And then we sever. Chaingang 25th jan

"When I heard the sound of sixteen pairs of SPDs clipping in, that's when I knew. It was going to be fast"
Welcome new rider Gavin - sorry I should  have mentioned clip-in shoes and racing kit is the norm, well done for going so well wearing jeans & trainers, not to mention bulky anorak and rucksack.  Gavin enjoyed the ride nevertheless and promised to be back next week with some sportier kit. With the running training he's doing I'm sure he'll be on the pace, no probs.  Jay Miles is down to his racing weight already -  himself and Gavin are training for Hastings half marathon, any more runners in the pack?

Incidentally this might be a good time to point out to  riders new to riding in a bunch that our Wednesday Chaingang is very different to a traditional Club run.  A Club run  - which we do at weekends - everyone generally keeps together in a tight bunch and don't try to break away or attack, except perhaps at agreed points like an important climb or a "30" sign approaching home and  regrouping soon afterwards.

Some good tips on group riding here:


http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/westlothianclara.html

http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/westlothianclarb.html

http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/technique.html

Our chaingang is Devil tak' the hindmost, more or less,  but two or more riders working well together can beat a soloist, unless it's Pete . . .

A Southerly wind  against us on way out.  Pete T.  and Ivan led the way out at 21mph, until Pete attacked and broke away at South Cliff. Ivan and I chased - at times we appeared to be closing on Pete's blinking red taillight, then suddenly it danced round a bend and out of sight like some deceptive Will o' the Wisp - mocking our efforts fly thru' air like treacle.  Swavek, then Simon N then Malc rolled up having bravely battled the fierce wind alone to stay clear of the bunch.

Pete led us back, winding the pace up higher and higher along Cooden Drive until the elastic was well and truly severed. Not a lot we can do about that - unless Charlie Bell can be persuaded to motorpace us on his custom Derny one week - only joking.