Your back light's out mate, Chaingang Weds 21st Sept

Even more riders this week, around two dozen. With such a big group we took it easy till Galley Hill, but still got split up at lights and junction. Matt champing at the bit- leapt off the front and attacked on Galley hill, Max, fixed, 52x16, said" let him go, he'll get lonely out there all on his own" I wasn't convinced, but anyway he was off and opened a big gap. There was a fierce headwind and right enough along Bexhill front he flagged a bit, we dug in and overhauled him. A big bang at Cooden; Malc's front tyre this time, bad luck. I stopped, the first dozen slowed then rolled on, I figured a dozen more were behind Malc so I decided to give chase to the front group and caught them by the railway crossing. Roadman Shaun Reed came thru near the end for a strong spell, somehow I ended up on the front, managed to jump not too early this week, got a gap and made it stick till the end, first time I've managed that this season.

Shaun told us about his new assymetric chain rings that Team Sky use - almost square and 5% or 10% faster say the scientists. See John Sharples, and bring an envelope full of cash. Back in the 80s oval biopace rings were all the rage for a while, with hindsight we know Biopace were as Shaun comfirms, " total sh*te" because they got the deadspot in the wrong place. Will we all be using the new squared off rings in 20 years time, or will they go the way of Biopace,and other shortlived innovations like L shaped cranks? Time will tell, and at £200 a set, I'll wait and see, meanwhile trying to turn my old rings round 5% faster.

On the way back Max used mind control to keep Matt boxed in until Spooky Hill, where he flew away, pants on fire. Jay and Simon, fixed, 49x15 gave chase . With a good tailwind I had to spin like fun on 48 x15 as M shifted into top like a dirty cheat and shot off down the other side like a rocket. More mad effort to bridge, and we actually had a good gap, until I took a spell and Shaun and his big mate got across to us. Now approaching Cooden, its customary for the Bayeux Sunday run to wind it up after a long ride on the flats and contest the 30 sign, Shaun used a clever bluff to distract Matt and motored off the front to take the sign, we saved our legs for the chase down to Bexhill, where some traffic got in the way at the end so we didn't get to duke it out after all. Good to see more new faces, John and Wotjec ( I think? excuse spelling) over from Eastbourne, had a lift of my bike and both agreed it was "very heavy" !

C.W.