Clifton CC

I will try and get the tyres on my old Raleigh pumped up and be there tomorrow for the learners chain gang.

Well I'm deffo coming so cya all at 6:30, well I'll be there for about 6-6:10 as I'm always early.

Another really good ride tonight. Huge thanks again to Phil and Steve and really good to see the numbers growing. I particularly like the balance of a bit of riding all together and 'the chase' really good fun too!

Keep putting your interest and availability up here.

Michael

2 spokes snapped

Yes, I enjoyed it too, it must bringing my fitness on. I particularly thought some of the new guys (Matt for example) were really giving it 100%. When some of those guys get fit they're going to be useful cyclists, we should keep this up.

Bit annoyed at myself though, after I had that bit of a problem with my speedo sensor working its way into my spokes I couldn't close down the gap on Michael and Will, still that's down to their good fitness and my lack of it. Keep it up Michael and Will you're going well and I don't think the TLI would give you much problem.

Thanks.

I could tell my fitness has improved since last week (Or maybe it was just the fact I was on my propor bike) I was going faster with less effort and I think the wind was stronger too, my acceleration has improved too so I'm quite happy with tonight and did 59 miles but I need to do more, my mileage is down, did 1122 last month and with the TT on thursday thats going to be about 1090 this month but at least I'm .3mph faster than last month, yes... its speed but its showing improvement

I am still unsure about doing the propor chaingang yet was still not perfect in the bunch and falling behind at some points, I nearly got dropped myself but I was just determined to hang on so I did. either way it was enjoyable.

"2 spokes snapped"

Name and shame that wheel, Andrew. Hope you got back home without drama.

Good riding by all last night - with the exception of a few blips it was all getting smoother as the evening went on. For those who are wanting to go faster - two options:- Either have a crack at the regular chaingang or just keep doing these to build up skill/speed through the summer, and then start the regular one next spring when everyone's going a bit slower prior to the race season.

See some of you next Tuesday up at Boroughbridge!

Fulcrum 5's, less than 3 months old as well.

Not a happy bunny today.

Blimey 1122 miles last month , oh to be a student, I'm doing very well to do 500miles in a month. Well that's full time work, family and a house for you.

Bad luck with the wheel Andrew.

Will, that's an impressive amount of miles! Only thing that would concern me is when you say "but I need to do more". You don't NEED to do anything just because your miles log is down on the previous month. You should ride when you want to and rest when you feel knackered.

I know I'm always winding you up about your speed and wind and mileage obsessions but I hope you take it all as good natured. I reckon you're a really strong rider who has the potential to be REALLY good.

Michael

I agree with Michael, Will, if you're on your bike because you're just enjoying it, so you're doing 1000+ miles a month very good, but if you're doing that with the intention of racing you need to be doing the high intensity stuff now. Quality not quanty, you need to be riding with the likes of Muzzy, Rob, Nick B, Andy J, Arthur et al. The proper chaingang for you. Try to control your efforts a bit more though, it'll be a different kettle of fish with those guys.

I stopped logging my mileage ages ago. I think Michael offered you the loan of Joe Friel's book, Will, and I'd thoroughly recommend this. If you want to ride for a purpose (rather than simply because it's fun in itself) then this will give you lots of ideas for structuring what you do, all of which will be much more useful than simply fretting about how many miles at how many miles per hour. As many have said, if you're into the idea of racing you clearly have the strength to do it, but you need to do the right sort of training and take the right sort of rest. If you simply wear yourself out then you'll never find out what you're really capable of.

I would like to do racing, but I do enjoy cycling too!, I enjoy the social rides etc.., I dont know why I am so glued to the speedo, since I started riding a bicycle its been the same. I would like to borrow that book its just when to get it as its big apparently so I'd need to bring a backpack.

I dont want to do the propor chaingang yet I'm not good enough in a group to do that they'll all just end up screaming at me.

Thinking of doing that ride with helen today, the wednesday ride but I dont know, my legs feel fine after I decided to stretch last night and dont know if I would be doing too much as I was thinking of doing the TT tommorow.

Blimey 1122 miles last month, oh to be a student, I'm doing very well to do 500miles in a month. Well that's full time work, family and a house for you

Blimey Broomwagon - your doing as many miles in a month as the rest of us who are racing!

Will - as everyone else has already said doing 1122 miles in a month is all very well but miles is all they are! You need to be biting the bullet and getting out with a few quicker people. However I don't think anyone on Broomwagons previous list of racers is able to do anything more than me which is grab a few miles whenever they can.
My personal view is trainings just training. If you want to be competitive then race.
Space your training so you can recover between rides or train in blocks ie a couple of days back to back and a couple of days rest. If you have time on your hands during the hols take up fishing or something or learn some bike maintenance skills on your days off.

Incidentally - what is the turnout like on the main Tues chaingang these days? I've not done one all year as have been getting out later and riding the hills alone North of York. Its slower but the traffics less & the views are better!

They flew past me whilst I was out jogging on Tues. I counted about 7.