Excellent chain gang last Tuesday. Split up into two groups before the start. Initially great reluctance from riders to volunteer for scratch group, but eventually volunteered for by Simon Wright. Scratch group set off 5 mins after first group (allegedly).
First group progressed well looking to average 22mph to try and stay away. Group settled down and worked well together, without working too hard on the way out. Everyone took 30 second intervals in one line. I was about 165bpm for my turns at the front with the speed around 22/23mph. Everyone was working comfortably, but still working. It was good as everyone seemed to adapt well to sitting on wheels and doing turns. Good group riding practice.
Scratch group must have murdered themselves to catch the first group as they had caught us by half way. Simon (tester) had put in some hard turns I believe. Perhpas they had worked a little too hard to catch us so soon. Anyway, group got over the hills together and the handicapping must have worked to a degree as more or less everyone took turns on the way back. I little scrappy to begin with, but then it got organised. The scratch group may have been a little tired by their efforts to catch the front group so got an excellent workout and made it a little easier for everyone to work together when it all came together.
It was a good workout for everyone and everone stayed together untill at least out of Rufforth, so a success there. I believe everyone got a good workout, scratch group and slow group. I averaged 167bpm and 22.8mph for the 28.8 miles and did it in 1hr 16 mins dead. The scratch group did it in 1hr 13 mins, meaning they only gave us 3 minutes for the 28.8 miles. (some 5 minutes). (Tip for the ladies - Never trust a bloke to give you estimations, as he'll tell you anything is 180cm)!! (Next time 5 mins would be nice!!).
Interestingly, this was 1pmh faster than the front groups average speed. 23.8mph is some going. Well done. Considering most of this was done in the first half of the circuit, they must have been really tramming.
A good session was had by all. Two groups again this Tuesday? The generall consensus was that it was a good training session, although one person did prefer the sociable nature of riding out slower. I do know Paul M (muzzy) does prefer a harder session all the way round and I would tend to agree with him. Chain gang is a training session, not a social session, but then again, it is up to the people out on the ride to decide.
Anyone up for two groups again this Tuesday? Scratch group setting off at 6.15pm and the slower one 6/7 mins before. And now the nights are gettng longer, how about two laps?? It would be easy to work out time gaps by adding on about another 5 miles? I presume there is also another TLI this Tuesday so there may be reduced numbers?
Looking forward to another good Tuesday session.