I'm not exactly slow on the bike and can push myself....
My usual solo ride is about 50 miles with 2400ft elevation... 3 climbs of about 550ft each and a bit of rolling countryside which I rarely finish averaging less than 18 mph overall with the usual little bit of a headwind on the journey back home and a couple of stops for traffic.
Should I go for it? Will I struggle? Only one way to find out?
My usual solo ride is about 50 miles with 2400ft elevation... 3 climbs of about 550ft each and a bit of rolling countryside which I rarely finish averaging less than 18 mph overall with the usual little bit of a headwind on the journey back home and a couple of stops for traffic.
Should I go for it? Will I struggle? Only one way to find out?
0
Comments
-
Your answer might be joining a club. Many of them will teach beginners to do group riding, just do some investigating in your area.0
-
Just get out and try, would being dropped really be so bad? Assuming your local chain gang is a fast group who take no prisoners well I'm sure you wont be the first to get dropped.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0
-
Depending on the numbers there may be different groups (according to rider level).
Even if only 1 group go along and try. It's good experience of riding at pace in a group.
And if you get dropped you get dropped. Nothing to be ashamed of or worried about. It's just part of riding a bike in a group.0 -
dannyjames1 wrote:For a while I've wanted to get involved on a chaingang.
I can assure you it's not THAT glamorous
left the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:dannyjames1 wrote:For a while I've wanted to get involved on a chaingang.
I can assure you it's not THAT glamorous
One of my all time favourite films ugo.0 -
just do it. it'll be fine.
its a bunch of clubbies riding along, not sagan et al.
if they act like dicks just leave them to it and find some nice people to ride with.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Go with the expectation that you'll be dropped in the first 30 minutes and you'll be fineI'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
-
Matthewfalle wrote:j
if they act like dicks just leave them to it and find some nice people to ride with.
Sounds like my local club chaingang I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
SloppySchleckonds wrote:Go with the expectation that you'll be dropped in the first 30 minutes and you'll be fine
This. Make sure you know the way home too, just in case. If you don't go, you'll never know.0 -
I was in the same boat as you last summer, I decided to just go for it and ended up getting dropped 3 or 4 weeks in a row. Eventually made it all the way around a few times (barely). You will only gain in ability and confidence the more of them you do, they are great fun and usually end with a sprint finish which I really enjoy.
If you are really blowing there is no problem with skipping a turn too, just hang on at the back.
Good luck!0 -
Frank Wilson wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:dannyjames1 wrote:For a while I've wanted to get involved on a chaingang.
I can assure you it's not THAT glamorous
One of my all time favourite films ugo.
Yeah, a film with many layers... can be enjoyed at all ages and even many years later... and a great soundtrack tooleft the forum March 20230 -
dannyjames1 wrote:Only one way to find out?
Bingo.0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:Frank Wilson wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:dannyjames1 wrote:For a while I've wanted to get involved on a chaingang.
I can assure you it's not THAT glamorous
One of my all time favourite films ugo.
Yeah, a film with many layers... can be enjoyed at all ages and even many years later... and a great soundtrack too
looks like a scene from gangbang 7 or other such similar grot..Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
How would you know matthew? They your co-stars?0
-
Matthewfalle wrote:
looks like a scene from gangbang 7 or other such similar grot..
Blasfemy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)left the forum March 20230 -
This! If you are averaging 18mph on a reasonably hilly 50 miles I suspect you won't be the first to be dropped unless it's a seriously elite chainy. If you do start blowing skip a few turns as above - after a few weeks you'll be contending with the best of themMapaputsi wrote:I was in the same boat as you last summer, I decided to just go for it and ended up getting dropped 3 or 4 weeks in a row. Eventually made it all the way around a few times (barely). You will only gain in ability and confidence the more of them you do, they are great fun and usually end with a sprint finish which I really enjoy.
If you are really blowing there is no problem with skipping a turn too, just hang on at the back.
Good luck!
FFS! Harden up and grow a pair0 -
elite
Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:Matthewfalle wrote:
looks like a scene from gangbang 7 or other such similar grot..
Blasfemy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)
infamy i tell you! infamy! they've all got it infamy!Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
I had a go a few weeks ago. The local club has a loop the racers do one a few laps of one evening a week and were encouraging newbies. Pre-season apparently the pace might be a bit slower.
It seemed a good time to try as I'd been riding through the winter and was feeling as strong as I have ever done. OK, so I got dropped a couple of times but they were nice chaps and I wasn't the only one. Definitely worth giving it a go. I haven't been back yet partly because the guy who organises it has been out of action.0 -
If you don't try you'll never know.
I heard one chap commenting about another guy who just about hung onto the group - that he should've gone with the slower group - but that's just it - you don't know unless you try.
I went with the faster group on the basis that if I'm dropped, I'm dropped - I'm old enough to look after myself.
Like Pro racing - chaingangs are an individual group ride - all the time you're in the group you can take a tow/shelter - once you're out the group, you're on your own ...0 -
Just go and see how you get on.
It may be worth familiarising yourself with the route, check out where the hills are and if you are struggling then miss a few turns before the hills so you are not on the limit when it ramps up.0 -
kingdav wrote:I had a go a few weeks ago. The local club has a loop the racers do one a few laps of one evening a week and were encouraging newbies. Pre-season apparently the pace might be a bit slower.
It seemed a good time to try as I'd been riding through the winter and was feeling as strong as I have ever done. OK, so I got dropped a couple of times but they were nice chaps and I wasn't the only one. Definitely worth giving it a go. I haven't been back yet partly because the guy who organises it has been out of action.
A loop the racers do Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Matthewfalle wrote:kingdav wrote:I had a go a few weeks ago. The local club has a loop the racers do one a few laps of one evening a week and were encouraging newbies. Pre-season apparently the pace might be a bit slower.
It seemed a good time to try as I'd been riding through the winter and was feeling as strong as I have ever done. OK, so I got dropped a couple of times but they were nice chaps and I wasn't the only one. Definitely worth giving it a go. I haven't been back yet partly because the guy who organises it has been out of action.
A loop the racers do
its a bunch of clubbies riding along, not sagan et al.I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
Stick to Zwift0
-
That'll be fine. In cycling money 28kph solo with 750m over 70km is good. The Cat1/Elites may well hurt you but skip a turn or just fall off the back and then try to use any descents to get back on. Part of the motivation of chain gangs is in getting dropped a few times.0
-
Our club A rides average about 17mph in reality over about 70miles. 18mph solo is pretty good. Remember it is far easier in a group and you tend to get pulled along leaving enough energy for a quick go up front. I'd go for it. Even the Pros can't hack it up front all day. Years ago in Mallorca I ended up in the middle of the Shimano team peleton when they were on a training ride. Actually managed to stay with there for a bit, Unbelieveable! Might have been just seconds though Nothing to prove. http://adenough1.blogspot.co.uk/0
-
Club A rides Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Warriors, come out to play-aaaaaaaaaaaaaay!0
-
Do not ride with team Cinzano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZ0N7VTDtY0 -
Went to my first chain of the season and blew 10 miles in. I'll be back, and going for the same group, next week - I'll probably get dropped another few miles down the line. In a few weeks I'll be back to making it round again.
Just do it! Great fun, you'll be attacking the run-in in no time.0
