Intro to chaingang, Tuesday 1st July

[PhilBixby]

Right folks, following on from a long discussion on another thread, here's the plan:-

There will be a chaingang with a difference this coming Tuesday evening aimed at those who are thinking about having a go at road racing - particularly via the last few races in the Tuesday night TLI series - but who feel they lack experience in the specifics of bunch racing. So if you've got some basic fitness and speed, have maybe done a few of the Thursday TTs, but are worried that the regular Tuesday chaingang is going to be too full-on, then this is for you.

We'll meet at 6:30 on the Millennium bridge. We'll have a bit of a chat about what we're going to do, covering safety and communication along with going quickly over the basics of what we'll be putting into practice. This won't be a lengthy talk; I just want to make sure everyone knows what we're going to be doing. Which is, basically, riding safely in a fast group, and working together using through-and-off. The aim is to come out of it with everyone happy they could set off in the first group at the TLI's and feel they know what to do. We won't be worried about how fast we're going, but we'll want to be smooooooooooth by the time we're done. If there are widely differing abilities in terms of overall speed we'll split into a couple of groups. We'll aim to avoid people getting dropped as it's a waste of your training time if you're off the back, and you may as well get dropped from the regular chaingang!

Following the brief chat we'll ride down towards Appleton Roebuck and will follow the suggestion of the racing elders by using the circuit of roads which goes over the airfield. We'll aim to finish by about 8:30. We'll stop as necessary to talk over any problems, answer questions etc. If anyone gets a puncture then we won't stop but they can fix it and rejoin next time around. And now for a purely personal request:- please wear a helmet; you'll have to in races anyway.

This does NOT replace the regular chaingang out through Rufforth for the experienced race crew, but if one or two of you fancy joining me to help with this one, then it'd be much appreciated - just post on here so we know who's coming. Likewise if you're a first-timer (or relatively new to it and want some practice in a less challenging group) post on here so I have some idea of numbers.

Remember... ...next year's defence of the TLI Shield depends on you all...

[fatsprinter]

If anyone would be interested in a Wednesday night session, I would be happy to lead it, otherwise, enjoy you newby session. It would be a good session on the Wedesday, you'd learn from the best, smoothest (ok, and fattest) rider aroun d.

Cheers

Fatsprinter

[PhilBixby]

I can't do Wednesdays but then a few of the potential newbies can't do tomorrow by the looks of it - please post here if you'd like to take Colin up on his kind offer. He is all that he says!

[Jason]

Phil, Colin,

Thanks for your efforts in setting this up and offering to run it.

I can do either evening, Wed would be preferable but I'm happy to go with the majority decision (I guess a critical mass is required for it to work).

I'll check the website tomorrow (Tue) during the day - is it worth agreeing a cut-off time of say 2pm to decide which day we'll go - that way we avoid any last minute confusion and negotiations with partners...

Thanks again,

Jason.

[Rob_h]

Sounds like such a great idea, thank you for organising it!...sadly i moved back to london yesterday for the summer so cannot attend, hopefully next year!

[PhilBixby]

Agreed - I'm off out tomorrow afternoon so 2pm it is - if you want to do Tuesday (tomorrow) post on here before then, if you want to do Wednesday then stick a posting on sometime tomorrow so Colin can make arrangements. If it's all quiet on both dates then we'll line something up for the week between the next two TLI's.

[Helen]

Phil
I would like to join you tonight but would prefer to meet up with you on or around the airfield as won't be able to make the M/bridge meeting time.
Helen

[willhub]

What time will this chaingang thing be on tonight and where and what time is it best to meet? I've been wanting to do it but dont know if I'll be home in time.

[Arthur]

Will - read the first post in the thread

Phil - since there's at least three people out tonight (you, Helen, Will and hopefully me) why don't you just say you'll be there anyway and see who turns up. Too much choice is not always a good thing.

[PhilBixby]

I'll be there!

[willhub]

Ok so 6:30 at the bridge, I'd say there is about 30% chance I'll be there as I dont know when I'll be back.

[PhilBixby]

As per Arthur's suggestion elsewhere; if you miss us at the bridge then take the Bishopthorpe Road out of town. Follow it through Bishopthorpe and just carry on, over the railway bridge an onwards for a couple of miles until you get to a T-junction. That's on the circuit we'll use. Turn left there and keep taking right turns and you should meet us at some point.

[Jason]

Hope to be able to make it tonight, but if I'm not at the bridge it means work and family have not played ball...

Jason.

[PhilBixby]

Hope to see you later Jason. Tom also? Anyone else? It's a cracking day; and the long-range forecast for next Tuesday's TLI is good weather and lots of Clifton in the top ten....

[tomf]

Hope to see you later Jason. Tom also? Anyone else? It's a cracking day; and the long-range forecast for next Tuesday's TLI is good weather and lots of Clifton in the top ten....

Yes, too nice to miss. I've shuffled the childcare deck and should be heading west from Escrick soon after 6:30 - will follow the directions and hope to see you all there...