Sunday's ride reports are now on the Reports Page. Well done all who ventured out!
Wednesday 2nd May - Club Meeting 7.30pm!
Gaffer
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Club Meeting
Club Meeting - Wednesday 2nd May 2012, 7.30 pm
Downstairs room of The Red Barn, Barnehurst Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 6HG.
Items for the agenda to Ollie please.
Gaffer
Club Clothing
PLEASE NOTE: If you have recently emailed the club for information regarding rides or joining and you have had no reply, it may mean that your email has been lost due to computer problems. Please could you send your email again and we will respond immediately. Your enquiries are very important to us!
Dear All,
Due to computer and internet mail function, I have lost some emails for club clothing and I am having to completely redo the club clothing order. Please could you email me to confirm your requests. I apologise lots! I now have new laptop and have resolved internet issues, so plan to have the order in ASAP. I will respond to each email with confirmation of order and deposits paid etc.
For more info on kit, please see the following (will open in a separate window)
Club Kit Sizing Chart >>> see here
Club Kit Price List >>> see here
Cycling Fit Camp riders - your ride this week is on Sunday at 9.30am, shorter route out to Swanley Park.
We will be starting a new 'Summer Fit Camp' series on Saturday afternoons, starting with Level 1 on Saturday 5th May, 1.00pm.
Ollie 'the Gaffer' Golding
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
"Whilst the Cats Away" Shoreham 35 miles/55km
Not really sure as to who was going to turn up so had a route sorted with a possible tweak if things got a bit out of hand. So, nine in total which would drop to six and then back to seven by the end of the day. After allowing an extended fuelling, namely Jason and Suley deciding to have some skinny latte hold the chocolate something or other we left on route through Blackfen, loosing one who had moved up to the premier league but already found the pace a bit racy. Wise move, cos it got a bit fast and furious as the day went on. Jason was on his "aint been to bed yet" so the plan was to keep him busy so he didnt suddenly nod off on his handlebars, simples....
North Cray road the tempo was cruising and brisk and after powering along Maidstone Road we lost 2 more due to a mechanical. So Suley was off home, Colin rejoined the group, back to seven and off we set to Crockenhill. The only concern was that Jason would not fall asleep before we got to the coffee stop.
On we went, straight onto the climb of the day, most of the band of brothers ( cos we had no ladies out with us ) had not expirienced the joys of Bower Lane. Steep for the first part and then depressingly it goes on and on but it gets a lot easier. Spread a bit down the road and as we regrouped at the top, Colin said his goodbyes. Back down to six, it was onward and downward everyone enjoying the descent of Fackendon. Robert especially enjoying the move up to the major league " its a bit different to the saturday fit club" says he.
Then down through the village, who do we spot but a green and black, Suley. Fixed his problem and tracked us down to the tea stop - not so sure he was going to be so happy about that cos he had a couple of hills to go up after his break, but great to have him back with us none the less
A warm welcome, nice cake and even better that they have gone up market with snazzy coffees instead of that awful war time rocket fuel they serve. The place was pretty full with bikers and cyclist alike. So re-fueled it was up and out of the village, only one way really, yup once again, Cockerhurst and Firmongers. Suley letting out a cheery "thanks" to the ride captain and the captain saluting with a "wave of the hand" to acknowledge his joy of tackling this one yet again. Jason like the silent assasin climbing well and Matt must have had the rocket fuel cos he went straight off the front, realising he had gone a bit too quick but doing a great job regardless. Not for the first time of the day did he have to get reeled back in - fitness level definatley improving.
Bit of a hold up when MG was waiting for "no one" at the top of Firmongers as he thought that Jason was still down the road but after being rescued by Suley and Matt we were off again for the usual way home along the Sevenoaks Way. A great place to put the hammer down and off Matt went again,doing a great job of staying away too.The traffic holding him up and helping out the chasing peloton as we re grouped at Watery Lane and the journey back to the park.
Well done to everyone, a slightly quicker paced ride than we usually attempt, think because our thoughts were with the rest of the squad in the New Forest (and i wanted to get back for the cycling on the telly !!!)
Combatitive points for the day go to Suley for tracking us down and being a great number 2 and Matt. I think ready to scalp a few old boys this year. He was powering off the front all day, on the flat, on a climb and on a descent in fact everytime he was mobile really.
Great riding !!!
MG
North Cray road the tempo was cruising and brisk and after powering along Maidstone Road we lost 2 more due to a mechanical. So Suley was off home, Colin rejoined the group, back to seven and off we set to Crockenhill. The only concern was that Jason would not fall asleep before we got to the coffee stop.
On we went, straight onto the climb of the day, most of the band of brothers ( cos we had no ladies out with us ) had not expirienced the joys of Bower Lane. Steep for the first part and then depressingly it goes on and on but it gets a lot easier. Spread a bit down the road and as we regrouped at the top, Colin said his goodbyes. Back down to six, it was onward and downward everyone enjoying the descent of Fackendon. Robert especially enjoying the move up to the major league " its a bit different to the saturday fit club" says he.
Then down through the village, who do we spot but a green and black, Suley. Fixed his problem and tracked us down to the tea stop - not so sure he was going to be so happy about that cos he had a couple of hills to go up after his break, but great to have him back with us none the less
A warm welcome, nice cake and even better that they have gone up market with snazzy coffees instead of that awful war time rocket fuel they serve. The place was pretty full with bikers and cyclist alike. So re-fueled it was up and out of the village, only one way really, yup once again, Cockerhurst and Firmongers. Suley letting out a cheery "thanks" to the ride captain and the captain saluting with a "wave of the hand" to acknowledge his joy of tackling this one yet again. Jason like the silent assasin climbing well and Matt must have had the rocket fuel cos he went straight off the front, realising he had gone a bit too quick but doing a great job regardless. Not for the first time of the day did he have to get reeled back in - fitness level definatley improving.
Bit of a hold up when MG was waiting for "no one" at the top of Firmongers as he thought that Jason was still down the road but after being rescued by Suley and Matt we were off again for the usual way home along the Sevenoaks Way. A great place to put the hammer down and off Matt went again,doing a great job of staying away too.The traffic holding him up and helping out the chasing peloton as we re grouped at Watery Lane and the journey back to the park.
Well done to everyone, a slightly quicker paced ride than we usually attempt, think because our thoughts were with the rest of the squad in the New Forest (and i wanted to get back for the cycling on the telly !!!)
Combatitive points for the day go to Suley for tracking us down and being a great number 2 and Matt. I think ready to scalp a few old boys this year. He was powering off the front all day, on the flat, on a climb and on a descent in fact everytime he was mobile really.
Great riding !!!
MG
Monday, 2 April 2012
The Season Opener - Westerham 40miles/64.3km
Well the weather was not scorching sun, which was a shame, slightly chilly but Sean decided to brave the elements in short sleeves and shorts none the less. Not sure that he was going to get his tan started just yet but a brave man it had to be said. Bike bling on show, Maria Sofia made the long awaited appearance as did 15 of the crew which would later drop to 12 as some were just out for the social meet and had plans for later in the day. It was a lot of the big boys and girls too plus a few that had got promoted to the premier league. Was to be a tough day in the saddle for a few but then it was April Fools after all !!!
So the drop down from the park through Blackfen and on to Bexley proved to be a nice warm up. A quick regroup and cheerio to Colin,Dr L, Sean and Tom whilst Greg, drawn by the magnet of Strava went off down the North Cray (the hard way) whilst the rest, not quite pace line but together, caught him up at the roundabout ( well he was waiting really).
Dropping down Chelsfield Hill we pass a lone guy giving it his all- the addiction of Strava, whilst we were about to do the first climb of the day up Rushmore Hill. Off we all go and MG drops the chain, oh the joy of a compact- he was seriously thinking "hope this aint going to be the order of the day". We all re group and a slight route change to drop down Sundridge and on to Westerham with a flying descent down Westerham Hill- Nick doing a great Nibali impression...it was coffee time, most releaved we were halfway.
So the turn around and the second and main climb of the day..Brasted..so many times renamed but this time the ride captain was "complimented" on choice of hill for the opening KOM club competition !!! MG stating " dont worry it is easier than Fackendon in my opinion" Well actually his opinion amounted to nowt as most of those that had been up this beast thought he was on another planet with that sort of comment. Of we all set, Greg powering straight off the front MG chasing after and keeping Greg in his sights, but the power of the man was too great and then it dawned on the ride captain that actually he was talking a load of old bull and was beginning to suffer, the change to a compact not really having the relief he thought it would give. Zig zagging up the road and almost gets clobbered by a car as MG was on the wrong side of the road and on a bend too !!
So close behind these two came Benny and then Martin doing a fantastic ride followed by three girls sprinting for the top..yes you read that right..Susie, Bradders and Lucy all out the saddle. Susie grabbing the win, it was great to watch. A quick congrats and a breather we set off again, riding past Bigfoot CC who gave us a cheery hello, nice to see that from a cycling club for once !!!
Then for a super sweeping descent down Cudham Lane which seems to go on and on and on everyone enjoying the ride and nice to be rewarded for the pain MG inflicted a few minutes earlier.
So the sting in the tail, Worlds End Lane....again Greg at the front, Benny battling to be at the top first and MG holding back to encourage those that were starting to feel it in the legs. No one got off although i am sure that they were thinking it, but with MG behind them i dont think that they dared !!!
It just left the slightly busy ride back to Sidcup, Greg and Benny the advance party all rejoining together to climb Watery Lane and back to the park.
So we have an early leader on KOM whom i think is going to take some beating and we have only just started the event !!
Combatitive points for the day go to Susie for out sprinting the pack on Brasted and for Jason with the longest mileage to date. Both Jason and Susie subsiquently in the rainbow jersey too leading the Worlds competition.
So the season off to a fyler it was a tough opening day, but a serious well done to everyone that was on the ride. Next month KOM will be an easier one, promise......dont know why, know one ever seems to believe me.......
MG
So the drop down from the park through Blackfen and on to Bexley proved to be a nice warm up. A quick regroup and cheerio to Colin,Dr L, Sean and Tom whilst Greg, drawn by the magnet of Strava went off down the North Cray (the hard way) whilst the rest, not quite pace line but together, caught him up at the roundabout ( well he was waiting really).
Dropping down Chelsfield Hill we pass a lone guy giving it his all- the addiction of Strava, whilst we were about to do the first climb of the day up Rushmore Hill. Off we all go and MG drops the chain, oh the joy of a compact- he was seriously thinking "hope this aint going to be the order of the day". We all re group and a slight route change to drop down Sundridge and on to Westerham with a flying descent down Westerham Hill- Nick doing a great Nibali impression...it was coffee time, most releaved we were halfway.
So the turn around and the second and main climb of the day..Brasted..so many times renamed but this time the ride captain was "complimented" on choice of hill for the opening KOM club competition !!! MG stating " dont worry it is easier than Fackendon in my opinion" Well actually his opinion amounted to nowt as most of those that had been up this beast thought he was on another planet with that sort of comment. Of we all set, Greg powering straight off the front MG chasing after and keeping Greg in his sights, but the power of the man was too great and then it dawned on the ride captain that actually he was talking a load of old bull and was beginning to suffer, the change to a compact not really having the relief he thought it would give. Zig zagging up the road and almost gets clobbered by a car as MG was on the wrong side of the road and on a bend too !!
So close behind these two came Benny and then Martin doing a fantastic ride followed by three girls sprinting for the top..yes you read that right..Susie, Bradders and Lucy all out the saddle. Susie grabbing the win, it was great to watch. A quick congrats and a breather we set off again, riding past Bigfoot CC who gave us a cheery hello, nice to see that from a cycling club for once !!!
Then for a super sweeping descent down Cudham Lane which seems to go on and on and on everyone enjoying the ride and nice to be rewarded for the pain MG inflicted a few minutes earlier.
So the sting in the tail, Worlds End Lane....again Greg at the front, Benny battling to be at the top first and MG holding back to encourage those that were starting to feel it in the legs. No one got off although i am sure that they were thinking it, but with MG behind them i dont think that they dared !!!
It just left the slightly busy ride back to Sidcup, Greg and Benny the advance party all rejoining together to climb Watery Lane and back to the park.
So we have an early leader on KOM whom i think is going to take some beating and we have only just started the event !!
Combatitive points for the day go to Susie for out sprinting the pack on Brasted and for Jason with the longest mileage to date. Both Jason and Susie subsiquently in the rainbow jersey too leading the Worlds competition.
So the season off to a fyler it was a tough opening day, but a serious well done to everyone that was on the ride. Next month KOM will be an easier one, promise......dont know why, know one ever seems to believe me.......
MG
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