Saturday Training Rides

[Sam the Eagle]

Has any one any opinions about how the Saturday Rides should run once we begin preparing for the new season.

I have a few suggestions.
1. We have two groups; 1 faster than the other.
2. the fast group starts on time at 9.30 ie arrive at 9.25. Anyone late gets to ride with the slower group
3. as the faster ride will be practicing a range of group skills at a steady state and above pace there will be certain safe practice guidelines

We need to think about other suggestions like do we stop at the cafe?

over to you

[Whippet]

Although I will not be involved with these Saturday rides, I would like to offer some advice from experience of other group winter training rides. The key thing is for the stronger and fitter riders to be disciplined enough not to destroy the group but do more work on the front and to keep the group together for a good 3/4 of the ride. This stops people looking to get the fitness from being demoralised by being blow out early but still gives those who are fit a quality workout. With 15-20 miles to go the pace should be gradually increased (working on through and off technique) at this point the group will probably break up, but as everyone is close to home it is not so critical.

I spent a number of years training with CC Luton like this and if done right everyone benefits.

[Badger]

Def two groups not only for speed difference but because it?s safer. Good idea starting early for fast group (and dare I say it the other group as well)
Fast group should do long turns on the front in pairs, then these turns get shorter as ride goes on. You need someone to do the timing.
Prob no stopping but up to the group.
Mudguards for slower group not essential for fast group.
Slow group to ride at slow pace. If anyone starts sprinting up hills then they are in the wrong group.
Maybe if there are enough riders even have three groups. Then some of the slower riders who don?t normally ride with us may do so.

[Badger]

Although I will not be involved with these Saturday rides, I would like to offer some advice from experience of other group winter training rides. The key thing is for the stronger and fitter riders to be disciplined enough not to destroy the group but do more work on the front and to keep the group together for a good 3/4 of the ride. This stops people looking to get the fitness from being demoralised by being blow out early but still gives those who are fit a quality workout. With 15-20 miles to go the pace should be gradually increased (working on through and off technique) at this point the group will probably break up, but as everyone is close to home it is not so critical.

I spent a number of years training with CC Luton like this and if done right everyone benefits.

as a club we are crap at group riding discipline. I'm no better than anyone else as when I'm fit I like to blow things apart. However in the winter it's not necessary and it's really up to the fast boys to look behind and slow down if people get dropped. Will still need two groups though.

[Whippet]

Fast group should do long turns on the front in pairs, then these turns get shorter as ride goes on. You need someone to do the timing.

Would be better to change as though doing through and off but at longer intervals, this is safer as you don't have 4 abreast whilst changing and does make the group run smoother. Also if someone can keep the pace but not if on the front for much then it makes it easier for them to do shorter turns or to sit on the back for a while.

Again it is all about discipline!!

[Whippet]

as a club we are crap at group riding discipline. I'm no better than anyone else as when I'm fit I like to blow things apart. However in the winter it's not necessary and it's really up to the fast boys to look behind and slow down if people get dropped. Will still need two groups though.

The key thing here is 'its winter'!! Yes agree on two groups. No problem with blowing things apart. Set targets for intermediate sprints but regroup afterwards.

[Pocket Rocket]

When does your base end Badge??
Will you be joining us?

[Badger]

Jan I reckon depends how I feel, I'm still getting tired even though I'm riding at low intensity. May go to doctors for a TATT discussion again, I don't know.

[Agusto Pinochet]

I'am so keen at the moment I cant wait until we split into two groups.
Its the wrong time of year but Ive got it bad! I know Iam the pres and all that but somone needs to give me a good talking to before I'm burnt out :evil: Oh bo!!@(ks its only hobby :lol:

[Badger]

no it's not, it's life

[Mick Quinn]

can't get back into routine after coming back from Florida so i've formulated a new plan stay in bed then get up and have a big fry up!ITS GREAT :lol:

[Heffalump]

can't get back into routine after coming back from Florida so i've formulated a new plan stay in bed then get up and have a big fry up! ITS GREAT :lol:

So that's a lie in and a fry-up, on Sat, as well as Sun now, is it :?: :!: Looks like your meister-plan to do 200 miles a week, immediately after the racing season, has left you burnt out before Xmas :shock: :!: Think you've broken some kind of record there mate :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Agusto Pinochet]

Welcome back Mick & Heff I trust you both ejoyed your hols yuo now
need a gentle ride this week and next before th heavy ride start on Dec 4
as for big fry ups I wouldent leave home without one

[Heffalump]

I will be reporting for "duty" on saturday morning, by your command Il Presidente :D ..........Mick will be lying in bed eating bacon sandwiches, with tomato sauce dripping onto his duvet cover......Eewwwww :roll:

[Mick Quinn]

Thanks pres wish I could say good to be back, spose I'll have to get my arse into gear for the "heavy ride's", Dec 4th you say can't wait. :cry:

[Agusto Pinochet]

Well done boys had 20 out week before last Tony is going to have his work cut out organising us lot

[Sam the Eagle]

Last Sat we did a bit of pace line work on the way back from Therfield. The point of the session was to practice pace line discipline at a restricted pace early on. As the winter goes on we can up the speed as people get more confident in their skills. Last year I demonstrated the net result of not concentrating when a whacked into the back of Haydon and ate tarmac.

Of course I only did this so I could refer to it later. :oops:

Anyway - found this set of rules on a web site so thought I might share.

Paceline Rules to Remember

• The only way to start a paceline is to move to the back of the group.

• The second rider never accelerates, but simply accepts the greater load as the front rider moves to the side.

• The front rider moves over first then slows slightly. A common mistake is slowing down before moving over, causing the whole group to slow.

• Group speed changes are accomplished very slowly and smoothly so that riders can stay as close as possible.

• The front rider bears full responsibility for avoiding road hazards and must make every effort to avoid objects without sudden swerving.

• The second rider should rest as much as possible in the slipstream of the lead rider.

• The lead rider should focus on maintaining the group speed and adjusting to hills and turns.

• Each rider needs to be aware of his/her own speed as well as the speed of each rider around him/her. Speeds need to be coordinated throughout corners and hills.

Feel free to add other rules - my addition is no $**!!^ head phones!

As the season progresses what do you think about practicing other tactics. One which comes to mind is Sprint Lead Out - George you can come up with the rules for that one.

[Badger]

So no Italian John then? Who's gonna tell him to take his bl**dy earphones out? I nominate Andy. And if he doesn't tell him he can't ride with us.

And what about dual pace lines? We did those last winter.

[Pocket Rocket]

Also as his bike handling hasn't seemed to have improved in the few years i've known him he should be given warnings if he does anything stupid, i nominate Andy also :wink:

[Pocket Rocket]

Also as his bike handling hasn't seemed to have improved in the few years i've known him he should be given warnings if he does anything stupid, i nominate Andy also :wink:
Sorry that 'if' should be 'when', he's beyond the 'if' stage :?

[Badger]

yes ban him

trouble is there are too many kind hearts out there who let him get away with it

[Pocket Rocket]

yes ban him

trouble is there are too many kind hearts out there who let him get away with it
yeah thats the trouble alright

[Badger]

the committee could ban him

[Sam the Eagle]

Frank and I raised the issue re headphones last week with some response. There are clearly a number of approaches to this :wink: and a number of issues to work on before every one, experienced and less so can be confident of a safe ride.

Re paceline work I think a two line system works well as a skills exercise too. A key learning point regarding wind direction (we all know where the hot air comes from Jim) and rotation can be developed.

Dress up warm for tomorrow!

[Pocket Rocket]

Dress up warm for tomorrow!
So you don't think it'll be good to practice pacelines TTT style i.e. lo-pro bikes and skinsuits :?: :wink:

[Badger]

Frank and I raised the issue re headphones last week with some response. There are clearly a number of approaches to this :wink: and a number of issues to work on before every one, experienced and less so can be confident of a safe ride.

Re paceline work I think a two line system works well as a skills exercise too. A key learning point regarding wind direction (we all know where the hot air comes from Jim) and rotation can be developed.

Dress up warm for tomorrow!

Well what happened with Gianni? Was he told off?

[Sam the Eagle]

Discussed the headphones with him and he had no music on all ride. Also talked to him re cadence and his wobbly riding - no response, didn't even register that it was a problem. He admitted to being distracted when out in a pack and that is why he wobbles all over the place. This is a real problem and I think that when things speed up a bit in Dec he will have to ride at the back all the time or not at all. I will talk to him about this next week.

[The Bish]

I probably won't be out wiv da club this sat, any more thoughts about the following week? 9:30 start, beginning on the glorious 4th Dec?

If you reply to this now, it's late, you should be going to bed! You need your rest as well as exercise.

[Heffalump]

Noticed no Presidente on Saturday :o (10/10 for my powers of observation eh) :?: Presumably you're training at altitude Andy, in preparation for the 4th Dec:?: :lol:

[Agusto Pinochet]

Over slept, put off by cold weather, shut my nose in the front door trying to stop the puppy licking the postman to death.At ten to nine was not a happy bunny :x Thought my time would be better spent resting in prepartion for the 4th.Also our builder wants to start the new garage next monday and as I'm off to the Ghent six this weekend it was the only chance I had to clear the old garage. Cant wait for the 4th shall be watch this space for Tonys final format.

[The Bish]

Shutting your nose in the front door, don't you just hate it when that happens.

[Sam the Eagle]

If you had a nose of any real size (like mine) you would know that such an incident is an every day risk. Not as problamatic as turning around without warning an having someones eye out but enough to make one treat doors with some respect.

Dec 4th onwards? Still thinking re this but have just turned the page in my book on training, headed "B*&^%$d endurance sessions" so will find something there I feel sure.

Bish - saw you the other day on the way in to work - trying way too hard.

[The Bish]

Late again!