Team BKool CycleChat

[Whorty]

I don't ever remember so much turbo fun on a Sunday, although "fun" wasn't the first word that sprung to mind during that ride. Trouble is it's too close to the Saturday fun to have fully recovered for those of us who need a decent recovery time. Probably going to need to try and man up a bit if this is going to be a regular occurrence.

Due to work commitments in the week, most of my riding is on a Saturday and Sunday. So even though I might do a league ride on a Saturday, I also have to do the goat on the Sunday.

 

[AAAC 76C]

Mere. A little town close to Gillingham and Shaftesbury just off the A303.

Mere, the 'I must have taken the wrong turn off town', none the less a pretty place and gateway to the beautiful Deverills,
You even have an outdoor shooting range,
But lets not mention the pesky mobile speed trap that is often on the bridge over the 303.

 

[bridgy]

@TurboTommy sorry only just got in from a cold morning watching my lads football.

Looks like there a few options for you today, however I would like to start trying to plan in a few steadier rides (spin the lactic out of our legs)

Anyone about on Monday evening @ 7 o'clock ???

I'll try and join you for an easy ride tomorrow evening at 7 too

 

[Add]

I'll try and join you for an easy ride tomorrow evening at 7 too

If you PROMISE it'll be easy, I promise not to drink an alcohol, and will join you for a pleasant amble. Your idea of easy mind Bridgy, could well see me requiring my bucket again.

 

[Perky77]

Just finished goat ride, was out all day and onto catching up on messages now, shame I couldn't make the live run
I strangely enjoyed it and got second inc in condition in a week to Active 3. The full on week is definitely paying off after a few days off

 

[Add]

Starting a hill climb 5 minutes late, with no warm up, boozed up and completely under prepared!?.... it's that kind of attitude that'll see you back in business in no time amigo

That kind of bullish stupidity you mean? I must admit I'm really enjoying it at the moment, but I am still riding the wave of exponential improvement. The hardest part for me will be when I plateaux, which inevitably will be before too long, and I no longer get the very rewarding gains to spur me on.

 

[bridgy]

If you PROMISE it'll be easy, I promise not to drink an alcohol, and will join you for a pleasant amble. Your idea of easy mind Bridgy, could well see me requiring my bucket again.

Sprint for the line if we're still together with a mile to go, for old times sake?

 

[Add]

Sprint for the line if we're still together with a mile to go, for old times sake?

With a mile to go? I was hoping it might only be a mile long all told.

 

[<Tommy>]

That kind of bullish stupidity you mean? I must admit I'm really enjoying it at the moment, but I am still riding the wave of exponential improvement. The hardest part for me will be when I plateaux, which inevitably will be before too long, and I no longer get the very rewarding gains to spur me on.

I don't think it's bullish stupidity add, I just think you've got immense heart and a never defeated attitude. I'll never forget the team time trial we did when you were either running late or had a mechanical at the start which put you a good few minutes behind. You then insisted we didn't slow and wait for you and not only did you catch us but you then drove us all on. It was some effort to say the least mate.

The gains get smaller but I thought you were still improving weekly before your brief hiatus and you were going toe to toe with bridgy at the time, so who knows how much further you can take it. I definitely need motivation too but hopefully the competition gives us that. Plus the DD should keep us all honest the next few months.

 

[Soarerv8]

If you PROMISE it'll be easy, I promise not to drink an alcohol, and will join you for a pleasant amble. Your idea of easy mind Bridgy, could well see me requiring my bucket again.

And if you promise no hills (well no upwards ones) then I might even be persuaded

 

[Soarerv8]

I don't think it's bullish stupidity add, I just think you've got immense heart and a never defeated attitude. I'll never forget the team time trial we did when you were either running late or had a mechanical at the start which put you a good few minutes behind. You then insisted we didn't slow and wait for you and not only did you catch us but you then drove us all on. It was some effort to say the least mate.

The gains get smaller but I thought you were still improving weekly before your brief hiatus and you were going toe to toe with bridgy at the time, so who knows how much further you can take it. I definitely need motivation too but hopefully the competition gives us that. Plus the DD should keep us all honest the next few months.

I thought not complimenting Adam was one of the unwritten rules?

 

[<Tommy>]

I thought not complimenting Adam was one of the unwritten rules?

Ha!

Quite right... I'll blame that one on the beer I think. Never again promise

 

[Add]

The next Handicap Chase is Pico Penas de Dios

Next run is 8pm (plus Start Time) this Tuesday 8th November 2016.

Start Times (Handicaps) are as follows... (when underway time equals or exceeds the given Start Time).

If anyone else wants to take part, can they let us know a competitive time for the stage, or failing that their fitness level and who they usually finish close to.

Your handicap is based on your previous times, and is used to generate a Start Time.

Like golf, the higher the Handicap the more assistance you get, so the earlier the Start Time.

Your Handicap is reduced slightly if you have only completed one chase, and reduced more if you have completed none (and your time is based on doing the stage outside the handicap format). Therefore you are rewarded for completing the handicap chase once, and rewarded more for a second one, as your time should more closely reflect your current potential.

Finally, the Handicap is also reduced slightly for those who are furthest behind the fastest time, as they have more chance of significantly improving their times. The front runners will always struggle to improve their times much, especially after a couple of runs, so they need the full Handicap to stay competitive.

This algorithm has developed across several stages (and previous Chain Gang rides) and closed the bulk of the field from around 10 minutes to around 3 minutes, and hopefully future runs will close it up again slightly.

It is always likely that the win will be taken by an early starter who improves significantly, which is probably a good thing as it improves motivation. It is also possible that any significant under performance on previous bests will result in trailing in at the back, for even the fastest riders. I don't think this can be helped. However, so long as the bulk of the entrants finish close together it should make for a more entertaining session for the majority, and make the format worthwhile.

Geoff

Mmm, just checked out this route, looks good, apart from the slightly ominous maximum gradient, which it claims is 48.65%. I can only assume someone has built a wall across the road. Nevertheless, I am hoping to have a crack at this one.

 

[Monte]

@gbrown - I'm available tomorrow evening (it's only a one off) however i'm not on the pace with where you have put me. Can I bribe you with a few pasties to alter my start time ???

 

[Monte]

Those of you interested in a gentle (leg spinner) organised group ride later.

7 o'clock start
route is - Schoonhoven-Ottoland (don't think I could of found a flatter course).

Pace suggestion 20-22 mph - rotate the front man every 5 mins - I will start the ride @ 7 o'clock, do the warm up + 5 mins, next rider comes through etc...

It will be a bit experimental for a while, so please bear with me. It's my intention that the group all sticks together, so if the pace needs to alter please adjust accordingly.

@bridgy @Add and anyone else that wants too, go for your 1 mile sprint finish.