by PhilBixby
Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:22 am
Forecast for Saturday is for a totally tropical ten or eleven degrees (albeit probably raining...) so it's a safe bet that the training ride will be "on". Two proposals:-
We do the "westerly" route, which is:- Bishopthorpe - Appleton Roebuck - Tadcaster - Bramham - Thorner - Scholes - Barwick-in-Elmet - Aberford - Sherburn - Cawood - York, with a lap of the Bishopwood circuit (venue for the Seacroft Wheelers season opener) if we're feeling keen. We did this route on one of the pre-Christmas rides; if you were out on that one, try to remember it, if you weren't then maybe just take a quick look at a map so you know roughly where you're going. Because...
Second proposal - split into two groups. This is partly about reducing danger from traffic (we've had some slightly hairy moments with groups of 18 or more and cars trying to get past) but also about ensuring the pace of the ride allows everyone to stay on board and get maximum benefit from it. I'm suggesting one group for those who've got race entries in and have, I assume, been finding ways to keep training through the bad weather and a second group for those who are a bit earlier in their preparation. The aim is that everyone is able to take turns in their respective group and there's no waiting around for people to catch up. I'm relying on people being sensible about which group they put themselves in - and will ask someone in the steadier group to take responsibility for making sure no-one gets lost or left behind (without checking they're okay).
As a club we're keen to encourage people to get a number on their back and have a go at road and circuit racing, and it would be great if we got two dozen people out there in events this year. There were quite a few newcomers last season and some of 'em improved really rapidly. Hopefully the suggested arrangements will give a way in to it which makes sure everyone gets an effective weekly training ride, and groups can be adjusted as the weeks go by to suit the abilities of everyone who turns up. Does that all sound okay?
We do the "westerly" route, which is:- Bishopthorpe - Appleton Roebuck - Tadcaster - Bramham - Thorner - Scholes - Barwick-in-Elmet - Aberford - Sherburn - Cawood - York, with a lap of the Bishopwood circuit (venue for the Seacroft Wheelers season opener) if we're feeling keen. We did this route on one of the pre-Christmas rides; if you were out on that one, try to remember it, if you weren't then maybe just take a quick look at a map so you know roughly where you're going. Because...
Second proposal - split into two groups. This is partly about reducing danger from traffic (we've had some slightly hairy moments with groups of 18 or more and cars trying to get past) but also about ensuring the pace of the ride allows everyone to stay on board and get maximum benefit from it. I'm suggesting one group for those who've got race entries in and have, I assume, been finding ways to keep training through the bad weather and a second group for those who are a bit earlier in their preparation. The aim is that everyone is able to take turns in their respective group and there's no waiting around for people to catch up. I'm relying on people being sensible about which group they put themselves in - and will ask someone in the steadier group to take responsibility for making sure no-one gets lost or left behind (without checking they're okay).
As a club we're keen to encourage people to get a number on their back and have a go at road and circuit racing, and it would be great if we got two dozen people out there in events this year. There were quite a few newcomers last season and some of 'em improved really rapidly. Hopefully the suggested arrangements will give a way in to it which makes sure everyone gets an effective weekly training ride, and groups can be adjusted as the weeks go by to suit the abilities of everyone who turns up. Does that all sound okay?