Chalmerston road chaingang

[Hillrunner]

Are we going for 7pm tonight and three groups? I know some folks have been struggling to get there for the 6.30 start and have been disappointed at only getting two laps of pain by the time they get there. What do folks think?

[AndrewWilson]

Aye, I agree, 7pm for 3 laps.  Still need lights to ride home.

[Owen]

Sorry meant to post this up earlier, 7pm 3 laps seems OK now and Andrew is right, we have just about enought light but lights needed for a safe ride home.

[Mark B]

We could just finish at the Castle tonight as that way we are 15-20mins closer to home?

[EddieC]

Unless you live in  dunblane in which case you're further away!! 

[Mark B]

Hehehe!

[Steven Moffat]

Not going to make this one tonight I dont think.

[Kyle Petrie]

Or thornhill!

[Owen]

Tonight's 2nd group of 20 was a bit too big in my opinion.

I was talking to Rob W, who arrived and said he thought there was too many riders for 1 group, and I agreed. The idea was for most folk to go, and the fastest guys to hang back for another minute or so in a 3rd group.

Be good to do that next week if we have the same numbers- would make more sense (and be safer) to have 3 smaller groups.

Anyone dropped or sitting on a lot in the first 2 laps- let's make a bigger 2nd group next week and wheel about and all work next week.

Also,  don't think it's particularly safe to ride a TT bike in a 20-strong group riding at 25mph, sorry.  [edit- apologies, I'm being a bit unfair to Rory here who was on the TT rig, and I'm told was sitting at a safe distance behind the group.]

just my view

[John Reid]

For what its worth!!!!!

The first group didn't accommodate any novices/newbies either, fairly full on from the start. There's not much incentive to keep people coming back for improvement when they're getting shelved before Doune.

[Owen]

Sounds like an ideal scenario, John, for a few of the stronger group 1 folk to step up and make a middle group.

Always tricky getting the balance right, there's no drill instructor to organise things, it's just a turn up and ride thing.

Lets see if we can balance it out a bit next week

[JimTierney]

I think the whole evening needs looked at!
Surely the idea is "chain gang" training whether it is 1st,2nd,3rd group or whatever.
The groups should be together for a fair amount of the 3 laps.
Within reason, I would not expect the scratch group to wait for myself, however not managing to get up the drag to Doune first time round in the first group is a bit dispiriting!
It should also be said last week when myself and Dougie joined on with first group for second lap there were only 4 out of a fair sized bunch left in first group.
The difference between the Falkirk chain gang and our own is obvious to anyone who attends. Regardless of ability all cyclists get a proper workout without bodies littering the circuit!
One of the main reasons is of course the nature of the course, ours is much harder!
2 things at least need done:-
People need to be in correct groups.
A little consideration at the more difficult parts of the course would enable people to hang on.


 

[Mark B]

Maybe we should have a chat about it at the start of next week. Think next week is finish at the castle via Deanston so the course is more straightforward.

Think all the groups were a bit mucked up, early season probs so nothing which cant be ironed out!

[SamS]

Just had a bit of feedback from a colleague.

His friend lives on the Doune-Thornhill road and was in the Land Rover that pulled over when the group was 4-a-breast going up one of the hills on the last lap, I had a good view of this as I was being ungraciously 'pumped oot the back' at the time!  or should that be  :'(

My colleague said the guy in the 4x4 is a cyclist too (used to be competitive when he was younger apparently) and said that he understands that people get carried away but other road users down there might not be so courteous as he was or think about the group's safety, especially if we're spread over the road with our heads down.  We're all guilty of it at times, at least I know that I am. 

He asks that we be a bit safer as people can hare down that road.  My colleague said the guy's very laid back and it wasn't an aggressive or exasperated request, just a suggestion that riders should be a bit wiser as to road positioning, even when going baws-oot.

[JimP]

Jim T makes a very good point.  At the moment the Chain Gang evening seems to attract probably the top 10% of the Club's riders most of whom are experienced competitors.  We should, however, be making space/opportunities for less able riders who still wish to compete at more modest levels and this would encourage more club members to take part on what is, in my view, the best training session of the week.  Currently there are riders, who are no slouches, getting popped within the first couple of miles and that does not encourage less able riders to take part.  JimT is right in saying that staying together, as best as you can, as a group is the key.  Discussion certainly required.

Safe riding, guys, particularly in light of Sam's comments.